product: Vice - Veni, Vidi, Vice

release date: 17.11.2017

territory: world

format: CD

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 1^st album), Alan Keen (vocals 2^nd 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, 17^th 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)

product: Empire - Chasing Shadows

release date: 17.11.2017

territory: world

format: CD

EMPIRE is the Hard Rock band of German guitarist Rolf Munkes (ex Majesty, ex Razorback, Crematory) which has released four exceptional albums in between the years of 2001 and 2007. On these releases, Munkes was accompanied by numerous high-class musicians.

The history of EMPIRE began in the year 2001 with the release of the album “Hypnotica” (Lion Music) which featured both the American singers Mark Boals (ex-Yngwie Malmsteen) and Lance King (ex Nightmare) on vocals. The line-up at the time was completed by Neil Murray (bass, ex Whitesnake, Brian May Band, Black Sabbath etc.), Gerald Klos (drums), Anders Johansson (drums, ex Stratovarius) and Don Airey (keyboards, ex Rainbow, Deep Purple). Rolf Munkes produced „Hypnotica“ himself; the mix was handled by Stefan Kaufmann (ex Accept, ex U.D.O.).

Only one year later, “Trading Souls”, the band’s second album came out on Lion Music. The CD once again was produced by Munkes with the mix being handled by Kaufmann. On this release, singer extraordinare Tony Martin (ex Black Sabbath) replaced King and Martin on the vocal spot.

Tony Martin also sang on the – up until now – most successful CD from EMPIRE, “The Rave Ride”, which was released in 2006 on German label Metal Heaven. Besides of Munkes, who, for the first also produced and mixed this release himself at his own Empire Studios in Bensheim, Germany, Neil Murray took again care of the bass work whilst the drums this time were handled by ex-Rage/ex-Axxis drummer André Hilgers.  

In 2007, the so far last album of EMPIRE saw the light of day. “Chasing Shadows” was once again released on Metal Heaven and the first record feat. former Rainbow singer Doogie White in the line-up. Mike Terrana (ex Rage, ex Axel Rudi Pell, Tarja Turunen) joined the group on drums.

In 2017, German label Pride & Joy Music will re-issue all four releases in a revised version. “Chasing Shadows” which will be released on August 18th, 2017 with one bonus track.

product: Secret Rule - The Key To The World

release date: 10.11.2017

format: CD & download

territory: world

SECRET RULE was formed in the beginning of 2014 with the intention to create a special sound with powerful rhythms and catchy melodies. The band is fronted by the powerful voice of Angela Di Vincenzo (Kyla Moyl), masterminded by lead guitarist Andy Menario (Martiria) who has worked with big names such as Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Dio), Jeff Pilson (Dokken, Foreigner), and Carlos Cavazo (Quiet Riot). The line-up is completed by bassist Michele Raspanti (Graal) and drummer Nicola Corrente (Enemynside, Stick it out, Starkiller Sound).

In February 2015, the group released their debut “Transposed Emotions’ (Rocksector Records) - a concept, a mixture of facts and tales which analyse our society with a look at a post apocalyptic era. The album was recorded in 2014; produced, mixed and mastered at Antfam Studios in Denmark by Tue Madsen (Halford The Haunted, Mnemic, Hatesphere, Ektomorf), while the artwork was created by Simona Speedy Saccoccia. After some gigs in Italy, the band went on tour in Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, Holland and the UK, taking part in some festivals such as the SOS Fest in the UK and the WIZZ FEST in Belgium.

In October 2015, SECRET RULE started recording their second album “Machination”. The line-up for the new long player also included Sander Zoer (ex Delain, Leah) on drums, Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica) on keyboards and other special guests such as Stefan Helleblad (Within Temptation), Timo Somers (Delain), Fabio D’Amore (Serenity) and Janneke De Rooy (Paper Doll Decay). This release again was produced, mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (Antfarm Studio) and the artwork created by Simona Speedy Saccoccia.

The CD got a release on June 24^th, 2016 on Scarlet Records with two tours to follow in July and August covering Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, Hungary, Czech Republic, the UK, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. On 7 October in Wetzicon at the Hall of Fame venue, the Italians supported Serenity and on 29 January, they opened for Delain.

Early in 2017 SECRET RULE supported Blaze Bayley for some gigs and then started to work on new material. The new album “The Key to the World” will be released by Pride & Joy Music on November 10^th, 2017. Henrik Klingenberg (Sonata Arctica) and two new guests on this new CD, Henning Basse (Firewind and MaYan) and Ailyn Giménez (ex Sirenia), also appear on this third release of the band. It again was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (Antfarm Studio- Denmark); Fabio D’amore (Serenity) handled the pre-production and Simona Speedy Saccoccia took care of the artwork again. In addition, music videos for the tracks “Twin Flames”, “The Song Of The Universe” & “Imaginary World” feat. all three guests will be released in advance to the album release. The band has already scheduled some gigs for next months. In November, they will be direct support for Kobra and the Lotus.

product: The Radio Sun - Unstoppable

release date: 20.10.2017

format: CD & download

territory: Europe

Australian melodic hard rock band The Radio Sun will release their fourth full-length album “Unstoppable” on October 20^th, 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.

product: Black Paisley - Late Bloomer

release date: 27.10.2017

formats: CD, vinyl & download

territory: world

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.

product: Incertain - Rats In Palaces

release date: 22.09.2017

territory: world

format: CD

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.