Monday and it's a new week, time for us to present "Record Of The Week".
It was barely a year and a half ago when we got served "Aeromantic" by the Swedish classic rock/AOR supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, read about it here! Now they are back with a follow-up and their formula may no longer have the surprise factor of earlier efforts, it's already their sixth album and they simply titled the new one with "Aeromantic II", where they take us on another journey telling the stories of broken hearts, hopeful beginnings and glorious party nights! I guess that they probably were a few songs left from the previous one and that they could not tour with the album quite simply continue to fill up the already solid collection of songs for an upcoming tour when this misery finally releases.
If you loved the previous album "Aeromantic", then you can just skip this post and go buy the record, it will be right in your alley for sure. But if you are curious, then I offer an review of my thoughts on "Aeromantic II".
The album opens up with big 80's keys in "Violent Indigo", with great riffs and a catchy overall feeling, a big chorus, a great opener. Cool guitars open up the next tune inline "Midnight Marvelous" which switches to a real funky dance number, where you can easily show off your Travolta moves, incredibly catchy Disco with some cool beats, and a great solo. The tempo is increased further "How Long", a tune that has been described as "90s DEEP PURPLE on cocaine", and I can only agree as this is true eargasm, so catchy and driven tune makes it impossible to keep your feet steady on the ground. The opening tunes on "Burn For Me" is like a flash movie from the '80s were plenty of hit tunes flying by in seconds. The tune is another very catchy piece and the flashes continue, I see Elton John's wonderfully crazy piano playing, Steve Lukather from TOTO playing a few riffs, Phil Collins on drums, and so on. TNFO really makes images spin for the listener, especially those who were there right away when everything was for real. Shit, starting to feel old now, lol. It's a marvelous tune. And it doesn't stop here, it's time for a real feel-good dinner tune in "Chardonnay Nights", a little more secluded, still incredibly driven with cheeky passages and brilliant singing. "Change" serves us with more keys, big keys, great drumbeat, a bit different layout but I love what I hear and I get pictures in my brain from movies where this would fit in, feels like a song that would work in preparation for something, a march, a warm-up, etc., I think of movies like Top Gun, Rocky, and others. "Amber Through A Window" gives us a progressive pop disco, a great beat, catchy chorus, and some small fine delicate features here and there, well done guys. "I Will Try" gives us some big beats from the past where TEARS FOR FEARS comes to mind. "You Belong To The Night" gives us an Asian Disco feeling, a nice dance number to shake up to on the nearest club. "Zodiac" is a number that offers a slightly different approach, wandering bass lick, picking guitar, fast drum beat, but everything is spiced with very good singing that makes the result as good as possible. "White Jeans" was the first single and video from this album, a classic TNFO tune in the best possible way, a magic song. The album closes up with "Moonlit Skies", a big tune in a lower tempo where all the extra energy is played on the instruments. As everything is played in a dual sense, really cool and gives us the end of an era, and the beginning of an empire. The album "Aeromantic II" is a great follow-up that showcases a hungry band that still has its creativity on top to serve as a feel-good power-rock airborne soap opera, get it! And I'm sure the band will have a nightmare about making a setlist for the upcoming tour, haha!
Sum: All you need in search of love and adventure.
Musicians:
Björn Strid / Lead and Backing vocals
David Andersson / Guitars
Sharlee D’Angelo / Bass
Sebastian Forslund / Guitars, percussion
Jonas Källsbäck / Drums
John Manhattan Lönnmyr / Keyboards
Anna Brygård / Backing Vocals
AnnaMia Bonde / Backing Vocals
“Aeromantic II” was released on September 3:rd via Nuclear Blast Records.
Today's tune "Burn For Me" is a great tune from "Aeromantic II", so fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a magical journey!
Sweden’s one and only classic rock cabin crew share a video featuring the well-known Swedish TV personality Frederik Lexfors.
Time to change, find your White Jeans, dust them off, get your wife's high heels and get up and dance with THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA and this new summer anthem.
The band states: “If this song doesn’t make you wanna get up from your worn-out brown velvet couch and throw on your crisp snow-white jeans and throw a dance-off in the streets with your neighbors, nothing will! Spring is here, time to strut!”
THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA released their last album "Aeromantic" in February 2020 via Nuclear Blast Records. The highly lauded masterpiece featuring the singles "Divinyls" and "Transmissions" made it to #13 on German album charts.
Monday, a new week and it's time to introduce "Record Of The Week"
The fifth soap opera "Aeromantic" by the Swedish classic rock/AOR supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA. This time, they’ve gone back to earth, or at least to somewhere 10,000 ft. above the earth, with an airborne soap opera about the inevitable heartbreak, the endless longing, the futile nostalgia and the occasional moments of euphoria you experience when you’re always leaving where you should have been going, traveling to where you should have been.
"Aeromantic" was released on February 28th via Nuclear Blast Records. The album follows in the same steps as the 2018's "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough". Twelve songs in fifty-four minutes of glorious AOR.
"Aeromantic" is an "Airborne soap opera" based upon shattered dreams, broken illusions, and the fact that we are all something much less than the person we were supposed to be. But in the darkness, there’s always a glimmer of hope. And from that glimmer of hope, with the right mindset, you can sculpt and create a whole lot of Swedish classic rock melodrama.
The album opens up with "Servants Of The Air", a progressive rocker with bombastic riffs at it's best, in a typical TNFO manner, excellent hooks, cleaver melody with a flawless groove, smooth and clear vocals makes this tune a superb start, it's followed by the main single "Divinyls", an uptempo, high energy pop-rocker with infectious groove and catchy lyrics about doing the impossible and pushing your inner dreams to the forefront of your psyche and being in total control of your own future. The album contains serval danceable pop tunes like "If Tonight Is Our Only Chance" and "This Boy’s Last Summer" that flirt with heroes like ABBA and SECRET SERVICE. "Curves" is a groovy West Coast piece where the Porcaro brothers could be in the rhythm section, nice and bouncy piece. "Transmissions" is another pop-infused rocker with an ear-catching melody and chorus, check it out below. The title tune "Aeromantic" has a bit more of a classic and dirtier sound, still keeps the catchiness and servers a cool guitar solo, the whole tune is surrounded by 80's synths and piano. The band hits the break and serves a slower atmospheric piece "Golden Swansdown" a genuine power ballad. Once the band has exhaled a bit, it's time to put on the dance shoes again. "Taurus", "Carmencita Seven" and "Sister Mercurial" are three catchy pieces and pounding rhythm sections and a sticky melody that makes it hard to sit still. The album wraps things up with "Dead Of Winter" where an atmospheric synth intro until the energy is let loose. An atmospheric popish synth-infused rocker with really impressive vocals that really showcase Strid’s vocals capabilities. "Aeromantic" contains all your guilty pleasures, I mean everything from mind-melting hard rock, groovy hooks, flawless vocals, beautiful guitar solos, shameless pop, and disco tunes and one power ballad.
"Aeromantic" was recorded at the Nordic Sound Labs using the same drum kit that was used during the recordings of ABBA’s 1980 mega album "Super Trouper".
Sum: "Aeromantic" contains all your guilty pleasures, an infectiously fun record to play.
THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA will head out on a European headline tour, "The Aeromantic Experience", March-April 2020, and will also appear on numerous festivals this summer, see all the dates below.
THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA is:
Björn Strid | vocals
Sharlee D’ Angelo | bass
David Andersson | guitar
Richard Larsson | keyboards
Jonas Källsbäck | drums
Sebastian Forslund | guitar, percussion, special effects
Anna-Mia Bonde | backing vocals
Anna Brygård | backing vocals
Today's tune "Transmissions" is taken from "Aeromantic", Video directed by René U Valdes of Bravo Bravo Films. Enjoy!
TNFO live:
»The Aeromantic Experience«
w/ ONE DESIRE
06.03. UK London - Islington Assembly Hall
07.03. D Bochum - Matrix
08.03. F Paris - La Machine du Moulin Rouge
09.03. F Toulouse - Le Metronum
10.03. E Madrid - Mon
11.03. E Barcelona - Salamandra
12.03. F Lyon - CCO Villeurbanne
13.03. CH Buchs (SG) - Krempel
14.03. CH Pratteln - Z7
15.03. I Milan - Legend Club
16.03. D Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
17.03. D Hanover - MusikZentrum
18.03. NL Nijmegen - Doornroosje
19.03. D Hamburg - Markthalle
20.03. D Munich - Backstage (Werk)
21.03. A Vienna - Szene
22.03. H Budapest - Dürer Kert
24.03. D Saarbrücken - Garage
25.03. D Mannheim - MS Connexion Complex
26.03. D Leipzig - Hellraiser
27.03. D Nuremberg - Hirsch
28.03. D Berlin - Columbia Theater
»The Aeromantic Experience«
w/ special guest
02.04. S Stockholm - Nalen
08.04. S Gothenburg - Trädgår'n
10.04. S Helsingborg - The Tivoli
18.04. A Salzburg - Wildstyle & Tattoo Messe
01.05. N Kopervik - Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
29. - 31.05. D Gelsenkirchen - Rock Hard Festival
06.06. CZ Pilsen - Metalfest Open Air
16. - 18.07. FIN Laukaa - John Smith Rock Festival
06.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air
11.09. USA Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA *SOLD OUT*
Swedish classic rock/AOR supergroup THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA is set to take off with the release of their intergalactic new album "Aeromantic", on February 28 via Nuclear Blast. "More drama" is the name of the game - and the band delivers class in the form of the official music video for the first single "Divinyls". Get a sonic impression of their promised "Aeromantic" experience down below. The band is also preparing for a tour around Europe together with ONE DESIRE, see all the dates below.
The band about "Divinyls": "So, you thought you knew what THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA was all about? You were sure that they were all about good times, boogie-woogie, radio-friendly AOR? Damn, you were wrong. The one thing that has kept those aging Swedish hearts beating for so long is DRAMA! Internal conflicts, external conflicts, rumors, and exaggerations. On February 28th, we will release our new album, "Aeromantic". It is a street opera based upon shattered dreams, broken illusions, and the fact that we are all something much less than the person we were supposed to be. But in the darkness, there’s always a glimmer of hope. And from that glimmer of hope, with the right mindset, you can sculpt and create a whole lot of Swedish classic rock melodrama.
"Divinyls" is about doing the impossible and pushing your inner dreams to the forefront of your psyche and being in total control of your own future. The video shows two young figure skaters, battling pressure from their demanding coaches, but biting the bullet while they pursue their dreams. You could say the story has hints of the Tonya Harding and NancyKerrigan drama, with the exception that these two young aspiring ladies become friends in the end.
We would like to thank figure skaters Karina Ljunggren and Ida Thörn for their amazing performances on the ice and also their coach Alisa Latysheva, starring as herself in the video. Also a big thank you to figure skating club GF IDROTT in Landskrona, Sweden, for making this video a reality, as well as our amazing video director René Valdez.
Once again, THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA would like to remind you that this is only the beginning…"
"Aeromantic" was recorded at the Nordic Sound Labs using the same drum kit that was used during the recordings of ABBA's 1980 mega album "Super Trouper"!
"Aeromantic" was recorded at the Nordic Sound Labs using the same drum kit that was used during the recordings of ABBA's 1980 mega album "Super Trouper"!
Enjoy today's tune!
TNFO live:
"The Aeromantic Experience"
w/ ONE DESIRE
06.03. UK London - Islington Assembly Hall
07.03. D Bochum - Matrix
08.03. F Paris - La Machine du Moulin Rouge
09.03. F Toulouse - Le Metronum
10.03. E Madrid - Mon
11.03. E Barcelona - Salamandra
12.03. F Lyon - CCO Villeurbanne
13.03. CH Buchs (SG) - Krempel
14.03. CH Pratteln - Z7
15.03. I Milan - Legend Club
16.03. D Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
17.03. D Hanover - MusikZentrum
18.03. NL Nijmegen - Doornroosje
19.03. D Hamburg - Markthalle
20.03. D Munich - Backstage (Werk)
21.03. A Vienna - Szene
22.03. H Budapest - Dürer Kert
24.03. D Saarbrücken - Garage
25.03. D Mannheim - MS Connexion Complex
26.03. D Leipzig - Hellraiser
27.03. D Nuremberg - Hirsch
28.03. D Berlin - Columbia Theater
"The Aeromantic Experience"
w/ special guest
02.04. S Stockholm - Nalen
08.04. S Gothenburg - Trädgårn
10.04. S Helsingborg - The Tivoli
18.04. A Salzburg - Wildstyle & Tattoo Messe
01.05. N Kopervik - Karmøygeddon Metal Festival
29. - 31.05. D Gelsenkirchen - Rock Hard Festival
06.06. CZ Pilsen - Metalfest Open Air
16. - 18.07. FIN Laukaa - John Smith Rock Festival
06.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air
11.09. USA Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA *SOLD OUT*
"Bye Bye Johnny" is one of the biggest hits by this Norwegian hard rock/aor band RETURN. The tune can be found on their second album "Attitudes" from 1988.
RETURN is from Stange, Hedmark, Norway. The band started in 1980, and was in its prime in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In this period they had several singles on the Norwegian hit charts and were among the bestselling bands in the country. In 1993 the band took a break, but came back in 2001 with a collection and some gigs. In 2005 they released a new studio album, and in 2008 they released another collection which also includes a DVD with shots from a concert in Hamar in 2007.
The band is still active and will do a few shows in Norway together with STAGE DOLLS.
The ex H.E.A.T lead vocalist Kenny Leckremo have released the song "10 Years" from his upcoming solo album "Spectra", which will be released on October 19, 2018. Leckremo was the singer for H.E.A.T from 2007 to 2010 and handled the lead vocals on the first two albums H.E.A.T (2008) and Freedom Rock (2010).
Kenny Leckremo’s Spectra consists of Leckremo, Dave Dalone (H.E.A.T guitarist), Georg Härnsten and Mikael Planefeldt. All songs have been written by Kenny Leckremo, assisted by Dave Dalone, who also plays the guitar on the album.
Kenny Leckremo. One voice that even the most hardened critics could agree, he was nothing but magnificent. After two albums and a megahit in the form of the song "1000 Miles", H.E.A.T and Leckremo went separate ways. Now comes his first solo album "Spectra", and as a coincidence, it was just ten years since Leckremo released the album.
Today's tune "10 Years" is taken from the upcoming album "Spectra", The song is about his life, the road of time and lost and found desire. He hope the song speaks to you as it speaks for him. Look to the future for answers, enjoy!.
More info @
Official Kenny Leckremo Facebook
Official Kenny Leckremo’s Spectra Facebook
After shaking the world by the neck last year's monster album "Amber Galactic", which also got selected for "Record Of The Week" one year ago, it also snapped the 5th position on the best albums 2017. Really good for a bunch of Swedish old school rockers that turns back to their own roots in the music making, could say about 1975 and 1985 where bands like JOURNEY, TOTO, STEELY DAN, SUPERTRAMP, REO SPEEDWAGON among others had their primetime then.
Now it's time for the fourth album "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough" to make some place in the spotlight. The album follows in the same steps as the 2017's "Amber Galactic". Twelve songs in fifty-eight minutes of glorious AOR. The album opens up with the catchy high tempo tune "This Time" and a happy smile turns on. Follows up by "Turn To Miami", a tune that well could be been picked from the soundtrack to the movie "Miami Vice", a melodic piece with a catchy chorus. There are a few disco-heavy tunes, like "Paralyzed", "Pretty Thing Closing In" with its funky strut and "Winged and Serpentine" that will shake your body and get you up and dance. The title tune "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough" have a really inspiring vocal, a tune that well could be the title tune for a James Bond movie. "Moments Of Thunder" waves hands with TOTO and "Speedwagon" and "Barcelona" is two power pop tunes that follow up by the bombastic "Lovers In The Rain". The album closes with a love full nine minutes epic beauty "The Last Of The Independent Romantics", a melodic piece with incredible vocals and a guitar riff that is just amazing.
The album was released on June 29, 2018, via Nuclear Blast. The album was again produced by the band themselves and was recorded at Handsome Hard Music / Larsson Music Studio as well as Nordic Sound Lab in Skara, Sweden. Mixing duties were taken on by the band's guitarist/percussionist Sebastian Forslund and mastering was done by Thomas ”Plec” Johansson at The Panic Room. The band will hit the road, see the tour dates below and make sure you catch them live.
Sum: "Sometimes The World Ain’t Enough" is the best soundtrack for this summer, an infectiously fun record to play.
Today's tune "Lovers In The Rain", taken from the new album "Sometimes The World Ain't Enough", enjoy!
The NFO on tour:
15.08.2018 Dinkelsbühl (Summer Breeze) - DE
24.08.2018 Sulingen (Reload Festival) - DE
01.11.2018 Malmö (KB) - SE
02.11.2018 Weissenhäuser Strand (Metal Hammer Paradise) - DE
03.11.2018 Skövde (Skövde in Rock) - SE 08.11.2018 Stockholm (Kägelbanan) - SE
10.11.2018 Göteborg (Sticky Fingers) - SE
11.11.2018 Oslo (John Dee) - NO
16.11.2018 Helsinki (On The Rocks) - FI
23.11.2018 Köln (Luxor) - DE
24.11.2018 Osnabrück (Rosenhof) - DE
25.11.2018 Zoetermeer (Boerderij) - NL
26.11.2018 Arnhem (Willemeen) - NL
27.11.2018 Vosselaar (Biebob) - BE
28.11.2018 Nantes (Le Ferrailleur) - FR
30.11.2018 London (Underworld) GB
01.12.2018 Paris (Petit Bain) - FR
02.12.2018 Toulouse (Le Rex) - FR
03.12.2018 Madrid (Caracol) - ES
04.12.2018 Barcelona (Boveda) - ES
05.12.2018 Lyon (Warmaudio) - FR
06.12.2018 Milano (Legend Club) - IT
08.12.2018 Zuruch (Dynamo) - CH
09.12.2018 Mannheim (MS Connection) - DE
10.12.2018 Salzburg (Rockhouse) - AT
11.12.2018 Budapest (A38) - HU
12.12.2018 Wien (Szene) - AT
13.12.2018 Graz (Dom Im Berg) - AT
14.12.2018 München (Backstage) - DE
15.12.2018 Prague (Nova Chmelnice) - CZ
16.12.2018 Nürnberg (Hirsch) - DE
17.12.2018 Saarbrücken (Garage) - DE
18.12.2018 Aschaffenburg (Colos-Saal) - DE
19.12.2018 Berlin (Bi Nuu) - DE
20.12.2018 Jena (F-Haus) - DE
21.12.2018 Dresden (Eventwerk Studio) - DE
22.12.2018 Bochum (Matrix) - DE
What do you get when you match a Brit from London who loves American AOR with an American from California who grew up on British Prog? DUKES OF THE ORIENT is the masterful pairing of vocalist John Payne (ex-ASIA, GPS) with keyboardist Erik Norlander (LAST IN LINE, LANA LANE) who now present their eponymous debut album, ten years in the making. Payne’s powerful arena-seasoned vocals carry soaring melodies and lush harmonies over the sea of classic synthesizers and keyboards artfully painted with Norlander’s signature sonic palette.
The two are backed by a world-renown ensemble of top musicians including Jeff Kollman, Guthrie Govan, Moni Scaria and Bruce Bouillet on guitar and Jay Schellen on drums. Payne provides bass guitar and additional lead and rhythm guitar parts to complete the audiophile production. The album was mixed on a traditional analog console to preserve and enhance the natural depth, clarity and soul of the tracks with great care taken to avoid over-compression, extreme equalization and distortion.
DUKES OF THE ORIENT has its origins in 2007 as “ASIA Featuring John Payne,” a band that continued on after ASIA keyboardist, Geoff Downes, left to re-form the original 1982 lineup. Payne recruited Norlander to join Guthrie Govan and Jay Schellen for tour dates in the US and initial recordings, some of which endured to appear on the DUKES OF THE ORIENT album here. Govan left the band to form THE ARISTOCRATS and was replaced by guitarist Bruce Bouillet followed by Jeff Kollman and Moni Scaria. The final lineup resulted in the track, “Seasons Will Change,” released as a video in 2013 and also now appears on the DUKES OF THE ORIENT album. Following the death of original ASIA vocalist, John Wetton, in early 2017, Payne and Norlander decided that these recordings should give birth to a new band, both out of respect for Wetton and for clarity with the Downes-led “ASIA”.
DUKES OF THE ORIENT releases their eponymous debut album with stunning cover art by Rodney Matthews on February 23, 2018 with select tour dates to follow.
THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA are back with a brand new single "Midnight Flyer" from the upcoming album "Amber Galactic”, set to be released on the 19th of May.
And i must scream out loud!!! HOLY CRAP! This is awesome, Björn ”Fucking" Strid, you are my idol!
He comments the tune.
”»Amber Galactic« is a relationship drama set in space, the first classic rock space opera on double vinyl. As seasoned musicians, we’re taking this project seriously, although we might come across as slightly retrofuturistic at times, there’s no irony involved. It’s just us trying to shape our future into a place where our race is led by female space commanders with pearl necklaces and a quasar sense of gravity. »Amber Galactic« is about setting free from genre boundaries and expectations that are put on people like us. We just want to create music that we would like to hear ourselves, but that isn’t only for us.
THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA is here to set you free, to invite you to enjoy music in whatever form it is presented. For this particular journey, we’d like you to follow us into space, but who knows where we’ll go next! After entering the NFO universe, you won’t ever be the same!”
NFOs Line up:
Björn ”Speed” Strid (SOILWORK) – vocals
David Andersson (SOILWORK) – guitar
Sharlee D’Angelo (ARCH ENEMY, SPIRITUAL BEGGERS) – bass
Richard Larsson (VON BENZO) – keys, vocals
Jonas Källsbäck (MEAN STREAK) – drums, vocals
Sebastian Forslund (KADAWATHA) – percussion, guitar, congas, vocals
Amber Galactic Tunelist:
01. Midnight Flyer
02. Star Of Rio
03. Gemini
04. Sad State Of Affairs
05. Jennie
06. Domino
07. Josephine
08. Space Whisperer
09. Something Mysterious
10. Saturn In Velvet
11. Just Another Night BONUS TRACK (limited edition digipak, vinyl)
12. Fly Tonight (Never Rewind) BONUS TRACK (Japan only)
Today’s tune "Midnight Flyer" from THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA's third album, Amber Galactic, out May 19th.
The Swedish band JONO started as a solo project of singer Johan Norrby (hence the moniker ”JoNo”).
A record was made and released in 2006, involving some of the members of today’s band setting. JONO as a band started out at that point and has carried on ever since.
Singer and songwriter Johan Norrby has been singing, writing and playing music in countless bands and projects for years and years – which very much goes for all of the guys in the band. The guitarist, Stefan Helleblad, is also a member of Dutch symphonic rockstars WITHIN TEMPTATION. The drummer Nicka Hellenberg actually played all the drums on WITHIN TEMPTATIONs album "The Unforgiving" and is involved in several band settings and recordings. Both keyboard player Johan Carlgren and bass player Janne Henriksson are frequently hired for both live and studio sessions. Leo Olsson – also a busy musician – joined the band in 2015.
JONO’s music is hard to pinpoint. Maybe it is best described as AOR/Progressive rock, based on strong melodies, with symphonic arrangements. Dynamics and a contemporary, fat sound are also important ingredients of the JONO recipe.
A few weeks ago it got confirmed that JONO have signed an album deal with the Italian record company Frontiers Records.
JONO consists of:
Johan Norrby – Lead vocals
Stefan Helleblad – Guitars
Nicka Hellenberg – Drums
Johan Carlgren – Keyboards
Janne Henriksson – Bass
Leo Olsson – Guitars
Today's tune "Clear" is taken from the bands latest album "Silence", released 2015. The Video is produced & directed by Sandra Fröberg, the actor beside the band is Sandra Ahlqvist. For the Video "Clear" they wanted to create something other than a classic video where the band, for example, is playing in an empty warehouse. The Spirit of the song has something dramatic and fateful about it.
Andrée Theanders AOR project, THEANDER EXPRESSION have recently release his new album "Wonderful Anticiptation", released 26th of February.
THEANDER EXPRESSION contains of:
Lead vocals: Christian Eriksson (SUNSTRIKE, TWILIGHT FORCE)
Guitars, bass and keyboards: Andrée Theander
Drums and percussion: Herman Furin (WORK OF ART)
Backing vocals: Andrée Theander, Christian Eriksson and Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE, W.E.T, NORDIC UNION)
Today's tune is the Lyric video for "You Always Ran Away", taken from the album Wonderful Anticipation, out now on AOR Heaven.
While the KHYMERA project started out as an alliance between Italian producer/musician, Daniele Liverani and then KANSAS singer Steve Walsh, it actually developed into a regular musical project when PINK CREAM 69/UNISONIC bassist and producer Dennis Ward came into the picture.
While known as a bassist, Dennis always sings background vocals with his bands, so it was quite interesting for many fans to hear his voice taking the lead on the KHYMERA albums “A New Promise” and “The Greatest Wonder”. While the project went on hiatus for some time, it was a natural choice for Dennis to grab the reins and take complete control (both on the songwriting and on the production side) of the new album, “The Grand Design”, which comes 7 years after the release of “The Greatest Wonder”.
Khymera still offers one of the most shining examples of what great European Melodic Rock is all about: crystal clear production, soaring vocals, killer musicianship and songwriting that reminds fans of the heydays of the genre when bands like GIUFFRIA, ICON and SIGNAL ruled the airwaves.
KHYMERA Consist of:
Dennis Ward: bass guitar and lead vocals
Felix Bohnke: drums
Michael Klein: guitars
Eric Ragno: keyboards
Jim Rybkost: piano, additional keyboards
That's the first line on the brand new tune from the upcoming album "Touching The Divine" with INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECT III. A project featuring members like John Payne, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams, Nathan East and Tim Pierce
"Touching The Divine" is the third studio album from Intelligent Music Project and the second all-star line-up, creating a remarkable infusion by its author and producer’s musically erudite and unconventional style, and the full creative input of the legendary musicians. The production features session aces Simon Phillips (drums and percussion), Nathan East (bass) & Tim Pierce (guitars), and the remarkable voices of John Payne (ex-ASIA) and TOTOs Joseph Williams, who bring their own flavor to all 14 equally outstanding pieces in the album.
The bands overall musicianship blends impressively with the complexity of musical arrangements, including unforgettable symphonic expansions. Matching the classic rock energy and instrumental charge with his lyrical patterns, rapt and diverse music theme development is the signature style that propels this all-star project of Milen Vrabevski, author and producer of "Touching The Divine".
INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECT III - featuring:
Simon Phillips - drums and percussion
Nathan East (appears courtesy of Yamaha Entertainment Group) - bass
John Payne - lead & backing vocals
Joseph Williams - lead & backing vocals
Carl Sentance - backing vocals & ad-libs, lead vocal part on track 7.
Tim Pierce - guitars
All: Invaluable full creative input!
Producer’s note:
The Icarus legend is no longer applicable if you learn to live for the others. The status of care is THE flight of your soul whose wings no heat could melt. Then you float down the mainstream of your ability to be in constant spiritual satisfaction. You would not need a fortune-teller then – you will know all the answers about your life. It becomes purposeful – an open door to understanding its meaning.
Today's tune "Sky" is the second tune out from the upcoming 3:rd album "Touching The Divine"
TOTO singer Joseph Williams teams up with former CHICAGO singer Bill Champlin and Swedish guitarist/Producer Peter Friestedt for a new release following the success with the ”Live In Concert” DVD that made it all the way to the top on the Swedish Chart!
In 2012 Champlin/Willams/Friestedt did a sold out Scandinavian Tour and during this time the first recordings of the "CWF" album took place! The new album also includes contributions from Steve Porcaro of TOTO, Randy Goodrum (TOTO, CHICAGO), Will Champlin and Tamara Champlin.
Champlin says:
"I’ve been involved with a project that includes me, Peter Friestedt a great guitarist and producer from Sweden, and Joseph Williams, the singer of TOTO!
I was pretty knocked out by the stuff. I’d almost forgotten how good it was when we did it. There are great songs and even better performances on this album, and I know you’ll love it It’s rare for me to be involved with a project and be surprised by how good it is. This one will knock you out"
Joseph Williams is the lead vocalist with Grammy winning US band TOTO.
He has been busy as a composer of film and drama scores, as a session vocalist, backing singer and can be heard in Disney’s animated feature film “The Lion King”as singing voice of the adult Simba (“Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”).
Guitarist, producer & recording artist Peter Friestedt has released two critically acclaimed albums “LA Project” (2002) and “LA Project II” (2008) that got top reviews. Peter has been a busy sessionplayer playin on records with David Foster and Fergie Frederiksen and touring Europe and Japan with Joseph Williams with who he also released the "Williams/Friestedt" album that was a top 40 hit in Scandinavia!
Bill Champlin was the lead singer of the legendary band CHICAGO for more than 25 years, and is a founding member of the band Sons of Champlin. Champlin has written Grammy award winning songs for Earth Wind & Fire and George Benson, and worked with countless artists including Elton John, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS and Steve Lukather of TOTO.
Today's tune "Aria" is taken from the upcoming album CWF, set to release at 23:rd of october.
Arguably the UK’s finest purveyors of Melodic Rock music, FM will release their new studio album ‘Heroes & Villains’ on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.
‘Heroes & Villains’ is FM’s first album release since signing to Frontiers Music Srl, and follows the band’s highly acclaimed 2014 E.P. ‘Futurama’ and sell-out UK arena tour with Foreigner and Europe. FM’s UK tour kicks-off at in Bristol on Friday, 1st May, and includes dates in Wolverhampton, Portsmouth, Nottingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Manchester, with the final night of the tour taking place at London’s O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on Sunday, 10th May and will be anticipated by the band’s eagerly awaited performance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo sull’Adda (Milan) Italy on April 11th.
The fourth album since FM reformed in 2007, "Heroes and Villains" sees FM staying true to their musical legacy, offering their classic sound updated, with great songwriting and performances spiced-up by the golden voice of lead vocalist Steve Overland. Self-produced, the recording session took place at Tremolo Studios, before being mixed and mastered at Abbey Road Studios.
FM was formed in the summer of 1984 in London. The band was originally composed of the SAMSON pair of bassist Merv Goldsworthy and drummer Pete Jupp, the Overland brothers – vocalist/guitarist Steve and lead guitarist Chris Overland, both formerly of WILDLIFE, and keyboardist Philip Manchester, also known as Didge Digital. The band initially wrote six songs. In December of that year they secured a recording contract with the CBS/Portrait label, and promptly set off on tour in Germany with Meat Loaf.
In the U.S., they are often referred to as FMUK. They have released eleven albums to date. Two of those, Indiscreet and Tough It Out reached the UK Albums Chart, whilst five of the band's singles made inroads into the UK Singles Chart
Today's tune "Digging Up the Dirt"
FM – HEROES AND VILLAINS TOUR DATES:
March 13 - Bedford, Esquires UK
March 14 - Pwllheli, HRH AOR 3 - Hafan Y Mor Holiday Park UK
April 3 – Grimsby Yardbirds UK
April 4 – Nantwich, Nantwich Jazz Festival Civic Hall UK
April 11 - Trezzo SUll’Adda (Milano) Frontiers Rock Festival Live Club Italy
May 1 – Bristol, Bierkeller UK
May 2– Wolverhampton, Robin 2 UK
May 3 – Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms UK
May 5 – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms UK
May 6 – Glasgow, Classic Grand UK
May 8 – Newcastle, O2 Academy UK
May 9 – Manchester, Academy 2 UK
May 10 – London, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire UK
June 21 –Dessel, Graspop Metal Meeting Belgium
July 25 - Maidstone, Ramblin' Man Fair Mote Park UK
The American rock band Toto have announced that March 20 is the release date for the upcoming 13th studio album "Toto XIV", in Europe, with The UK and Oceania on 3/23, and North America on March 24. The album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow.
Configurations for the new album will also include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD, expanded booklet that includes an in depth story and interview about the new album alongside exclusive pictures in ecol-book packaging. Additionally Toto XIV will be available as a 2LP vinyl set, and a Super Deluxe limited edition which includes the Deluxe CD/DVD edition, 2LP vinyl, an exclusive poster, t-shirt (large size only), and lithograph.
Toto XIV is a realized vision three plus decades in the making exhibiting world-class musicianship, masterful arrangements, topical lyrical commentary, and melodies that the collective genius of Lukather, Paich, Porcaro, Williams and their assembled band-mates bring to life. TOTO XIV is the band’s first album of new material since 2006’s Falling In Between. However, the band personally considers the new album to be the true follow-up to TOTO IV, which made the band global superstars.
Keyboardist Steve Porcaro reveals, "This is opposite of going through the motions. We are treating this like it is Toto V, our follow-up to TOTO IV. We just want to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. Be true to ourselves and make the best music we can. Entertain people which is what we were put on this Earth for." Keyboardist David Paich reflects, "I think of TOTO as a unit and a band that carries a responsibility when it goes out there in to the public consciousness. There is so much negativity and darkness that I think you have to be as Quincy Jones puts it, 'beams of light that blast through the darkness'."
As they began the process of a return the studio, all of the principle long-term members brought their A-game to the table. Guitarist Steve "Luke" Lukather offers, "When you put us in a room, and everybody brings in their pieces, the next thing you know it all fits together. Everybody's performances are top notch. We are really bringing our best out, forcing ourselves to make personal best choices, what's best for the music. I'm really excited to hear what people think." Singer Joseph Williams adds, "We are talking about a band where everybody is a writer, and everybody is a lead singer, and everybody is a player. All involved brought this trio to the table where it could just live on its own."
The band will hit the ground running with an extensive European headline arena tour with appearances at key festivals. The itinerary begins in Glasgow on May 21, and takes Toto through the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Italy, and Belgium. Ticket sales came out of the box with strength, with some appearances selling out within days of on-sale. A North American tour will follow in the summer of 2015. The band is also in the planning stages for their return to Asia later this year.
The last couple of years have been active, with a seven show sold-out tour of Asia that took them through Nagoya, Osaka, Tokyo, Sendai and Sapporo in April, 2014. Also that month, the 35th Anniversary Tour - Live In Poland title was released, debuting at #1 in territories across the globe. Last August and September, the band hit the road travelling across North America as co-headliners with Michael McDonald, which when it was all said and done was their most comprehensive tour on the continent in years.
Toto also continues to raise awareness for ALS, for their brother and friend, Mike Porcaro, who has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease. The band commits energies towards fundraising for Police and Fire Departments of California and the Fallen Heroes initiative (http://www.fallenheroes.org/), and help the United Nations in their humanitarian endeavors through music.
Today's tune “Orphan” is the first single from the upcoming album "TOTO XIV", set to release on March 20.
Toto will begin an extensive European tour in support of their forthcoming new album on May 21st 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Dates have been announced and are on sale for the UK, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Serbia. See the full list of dates below:
5/21/2015 - Glasgow, United Kingdom @ Royal Concert Hall
5/23/2015 - Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street
5/25/2015 - Manchester, United Kingdom @ O2 Apollo Manchester
5/26/2015 - London, United Kingdom @ HMV Hammersmith Apollo
5/28/2015 - Paris, France @ Zenith
5/29/2015 - Esch Sur Alzette, Luxembourg @ Rockhal
5/30/2015 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome
6/2/2015 - Sonderborg, Denmark @ Mølleparkens Friluftscene
6/3/2015 - Copenhagen, Denmark @ Falkoner Theatre
6/4/2015 - Solvesborg, Sweden @ Sweden Rock Festival
6/6/2015 - Bergen, Norway @ Bergen Calling
6/7/2015 - Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
6/10/2015 - Bremerhaven, Germany @ Stadthalle
6/11/2015 - Berlin, Germany @ Tempodrome
6/12/2015 - Leipzig, Germany @ Parkbuhne
6/13/2015 - Dresden, Germany @ Junge Garde
6/15/2015 - Cologne, Germany @ Tanzbrunnen
6/16/2015 - Offenbach, Germany @ Stadthalle
6/17/2015 - Stuttgart, Germany @ Freilichtbuhne Killesberg
6/18/2015 - Abenberg, Germany @ Burg Abenberg
6/20/2015 - Hinwil, Switzerland @ Rock The Ring Festival
6/21/2015 - Klam, Austria @ Castle Clam
6/23/2015 - Wroklaw, Poland @ Orbita Hol
6/24/2015 - Warsaw, Poland @ Torwar
6/26/2015 - Budapest, Hungary @ Petofi Hall
6/27/2015 - Bucharest, Romania @ Sala Palatului
6/28/2015 - Sofia, Bulgaria @ Arena Armeec
6/30/2015 - Belgrade, Serbia @ Kalemegdan Fortress
7/8/2015 - München, Germany @ Olympiahalle
7/13/2015 - Morzine, France @ Morzine Harley Days
7/15/2015 - Nimes, France @ Festival de Nimes
7/16/2015 - Vienne, France @ Theatre Antique
More shows will be announced in the new year along with details on the band's new album.
House of Lords is a glam metal/AOR band from Los Angeles, California. House of Lords was formed in 1987 by former Angel member and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria after his solo project Giuffria. After listening to demos - originally intended for Giuffria's third record - a record deal with Gene Simmons' company Simmons Record was agreed upon, on Simmon's condition that the band's name be changed (to House of Lords) and a new lead singer recruited. James Christian thus replaced David Glen Eisley, after Christian was suggested by ex-Giuffria and Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright, after having worked together in L.A. Rocks.
House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria with a lower keyboard mix. The album received critical acclaim and the band toured with both Cheap Trick and the Scorpions in 1989.
House of Lords debuted in 1989 with the release of the self-titled album, a record which is still regarded as one of the best Arena Rock releases of the 80’s. The colossal sound, the soaring vocals of James Christian and instrumental capabilities of the band (which featured ex Angel and Giuffria, Gregg Giuffria, along with such luminaries as Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary), reminiscent of such frontrunners as Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Van Halen, immediately brought the band to the attention of the media and fans.
With their sophomore release entitled “Sahara”, House of Lords gained considerable chart success with their cover version of Blind Faith’s “Can't Find My Way Home”. After a tour with Nelson in 1991, the group disbanded, eventually coming back together with a new lineup (only featuring original members Giuffria and Christian) in 1992 with "Demon's Down". This was a more melodic record which saw the big contribution at the songwriting helm - between others - of Mark Baker, a guy who penned a couple of years before the majority of the Signal “Loud and Clear” album, one of the most sought after gems of the Melodic Rock genre.
With the change of the musical climate, House of Lords went into hibernation until the original lineup came back together in 2000, releasing of the controversial “Power and the Myth” an album which featured a sound leaning more towards Progressive Hard Rock with 70’s rock influences.
After a short European tour, singer James Christian decided to go back to the trademark Arena Rock sound of House Of Lords, putting together a new line-up with the blessing of founding member Gregg Giuffria, who opted out right before the release of “Power and the Myth”. New members Jimi Bell on guitars, B.J. Zampa on drums supplied a true powerhouse sound to the fifth studio album “World Upside Down”, a record which caused a real stir in the Hard Rock and Melodic Rock scene and was followed up by the equally impressive “Come to My Kingdom” in 2008.
Fast forward to September 2011 which will mark the release of the newest addition to a stellar catalogue of songs. BIG MONEY, is well, ‘BIG’. The album starts with the trademark vocals of James Christian and crashes into a Power Rock Classic that you will not forget after the first listen, followed by in a song that Christian describes “as the band’s best work to date”: “One Man Down”. Each song has its own distinct quality as you would expect from The Lords and once again the album is full of soaring choruses, awesome guitar work and songs that grab you from the first listen and don’t let go. James teamed up again on the songwriting with long-time friend and partner Mark Baker along with the other band memmbers Jimi Bell and BJ Zampa.
House of Lords
is:
James Christian – vocals
Jimi Bell – guitars
BJ Zampa – drums
Chris McCarvill - bass
Todays tune "Battle" is taken from the ninth studio album "Precious Metal" that is following up the critically acclaimed "Big Money". This brand new release, recorded and produced by the band's singer and mastermind James Christian, again has a stellar sound, with solid and baroque songwriting mixed with unique melodic sensibilities and amazing musical skills.
Musically "Precious Metal" shows a return to the roots of the band's sound. James Christian as usual sings his heart out and he sounds better than ever on these new songs. Guitarist Jimi Bell shines with heavy, but melodic riffs throughout the album, with Chris McCarville and BJ Zampa bringing a solid and powerful rhythm foundation to the House of Lords sound.
In James Christian's words: "When we started to write this record, we knew after the 1st song that we were on to something special. The energy level was off the charts for all of us. Jimi Bell came out swinging and BJ and Chris were just crushing it. Recording this album was very easy as the songs already had arrangements that were complete. Precious Metal is a testament to years of being a band that loves what they do and has so much more to offer in the years to come."
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