Backwood Spirit
Backwood Spirit was founded in Örebro, Sweden, in 2014 by guitarist and song-writer Kent Engström. After writing and doing pre-recordings of songs with different musicians, Engström teamed up with long time music companion and drummer Joje Lindskoog (Crossroad Jam, Waving Corn) to put a band together. In late 2015 the two joined forces with vocalist Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) to start the recording of an album. Tobias Åslund was brought in for the organ and keyboard work in the studio, along with Niclas Boson for the bass. Later on Boson became a regular member of the band. The line-up was completed with Peter Emilson, also with a past in Crossroad Jam, on keyboard. In the style of classic rock and bluesy hard rock, the music of Backwood Spirit is reflecting the musical roots of the members. Pride & Joy Music releases: Backwood Spirit (2017)
Aldaria
“Land Of Light” is the highly anticipated debut release by the new all-star metal opera ALDARIA! The album contains 11 epic tracks in the vein of old Helloween & Avantasia, with fast-paced hymns to beautiful ballads. The band is masterminded by guitarist Frode Hovd from the Norwegian metal group MEMORIZED DREAMS who was joined by a host of world known guests from the metal community including Mathias Blad (Falconer, voc), Jonas Heidgert (Dragonland, voc), Jimmy Hedlund (Falconer, guit.), Roland Grapow (Masterplan, guit.), Mike LePond, (Symphony X, bass), Uli Kusch (ex Helloween, dr.), Peter Danielsen (Darkest Sins, synths) and Mistheria (Vivaldi Metal Project, keys). The album has been in production for over two years. Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, voc), Todd Michael Hall (Riot V, voc), Rick Altzi (Masterplan, voc), Produced and fully written by Hovd himself, this concept album was mixed by Roland Grapow (Masterplan) at Grapow Studios and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Primal Fear, Volbeat, Doro etc) at Hansen Studios. Artwork by Stan W. Decker (Jorn, Serious Black…). The full cast of musicians performing on this release and an essay about the lyrical concept is found on www.aldariaband.com Pride & Joy Music releases: Land Of Light (2017)
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
Danger Zone
When guitarist Roberto Priori started the Italian band DANGER ZONE in the early 80s a long hard road lay ahead of them. In 1984 they released the LP “Victim Of Time”. In the spring of 1988 DANGER ZONE eventually opened up for Heavy Metal legends Saxon in Verona, Italy and following the performance promoter and manager Francesco Sanavio offered DANGER ZONE a production deal which included the plan to break into the US market. Almost a year later in May 1989 the new album „Line Of Fire“ began to take shape when executive producer Stephan Galfas (Meat Loaf, Savatage, Stryper, John Waite and Saxon) got involved and his colleagues Jody Gray and Mark Cobrin, both successful with the Japanese Hard Rock outfits Loudness and EZO, took over the production duties. Due to adverse circumstances the finished album got shelved at first, but as the years went by „Line Of Fire“ reached an underground cult status when Rock magazines, fanzines and dedicated fans of the band continuously demanded its release. Finally in 2011 the „Line Of Fire“ CD saw the light of day through a German label. The band already got back together in 2010. In the year 2012, the guys released their follow-up album “Undying” and played several gigs in Italy. To promote this release, the group played several shows in Italy and some Summer Festivals.In March 2014 they released a single and a video of the E.Z.O.’s song „Fire Fire“, a tribute to a legendary Japanese band of the 80’s, now featuring new bass player Matteo Minghetti. While keeping playing live, the Danger Zone started to work on the compositions for a new album. The sound now turned out to be more melodic than before so they decided to add Pier Mazzini (Perfect View) and Whitesnake’s Michele Luppi on keyboards. In Summer of 2015 the Italians started the recordings with Roberto Priori and Jody Gray producing at the PriStudio in Bologna; as before the engineering duties were handled by Roberto himself. The whole album has a very positive energy and attitude. Hard Rock and AOR were mixed together and as a result, the band feels even better presented than it was never before. That’s why they decided to call the album „Closer To Heaven“, it marks a step towards their own identity and sound. The band is currently rehearsing with the added guitar player Danilo Faggiolino to get ready to bring this new chapter of the band on the road. Stay tuned! Pride & Joy Music releases: Closer To Heaven (2016) Don’t Count On Heroes (2019)
Free From Sin
Per Englund and Patrik Lämborg met for the first time while doing the mandatory Swedish military service 1985. Per sang at that time in a band called Blacksmith. Blacksmith had just finished recording their second album-single called „Tomorrows Mistery“. The first Blacksmith recording was en EP called „Gypsy Queen“. Per got a demo that Patrik had made a few years earlier (this demo tape also placed Patrik in the highly renowned Guitar Player spotlight column). And that was that, Patrik joined Blacksmith and Blacksmith Mk II was a fact. Blacksmith Mk II played in the limited Swedish rock scene. They also recorded an EP (1987) with songs like „World Victim“ & „Angel“. This EP was unfortunately never released since the band parted in 1988 (mainly due to that Patrik got some calls from USA and left to play in America). The EP master tape is unfortunately destroyed and beyond repair…. Per moved on with other bands such as 220 Volt (under the name Voltergaist) during 1992-93, Mandrake Root 1994-98 (4 albums together with the Free From Sin Hammond virtuoso Staffan Stavert). Year 2000 Blacksmith Mark III recorded an album called „Once upon a star“. During 2009-2010 Patrik & Per connected again and decided to record a demo in Patriks home studio. The demo contained new but also a couple of old songs. The demo turned out very well, and again the duo proved that they still can produce great hardrock/metal songs. The demo was later presented to their good friend and producer Magnus „Mankan” Sedenberg. He thought this would be a great album to make. This of course triggered Per & Patrik with some new energy and they decided to record the album at Pama Records Studios. Free From Sin is not a religious band, but as thinking human beings there is always room for questions. If you are Free From Sin, throw the first stone… www.freefromsin.net //www.facebook.com/FreeFromSinOfficial The band: Per Englund (Vocals), Patrik Lämborg (Guitars & Keyboards), Staffan Stavert (Hammond Organ), Anders Waldermansson (Bass), Jaime Salazar (Drums)
Black Majesty
Australia’s best power metal band Black Majesty returns with their sixth studio album titled ‘Cross Of Thorns’. ‘Faster, heavier yet melodic as ever’ the new album continues the band’s evolution of finely crafted melodic power metal anthems. Charismatic frontman John Cavaliere shines on the new album with emotive vocals that showcases the fine ‘timber’ in his voice on songs like Phoenix, Crossroads & Vlad The Impaler – not to mention on the cover version of the Gary Moore classic anthem ‘Out In The Fields’. Cross Of Thorns is dedicated to Dirk Illing, the band’s long-time friend and artist of all five previous album covers (R.I.P.). Mixed by Roland Grapow (ex Helloween/Masterplan) the album sounds amazing. Big drums, bass and guitars are all evident on the new release. Previous appearances at fests such as Wacken Open Air, Masters Of Rock, Screamfest and tour supports with the likes of Saxon, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall, Edguy and Dragonforce, Black Majesty will continue to build on their ever growing fan base with further touring, including some upcoming special acoustic shows in Europe to coincide with the release of the new album. Fans of Dio, Judas Priest, Helloween, Queensryche and Hammerfall will welcome Black Majesty’s new album – Cross Of Thorns. Black Majesty is : John Cavaliere – lead vocals, Stevie Janevski – guitars, Hanny Mohamed – guitars & keyboard, Evan Harris – bass, Ben Wignall – drums Pride & Joy Music releases: 31.07.2015 „Vlad The Impaler“ (digital single) 04.09.2015 „Cross Of Thorns“ (album) 21.09.2018 „Children Of The Abyss“ (album) www.blackmajesty.com http://www.facebook.com/blackmajestyofficial
Echoes
After performing hundreds of concerts throughout Europe, enchanting thousands of people and playing festivals alongside all time greats like Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Manfred Mann and Asia, Echoes are now one of the premier Pink Floyd Tribute Bands. To echo the music has never been enough for this band and so the elaborate live shows convey the grandeur in all its facets. The „Süddeutsche Zeitung“ simply calls it a spectacle. In 2014 „Pink Floyd’s star pupils“ (Vogtland-Anzeiger) ventured a new course and on top of their typically atypical renditions of Pink Floyd’s music they dared an experiment: the Pink Floyd acoustic concert – no amps, no safety net and no smoke and mirrors. Is that even possible? Can music that lives and breathes sprawling soundscapes, intricate cascades of electronic noise and intense atmospheric density be reduced to such austerity that the spirit isn’t lost? Or simply put, can you walk barefoot to the dark side of the moon? With the acoustic show „Barefoot To The Moon“ Echoes present their answer. The band centered around extraordinary guitarist and singer Oliver Hartmann (Rock Meets Classic, Avantasia) carefully dismantles the complex arrangements of the British art rock giants and uses only elementary and partly very unique Instruments to reduce the songs to their fundamental composition. All the while making sure that none of the magic is lost, but rather focused and so familiar sounds slightly change color and thus far unknown shades emerge. This stripped state shows a fascinatingly fragile beauty, that could not have been perceived before. Echoes reveals the essence of Pink Floyd. The exceptional atmosphere of this acoustic concert reflects not only in the music but also the familiar setting; candles instead of a laser show, a string section instead of keyboard sounds, reduction instead of inflation. Floydian grandeur turns into intimate music experience, borne by creativity, wit, charm and respect for the makers who are Pink Floyd. This DVD, recorded at the sold out Stadttheater Aschaffenburg, impressively documents the memorable evening and manifests the music of Pink Floyd in a way that it has not been heard before. Line-up: Line-up: Oliver Hartmann (Acoustic Guitar, Vocals); Martin Hofmann (Vocals, Acoustic Bass, Gitarre); Paul Kunkel (Piano, Vocals); Steffen Maier (Drums & Percussion); Michael Unger (Woodwinds & Vocals); Carolin Riehemann (Vocals); Irena Morisáková (Cello); Terezie Fadrná (Cello); Milena Kolárovà (Violin); Alice Vasilová (Violin) Releases: 16.10.2015 Barefoot To The Moon (CD) 16.10.2015 Barefoot To The Moon (DVD) 04.11.2016 Barefoot To The Moon (2-LP) 04.11.2016 Barefoot To The Moon (Blu-ray) 15.03.2019 Live From The Dark Side (Blu-ray, 2-CD, DVD and Box (with Blu-ray and 2-CD)
Psyco Drama
PSYCO DRAMA return withAshes to Wings, continuing the melodic power/progressive metal sound that brought them worldwide acclaim. Formed in Colorado Springs in 1990, PSYCO DRAMA established themselves as a musical force to be reckoned with on their debut album,The Illusion(1996). Its unique blend of hooks and melodies combined with epic and progressive passages resulted in compositions such as “Eyes Of A Child,” “Flames,” and “From Here,” with favorable comparisons placing them in the same league as progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE and FATES WARNING. With Corey Brown (vocals) and Hercules Castro (guitar) being the main writing team behind PSYCO DRAMA, the band is considering Ashes to Wingsto be the rightful follow-up to „The Illusion.” Joining Corey and Hercules on this musical rebirth is bassist Ian Ringler, a member of PSYCO DRAMA during their previous incarnation (as well as Corey’s band mate in MAGNITUDE 9), and drummer Greg Sands. Ashes to Wings‚ 11 tracks will deliver PSYCO DRAMA’S unique style of heavy metal to the world, with songs such as “From Ashes To Wings,” “Requiem,” and “All That We Have” firmly reestablishing the band at the forefront of the power/progressive metal genre. Psyco Drama is: Corey Brown (Vocals), Hercules Castro (Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals), Ian Ringler (Bass), Greg Sands (Drums, Backing Vocals) https://www.facebook.com/psycodramaband