product: Domination Black - Judgement IV
release date: 17.07.2020
format: CD
territory: world
DOMINATION BLACK have come a long way since their formation in 2003. After releasing their first two albums in 2005 and 2006 with their first line-up they already had started steering into a more melodic direction with their MCD "The Haunting" in 2008. In 2009, however, original vocalist Kari Killgast left the band. About half a year later, DOMINATION BLACK found a new frontman in person of Matias Palm (Merging Flare, Heavy Metal Perse) and started recording their 3rd album "Dimension: Death" which was then released in 2012. It truly was a step into a new melodic sound and received raving reviews all over the place. Supporting the album, the band toured in Finland, Sweden, Romania and Russia.
The year 2014 saw DOMINATION BLACK releasing their new single "Master Of Deception" and visiting Estonia for the first time. Since then, there was a break for a couple of years until the band finally started demoing songs for their next full-length album. But this also meant that some changes needed to be made. Along came new drummer Ville Nissinen (formerly of ID: Exorcist) and guitarist Juuso Laitinen (Deathproof). The recordings were finally started in summer 2018 with the new energy. The group also played some gigs to introduce their new line-up to the audience.
Now, DOMINATION BLACK are ready to release their new album “Judgement IV”. The band has also shot a music video for the song "Center Of The Universe" which will be released soon.
The record was produced by DOMINATION BLACK and mainly recorded at Äänilaitos Studio, Kotka by J-P Pusa and Juuso Elminen. Vocals were recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki by Eero Kaukomies, and bass tracks & acoustic guitars and some lead guitars were recorded by Matias Palm in Helsinki. The mixing and mastering was handled by Saku Moilanen.
product: Operus - Score Of Nightmares
release date: 19.06.2020
format: CD
territory: world
OPERUS' world class performance style is a cross breed of a metal band with the dramatic performance of theatre that come together to produce a unique sound and thrilling live show.
Formed by six professional musicians, OPERUS' depth comes from the vast musical experience each member brings with them. From extensive studio time, to worldwide performances in metal bands, Symphonic/chamber orchestras and the stages of musical theatre. OPERUS has come for all metalheads and music lovers around the globe.
The combined musical knowledge in OPERUS comes from decades of intense dedication to music with University and Masters Degrees, Royal Conservatory of Music certifications and first-hand experience from performing live across North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
These experiences from the band members include well known ensembles such as Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Robin Howe), Annihilator (Oscar Rangel), Vital Remains (Dean Paul Arnold), Skull Fist (J.J. Tartaglia), Eclipse Eternal (Wojciech Sokolowski), and leading roles in professional theatrical productions such as Jukebox Hero and Beauty & the Beast (David Michael Moote).
OPERUS has brought their world class performance to such great stages as Wacken in Germany and Force Fest in Mexico in addition to opening for power metal heavy hitters Sonata Arctica and the Rhapsody Reunion Tour.
In 2015 OPERUS recorded and produced their debut EP, “Opus I”, which was followed by their debut full length album "Cenotaph" recorded at Silverwings Studios, Montreal in early 2017. Cenotaph was released worldwide on October 13, 2017 through Dark Star Records in Association with MVD Entertainment and Sony Music.
product: She Bites - Joyride
release date: 19.06.2020
format: CD
territory: world
SHE BITES came into being in 2019. A great blend of hook-driven AOR with lots of roaring and rocking guitars.
Berlin-based singer and actress Melanie Stahlkopf, who has already performed all over Europe with several projects, and Lars König (g, LIONCAGE, ex SKYLINE) who also took over all the studio work, decided to start something new to explore new grounds.
Joining König and Stahlkopf in SHE BITES are Carsten Kohl (d, THREE WISHES) and Arvid Lucas (b, LIONCAGE).
Within only nine month, the album “Joyride“ was completed. A video for their first single - also called “Joyride“ - has been shot and will be released in advance on May 29th, 2020.
The blistering song “Rock This Night“ features Olaf Senkbeil (v, DREAMTIDE, he worked with BLIND GUARDIAN and many others) as guest. Melanie and Olaf are a perfect match.
SHE BITES is a perfect combination: Amazing harmony vocals, big drums and strong guitars with huge hook lines all over the place accompanied by a contemporary production.
„Joyride“ offers the best of the 80’s in an exciting way, a fairy wheel ride on a summer’s day. For fans of ROXETTE, ROBIN BECK, FIONA and STARSHIP.
product: Sapphire Eyes - Magic Moments
release date: 15.05.2020
format: CD
territory: world
SAPPHIRE EYES started in 2011 when Niclas Olsson (ALYSON AVENUE, SECOND HEAT) decided to put together a record (”Sapphire Eyes”) alongside friends he had made in the music business. The first album was handled more as a project than as a band with various performers/singers.
After the debut was released, thoughts started to brew about making SAPPHIRE EYES a band with regular members and in time for album number two, the critically acclaimed ”Breath Of Ages” was put together. The group is all Swedish but when Niclas searched for a vocalist, he approached to Finnish vocalist Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE, LEVERAGE) and immediately, it felt like a perfect match!
”Breath Of Ages” was released in 2018 and grounded the Scandinavians as performers of classic Melodic Rock/AOR. Airy keyboards and great hooks & melodies oozed from the record and a few concerts really got the group together even tighter towards becoming an act on the music scene to really take note of.
Now, SAPPHIRE EYES will release their third album called ”Magic Moments”. The band tries to reconnect to the simpler times full of passion and possibilities when growing up. Still, the melodies are foremost important and the emotions delivered are meant to make you feel like anything is possible in life!
Line-up: Kimmo Blom - vocals (LEVERAGE, URBAN TALE); Niclas Olsson - keyboards (ALYSON AVENUE, SECOND HEAT); Emil Knabe - guitars (ACACIA); Patrik Svärd - guitars (CLOUDSCAPE); Christer Engholm - bass (ALYSON AVENUE, ACACIA); Fredrik Eriksson - drums (DAWN OF OBLIVION, ALYSON AVENUE)
product: Asgard - Ragnarøkkr
release date: 15.05.2020
format: CD
territory: world
ASGARD, the Trient based Italian Prog Metal band, was founded in 1986 and since then has released the five studio albums “Götterdämmerung” (1991), “Esoteric Poem” (1992), “Arkana” (1992), “Imago Mundi” (1993) and “Drachenblut” (2000).
In their early years, the Prog group with folk influences was mainly active live and also took part in some contests (of which they have won three!). The Italians also recorded two demos and took part in various compilation albums which even included recordings in Ibiza with Nick Griffiths, a former sound engineer of Pink Floyd!
Maybe because ASGARD come from the very North East of Italy, a region with historical and deep cultural connections to both Austria and Germany, the German label “Music Is Intelligence” signed the group in 1990 and put out their first four albums.
In 1995, two of the band members moved to Germany and released the record “Drachenblut” with a new line-up in the year 2000.
“Ragnarøkkr“ now is ASGARD’s 6th full-length release in total and was produced by Roland Grapow (ex Helloween, Masterplan). Join ASGARD’s world full of myths, shamans, rituals & atmosphere combined with progressive heavy metal & some medieval parts. Don’t expect the ordinary – this band’s sound is just breathtaking & unique!
product: Hartmann - 3
release date: 17.04.2020
format: CD
territory: world -JP
Oliver Hartmann, known as singer/ guitarist/ sideman of metal mega seller Avantasia, projects as Rock Meets Classic, ex-At Vance singer and as front man of the successful German Pink Floyd tribute Echoes, is considered with his band HARTMANN since their debut ’Out in the cold’ (2005) as one of the best modern German Rock-/ Hard Rock acts. Since then the band has released eight successful albums, has toured with well known acts as Toto, Uriah Heep, The Hooters, House of Lords and will celebrate their 15th anniversary this year!
Due to their anniversary, HARTMANN will release a brand new album named ’15 Pearls And Gems’ in April 2020, again co-produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Beyond The Black, Kamelot).
On the same day, the sought after 2009 HARTMANN album “3” will be rereleased on CD. This record features Tobias Sammet (Avantasia) on the duet “Brothers”.
product: Hartmann - 15 Pearls And Gems
release date: 17.04.2020
format: CD & digital
territory: world - JP
Oliver Hartmann, known as singer/ guitarist/ sideman of metal mega seller Avantasia, projects as Rock Meets Classic, ex-At Vance singer and as front man of the successful German Pink Floyd tribute Echoes, is considered with his band HARTMANN since their debut ’Out in the cold’ (2005) as one of the best modern German Rock-/ Hard Rock acts. Since then the band has released eight successful albums, has toured with well known acts as Toto, Uriah Heep, The Hooters, House of Lords and will celebrate their 15th anniversary this year!
Due to their anniversary, HARTMANN will release a brand new album named ’15 Pearls And Gems’ in April 2020, again co-produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Beyond The Black, Kamelot).This special release includes five new songs, five well chosen cover tracks and five live versions of HARTMANN songs that have been recorded on their concerts during the last years. ’15 Pearls & Gems’ contains the singles ’Walking on a thin line’ and the duet ’When the rain begins to fall’, a special cover version of the 80’s pop classic featuring Ina Morgan, member of Avantasia and one of Germany’s greatest female rock vocalists. The live recordings also include the outstanding duet ‘Brothers’ feat. Avantasia’s mastermind Tobias Sammet on vocals - originally recorded as studio version for the album ‘III’ (2009).
After touring in Europe with the latest release ’Hands on the wheel’ in 2018/2019 and Oliver’s just finished world tour with AVANTASIA his band HARTMANN will be on the road again this autumn to celebrate their 15th anniversary with this new special digi-pak release ’15 Pearls And Gems’!
