text: TOMMY BOLIN - Video Trailer Launched For Upcoming Teaser 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition Box Set, 31 Mar 2015
  UDR Music celebrates the 40th anniversary of guitar god Tommy Bolin’s classic solo album Teaser with a deluxe triple-vinyl set - the Teaser 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition Box Set. Watch a new trailer below:
  Tommy Bolin - recognized for his work with groups such as Zephyr, The James Gang, and Deep Purple - was a bright, young American guitar god who created a whirlwind with his loud, stylish, free-form fusion performances before his untimely death at the age of 25 in 1976. Released in 1975 during his time with Deep Purple, Teaser was the solo masterpiece and eventual cult-classic that Bolin never got the chance to properly promote.
  Now, 40 years after the album was originally released and unfortunately buried with time, Teaser is finally getting its time to shine.
  On May 19, 2015, UDR Music will release the official Teaser 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition Box Set, a three-album deluxe vinyl box-set supplemented with two live CDs, celebrating the 40th anniversary of this legendary release. Featuring long-lost outtakes and alternative mixes from the original Teaser studio sessions, plus two live CDs comprising performances from Ebbets Field, The Northern Lights, My Father’s Place and Albany, the Teaser 40th Anniversary Vinyl Edition Box Set is set to satiate the appetites of Bolin fans worldwide.
  JEFF BECK - Live At Ronnie Scott's Special Edition 2CD, Digital Audio To Be Released In June, 31 Mar 2015
  On June 2nd, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Jeff Beck’s "Performing This Week… Live At Ronnie Scott’s Special Edition" on 2CD and Digital Audio. A 3LP edition will be released shortly thereafter.
  Now released for the first time with the full audio from these incredible shows, Performing This Week… features classic tracks from across Jeff Beck’s career including: “Beck’s Bolero”, “Led Boots”, “Scatterbrain”, “Where Were You”, “Angels (Footsteps)”, “Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers” and his now iconic version of “A Day In The Life”. This amazing show includes guest appearances by Joss Stone, Eric Clapton and Imogen Heap, in addition to a 7-track set with the Big Town Playboys.
  This 2007 series of concerts at the renowned Ronnie Scott’s club in London became a must-have ticket of the year, with a packed audience every night consisting of the famous and the fans. The CD and DVD releases of these shows (released via Eagle Rock Entertainment in 2008, 2009 respectively) have become the definitive Jeff Beck live recordings. Now for the first time on LP and CD, all of the live tracks are available (including those with special guests plus the Big Town Playboys set, which has previously only been on the Blu-ray release).
  From his time with the Yardbirds in the sixties, through the Jeff Beck Group and throughout his solo career, Jeff Beck’s unique guitar style and constant desire to explore new musical areas and sounds has won him the admiration of peers and legions of fans worldwide. Performing This Week… Live At Ronnie Scott’s – Special Edition is a stunning representation of the unmatched live experience that only he can deliver.
  TIGERTAILZ Vocalist JULES MILLIS Calls It Quits, 31 Mar 2015
  UK glam rockers Tigertailz have issued the following announcement:
  "We are sad to announce that due to personal reasons, Jules (Millis/vocals) has had to leave Tigertailz. We are really sad to see him go but respect his decision as the band’s priority is always that family, life and people’s wellbeing come first. We've had some amazing times and played some incredible shows. So we wish Jules all the very best for the future.
  We are currently in the studio working on the new Tigertailz record (Daggerz) and making great progress – so our plans are still on-track and do not change. We will complete the new record but obviously now with a different singer. An announcement as to who this will be will be made at a later date, but for now we continue as normal and all future Tigertailz Live shows will go ahead as planned."
  Millis has issued the following statement:
  "It's been an honour to have been a part of the Tigertailz legacy and to have had the opportunity to be in a band that I have loved since I was a teenager, so I look back on my time fondly. To the Tailz fans - thank you for your acceptance and support over the past three years. It was a pleasure to share the stage with Jay, Rob, Matt, Ace and Jason, I wish you all nothing but the very best for the future."
  DEEP PURPLE Long Beach 1971 Due For Release On May 12th, 28 Mar 2015
  Due for release on May 12th is "Long Beach 1971", the latest album in earMUSIC’s Deep Purple reissue series that, over the last two years, has seen the release of rare live material from the band, including Paris 1975, Copenhagen 1972, Stockholm 1970 and Graz 1975. Spanning over 70 minutes of music, Long Beach 1971 was remastered in 2014.
  Recorded at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, on July 30th, 1971, it was broadcast on radio (KUSC 91.5 FM), a showcase for a support performance to Rod Stewart and The Faces.
  An official release for a concert that has long been considered a landmark for the band, the set featured tracks (“Speed King” and “Child In Time”) from their fourth studio album, June 1970’s In Rock. This was a transitional release for the Mk II version of the band - guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, frontman Ian Gillan, bassist Roger Glover, organ/keyboard player Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice -, being their first hard rock affair as well as their commercial breakthrough as the third leading über-rock band of the day along with Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Completing the set that day were a considerably extended version of “Mandrake Root” from their July 1968 debut album Shades Of Deep Purple, and “Strange Kind Of Woman”.
  Opening with an 11-minute long “Speed King”, the show actually starts off like a climax, with a frenzy of organ and batter of guitar and drums, before segueing into a fast and furious riff and some classic caterwauls from Ian Gillan. Next up is “Strange Kind Of Woman”. The piledriving central motif is a classic combination of rhythm and riff, the band hitting a bluesy, even funky, groove. Following is an impressive version of the Deep Purple classic “Child in Time”: it is 20 minutes of heavy action from Blackmore. If you’re not too exhausted by that, there is time for one more, and it’s a good - not to mention long - one: “Mandrake Root”, a 27-minute extrapolation of the debut album track and concert standby.
  All in all, the frenzy, powerful show is leaving the audience staggered, and not a little dazed, as they head towards the exit, into the warm California night, wondering what the hell just happened. Deep Purple live just happened.
  RAVEN Ink Deal With German Based Continental Concerts Booking Agency For Europe, 28 Mar 2015
  John Gallagher, frontman for NWOBHM legends Raven, has checked in with the following anouncement: "Mark, Joe and I are extremely excited to be working with the premier metal agency in Europe, Continental Concerts. This is a big deal for us to have them on our team and we look forward to a very fruitful association!"
  Continental Concerts, based in Germany, boast a huge roster that includes acts including Children Of Bodom, Accept, Kataklysm, Ensiferum, Cannibal Corpse and more.
  Raven are celebrating their 41st year as a band with the new album, "ExtermiNation", which will be released in Scandinavia on April 22nd, in Germany on April 24th, in Europe on April 27th and in North America on April 28th as a digipak version (incl. 1 bonus track), 2LP gatefold green vinyl version and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
  Metal’s “three musketeers” have had an exciting 2014 – opening for Metallica (the band Raven took on their first tour back in 1983) in Sao Paulo in front of 70,000 fans, and completeing a 43 date headlining USA tour – not to mention completing their finest album to date – ExtermiNation “combines the melody/chaos/musicianship/lunacy that defines the band with songs that are simply the best they have done in decades,” according to a press release. Rivaling the “holy trinity” of those early albums, and again working with the engineering metal mastermind who is Kevin 131 (Walk Through Fire) – the band have taken their game to the next level..this may well be their 41st anniversary but these guys are only just getting started!
  OVERKILL Signs Worldwide Deal With Nuclear Blast; Announces Box Set, North American Tour With SYMPHONY X, 28 Mar 2015
  Overkill, New Jersey’s highest-ranking admirals of thrash, have announced their worldwide deal with Nuclear Blast Records. Previously signed to the label in Europe only, a special box set comprised of the band’s entire back catalogue will be their first worldwide release on Nuclear Blast, due out this fall and coinciding with their co-headlining North American tour with fellow Jersey natives and progressive metal juggernauts Symphony X.
  "Overkill is now a part of the Nuclear Blast family for the entire world,” states band manager John Finberg. “I have worked with the US office on various projects as of late and they have a true understanding of what to do and how to do it. This upcoming box set is the start of the next chapter in the band’s career.”
  Nuclear Blast label manager Gerardo commented on the signing of Overkill: “NB is proud to announce a world-wide deal with Overkill. We’ve worked with them outside North America for the past few years, but it was time to extend the deal and have them join the North American family as well. Nuclear Blast America welcomes the legends!”
  The 24-date Overkill / Symphony X co-headlining trek launches at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 18th, hits four Canadian cities, then wraps up with a very special night at Terminal 5 in New York City on October 17th - the first time in the bands’ combined histories that they’ll play a show together in their own backyard.
  Overkill vocalist Bobby “Blitz” Ellsworth shares the following about the upcoming tour: “This should just kill! Pure Jersey, power, and class!”
  Advanced tickets for the confirmed tour dates below are on sale at EnterTheVault.com. VIP packages include a Meet & Greet session with both bands and an exclusive poster.
  September
  18 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA *
  19 - Upstate Concert Hall - Clifton Park, NY **
  20 - Dome Theater - Niagara Falls, NY *
  22 - Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH *
  23 - The Intersection - Grand Rapids, MI **
  24 - House of Blues - Chicago , IL *
  25 - Rave - Milwaukee, WI *
  26 - Mill City Nights - Minnesota, MN **
  27 - Park Theatre - Winnipeg, MB **
  29 - Mac Ewan Hall Ballroom - Calgary, AB **
  30 - Union Hall - Edmonton, AB **
  October
  1 - Knitting Factory - Spokane, WA **
  2 - Vogue Theatre - Vancouver, B.C. - CANADA *
  3 - Showbox at the Market - Seattle, WA **
  5 - The Grand Ballroom at the Regency Center - San Francisco, CA **
  6 - The Regent Theater - Los Angeles, CA **
  7 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ *
  9 - The Bomb Factory - Dallas, TX *
  10 - 210 Kapones - San Antonio, TX **
  11 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX *
  13 - The Ritz - Tampa, FL *
  14 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA **
  15 - The Filmore - Charlotte, NC **
  16 - The Filmore - Silver Spring, MD *
  17 - Terminal 5 - New York City, NY *
  * Overkill closes
  ** Symphony X closes
  DEF LEPPARD, WHITESNAKE, BLACK STAR RIDERS Team Up For UK Tour, 27 Mar 2015
  Hard rock legends ‎Def Leppard and Whitesnake have announce a joint headline UK and Irish arena tour with support from Black Star Riders. Tickets on sale at 10am on April 1st from Live Nation UK.
  December
  6 - Dublin, Ireland - 3Arena
  7 - Belfast, Ireland - Odyssey
  9 - Newcastle, UK - Metro Radio Arena
  10 - Glasgow, UK - SSE Hydro
  12 - Birmingham, UK - Genting Arena
  13 - Nottingham, UK - Capital FM Arena
  15 - Manchester, UK - Arena
  16 - Cardiff, UK - Motorpoint Arena
  18 - London, UK - SSE Arena Wembley
  19 - Sheffield, UK - Motorpoint Arena
  I am very excited to be working with Whitesnake again; we had such a wonderful time when we did it back in 2008," says Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott. "It’s a great experience for rock fans to be able to see two great live bands on the same stage on the same night."
  ATKINS MAY PROJECT Feat. Original Judas Priest Singer Al Atkins Release New Anthology With Unreleased Bonus Track, 27 Mar 2015
  The Atkins May Project, featuring original Judas Priest vocalist Al Atkins and guitar virtuoso Paul May return with this superb compilation. For the last four years the rock world has been buzzing about former Judas Priest vocal legend and Holy Rage heavy metal frontman Al Atkins and Christian guitarist and music artist Paul May's new music. Together they have created three excellent records available on Gonzo Multimedia. There are enough doses of melody and metal madness to entice all fans of the genre, and while it is solid, honest, working-class heavy metal, it also has its roots in contemporary metal with some fine axe-work and killer choruses.
  This marriage of Metal Mayhem has earned them stunning reviews from the worlds' press and has seen them gain a steady momentum of fans globally since their initial release back in 2011. After the worldwide success of “Serpents Kiss”, “Valley Of Shadows” and “Empire Of Destruction” once again coming straight from the “Home of Metal,” out of the heart of the UK's “Black Country”, Atkins May Project return with “Anthology” (volume 1). This collection of Classic Rock and British Metal is an essential addition to all who love this genre that's no afraid to merge metal moments with progressive thought.
  Tracks:
  Here Comes The Rain
  Bitter Waters
  A World At War
  Dream Maker
  Whisper To The Wind
  Harder They Fall
  The Shallowing
  Enslaved To Love
  Theatre Of Fools
  Valley Of Shadows
  In the Air Tonight (unreleased bonus track)
  Al Atkins is known for being founder member and original vocalist with Judas Priest, notably writing such classics as “Victim Of Changes” & “Never Satisfied”, which the band still perform to this day. This laid the foundations for Priest to go on to sell over 40 millions albums! In 2010, Al teamed up once again with longtime friend, guitar virtuoso and producer Paul May to form AMP and record their critically acclaimed debut album “Serpents Kiss”.
  Paul May was born to play guitar! Respected for his passionate, soulful guitar work and his explosive, exciting solos, Paul is a world class professional guitarist and songwriter playing and recording sessions across the globe, appearing on over 50 albums and featured in both the secular and Christian arenas.
  “Anthology” marks their own territory in rock with this selection of excellent songs! This exciting compilation also features an unreleased bonus track – a cover of Phil Collin's “In The Air Tonight”!
  Paul says, “It was quite a task to choose which songs would make it onto this compilation as there's such a diversity in the styles of tracks, but I hope this reflects the wider view of the rock and metal we love doing”
  Al says, “The reviews from the first three albums were great and said it all, so it was difficult to select the songs for the album, but I think you'll agree that we made the right choices, and 'Anthology' for me ticks all the right boxes!”
  AXEL RUDI PELL - "Magic Moments" - Teaser With Full Video Released, 27 Mar 2015
  It was a hot summer night and the beach was burning… Wrong song, wrong place! But the weather gods smiled on Axel Rudi Pell on that memorable magic evening of July 11th 2014: There had been a severe weather alert, but in the end the floodgates of heaven opened only during the last song of his regular set, the Rainbow classic “Long Live Rock´n´Roll“. “That was Ronnie James Dio crying from above,” promoter Horst E. Franz speculated while bidding his farewells to the almost 15.000 drenched- but-happy fans at the festival site.
  Three hours before the sun went down, creating a beautiful atmosphere at the ´Bang Your Head´ festival in Balingen/Germany, where Axel Rudi Pell celebrated his 25th anniversary as a solo artist with a once-in-a-life-time performance. The CDs and DVDs document a show that is unlikely to ever be seen again in this constellation - a special present the protagonist had worked hard for. It took almost a year to set everything up: “The actual organisation started in the summer of 2013 when the promoter and I went public with the idea of this event,” Axel tells with obvious relief. He´s still happy about how things have turned out. With a little help from his friends at his booking agency, the Bochum guitarist set up an extraordinary line-up. “It was mostly all about
  personal contacts”, because after more than 30 years in the business Axel Rudi Pell is not only well-known, but also well-respected in the worldwide rock community, so the affix “& Friends“ is not one of those usual exaggerations. Almost all of his favoured candidates agreed on this one July date.
  As Axel is an early bird, the whole organisation was fairly easy. Of course there were rehearsals, but only one day before the show. Over fifty minutes worth of footage from those remarkable sessions are featured on the DVD and Blu-ray versions of this package. During those sessions Axel realized that something unique was happening. “Everybody involved had a blast and was right on track,” he remembers. Unfortunately, Doogie White had a prior engagement with Michael Schenker on that rehearsal day, but was replaced with ARP frontman Johnny Gioeli. And except for Charlie Huhn, who had already agreed to play a gig in the USA with his current band Foghat, Axel´s former singers turned out in full force: Rob Rock (1991) and Jeff Scott Soto (1991-1997) together with long-time ARP drummer Joerg Michael (until 1998) took the stage by storm after a historical four-song Steeler reunion at the beginning of the show. Axel´s current line-up put on a best-of show with a blisteringly atmospheric version of the Neil Young classic “Hey Hey My My“ and a few epic ARP classics like “Mystica“, “The Masquerade Ball“, “Casbah“ and “Into The Storm“. You could feel those goose bumps spring up, and the climax was still to come: after a furioso battle between drum gods Vinny Appice and Bobby Rondinelli, a long list of rock legends took the Balingen stage: stepping in for Joe Lynn Turner, who was tied up with business affairs, Pretty Maids frontman Ronnie Atkins performed a superb version of Deep Purple´s “Black Night“, including audience sing along. Then John Lawton, the former voice of Uriah Heep, demonstrated why he still deserves a lot of “Sympathy“ (Uriah Heep), and he was still looking for some “Tush“ (ZZ Top). When ex-Rainbow keyboard player Tony Carey joined in for an emotional “Mistreated“, the now available Doogie White and Johnny Gioeli set the roof on fire. Graham Bonnet, another Rainbow veteran from the glorious “Down To Earth“ era, remembered the good old times with “Since You Been Gone“ and, of course, the aforementioned “Long Live Rock´n´Roll“. At the end of those three hours plus all guests (and friends!) gathered on stage for the grand finale “Smoke On The Water“. A legendary evening drew to a spectacular close. Are you happy, Axel? “Of course! I could have played at least for another hour.” Did anything go wrong? „Nothing, but there was no way we could have prevented those long change-overs in between.“ But at least the weather gods smiled…
  The Metal Avenger THOR Is Set Loose Again With A Deluxe Reissue Of The Legendary 1983 EP Unchained Plus A New Documentary Film, 26 Mar 2015
  Classic metal fans are in for a treat as the muscle-bound thunder god of heavy metal, THOR, sees his pivotal 1983 Unchained EP reissued on both CD & Vinyl with amazing bonus material. Unchained is the EP that put THOR atop the Mt. Olympus of the metal music world with unforgettable, fist-pumping metal anthems such as “Lightning Strikes,” “Anger,” and “When Gods Collide.” The CD comes with 12 rare bonus tracks including the ultra rare 1982 Unchained master recordings. The bonus DVD contains 2 full hours of metal mayhem featuring the “Anger” concept video with behind the scenes footage as well as vintage concert performances from 1982-85. The special limited edition vinyl release comes in either blue or orange colored vinyl, includes the 1982 masters, and also contains a 20-page comic book reproducing the original Unchained comic plus additional unpublished art. These are truly deluxe editions worthy of the gods! And they will be available starting March 31 only from Deadline Music!
  To coincide with these exciting reissues, THOR will be hitting the road, performing at select engagements alongside theatrical screenings of I AM THOR, the brand new documentary film about THOR’s incredible 40+ year career from award-winning body builder to mega-sized rock star to wacky B-horror movie actor! The film is an official selection of the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival and earned solid reviews from Variety and Slug magazines. These very limited, multi-media events begin in April and will continue through September.
  And stay tuned for a BRAND NEW studio album from Thor entitled The Metal Avenger coming this Fall!
  DISC 1
  1. Lightning Strikes Again
  2. Anger
  3. Rock The City
  4. Lazer Eyes
  5. When Gods Collide
  6. Death March
  BONUS TRACKS [CD ONLY]
  7. War Hammer
  8. Rebirth Of The Hero
  9. Ride From Hell
  10. Rag-Na-Rock
  11. Unchained (When Rises The Moon)
  12. She’s A Nightmare
  ORIGINAL 1982 MASTER
  13. Anger
  14. Lightning Strikes Again
  15. Lazer Eyes
  16. I Am Your Sire
  17. Rock The City
  18. When Gods Collide
  DISC 2
  BONUS DVD
  • Anger concept video
  • Raw footage
  • Live in NY 1982 (first Unchained release party)
  • Live from Queens NY 1985
  • Live at St. Alban’s Hall 1984 (with Nik Turner as Loki)
  • Live at the Marque 1984
  Approx. 117 minutes
  I AM THOR Movie Tour (*with THOR live performance, **with THOR tribute band)
  April 3 - Chattanooga Film Festival - Chattanooga, TN
  April 10 - Titanic International Film Festival - Budapest, Hungary
  April 12 & 15 - Florida Film Festival - Maitland/Orlando, FL (with band members Steve Price and Mike Favata)
  **April 15 - Night Visions Film Festival - Helsinki, Finland (with FINN THOR)
  *April 18 - Calgary Underground Film Festival (THOR live performance and Q&A at the festival and Calgary Comic-Con)
  April 20 - Cindelphia Film Festival - Philadelphia, PA
  **April 25 - Keep It True Festival - Germany (with IRON THOR)
  *May 28 - Muskelrock Festival - Alvesta, Sweden (with THOR live performance)
  *June 5 - Brooklyn Film Festival - Brooklyn, NY (with THOR live performance)
  *August 7 - Little Rock Horror Picture Show Festival - Little Rock, AR (with THOR live performance)
  *September 5 - Portland Film Festival - (with THOR live performance)
  DEATH Bassist Scott Clendenin Passes, 25 Mar 2015
  Former Death bassist Scott Clendenin has passed away according to Eric Greif, legal rep for the intellectual property of Chuck Schuldiner. Clendenin played with with Death from 1996 until their breakup in 2001. In 1997, he joined Chuck Schuldiner's second band Control Denied as well, which he was replaced by Steve DiGiorgio in 1999 as the band's bassist.
  Eric Greif states: “With a sense of shock I'm letting all of you know of the passing today of former Death bassist Scott Clendenin. Scott had some health challenges in the last few years but was optimistic about his prospects. Of course he was the skilled player on The Sound Of Perseverance Death album, and recently participated in two DTA live runs, in 2012 and 2013, including the highlight of his acoustic guitar in a poignant rendition of Voice of the Soul. Our thoughts go out to Scott's family at this difficult time.”
  RICHIE KOTZEN Releases “The Enemy” Music Video, 25 Mar 2015
  Guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen has released a new video for the "Cannibals" album track, “The Enemy”. The clip, again directed by Vicente Cordero, who previously worked on Kotzen’s “In An Instant” clip, can be found below.
  Cannibals tracklisting:
  "Cannibals"
  "In An Instant"
  "The Enemy"
  "Shake It Off"
  "Come On Free"
  "I'm All In"
  "Stand Tall"
  "Up (You Turn Me)"
  "You"
  "Time For The Payment"
  YNGWIE MALMSTEEN – Polydor Years Box Set, 25 Mar 2015
  Universal has announced the release of Now Your Ships Are Burned, a 4CD collection of Yngwie J Malmsteen and Rising Force’s Polydor catalogue released between 1984 and 1990.
  Studio long-players "Rising Force" (1984), "Marching Out" (1985), "Trilogy" (1986), "Odyssey" (1988) and "Eclipse" (1990) are all included, along with the 1989 live album "Trial By Fire: Live in Leningrad".
  Each CD contains (approximately) two albums and all the music has been newly remastered for this release by Andy Pearce. The booklet comes with an essay by Malcolm Dome as well as full album credits for each record.
  CD1 (Rising Force)
  “Black Star”
  “Far Beyond The Sun”
  “Now Your Ships Are Burned”
  “Evil Eye”
  “Icarus Dream Suite Op. 4”
  “As Above, So Below”
  “Little Savage”
  “Farewell”
  CD1 (Marching Out)
  “Prelude”
  “I’ll See The Light Tonight”
  “Don’t Let It End”
  “Disciples Of Hell”
  “I Am A Viking”
  “Overture 1383”
  “Anguish And Fear”
  “On The Run Again”
  “Soldier Without Faith”
  CD2 (Marching Out)
  “Caught In The Middle”
  “Marching Out”
  “Far Beyond The Sun” (live)
  “I Am A Viking” (live)
  CD2 (Trilogy)
  “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”
  “Liar”
  “Queen In Love”
  “Crying”
  “Fury”
  “Fire”
  “Magic Mirror”
  “Dark Ages”
  “Trilogy Op. 5”
  CD2 (Odyssey)
  “Rising Force”
  “Hold On”
  “Heaven Tonight”
  CD3 (Odyssey)
  “Dreaming (Tell Me)”
  “Bite The Bullet”
  “Riot In The Dungeons”
  “Déjà Vu”
  “Crystal Ball”
  “Now Is The Time”
  “Faster Than The Speed Of Light”
  “Krakatau”
  “Memories”
  CD3 (Trial By Fire)
  “Liar”
  “Queen In Love”
  “Déjà Vu”
  “Far Beyond The Sun”
  “Heaven Tonight”
  “Dreaming (Tell Me)”
  “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget”
  CD4 (Trial By Fire)
  “Guitar Solo (Trilogy Op. 5/Spasebo Blues)”
  “Crystal Ball”
  “Black Star”
  “Spanish Castle Magic”
  CD4 (Eclipse)
  “Making Love”
  “Bedroom Eyes”
  “Save Our Love”
  “Motherless Child”
  “Devil In Disguise”
  “Judas”
  “What Do You Want”
  “Demon Driver”
  “Faultline”
  “See You In Hell (Don’t Be Late)”
  “Eclipse”
  LYNYRD SKYNYRD's Sweet Home Alabama 2CD, Digital Format Due In June, 24 Mar 2015
  On June 2nd, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd on 2CD and digital formats. This classic 1996 Rockpalast concert - released for the first time on CD - features the band performing all their classics: “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Free Bird”, “Working For MCA”, “Saturday Night Special”, “Gimme Three Steps”, “I Ain’t The One” and many more. A 2LP release will follow.
  Lynyrd Skynyrd is the ultimate Southern Rock band. Their signature three-guitar attack coupled with superb songwriting and onstage charisma has rightfully earned them a reputation as one of the greatest live bands of all time. The original band infamously had their career cut short by a disastrous plane crash in 1977, which took the lives of three band members (vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and vocalist Cassie Gaines) plus assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray, and seriously injured several others. In 1987, the surviving members reformed the band with Johnny Van Zant taking the place of his brother Ronnie. This concert from 1996 captures the band in top form at Rockpalast’s Loreley Festival on June 23, 1996. The band lineup for this show includes: vocalist Johnny Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Rickey Medlocke, and Hughie Thomasson, keyboardist Billy Powell, bassist Leon Wilkeson, drummer Owen Hale, and backing vocalists Dale Krantz-Rossington, and Carol Chase.
  As a bonus, Sweet Home Alabama also includes extremely rare recordings of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd lineup. Captured at the Hamburg Musikhalle on December 5 1974, vocalist Ronnie Van Zant, guitarists Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, and Ed King, keyboardist Billy Powell, bassist Leon Wilkeson, and drummer Bob Burns deliver incredible versions of “Working For MCA,” “Free Bird,” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”
  Sweet Home Alabama proves that Lynyrd Skynyrd’s signature and sizzlin’ Southern-fried sound was able to enthrall fans the world over. It is a testament to the legendary band’s resilience to tragedy (which would have railroaded many other acts) and their ability to carry on and continue to rock stages with fervor and spirit.
  KATAKLYSM Unveil Of Ghosts And Gods Album Artwork, Tracklisting, 24 Mar 2015
  Montreal-based death metal powerhouse, Kataklysm, will release their new album, "Of Ghosts And Gods", on July 31st worldwide via Nuclear Blast. Guitarist J- F Dagenais tracked drums, guitars and bass for the album, while vocals were recorded by producer Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, DevilDriver, Cannibal Corpse). The entire process was mixed and mastered in the UK by legendary producer Andy Sneap (Megadeth, Testament, Exodus, Amon Amarth).
  The new album artwork was done by up and coming dark and macabre artist Art by Surtsey. The new Kataklysm cover art echoes a sinister artwork depicting the reality of humanity’s beautifully disturbing existence and its impending death through the Mortal and the Everlasting, the background shows an ancient Incantation written in Aramaic.
  Of Ghosts And Gods track listing:
  “Breaching The Asylum”
  “The Black Sheep”
  “Thy Serpents Tongue”
  “Soul Destroyer”
  “Vindication”
  “Marching Through Graveyards”
  “Shattered”
  “Hate Spirit”
  “Carrying Crosses”
  “The World Is A Dying Insect”
  About the album, the band previously stated: “It has all the elements that make Kataklysm the force that it is with unrelenting power, melodic hooks, extreme passages and the head stomping grooves Kataklysm is well known for, plus it jumps into new territory in the true nature of the band’s adventurous exploits to push the limit. The end result will be our fans head banging with their horns in the air and shouting the hymns - and that’s our satisfaction right there. We will be hitting the road this summer with a string of festivals in support of the album. This is a determined Kataklysm like you’ve never seen before. Be ready."
  BLACK SABBATH To Say Farewell To Japan At Ozzfest Japan, 23 Mar 2015
  Ozzfest Japan 2015 has just been announced for November 21st and 22nd at Makuhari Messe and will feature Black Sabbath and Korn as headliners. More acts will be announced soon. Check out a commercial below where Sharon Osbourne says it will be Black Sabbath's farewell.
  The first-ever Ozzfest Japan debuted on May 11/12, 2013 to capacity crowds and wide critical acclaim. The two-day music festival - the first major international music festival to ever travel to the country - drew sold-out crowds of 20,000 fans on each day.
  Ozzfest Japan - a collaboration between Sharon Osbourne, in partnership with Japanese promoter Hayashi International Promotion (H.I.P.) - included Ozzfest alumni BLACK SABBATH, SLIPKNOT, TOOL, DEFTONES, SLASH AND STONE SOUR. Other bands on the bill included MAXIMUM THE HORMONE, DIR EN GREY, MAN WITH A MISSION, MOMOIRO CLOVER Z, STEEL PANTHER, NINGEN ISU, GALNERYUS, NAMBA69, AA=, FEAR, AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, MUCC, THE TREATMENT, ANTHEM, CROSSFAITH, COLDRAIN, KNOCK OUT MONKEY, HEAD PHONES PRESIDEN, ARTEMA, and FADE.
  TWISTED SISTER Announce Death Of Drummer A.J. PERO At 55; Tributes Begin To Pour In, 21 Mar 2015
  Twisted Sister have announced that drummer A.J. Pero has passed away at age 55. A cause of death has not yet been revealed. The band issued this brief message: "The members of Twisted Sister are profoundly saddened to announce the untimely passing of our brother, A.J. Pero. The band, crew and most importantly the family of A.J. Pero thank you for your thoughts and prayers at this time."
  Now the members of Twisted Sister have posted more comments about Pero:
  Guitarist Jay Jay French: “A.J. Pero was a force, the likes of which I doubt I will ever have the chance to play in front of again. His drumming was legendary but his heart, as a human being, was even greater.
  “This April 1st would have been his 33rd year as a member. In the Twisted Sister world he was always affectionately known as ‘the new guy’. That is how long and deep our history was/is. In our hearts he will always be the engine that drove the train. I loved him and today my heart has been ripped out. RIP"
  Singer Dee Snider: “Today I lost a brother. Anthony Jude Pero passed away. A.J. was the final piece in a band that would become an international sensation and one of the greatest live rock acts to ever hit the stage. His sledgehammer assault on the drums helped drive Twisted Sister and I to greatness and inspired me to rock every single show. My heart breaks knowing I will never feel the power of his beat behind me, or turn to see his face smiling broadly from the sheer joy he got from doing what he loved. I will always remember that smile. RIP my friend."
  Pero was a member of Twisted Sister from 1982-1986, from 1997-1998, and again from 2003-present. Pero performed on Adrenaline Mob latest albums, and was recently confirmed to be working with Four By Fate, featuring former Frehley's Comet bandmates, Tod Howarth and John Regan.
  Tod Howarth states: “The news of course is out. A.J. Pero has passed away... I learned of it this morning and had just spoken with him yesterday pertaining to the Four By Fate recording schedule for May. Twisted Sister's solid drummer was a great guy in the short time that John Regan and I got to know him..... Thoughts, prayers out to his family first, friends and fans - perhaps all in the same.”
  Says Jeff Scott Soto: “I'm not believing this... just got info that brother A.J. Pero, drummer for Twisted Sister and Adrenaline Mob, has passed away!!! No other info or details but I am in shock... I just met the man a few months ago, we were instant bros, I am so sad for his family and bandmates... damn!”
  Sean Kelly (Crash Kelly, Gilby Clarke, Helix, Four By Fate) states: “Deeply shocked and saddened to hear this news... RIP A.J., you were an inspiration.”
  Says Slash bassist Todd Kerns: "So sad to hear of the passing of A.J. Pero. He was a good man and a monster drummer. So happy I got to share the stage with him. Big love."
  Back in February, A.J. performed a Twisted Sister medley with The Foundry (featuring Blaze Bayley) at Rippers Rock House in Akron, Ohio. Video can be seen below.
  Stay tuned for more details on this shocking news.
  CREMATORY Looking For New Guitar Player, 21 Mar 2015
  After 17 years with Crematory, Guitarist Matze decided to explore new musical territories and to re-arrange his private life. The band thank Matze from the bottom of their hearts, for the great times they spent together. Matze will always be a member of the Crematory family and they wish him nothing but the best for the future!
  Now Crematory is looking for a new guitar player – preferred with the ability to do vocals! Please send your applications, with video, to office@crematory.de
  Crematory just released their third video from the latest album “Antiserum”: “Virus”! It was recorded at the legendary Wacken Open Air in 2014! To span their live inactivity this year, the band decided to release the whole Wacken show as a DVD, including private backstage footage, detailed interviews, footage from their rehearsal room and the three videoclips from “Antiserum”!
  The yet untitled DVD will be released through SPV/Steamhammer on the 17th of June in Scandinavia, 19th of June in Germany, 22nd of June in Europe, the USA release date will be announced soon.
  Believe in you and especially in Crematory!
  NITROGODS Release Lyric Video for "Irish Honey", 21 Mar 2015
  German no bullshit Rock 'n' Rollers Nitrogods release a lyric video for "Irish Honey". The song is taken from the current album "Rats and Rumours". The Lyric Video for "Irish Honey" can be found here.
  The band is constantly playing live shows in Germany and some additional european dates will be added pretty soon Today the Nitrogods are confirmed for the well known RAISMES FEST in France - more live dates to follow...
  11.04 - LIE - Vaduz – Liechtenstein / Eventclub C-Base
  16.05.- F - La Garde / Mcp Morts Subites Toulon
  17.05.- F - Meyrargues / Théâtre de Verdure de Meyrargues
  01.08 - B - Waarschoot / Roadkill Festival
  new - 11./12.09. - F - Raismes / RAISMES FEST
  03.10.- CH - Langnau / Kupferschmiede
  ...more European show dates to follow
  MELISSA ETHERIDGE Releases Second Single and Video, 21 Mar 2015
  "Monster" marks the second single taken from Melissa Etheridge's chart album "This Is M.E.". The song is Melissa`s favorite song on the record, in which she is describing that some people might see her as a monster, but in truth she is only trying to find peace and love.
  The digital single will be released Europeanwide on March 30th with the original album version of "Monster" and an exclusive live version recorded last year in Calgary. The release of the digital single will also coincide with the launch of the music video for "Monster".
  In April, the Academy Award® and GRAMMY® winning artist, will take the stage for the “Melissa Etheridge: This Is M.E.” European Solo-Tour to perform songs from her new album, This is M.E. She will also be singing some of her greatest hits like “Like The Way I Do”, “Bring Me Some Water” and “I`m The Only One”. “I am so thrilled to be playing the new songs from This Is M.E. along with the hits on this tour,” said Melissa. She continues, “Be prepared for a high voltage show with nonstop energy.”
  Known for her iconic voice, profound lyrics and riveting stage presence; Melissa will share personal stories about her remarkable journey through life and the inspiration behind some of her most beloved songs.
  The “Melissa Etheridge: This Is M.E.” solo-tour tour kicks off in Munich, Germany on April 15th and continues through April where she wraps up in Utrecht, Holland on April 28th. Tickets are available for fan club sale at http://mein.melissaetheridge.com/ and general onsale through www.melissaetheridge.com and at the venues themselves.
  The new album "This Is M.E." is out now in Europe as a digipak version (incl. 2 bonus tracks and poster), standard version, vinyl version (incl. 1 bonus track and CD in cardboard sleeve) and download through SPV Recordings.
  STEEL PANTHER Solve Your Problems; Video Available, 20 Mar 2015
  Glam gods Steel Panther are a collective fountain of knowledge when it comes to solving their fans' problems. Want more volume in your hair? Stuck for something to cook the in-laws? Michael and Satchel have the answers courtesy of Backstage Agony.
  In other news, be sure to check out Steel Panther's hair spray brand in Vienna, Austria, on March 29th (you can bring you own can with you if you please). Anyway, ticket sale and other info on the even can be checked out through this link.
  TONY MACALPINE - Concrete Gardens Due In April, 20 Mar 2015
  Tony MacAlpine's new album "Concrete Gardens" will be released April 21st, and is now available for pre-order. The tracklisting is as follows:
  "Exhibitionist Blvd."
  "The King's Rhapsody"
  "Man In A Metal Cage"
  "Poison Cookies"
  "Epic"
  "Napoleon's Puppet"
  "Sierra Morena"
  "Square Circles"
  "Red Giant"
  "Confessions Of A Medieval Monument"
  "Concrete Gardens"
  "Maiden's Wish"
  Album Personnel:
  Tony MacAlpine - guitar, keyboards, bass
  Aquiles Priester - drums
  Pete Griffin - bass
  Jeff Loomis - guitar solo on "Square Circles"
  Lucky Islam - bass on "Red Giant"
  Sean Delson - bass on "Concrete Gardens"
  WHITESNAKE Post "The Purple Album" EPK, 19 Mar 2015
  Whitesnake return with The Purple Album, the first new studio album in four years, released in the UK on May 18 via Frontiers Music SRL. View and embed The Purple Album official EPK here.
  The Purple Album will be released in Europe on May 15th and in North America on May 19th via Frontiers Music SRL. The Purple Album is a re-imagination of classic songs from David Coverdale’s time as the lead singer for Deep Purple’s Mark 3 and Mark 4 studio albums. The album is currently available for pre-order in various configurations on Amazon: a Standard Edition, a Deluxe Edition featuring 2 bonus tracks, 4 music videos and a Behind The Scenes featurette on the recording of the album and in a double LP vinyl format. Plans are also underway for a special limited box set edition with memorabilia and merchandise. Details will be announced soon.
  “It’s a tribute. A homage. It’s a huge thank you from me to Deep Purple for the opportunity I was given over 40 years ago,” state’s Coverdale. “As I said to Ritchie, you guys set me on an incredible journey that continues today and I couldn’t have asked for better teachers. The University of Deep Purple was an extraordinary, amazing school to learn from. We can’t wait to play these songs in concert!”
  From the opening notes of the classic track “Burn”, to album closer “Stormbringer”, Whitesnake are back and better than ever. Songs like “Lady Double Dealer”, “Soldier of Fortune” and “Sail Away” are given a new energy in the very capable hands of the current Whitesnake lineup featuring David Coverdale on vocals, Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitars, Michael Devin on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums.
  DANZIG Commence Work On New Studio Album Of All Original Material, 19 Mar 2015
  Glenn Danzig has revealed he is in an LA recording studio with guitarist Tommy Victor drummer Johnny Kelly laying down tracks for upcoming Danzig record tentatively scheduled for late 2015 or early 2016 release. Not to be confused with the covers record, which is scheduled for a late spring release, this will be the first all new material by Danzig since 2010's Deth Red Sabaoth. Watch the official Danzig Facebook page here for updates.
  Danzig's last album "Deth Red Sabaoth" released in 2010 marked the band's highest-charting studio release since the release of Danzig 4.
  THE NIGHTHAWKS Invite You to a "Back Porch Party" with Their New CD Release, Coming April 21 on EllerSoul Records, 19 Mar 2015
  The Nighthawks, America’s seminal roots music band, are throwing a "Back Porch Party" on their new EllerSoul Records CD, coming April 21, and everyone’s invited. Following up the critical success of their 2014 label debut CD, 444, the Washington, DC-based quartet of Mark Wenner (harmonica/vocals), Paul Bell (guitar/vocals), Johnny Castle (bass/vocals) and Mark Stutso (drums/vocals) once again show that they can deliver the goods on a disc that’s destined to become a perennial favorite all around the world.
  Recorded “Live and Acoustic” at Montrose Studio in Richmond, Virginia, the Blues Music Award-winning Nighthawks showcase an even-dozen set list of songs that run the gamut of roots music, touching all bases with excursions into blues, soul, rock ‘n’ roll, roadhouse country and rhythm and blues, all the while demonstrating that you don’t have to plug in to get electrified!
  Along with five original songs from the band’s members, Back Porch Party includes scintillating covers of compositions by Muddy Waters (a band tradition), Lightnin’ Slim, Willie Dixon, Ike Turner and Jimmy Rogers, among others. Bandstand favorite “Down in the Hole” (the theme from the acclaimed TV series, “The Wire”) and “Walkin’ after Midnight,” a song immortalized by country great Patsy Cline, are just two tracks that demonstrate the breadth of The Nighthawks college of American musical knowledge, both live and in the studio.
  “It started with a memorial service,” recalls founding member Mark Wenner about the genesis of the band doing acoustic recordings. “Thirty years after the robbery/murder of Daniel ‘Duke’ Hope, an old friend of the early band, the victim's mother asked the boys to play graveside. At first, it appeared to be a complicated situation: How to get electricity to the site. However, since the participants were few in number, it was decided to play with a single snare drum, an upright bass, an acoustic guitar and harmonica, and the vocals would be straight into the air. It worked. After watching a video of the service, the band decided to try this format in smaller venues with tiny stages with minimal amplification. It worked. People even danced.”
  Wenner goes on to explain how that unplugged path would lead The Nighthawks to some glorious results. “When Bill Wax, then head honcho at Sirius/XM's Bluesville Channel, heard about the occasional acoustic Nighthawks, he invited the band into their D.C. studios to record a couple of tunes for their homemade blues jam segments. With very sympathetic engineering, The Nighthawks knocked out an album's worth of mostly traditional blues in a couple of hours. A week later, Bill presented the band with a wonderfully mixed digital master with permission to use. Last Train to Bluesville was born. It went on to garner a surprising amount of national airplay and win the band's first Blues Music Award in Memphis in May 2011. It also helped put the band back into the national spotlight, and they followed with their first Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise performances and two successful subsequent releases, Damn Good Time and 444.”
  After two solid, critically acclaimed electric recordings, The Nighthawks decided to go back to the unplugged route on their new CD. “Although the band mostly continues its amplified style, they are quick to take advantage of situations that warrant the acoustic format,” says Wenner. “Having enjoyed both the sound and father/son team of engineers in Montrose Studio in Richmond, Virginia, and mixing some acoustic numbers into the material on our 444 album, it seemed like the perfect place for another unplugged recording. The band and EllerSoul execs also invited a small group of sympathetic listeners in for the recording session. The resulting totally live performance was captured by Bruce and Adrian Olsen and quickly mixed into this presentation of a truly fun event, a BACK PORCH PARTY.”
  RAVEN Release Lyric Video For New Song, 19 Mar 2015
  NWoBHM legends Raven release a lyric video for the new song "Destroy All Monsters" taken from the forthcoming album "ExtermiNation", which marks the first new studio album since 5 years and is hailed by many who heard it already as one of their best albums ever.
  "ExtermiNation" will be released in Scandinavia on April 22nd, in Germany on April 24th, in Europe on April 27th and in the USA on April 28th as a digipak version (incl. 1 bonus track), 2LP gatefold green vinyl version and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
  EUROPE Stream Video Of War Of Kings Box Set, 19 Mar 2015
  Swedish rock legends, Europe, released their 10th studio album, "War Of Kings", on March 10th in North America via Hell & Back Recordings. Europe and Yahoo Music are giving North American fans an exclusive chance to listen War Of Kings an entire week early, starting today. The video below details the limited box set edition of War Of Kings:
  Recorded at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) and engineered by John Netti, War Of Kings sees the quintet confidently creating 11 monstrously melodic, yet hard-hitting classic rock’n’roll standouts for their fervent global audience. War Of Kings is be available in multiple formats, as a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and in digital download format. Joey Tempest states, “War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!”
  BERNIE TORME New PledgeMusic Campaign 2015, 18 Mar 2015
  The luck of the Irish: Irish Blues Rock Psychedelic Shredmeister/ Glam Punk Sleaze Rock Frontman Bernie Tormé announces a new Pledge Campaign for a brand new album……. on St Paddy's day!
  Help a Guitar Legend Create his new album for 2015! Own a piece of rock history: Pledge for a guitar body smashed by Bernie onstage with Gillan in 1981!
  During 2014 Bernie embarked on a hugely successful Pledge Campaign for his first album for 15 years, "Flowers & Dirt': he achieved 100% of his Pledge goal within one day, and finished the campaign with an overshoot of over 400%! On top of financing the recording, production and release of the album Bernie was also able to make a sizeable donation to Teenage Cancer Trust.
  Following the release of “Flowers & Dirt”, which garnered considerable acclaim from both fans and media: Bernie also did a stormingly successful UK tour in support of the album at the end of 2014 to an ecstatic audience reception.
  To remind any of you who may not be aware of Bernie Tormé, the Irish guitarist is literally a living legend, having played for Ian Gillan, Ozzy Osbourne (standing in with Ozzy in the immediate aftermath of legendary guitarist Randy Rhoad's tragic death), Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, and Atomic Rooster, as well as his own projects Tormé (with LA Gun singer Phil Lewis), Electric Gypsies, and GMT and much more.
  Fittingly enough, St Patrick's day 2015 sees Dubliner Bernie get his teeth into a brand new Pledge campaign for a brand new album. Again there will be a multitude of goodies for pledgers besides the chance to pre-order the new album stretching from a simple pre release download to the damaged body of a Stratocaster smashed by Bernie onstage with Gillan in 1981.
  Bernie: 'I'm really looking forward to doing another Pledge campaign, the last one was such a great hands-on experience for me and for the fans. For my money that beat the old record company artiste relationship of my past into a cocked hat! And it resulted in an album that is one of the proudest achievements of my career! Can't wait to do it all again'.
  ROBIN TROWER Launches First-ever Music Video "Something's About To Change", 17 Mar 2015
  Robin Trower has launched his first-ever music video for the title track of his new album “Something’s About To Change”.
  Something’s About To Change was released by Manhaton/V12 Records on March 9th 2015 - the same day as Robin’s 70th birthday. It marks Trower’s first album since 2013’s critically acclaimed “Roots And Branches”, and dovetails his 17-date UK tour with special guest Joanne Shaw Taylor starting March 26. When it comes to a new album by Robin Trower, some things never change. The guitar work will be breathtaking. The song writing will be heartfelt and fearless. The vocal will siphon the soul. True to form, from the opening swoop of electric guitar, Something’s About To Change is a thrilling encapsulation of everything fans love about the celebrated bandleader. And yet, as the title implies, this album finds Trower twisting his talent into bold new shapes.
  Something’s About To Change confirms a world-class musician at the top of his game. With his own V12 record label allowing Trower to bypass the spirit-sapping protocol of the conventional record industry, it comes to no surprise this new album sounds so vital. While palpably influenced by Trower’s deep love of post-war U.S. blues, its personal themes and visceral music means that it will resonate with every generation. "As a songwriter and a performer, you use everything at your disposal to put into songs," reflects Trower.
  The songs remain the cornerstones. Trower’s astonishing fretwork may sometimes take top billing, but the all-original material of Something’s About To Change speaks of the gas in his creative tank. Fallen drips with atmosphere. Riff No. 7 (Still Alive) moves with power and purpose.
  Tracking alongside long-standing producer Livingstone Brown at Studio 91 in Newbury, this was not a dry exercise in box-ticking, but a bid to capture the rare chemistry between Trower and his band. On drums, Chris Taggart’s touch can be thunderous or feather-light. On organ, Luke Smith slips between his roles as support player and sparring partner on standout cuts like What You Never Want To Do. Leading the line, of course, is Trower himself, playing bass for the first time, alongside his unmistakable soul-in-fingers guitar parts. "There is some sort of feeling of emotional release," he says, "when you play a note that rings out right."
  NIGHT DEMON Update Itinerary For European Tour, 16 Mar 2015
  Night Demon have updated their schedule for 2015 cruise of Europe. Check out dates below:
  16.03. D-Hamburg - Hafenklang (support of PHILM)
  17.03. SE-Stockholm - Kafe 44
  18.03. SE - Gothenborg - Truckstop Alaska
  20.03. D-Essen - Turock (support of OHRENFEINDT)
  21.03. D-Stuttgart - JH Hallschlag
  22.03. D-Karlsruhe - Alte Hackerei
  26.03. D-Krefeld - Kulturrampe
  27.03. NL-Den Haag - Musicon
  28.03. D-Jena - JG Stadtmitte
  31.03. D-Cologne - Sonic Ballroom
  01.04. D-Hannover - Lux
  02.04. NL-Tilburg - Little Devil
  03.04. NL-Stadskanaal - De Spont (Very Eavy Fest)
  05.04. D-Kassel - K 19 (Easter Metal Meeting)
  ERIC CLAPTON to Mark 70th Birthday With New York Concerts, 16 Mar 2015
  Eric Clapton will play two shows at New York's Madison Square Garden this spring to mark his 70th birthday. The May 1 and 2 concerts will also mark the 46th anniversary since Clapton –, with the band Cream – opened the "new" Madison Square Garden on November 2, 1968.
  Clapton has performed at Madison Square Garden a total of 45 times. A pre-sale for Chase credit and debit customers will start Monday, March 16 at 11am EST at Ticketmaster.com.
  Clapton notes the concert dates may be subject to change to May 3 if it conflicts with a playoff game. The guitarist is among the artists set to be inducted into the Blues Hall Of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee this spring. Little Richard and Griffin Brothers Orchestra leader Tommy Brown will join Clapton as 2015 inductees during The Blues Foundation event over the May 6-8 weekend.
  Last year, Clapton released the tribute album, "The Breeze (An Appreciation of J.J. Cale)",plus the documentary, “Planes, Trains And Eric” – a film documenting his life on the road during the Far and Middle Eastern leg of his 2014 tour. Clapton’s last solo studio album was 2013’s “Old Sock.”
  Toto’s MIKE PORCARO Dead at 59, 15 Mar 2015
  Toto bassist Mike Porcaro has died after a struggle with Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 59. Bandmate and brother Steve confirmed the news, saying: “Mike passed away peacefully in his sleep at 12:04am last night at home surrounded by his family. Rest in peace, my brother.”
  He was forced to retire from touring with the band in 2007 as a result of his illness, also known as motor neurone disease, which causes muscle wasting. The band continued to list him as a permanent member while original bassist David Hungate took his place on the road.
  Mike joined brothers Steve and Jeff in Toto in 1984, and remained until his retirement. The band – minus Jeff, who died in 1992 – split in 2008 but regrouped in 2010 to provide support after the bassist’s disease was announced in public. He’d been in a wheelchair since 2012.
  They’ve continued to play since regrouping, and Toto XIV, their first album in nine years, is launched on March 23, with UK dates to follow. Toto will play Ljubljana, Slovenia, on July 2nd. Click here for more info on the event.
  Legendary Voice Of Supertramp ROGER HODGSON Announces 2015 Breakfast In America World Tour, 14 Mar 2015
  Roger Hodgson co-founded Supertramp in 1969 and was with them until his departure in 1983. During the 14 years that he was with the band he wrote, sang, and arranged most of the enduring rock standards that made Supertramp a worldwide phenomenon. His timeless classics - “Give A Little Bit”, “The Logical Song”, “Dreamer”, “Take the Long Way Home”, “Breakfast in America”, “School”, “Fool’s Overture”, “It’s Raining Again” - helped the band sell well over 60 million albums.
  While many may not recognize the name Roger Hodgson, everyone recognizes his signature voice - one of the most distinctive voices in rock history. And the classic hit songs that he wrote and sang, often referred to as “Supertramp” songs, are actually Roger Hodgson songs.In 2015 Hodgson continues to perform all these hits that he first recorded with Supertramp along with his other classics - “Sister Moonshine”, “Child Of Vision”, “Hide in Your Shell”, “Even in the Quietest Moments” and fan favorites from his solo albums - “Had A Dream”, “Only Because Of You”, “Lovers In The Wind”, “In Jeopardy” and “Along Came Mary”. Accompanied by a stunning four-piece band, Hodgson’s 2015 Breakfast In America tour will bring him to Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Norway, France, Spain, Belgium, Holland, the US and Canada.
  June
  19 - Weinheim, Germany - Schlosspark
  20 - Hinwil, Switzerland - Rock the Ring
  21 - Clam, Austria - Clam Castle Music Festival
  24 - Munich, Germany - Tollwood
  26 - Steinkjer, Norway - Steinkjer Festival
  30 - Nantes, France - Cité des Congrés
  July
  1 - Paris, France - Olympia - SOLD OUT
  3 - Murten, Switzerland - Stars of Sounds
  4 - Calw, Germany - Calw Rockt
  7 - Valencia, Spain - Details soon
  8 - Murcia, Spain - Plaza de Toros
  10 - Belgium - Details soon
  11 - Heerlen, Holland - ParkCity Live
  12 - Oxfordshire, England - Cornbury Music Festival
  15 - Veszprém, Hungary - VeszprémFest
  17 - Brønnøysund, Norway - Rootsfestivalen
  18 - Langesund, Norway - Wrightegården
  30 - Weissenburg in Bayern, Germany - Bergwaldtheater
  31 - Lauchheim, Germany - Festival Schloss Kapfenburg
  August
  1 - Carcassonne, France - Festival de Carcassonne
  4 - Mallorca, Spain - Details soon
  6 - Marbella, Spain - Starlite Festival
  8 - Peralada, Spain - Festival Castell de Peralada
  29 - Merkers, Germany - Erlebnis Bergwerk
  30 - Hemer, Germany - Sauerland Park
  September
  1 - Cologne, Germany - Tanzbrunnen
  2 - Amsterdam, Holland - Koninklijk Theater Carré - SOLD OUT
  4 - Siegen, Germany - Siegerlandhalle
  5 - Lingen, Germany - EmslandArena
  7 - Berlin, Germany - Tempodrom
  November
  20 - Rama, ON, Canada - Casino Rama
  21 - Rama, ON, Canada - Casino Rama
  26 - Calgary, AB, Canada - Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
  28 - Vancouver, BC, Canada - River Rock Casino Resort & Hotel
  December
  3 - Montreal, QC, Canada - Place des Arts
  8 - Ottawa, ON, Canada - National Arts Center
  9 - Quebec, QC, Canada - Grand Theatre
  11 - Moncton, NB, Canada - Casino New Brunswick
  12 - Halifax, NS, Canada - Casino Nova Scotia
  April (2016)
  18 - Amsterdam, Holland - Koninklijk Theater Carré
  29 - London, England - Royal Albert Hall
  RONNIE JAMES DIO Memorial Weekend Announced, 13 Mar 2015
  The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded in memory of the voice of Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio, has announced a weekend of activities to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the singer's untimely passing from gastric cancer on May 16, 2010.
  The May 15th - 17th weekend in Los Angeles, CA will include a public Memorial Service, a Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling tournament and the inaugural Ride For Ronnie motorcycle ride and BBQ.
  On Friday, May 15, the weekend opens with the Bowl For Ronnie Celebrity Bowling tournament. The evening of fun, food, entertainment and bowling will see rock stars and celebrities competing for trophies in the name of raising funds and awareness for the Ronnie James Dio SUAS Cancer Fund. A silent auction will include collectible bowling pins autographed by artists such as Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, YES, Anthrax and Metallica and in addition to many more major items.
  The free public Memorial Service will take place at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Saturday, May 16. Several former band members and friends who worked with Ronnie are expected to speak and perform his music.
  The inaugural Ride For Ronnie motorcycle ride and BBQ is set for Sunday, May 17. Participants will depart Glendale, traveling the freeways of the north San Fernando Valley, then down the 405 to a BBQ at Los Encinos Historical Park in Encino. The BBQ will feature great food and drink, live music by Ronnie's former bandmates and friends, raffle prizes, live auction and much more.
  Full weekend event details are available at diocancerfund.org
  ANVIL Post New Video and European Festival Dates, 13 Mar 2015
  Canadian Metal icons Anvil release a new video for the title song of their latest album: "Hope In Hell". It was again created by swedish director Rene U Valdes for Greenworks Productions. Anvil will embark on another European festival tour this summer with more dates to be added soon:
  European Festival Tour 2015:
  30.05. SE-Alvesta - Muskelrock
  10.07. CZ-Vizovice - Masters Of Rock
  17.07. D-Balingen - Bang Your Head
  20.07. SO-Tolmin - Metaldays
  The latest Anvil studio album Hope In Hell was released in Germany and Europe through SPV / Steamhammer in four different formats: as a limited-edition Digipak including 2 bonus tracks, as a jewel case CD, double gatefold colored vinyl including 2 bonus tracks and as download.
  JACK STARR'S BURNING STARR Reveal Details Of New Album, 11 Mar 2015
  American power metal act Jack Starr's Burning Starr (founded in 1984 by former Virgin Steele/Phantom Lord guitarist Jack Starr), started pre-production process of the new studio album titled Stand Your Ground, scheduled for recording during spring and summer of 2015. Some of the new song titles are: "Stronger Than Steel", "In Another Time (From Ashes We Rise)", "Stand Your Ground" or "To The Ends Of The Earth". "Stand Your Ground" is a loosely based concept album, about the problems facing America and the world, and the belief that many people have, that we are heading into an era of strife and conflict.
  Stand Your Ground will include new songs, as well as several recently unearthed, unreleased and never recorded compositions written in the '80s. The new Burning Starr album - like the previous one, "Land Of The Dead", which came out on Limb Music in 2011, and which was promoted on European tour, special live show at the legendary Keep It True Festival, and headlining show at the Swordbrothers Festival (both in Germany) - will be produced by Bart Gabriel and will be recorded by the same stellar line up featuring - next to Jack Starr: Ned Meloni on bass guitar (Joe Lynn Turner, Devil Childe), Kenny "Rhino" Earl on drums (Manowar, Holyhell), and vocalist Todd Michael Hall (Riot V, Reverence). European touring lineup of the band is completed by the Crystal Viper front woman Marta Gabriel, who in Burning Starr took over rhythm guitarist duties.
  STEEL PANTHER Has No Interest In Making 'Serious' Album, 11 Mar 2015
  Singer Michael Starr (real name Ralph Saenz; ex-L.A. Guns) of Los Angeles glam-metal jokesters Steel Panther said that, despite the band's cult band status, "now, with where we're at with 25 employees, trucks and buses, there's a lot riding on what comes out on our CDs. Plus, we're getting a lot of pressure to write clean stuff from people surrounding our camp, so they can make money off of what we're doing," he adds. "They're like, 'Look, we need a serious record from Steel Panther.' From day one, we said, 'No. We're not doing that.' "
  Starr explained Steel Panther's attitude in a 2012 interview with Billboard. He said: "We just have fun. We've always had fun. We're guys that obviously are just comedic all the way to the core. We just decided, 'Hey, let's have fun and not take ourselves seriously."
  He continued: "And you know what, dude? I'm glad that we did it this way, because now I'm happy. This is who I am, y'know? We have the [different] names but we're not putting on, like, an act. I don't have to act like some other dude. I get to be myself and people dig it. Even people that laugh at us are still fans, which is really cool."
  Steel Panther are playing Vienna, Austria, on March 29th. Follow this link for more info on the event.
  AC/DC Release "Rock The Blues Away" Video, 10 Mar 2015
  AC/DC have released the second video from their latest album, "Rock Or Bust". The video was shot in Los Angeles in February after the band performed for the first time at this year’s Grammy Awards. The clip was directed by the band's longtime collaborator David Mallet and features an enthusiastic crowd of real fans who came from all over the world just to be part of this historic taping. Rock Or Bust was released on December 2nd and immediately topped sales charts around the globe. The album has thus far sold nearly 2.8 million copies worldwide. In other news, AC/DC will play Zeltweg, Austria, on May 14th.
  A 40th anniversary tour isn’t something that comes around often in modern music, but when it does, those touring bands tend to celebrate in style. That’s exactly what AC/DC will do on its upcoming Rock Or Bust World Tour, which hits North America for 13 dates in August and September.According to Forbes, the band’s late-summer trip through the US and Canada will be the first time the ageless rockers have performed stateside since April of 2010. Nearly five years ago, AC/DC was wrapping the third North American leg of the Black Ice World Tour, which ran 168 shows over two years and netted more than $441 million when all was said and done. The fourth highest-grossing tour of all-time, the Black Ice World Tour may meet its match when AC/DC announces more global dates in the coming months.
  According to Forbes, the band’s late-summer trip through the US and Canada will be the first time the ageless rockers have performed stateside since April of 2010. Nearly five years ago, AC/DC was wrapping the third North American leg of the Black Ice World Tour, which ran 168 shows over two years and netted more than $441 million when all was said and done. The fourth highest-grossing tour of all-time, the Black Ice World Tour may meet its match when AC/DC announces more global dates in the coming months.
  Until that time, however, Angus Young and co. will see considerable ticket prices on the secondary market over their 13-show run in North America this summer. The average price for AC/DC tickets on TiqIQ is $255.82, which rivals that of other touring rock icons like Fleetwood Mac and The Who.
  AC/DC’s most expensive date of its upcoming North American leg will be at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on September 20th. That show currently owns an average secondary price of $573.37, which is 124.1% more expensive than the tour average, and the get-in price starts at $168. BC Place in Vancouver will be the band’s second top-priced show on September 22nd, with tickets averaging at $561.23 and get-in price listed at $130 on the secondary market.
  SABATON Reveal Heroes Deluxe Edition Details, 10 Mar 2015
  To celebrate their triumphant return to North America this spring, Billboard-charting Swedish heavy metallers and avid war historians, Sabaton, are releasing a special, 3-disc limited edition deluxe version of their 2014 "Heroes" album, due out in the US and Canada on April 7th.
  Limited to 5,000 copies, this deluxe edition includes two discs of live audio recorded on the 2014 Sabaton Cruise in addition to the original ten Heroes album tracks.
  The track listing for Heroes: Deluxe Edition is:
  Disc 1 - Heroes:
  “Night Witches”
  “No Bullets Fly”
  “Smoking Snakes”
  “Inmate 4859”
  “To Hell And Back”
  “The Ballad Of Bull”
  “Resist And Bite”
  “Soldier Of 3 Armies”
  “Far From The Fame”
  “Hearts Of Iron”
  Disc 2 – Live from The Sabaton Cruise 2014:
  “Night Witches”
  “To Hell And Back”
  “Smoking Snakes”
  “Far From The Fame”
  “Resist And Bite”
  “Soldier Of 3 Armies”
  “Carolus Rex”
  “Gott Mit Uns [God With Us]”
  “Karolinens Bön [The Carolean’s Prayer]”
  “1648
  “En Livstid I Krig [A Lifetime Of War]”
  “Twilight Of The Thunder Gods”
  Disc 3 – Live from The Sabaton Cruise 2014:
  “Ghost Division”
  “40:1”
  “White Death”
  “Attero Dominatus”
  “7734”
  “Price Of A Mile”
  “Talvisota [The Winter War]”
  “Swedish Pagans”
  “Art Of War”
  “Primo Victoria”
  “Metal Crüe”
  Asia and King Crimson Lead Vocalist JOHN WETTON to Release Solo Career Retrospective 'The Studio Recordings Anthology' and Live Album 'New York Minute', 10 Mar 2015
  Legendary John Wetton, best known for his work with Asia, UK and King Crimson, is releasing two new albums this month: "The Studio Recordings" Anthology 2CD Set and "New York Minute - John Wetton & The Les Paul Trio", on Primary Purpose via Cherry Red Records.
  As a singer, bassist and songwriter, John Wetton initially rose to fame as the lead singer of King Crimson and thereafter Wetton formed UK with Eddie Jobson and later he was the lead vocalist of the supergroup Asia, his biggest commercial success. The band’s self-titled debut album was the biggest selling album in the world in 1982.
  Wetton also has a successful solo career releasing a large number of studio and live albums and these are showcased on the 2CD ‘The Studio Recordings Anthology’ meanwhile a unique live album with The Les Paul Trio includes a number of songs Wetton has never sung elsewhere.
  The Studio Recordings Anthology 2CD Set
  The Studio Anthology collects together the best of John Wetton's six solo studio albums within a 2-CD set with extensive new liner notes.
  DISC ONE
  1. THE CIRCLE OF ST. GILES
  2. THE LAST THING ON MY MIND
  3. HOLD ME NOW
  4. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
  5. ANOTHER TWIST OF THE KNIFE
  6. I'VE COME TO TAKE YOU HOME
  7. I CAN'T LIE ANYMORE
  8. LOST FOR WORDS
  9. BATTLE LINES
  10. CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
  11. ARKANGEL
  12. RIGHT WHERE I WANTED TO BE
  13. NOTHING'S GONNA STAND IN OUR WAY
  14. SECOND BEST
  15. WOMAN
  16. REAL WORLD
  DISC TWO
  1. HEART OF DARKNESS
  2. SAY IT AIN'T SO
  3. COLD IS THE NIGHT
  4. YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE
  5. RAISED IN CAPTIVITY
  6. STEFFI'S RING
  7. WALKING ON AIR
  8. TAKE ME TO THE WATERLINE
  9. SILENTLY
  10. BATTLE LINES (ACOUSTIC)
  11. I LAY DOWN
  12. ROCK OF FAITH
  13. WHO WILL LIGHT A CANDLE?
  14. YOU AGAINST THE WORLD
  15. EMMA
  16. AFTER ALL
  New York Minute - John Wetton & The Les Paul Trio
  New York Minute sees John Wetton playing a selection of the songs that inspired him, many of which are not available on any other release. This new live album also includes unique renditions of his solo hit Battle Lines and the Asia mega hit Heat of the Moment.
  Track Listing:
  1. DO IT AGAIN
  2. WHAT’S GOING ON?
  3. GOD ONLY KNOWS
  4. CAN’T FIND MY WAY HOME
  5. ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
  6. NEW YORK MINUTE
  7. LADY MADONNA
  8. HEAT OF THE MOMENT
  9. BATTLE LINES
  ﻿HIRAX Kick Off First Part of European This Friday﻿, 9 Mar 2015
  Legendary Thrash Metal Act Hirax will start the first part of their European tour this Friday in England. They also released a new video for the song "Hellion Rising" taken from their latest album "Immortal Legacy".
  Hirax vocalist Katon W. De Pena comments on the making of their new music video and the forthcoming tour: "The new Hirax video "Hellion Rising" is a visual thrash metal experience. We filmed on location in the historic Battery Bunkers built in 1942 hidden in the hills of San Pedro, California. This is our second video directed and produced by Donovan Vim Crony. The scenery is the perfect backdrop for Hirax's brand of intense thrash metal. No green scenes, fake production or props were used in the making of this high definition video / film. The release will coincide with the announcement of our upcoming European tour / concert dates 2015. We are very excited to hit the road again and play our music for all the die hard, European, thrash metal maniacs!"
  Hirax European Tour Dates 2015 - Pt. 1:
  13.03. UK-Gwynedd - Hammerfest Festival
  14.03. UK-Glasgow - Ivory Blacks
  15.03. UK-Birmingham - Asylum 2
  16.03. UK-Manchester - Sound Control
  17.03. UK-Winchester - The Railway
  18.03. UK-London - Black Heart Camden
  19.03. B-Deinze - Cafe Elpee
  20.03. NL-Tilburg - Little Devil
  21.03. NL-Katwijk - Scum
  22.03. F-Paris - Le Klub
  23.03. E-San Sebastian - Doka
  24.03. E-Zaragoza - Sala Utopia
  25.03. E-Oviedo - Sala Whippoorwill
  26.03. E-Madrid - Sala Lemon
  27.03. E-Palencia - At Mosh Phera Zero
  28.03. E-Granada - La Petite
  30.03. F-Toulouse - Les Pavillions Sauvages
  31.03. F-Languedoc/Rousillon - Secret Place
  01.04. I-Scandicci - Circus Club
  02.04. I-Rome - Traffic Club Roma
  03.04. I-Milan - Blue Rose Saloon
  04.04. SVK-Bratislava - Randal Club
  05.04. D-Hamburg - Bambi Galore
  PRIMAL FEAR - New Drummer Aquiles Priester Performs "Angel In Black" In The Studio; Video Available, 8 Mar 2015
  The clip below features new Primal Fear drummer Aquiles Priester (ex-Angra) performing the band's anthem "Angel In Black" in the studio. The song is taken from Primal Fear's Nuclear Fire album, released in 2001.
  Priester made his live debut with Primal Fear on December 20th, 2014 in Karlsruhe, Germany at the Knock Out Festival.
  Primal Fear have confirmed three live dates for South America, with more shows due to be lined up in the coming weeks. Their schedule is currently as follows.
  April
  23 - Curitiba, Brazil - Espaco Cult
  25 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Monsters Of Rock
  30 - Montevideo, Uruguay - Music Box
  THUNDER Streaming New Track "Resurrection Day", 8 Mar 2015
  One of the most popular and enduring British rock bands of the last 25 years, with 18 Top 40 singles in the UK and a string of gold and platinum albums around the world, Thunder are released their landmark tenth studio album, Wonder Days, on earMUSIC on February 13th. Album track "Resurrection Day" is streaming below:
  The group’s first studio album in six years, Wonder Days reminds why Thunder are now more revered than ever before. With a lineage dating back to the cream of hard rock – Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, The Who and Deep Purple and songwriting greats such as The Kinks, The Beatles and The Faces – the band’s sound is a timeless marriage of unforgettable melodies and sheer rock power.
  Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, with Luke Morley reprising his role as producer, the album was mixed by the renowned Mike Fraser, whose CV includes such names as Aerosmith, AC/DC and Metallica and who worked on several of the group’s key early records including their celebrated debut, Back Street Symphony. Thunder hit the road in March with dates in Leeds, Birmingham and London, with Reef and Tax The Heat as support.
  JAMES BURTON, ALBERT LEE, AMOS GARRETT and DAVID WILCOX Are "Guitar Heroes" on New Live CD, Coming May 5 from Stony Plain Records, 7 Mar 2015
  Stony Plain Records proudly announces a May 5 release date for "Guitar Heroes", a very special live recording that teams acclaimed guitar masters James Burton, Albert Lee, Amos Garrett and David Wilcox for what promises to be one of the most heralded albums of the year. Stony Plain Records (which is distributed in the U.S. by ADA) will release Guitar Heroes in both CD and vinyl LP formats. The LP version will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and also include a card enabling purchasers to download the full 11 tracks on the CD edition.
  These four Telecaster Masters shake up the rock and roll universe on this historic release, recorded during a one-time special performance at the Vancouver Island (Canada) MusicFest on July 12, 2013. Rooted in blues and rockabilly influences, each of the four legends have shaped and changed the sound of popular music since the mid-1950s. The musicianship, good taste, camaraderie and energized interplay showcased on stage that night made guitar history, now preserved on recordings for everyone to experience. As Albert Lee, himself, proclaimed that night, “Welcome to my dreams here!”
  Backing the four Guitar Heroes for this concert were the members of Albert Lee’s regular touring band: Jon Greathouse (keyboards/lead vocals), Will MacGregor (bass) and Jason Harrison Smith (drums/background vocals). The 11-song repertoire recorded for the program is presented just as it was heard that night, with no editing, overdubs or studio sweetening. Just four amazing guitar players having fun together and creating a magical night of music. Songs run the gamut of roots music, with explorations into blues, rockabilly, rock ‘n’ roll and a touch of country.
  Musical highlights on Guitar Heroes abound, such as James Burton recreating his classic guitar licks on “Susie Q,” just as he did on the Dale Hawkins’ original single back in 1957; Albert Lee going on amazing guitar runs all over the album’s closer, “Country Boy;” Amos Garrett launching into the stratosphere with his string-bending take of the rock ‘n’ roll gem, “Sleep Walk;” and David Wilcox going full-out with two masterful solos on “Comin’ Home Baby.”
  “As Artistic Director of the Vancouver Island MusicFest, I get to dream up collaborations like these for what will hopefully become once-in-a-lifetime musical experiences,” says Doug Cox on the album’s liner notes. “This one worked. It's truly rock and roll heaven, right here on Earth where there is indeed, a hell of a band!”
  Burton, Lee, Garrett and Wilcox arrived on Vancouver Island a day early to rehearse at the local Cumberland Hotel. The mutual respect was clearly evident from the moment the four guitarists started to play together. “I remember standing out on our main street, thinking how surreal it was to have James Burton, Albert Lee, Amos Garrett and David Wilcox in our local watering hole in the middle of the day swapping licks,” recalls Doug Cox in his notes. “It was like a gunslingers gathering in an old saloon; one where all the survivors got together to enjoy each other’s company like only survivors can. High-test, take no prisoners, expect no mercy, guitar slinging at its best.”
  And no wonder: each of these players has a resume that would be the envy of any musician on the planet. “James Burton, with his trademark ‘chicken pickin’ style, has created one of the most influential styles in country music and rock and roll,” writes Cox. “His playing has become a well of inspiration for many players, including the other musicians on this recording. Albert Lee took influences from James’ style and made it his own, with tone to die for. To quote his buddy Eric Clapton, Albert plays ‘like a jazz musician, but with country scales; like Django, but with a bluegrass past.’ Amos Garrett, known as the inventor of multiple string-bending on the guitar, is one of the most well versed players in the business, with a history steeped in blues, country and jazz (including classic solos, such as his work on Maria Muldaur’s “Midnight at the Oasis.”) And iconic guitarist David Wilcox, who is perhaps one of Canada's best kept secrets, has influenced a generation of Northern pickers with his funky rhythms, quirky surprise licks and searing slide guitar that identify him as one of our countries most unique players.”
  Legendary Scorpions Drummer HERMAN RAREBELL Releases New CD – Herman Rarebell & Friends 'Herman's Scorpions Songs', 7 Mar 2015
  The former Scorpions drummer's long awaited new album 'Herman's Scorpions Songs' features some of the world’s best rock singers (Bobby Kimball, Tony Martin, Don Dokken, Doogie White and many more), doing their own versions of 13 worldwide Scorpions hits.
  1. Rock You Like A Hurricane – Bobby Kimball (Toto)
  2. Passion Rules The Game – John Parr
  3. Loving You Sunday Morning – Michael Voss (Mad Max)
  4. Is There Anybody There - Alex Ligertwood (Santana)
  5. You Give Me All I Need – Don Dokken
  6. Make It Real - Doogie White (Rainbow)
  7. Dynamite – Johnny Gioeli (Axel Rudi Pell)
  8. Arizona - Thomas Perry
  9. Love Is Blind – Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot)
  10. Don´t Make No Promises – Jack Russell (Great White)
  11. Falling In Love – Gary Barden (Michael Schenker Group)
  12. Another Piece Of Meat – Tony Martin (Black Sabbath)
  13. Animal Magnetism – Michael Nagy
  14. Let It Shine – Al Crespo (Unbreakable)
  All of them are all-time favorites that have been written or at least co-written by Herman. “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, “Dynamite”, “Make It Real” or “Animal Magnetism” – all in exciting new rock versions.
  With the brand new single “Let It Shine” Rarebell has added a wonderful new radio ballad to the 13 Scorpions diamonds. The song is sung by Al Crespo, lead singer of the German newcomer band “Unbreakable”. Herman regarding his collaboration with the young band: “If we want to hear good music ten years from now, we have to start now to develop and support new promising talents. It is a fact that bands like the Scorpions, Motörhead or Deep Purple will then be gone. Therefore I am happy to be able to give all my knowledge and experience to Al and his band. These guys have everything to become the new Scorpions”.
  Furthermore Herman sees the song “Let It Shine” as a legitimate follow-up single to “Wind Of Change”. 25 years ago, when the Berlin wall came down the world was set for peace and reconciliation; today things are going in the wrong direction again. We desperately need more light in this world, so “Let It Shine”!
  Thirteen classic Scorpions songs, in a new interpretation by Herman Rarebell and his friends, plus one brand new song – this album belongs into the collection of every Scorpions fan!
  BLACK STAR RIDERS Release Video For “The Killer Instinct”, 7 Mar 2015
  Black Star Riders have released an official video for “The Killer Instinct”, the title track of their new album. Watch the clip on the left. Meanwhile check out Rocktologist's review of "the Killer Instinct".
  Black Star Riders released The Killer Instinct on February 20th (Europe), 23rd (UK), 24th (North America) via Nuclear Blast. It was issued in several different formats: Digital, CD, Limited 2-CD Digibook, Limited Gatefold Black Vinyl and Limited Gatefold Clear Vinyl (available for mail orders only).
  ﻿FATEFUL FINALITY To Release Lyric Video From Upcoming Album "Battery" Today﻿, 5 Mar 2015
  German Thrash Metal youngsters Fateful Finality will release their new album "Battery" March 23rd, 2015 via Steamhammer / SPV within Europe. Today the band releases a lyric video for the song "Get Things Straight":
  The eleven tracks on Battery were recorded at Hamburg’s Chameleon Studios with Eike Freese (Gamma Ray, Dark Age) and at the Chemical Burn Studios in Bad Kösen, Saxony, with Alexander Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn). Fateful Finality deliver an well produced and mordern sounding Thrash Metal album which will take the fans of this genre by storm. The band will tour as a support for Suicide Angels and DR. Living Dead in Germany and Austria. More Festival and european shows will be announced soon.
  CORINNE WEST Travels the "Starlight Highway" on New CD, Coming May 19 from Make Records, 5 Mar 2015
  Corinne West announces a May 19 release date for "Starlight Highway", the new album from the Californian artist issued on her own Make Records imprint, distributed nationally by Burnside Distribution. West will offer local San Francisco Bay Area fans a special advance musical treat in the form of a pre-release show with her full band on Saturday, April 4, at Berkeley’s famed Freight & Salvage venue starting at 8:00 PM.
  Corinne West, who recently returned from an official showcase and additional performances at the International Folk Alliance music conference in Kansas City, will perform a number of songs off the new CD at the Freight & Salvage show, backed by her group The Bandits, which includes several of the musicians who perform with her on Starlight Highway. Additionally, Corinne West and The Bandits will also perform another pre-release show as part of the “Lighted Window Concerts” series at the Unitarian Church in Campbell, California, near San Jose on April 18, at 7:30 PM. Announcements of additional US shows are forthcoming, as is an extensive European tour coming later this year.
  A fourth generation Californian, Corinne West, who now resides in the mighty redwood forests of the state’s coast north of San Francisco, has been described as “the Siren of the Sierras” by the SF Bay Area’s Times Herald. Another reviewer from the North Coast Journal in Arcata, California, declared,” “West’s voice invokes angels, if angels had a dangerous side.” Corinne’s powerful and eloquent voice, coupled with the way she forges a song, has earned her a unique identity within the global acoustic roots scene. Relix noted her “voice of gold,” coming at you with honey, velvet-dusk wine and distant sage. Legendary BBC radio DJ Bob Harris proclaimed, “I love Corinne’s music and truly believe in her as an artist. She has spirit, integrity and talent. I am a massive fan.”
  The songs on West’s latest recording came about after a year-long sabbatical in Austria, which culminated in the new disc. “Starlight is my first completely self-produced record,” West says about the sessions. “I wanted to create a body of songs that moved my music forward in new directions, while paying tribute to the music I have done in the past. This influenced my decisions regarding the instrumentation; piano, organ, acoustic rock angles, heavy harmonies, the deep-drive of drums, the laid back floating ballads… I wanted to play with many flavors, and I didn’t hold back on using any spices while in the sonic kitchen.”
  Joining her in creating these musical recipes are such celebrated players as Ricky Fataar – drums; Edo Castro - 7 string fretless bass; Kelly Joe Phelps - guitar, vocals; John R. Burr - Hammond organ, Wurlitzer; Karl Sevareid - electric bass; Mike Marshall - mandolin, octave mandolin; Henry Salvia - Hammond organ, piano, Wurlitzer, accordion; and Joe Kyle Jr. – acoustic bass, electric bass. Starlight Highway was recorded at Opus Studios in Berkeley, California; and the Skywalker Ranch in Novato, California.
  “I am fortunate to be able to surround myself with extremely talented musicians,” offers West. “Kelly Joe Phelps and I recorded and toured as a duo for two years, and he is highly featured both vocally and on guitar. Mike Marshall produced my 2007 release, Second Sight, and it was pure fire and pearls to have him embellish a few of the slower songs and lend some serious steam to the title track. Ricky Fataar (Bonnie Raitt, Beach Boys) was recommended by my rock-solid engineer, David Luke. We connected right off the bat, and he brought in so much groove and such a bed to lean into. It's amazing how when music is tight... it all becomes beautifully loose.
  Everyone on the record was a gem to work with, and it was a high adventure for me to both steer and gently hit cruise-control at times to get just the right synergy, tones and movement the songs were reaching for.
  “The songs for Starlight Highway have taken quite a journey. Many of them were written in 2011, on the heels of my last release, and have been waiting - wherever it is that songs do wait - for a place to land and sing themselves. The songs are decidedly more revealing than others I have released; less dripping in metaphor, more direct and perhaps stark.”
  “This is an intimate record, and covers a lot of territory,” adds West, summing up the new album. “I marvel at how deeply personal experiences so often translate into universal and mythic principals. It’s as though there is an invisible blueprint somewhere, continuously showing up in stories and art. My aim with this recording is to communicate a personal emotive glimpse of what we all experience in our own way, on our own roads, as we climb, fly, fall, isolate, believe, reinvent, connect, dream... Though seemingly different, we are all somehow cut from the same cloth.”
  PAT TRAVERS Blasts Into The Stratosphere With A Brand New Studio Album, Retro Rocket, 5 Mar 2015
  Even after three and half decades of smoking hot guitar licks, powerful vocal performances, and just plain kick ass, foot stomping rock & roll, legendary guitar slinger Pat Travers is still firing on all boosters! Fresh off the Rock Legends Cruise in February, Travers takes the helm of another ship with "Retro Rocket", a powerful new album of studio recordings to be released by Purple Pyramid Records on March 17. Then, he’ll hit the road again with his superb band playing shows across the U.S. throughout March and April.
  1. I Always Run
  2. Searching For A Clue
  3. Who Can You Turn To
  4. Up Is Down
  5. Mystery At The Wrecking Yard
  6. You Can’t Get Their From Hare
  7. I Am Alive
  8. I Wanna Be Free
  9. Hellbound Train
  10. Looking Up (Live) [CD ONLY]
  BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY]
  11. Lead Me Home (Theme from The Walking Dead)
  As its name suggests, Retro Rocket finds Travers digging deep into the early years of his outstanding career, finding inspiration in the fiery grooves of 1978’s Heat In The Street and, of course, his monumental 1979 live album Go For What You Know. The lead off track, “I Always Run,” kicks things into high gear with a multi-layered, guitar chugging hard rock thumper that shows this veteran rocker isn’t about to slow his pace. And even when things do slow down, like the first half of the gospel-tinged “Who Can You Turn To,” it turns out to be mere build up to a massive climax of shredding solos, monster drum fills, and all out frenzied rock ecstasy. Travers’ voice shines throughout the album, seeming to only get better, more raw, more passionate with age; must be all that cocaine drinkin’ and whiskey snortin’! When you’ve had a career as long and as rich as Travers, to be releasing an album with this much energy and passion is quite a feat indeed, and hard rock fans young and old should not miss this ride of a lifetime!
  After releasing a trio of releases hailed as some of the slickest and hottest guitar-rock albums ever - the aforementioned classics of ’78 & ’79 plus the 1980 blockbuster Crash And Burn - Canadian-born Pat Travers would go on to deliver classy melodic rock throughout the ‘80s, followed by a blues period in the ‘90s, and into the new millennium with several unique projects both solo and band efforts. Cited by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett as one of his favorite guitarist, the Travers legend and influence extends beyond the barriers of time, place, or genre. His live shows continue to impress, deftly balancing old favorites with fresh new material. Retro Rocket carries on Travers’ proud tradition of seriously passionate musical prowess mixed with pure, unadulterated fun!
  OVERKILL Launching March Cruize of Europe Tonight, 4 Mar 2015
  Metal legends Overkill are launching the Killfest 2015 European Tour tonight in Braunschweig, Germany (check out dates below). More than 30 years into a formidable career filled with international acclaim and fueled by the unrelenting passion of a diehard fanbase, Overkill has not only stood the test of time – their modern creative output continues to shine.
  And now they will be bringing that content, both old and new, to the European stage. The band will play Ljubljana, Slovenia, on March 10th, followed by a gig in Zagreb, Croatia, the day after.
  Overkill in Europe, March 2015:
  4 – Meiers Music Hall – Braunschweig – GER
  5 – Hell Raiser – Leipzig – GER
  6 – Kaminwerk – Memmingen – GER
  7 – Komma VZ – Worgl – AU
  8 – Szene – Vienna – AU
  9 – Dom Omladine – Beograd – SER
  10 – Kini Siska – Ljubljana – SLO
  11 – Tvornica – Zagreb – HR
  13 – Club 202 – Budapest – HUN
  14 – Mega Club – Katowice – PL
  15 – B90 – Gdansk – PL
  17 – Hedon – Zwolle – NL
  18 – Metz – Les Trinitaires – FR
  21 – Club Citta – Tokyo – JP / Thrash Domination w/Exodus
  22 – Club Citta – Tokyo – JP / Thrash Domination w/Exodus
  KYLE GASS BAND Release Digital Single "Our Job To Rock", 4 Mar 2015
  The Kyle Gass Band will release their first digital single "Our Job To Rock", out of their debut album "Kyle Gass Band", europeanwide on March 16th. Get in the mood with these two little gems: Our Job To Rock - Tutorial, Our Job To Rock Performance
  What does Kyle Gass (Tenacious D) do when he’s not playing with the Greatest Band in the World? He assembles an otherworldly super-team of badass dudes to back him up in his own project. Along with The D’s longtime electric guitarist, John Konesky, resident Sasquatch and guitarist/vocalist, Mike Bray, mythical bass legend,“Uncle Jazz” and percussion genius/international heart-throb Tim Spier and Uncle Jazz Jason Keene, the rollicking gentlemanly ensemble traverses hill and dale to bring earth-shattering rock and roll to the wanting 100`s.
  The debut album "Kyle Gass Band" will be released in Scandinavia on April 15th, in Germany on April 17th and in Europe on April 20th as CD, LP and Download on Steamhammer/SPV.
  The band will embark on a European Tour in April / May 2015. Have a look at the tour trailer here.
  NASHVILLE PUSSY Release First "best of" Album, 4 Mar 2015
  "If there's ever been a better band to open for Motorhead, I've not heard them!"---Lemmy, when asked about Nashville Pussy. Now, there's a temptation to let the above quote stand alone and just go to the nearest pub. What can i possibly add to God's words? Isn't that a sin anyways? Well, while you're pondering that predicament here's another quote to suck on.
  "Seeing Nashville Pussy is as close to seeing ACDC in the 70's as you're going to get"--- from The Story Of The Album Highway To Hell by Joe Bonomo
  For those of you who have been living under a rock, let someone who lives "for ROCK" quickly educate you about the best rock band I've ever seen--Nashville Pussy. In fact a great place to start would be the band's brand new cd compilation "Ten Years Of Pussy" on SPV. This 22 track monster takes the best studio tracks of the last decade and even throws in a live bonus ep taken from a blistering 2009 show at Nottingham - a show I was privileged to be at! But I must first warn you, Ten Years Of Pussy is the "ultimate rock n' roll party cd!"- you can quote me on that one. Once you put it on you'll be either be dancing, fucking, or fighting. Maybe all at the same time.
  Nashville Pussy hail from Atlanta, deep in the heart of "the BBQ nation" and sound like ACDC slap boxing with Lynyrd Skynyrd while Motorhead watches. Formed by husband and wife guitarists Blaine Cartwright and Ruyter Suys, Nashville Pussy rose out of the ashes of Cartwright's former band Nine Pound Hammer in 1997. Since then they have played 1,000’s of gigs in 40 different countries, gathered a Grammy nomination, and have toured with; Motorhead, ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Slayer, and a host of other heros who became instant fans. Ruyter was recently voted one of the best female rock performers ever. Together with human metronome drummer Jeremy Thompson, Nashville Pussy have tolerated numerous labels, trends and bass players. And, when counted out, have consistently pulled off resurrections that make Jesus look like a rank amateur.
  The 16 studio tracks from Ten Years Of Pussy are taken from their last few releases, highlighting the band's most relevant work of their decade history on label SPV. Up The Dosage (2014), featuring rock solid bassist Bonnie Buitrago, has been called "Nashville Pussy's Back in Black" and was Pick Of The Week on That Metal Show. From Hell to Texas (2009) was recorded at Willie Nelson's studio in Texas and featured some of the band's strongest songwriting to date. And Get Some (2005), was the first SPV release and the first collaboration with Daniel Rey, and has more hooks than a hillbilly's tackle box. And of course the bonus live CD includes the ultimate version of Nutbush City Limits with special guest Ron Heathman from the Supersuckers on guitar.
  But enough history. If you want history check out Wikipedia. This is Rock n' Roll! Put on Ten Years Of Pussy and celebrate the band's recent past and while looking forward to rocking with them in the near future. I know I'll be there!!
  "Ten Years Of Pussy" will be released in Scandinavia on May 06th, in Germany on May 08th, in Europe on May 11th and in the USA on May 12th as a 2CD digipak and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
  EUROPE Stream War Of Kings Album In Full, 3 Mar 2015
  Swedish rock legends, Europe, will release their 10th studio album, "War Of Kings", on March 10th in North America via Hell & Back Recordings. Europe and Yahoo Music are giving North American fans an exclusive chance to listen War Of Kings an entire week early, starting today. Head over to this location to listen to the entire album now.
  Recorded at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) and engineered by John Netti, War Of Kings sees the quintet confidently creating 11 monstrously melodic, yet hard-hitting classic rock’n’roll standouts for their fervent global audience.
  War Of Kings will be available in multiple formats, as a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and in digital download format.
  Joey Tempest states, “War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!”
  Europe will ship off on the Monsters Of Rock cruise on April 18th from Miami, FL, and cruise to Poseidon’s Grotto/Nassau, Bahamas, docking back in Miami on April 22nd. In addition to Europe, the cruise features performances from Tesla, Night Ranger, Lita Ford, and more. Visit this location for pricing and more information.
  Once back on land, Europe will embark on an eight-city tour of select eastern US states, including a stop at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, MD. See below for a full listing of tour dates:
  April
  18-22 - Miami, FL - Monsters of Rock Cruise
  24 - Milwaukee, WI - Potowatomi Casino
  25 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
  26 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
  28 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues (with Black Star Riders)
  30 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza (with Black Star Riders)
  May
  1 - Niagara Falls, NY - The Bears Den (with Black Star Riders)
  2 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Post Pavilion (M3 Rock Festival)
  3 - Uncasville, CT - Mohegan Sun
  Prog Ensemble LUNDEN REIGN To Release Debut Concept Album “American Stranger”, 3 Mar 2015
  One of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2015, the debut concept album by Lunden Reign titled 'American Stranger', featuring Lora G and Nikki Lunden, will be released in March. Recorded at Capitol Records in Hollywood, Abbey Road (Studio 2) in London and Stagg Street Studios in LA, Lora and Nikki are joined by platinum-selling producer/composer Luis Maldonado (John Waite, Into The Presence, Lisa Marie Presley), mix engineer Geoff Pearlman (Linda Perry), Morgan Young on drums, Hector Maldonado (bassist for Train) and Cellist Ana Lenchantin (Queens of the Stone Age, The Eels). Lunden Reign was recently chosen as TAXI MUSIC's 'Exclusive Artist of the Month', a great honor from a company with thousands of artists on their roster. (http://www.taximusic.com). Lunden Reign also has signed a distribution deal for 'American Stranger' with Cleopatra Records in Los Angeles. The album will be released on March 17, 2015.
  Nikki elaborates about the album's concept, “ 'American Stranger' is a complete story from end to end. It was designed to be a sort of 'rock opera' about intolerance and those willing to stand up to it as well as those it's destroying. The central character is 'Mary' (song #7), a young woman who feels isolated, misunderstood and so disconnected from the world 'I want so hard to be set free, from everyone that judges me. I want to live a live someday, a world away from yesterday.' The song 'Mary' is prefaced by '28IF', 'Hear Me' and 'American Stranger'. In the end she overcomes in 'Hush and Whispers': 'Who cares what I am, it's all insane stop trying to change my life.'”
  LORA G (Espinoza-Lunden) is a Composer/Guitarist from Mission Viejo, CA. Lora has a love of composing lyrics with a solid message and music in open-string alternative style. She is also a parent and an activist for the Mexican-American and LGBT communities. NIKKI LUNDEN is a Singer/Songwriter & Multi-instrumentalist who is a 18 year veteran of live performance (solo and ensemble). The Iowa native originally from Franklin, Iowa (pop.143) moved to LA in the fall of 2012 to attend Musician's Institute in Hollywood. Lora G and Nikki Lunden are the core members of Lunden Reign. Currently their lineup includes Matthew Denis - bass, Steve Ornest - guitar and Morgan Young – drums.
  Lunden Reign is best described as Soul Stimulating Big Beat Progressive Rock. Their music fuses progressive sounds, ethereal vibes and an array of genres to deliver booming, pulsing, & driving rock. Lunden Reign’s synergistic performances are matched by the relentless desire to unleash layers of haunting melodies through uplifting riffs blended with a harder edge and a progressive big beat. Their music pushes the envelope, exploring every dimension.
  Already some of rock’s legends have joined Lunden Reign on stage including PRESCOTT NILES of THE KNACK and DALE BOZZIO of MISSING PERSONS. Their forthcoming album 'American Stranger' (completed and now in pressing) was mastered by Grammy winning Evren Goknar at Capitol Records, Hollywood., with art design and cover design by one of rock’s greatest album designers: IOANNIS. Lunden Reign proudly endorses & records with HIWATT AMPS, UK.
  Lora explains how the band recently connected with legendary Dale Bozzio of 80's hit-makers Missing Persons, “Beyond being a legendary singer and composer, Dale is amazing person and a wonderful human being. We met Dale after the great bassist from The Knack, Prescott Niles, performed with us at The House of Blues, Hollywood. Prescott is also the bassist for Dale Bozzio's Missing Persons Band. Dale clicked with us immediately and she guest performed with Lunden Reign at both the LA and Long Beach Pride Festivals.”
  Alligator Records To Release JOHNNY WINTER Vinyl "Best Of" For Record Store Day, 3 Mar 2015
  Johnny Winter (February 23, 1944-July 16, 2014) was an American music legend. Beginning with his first appearance on the pages of Rolling Stone in 1968, Winter epitomized the fiery and flamboyant blues-rock guitar hero. On April 16, 2015, Record Store Day, Alligator Records will release the vinyl-only album "It’s My Life, Baby – The Best Of The Alligator Records Years". It collects eight classic tracks from Winter's three heralded Alligator albums, featuring one brilliant, career-defining performance after another. The 180g pressing will also include a download card for the entire record. It will be initially available only at participating Record Store Day locations.
  Upon joining the Alligator family in 1984, Winter wanted to record nothing but authentic, deep blues. When he released Guitar Slinger, his Alligator debut, it was widely hailed as his best (and bluesiest) album ever; it charted in Billboard and earned a Grammy nomination. The next year, Winter followed up with Serious Business. The blistering album won him his second Grammy nomination with Alligator. 3rd Degree, his final Alligator release, came out in 1986. The album featured several special guests and an array of blues styles. Original Johnny Winter Trio players Tommy Shannon and Uncle John Turner, as well as Mac "Dr. John" Rebennack, made guest appearances.
  While with Alligator, Johnny was living his artistic dream. Surprisingly, his Alligator blues albums earned their way onto rock radio, and a video for the song Don't Take Advantage of Me played on the fledgling MTV network for over six months. But no matter how much commercial success Johnny's Alligator albums received, they never compromised his commitment to his roots.
  After his three Alligator releases, Johnny’s management convinced him that he needed to return to more commercial blues-rock and the world of major labels. Winter never stopped touring and recording, although he was facing growing health problems. He released a number of critically acclaimed live and studio albums while remaining as in-demand as ever. He died on July 16, 2014, while on tour in Switzerland. Shortly after his death, his final studio album, Step Back, was released.
  While he continued to bring joy to fans around the world with his live shows and his recordings, Johnny Winter never again recorded with the inspiration of both being signed to a blues label and the accompaniment of real Chicago blues musicians. It’s My Life, Baby – The Best Of The Alligator Records Years will delight old and new fans, and remind them of Johnny’s intense love of the blues tradition and his desire to bring the deepest and most authentic blues to the widest possible audience.
  MOTHER`S FINEST Release Teaser For New Album, 3 Mar 2015
  Funk Rock legends Mothers Finest release a teaser for their new album "Goody 2 Shoes & The Filthy Beasts".
  Music which goes straight to the gut and into your legs, which aims for your heart and soul and always finds its target: there can be no question that Mother’s Finest are among the most energetic and charismatic rock groups on this planet. With their virtuoso vocalist Joyce Kennedy at the epicentre of their soundquake, a tight rhythm section which leaves nothing to be desired and masses of spirited guitar fusillades to make listeners go weak at the knees, this band has long made a name for itself in the annals of rock history. Their latest studio recording Goody Two Shoes & The Filthy Beasts is scheduled for release in Scandinavia on March 25th, in Germany on March 27th and in Europe on March 30th as a digipak version (incl. bonus track and poster), jewel case version, coloured red LP version (incl. bonus track and CD in paper sleeve) and download through SPV/Steamhammer.
  This is the band’s first studio recording since their 2003 release Meta-Funk’n-Physical. You’d be safe to refer to Goody Two Shoes & The Filthy Beasts as an incomparable rock experience which can deservedly be labelled as an original.
  Mothers Finest have now recorded their new CD Goody Two Shoes & The Filthy Beasts on the Steamhammer/SPV label and are set to release it at the end of March. They have already introduced the first single "Shut Up" from their new album in December 2014. The current line-up includes vocalists Joyce Kennedy and Glenn Murdock, bassist Wyzard and guitarist Moses Mo, all four original members of the first line-up dating back to 1970. Guitarist John Hayes and drummer Dion Derek have proved to complement Mother’s Finest perfectly since their comeback in 1989. This band has rocked for more than forty years and still sounds as if they had just undergone their first baptism of fire.
  IRON MAIDEN Album Ready But On Hold, 1 Mar 2015
  Iron Maiden’s 16th album is complete and ready to go – but the launch has been delayed while Bruce Dickinson recovers from his cancer treatment. The band announced last week that the frontman had completed a seven-week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after a tumour was found on his tongue last year.
  Now drummer Nicko McBrain tells 98.7 The Gater: “We have made an album. It was ready to go this year – and still is. We were planning on going out and doing some work around the album. We’re all just holding on. Once Bruce is up and running, hopefully in the next couple of months… you never know when this might happen.”
  He says of his bandmate’s recovery: “All the treatment went exceedingly well. He was in amazing spirits, considering the brutality of the radiology – he had three chemo sessions. So it’s been pretty hard.”
  McBrain adds that he and his colleagues were “blown away” when told of Dickinson’s illness, but that the singer was “in great hands, not only with his family but with his oncologists and all the people that are working with him. They were all very positive, as Bruce has been.
  “He was in the office on Wednesday last week, and apparently he went out. He goes down the pub – although he can't taste his beer. He said, 'At least I know it's a Trooper; I’ve got the bottle in my hand.' I said, 'Does it still work?' 'Oh yeah!’”
  Maiden’s last studio release was 2010’s The Final Frontier. Last weekend, four members of the band’s 1977 lineup reunited at a London pub gig, and discussed the possibility of recording an album of band songs in the early-era style.
  TOOL Frontman Gives New Album Update, 1 Mar 2015
  Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan posted a message online on Thursday giving fans an update on the progress for the group's long-awaited new studio album. Keenan wrote, "I've been making regular trips to LA to check on the writing progress of my Tool brethren. Things a progressing nicely. Slowly, but definitely progressing.
  "Nothing is recorded yet, but the guys are confident that the pieces are coming together swimmingly and will be ready for me to begin writing melodies and content 'soon'. I'm as anxious to get this album completed as everyone else. But as history will show, you can't rush these gents. Patience is Gold in this Sound Mine. In the meantime, as always, other things are simultaneously occurring. Life is too short not to create something with every breath we draw." -
  Former MEGADETH Duo Reveal Band Name And Share Song Clip, 1 Mar 2015
  Former Megadeth duo, Chris Broderick and Shawn Drover, have inked a record deal, announced the name of their new band, confirmed the band's lineup, and released a preview clip of one of their new songs.
  The new band will be called Act of Defiance and they confirmed it will also feature former Scar The Martyr singer Henry Derek and Shadows Fall bassist Matt Bachand. The group has signed a world wide deal with Metal Blade Records and the band is currently recording their debut album with producer Zeuss (Rob Zombie, Hatebreed, Shadows Fall).
  They expect to release the album this summer but are giving fans a little taste of what to expect with the release of an audio clip of the rough demo for a song called "Throwback." Check it out here.
  LA GUNS To Record Blues Album, 1 Mar 2015
  LA Guns are planning to record a blues album in honour of producer Andy Johns. Johns – who produced a number of the band's albums, as well as work by Led Zeppelin, Van Halen and the Rolling Stones – died in 2013 of complications arising from a stomach ulcer.
  Frontman Phil Lewis says on Facebook: "Looks like we're heading back into the studio later this year after touring. We have a killer concept but I can't tell too much just yet. Something we've never done before. It's going to be a 100% blues record in honour of Andy Johns – a cross between White Stripes and Led Zeppelin.”
  LA Guns recently released a live album recorded in 1989 then split with bassist Scott Griffin in September, who insisted the decision was not amicable. Meanwhile ex-member Stacey Blades has formed covers band Atomic Radio.