SWEET’s Isolation Boulevard will be re-released on November 29th via METALVILLE RECORDS. The sought-after album, which was previously difficult to obtain, will now be available in stores internationally for the first time.In 2019, SWEET embarked on the biggest tour of their long career to date with the Still Got The Rock tour in Europe and the UK. In between, they even found time to fly to Australia to play as co-headliners on the Rock The Boat Cruise 2019. The band was fired up and looking forward to the future.But suddenly in 2020, the whole world was in turmoil, triggered by a global pandemic, and all wheels came to a standstill overnight. But for SWEET, there had to be a way out; otherwise, musical creativity in all its forms would be lost forever.So, in what was a new isolation for everyone, they began to produce an album with the “new” guys Paul Manzi and Lee Small and the “old guard” Andy Scott and Bruce Bislan. The album was given the title Isolation Boulevard to suit the situation.
The songs are re-recordings of 12 classics from SWEET’s extensive collection.There was little time between the lockdowns in the UK to achieve the desired goal. On top of this, there were numerous technical obstacles that had to be overcome. With this in mind, the overall performance of everyone involved is all the more impressive, from the driving drums and bass to the “in your face” guitars and stratospheric vocals.In the end, it was a pleasure for everyone to record Isolation Boulevard, despite being under very strict distancing rules. The result speaks for itself.
.LINE-UP: Andy Scott – all guitars, synthesizers and vocals; Bruce Bisland – drums and vocals; Paul Manzi – lead vocals; Lee Small – bass guitar and vocals; Guest musician: Steve Mann – keyboards on “Love is Like Oxygen”*
Legendary US band will be releasing their 50th Anniversary 3rd night show, from New York, recorded in 2022. This set includes a performance of the band’s 3rd album , and my favorite BOC album – Secret Treaties. There is also a video for the live performance of the classic “Career Of Evil”. *Check out the press info, tracklisting, and pre-order link below!
Riding the triumphant success of their 50th Anniversary celebration, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT is rolling into the release of ‘50th Anniversary Live – Third Night,’ the final installment of the live album celebrating the band’s 50th Anniversary.
This electrifying performance, which includes the band’s third album ‘Secret Treaties‘ performed back-to-back, is set to hit the shelves on December 13, 2024 and promises to be a spectacular follow-up to the band’s historic three-night stint at Sony Hall in NYC.
In September of 2022, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT enthralled fans with a unique trilogy of sold-out shows, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made a special appearance on all three nights, adding a nostalgic touch to the historic milestone. For nearly three hours each night, the band delivered a spellbinding set, weaving through the entirety of their now-classic initial trilogy of albums and treating fans to a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and classic hits. The atmosphere was electric, and Frontiers Music captured the magic, releasing each night as a special individual package.
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT‘s legacy spans over five decades, captivating fans with intelligent hard rock loaded with classic songs. Hailing from Long Island, NY, the band is renowned in the hard rock and heavy metal scene
Cited as a major influence by acts like Metallica, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT boasts a timeless catalog, including iconic tracks like “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper,” “Godzilla,” and “Burnin’ for You.” The creative vision of the original core duo, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and Eric Bloom, is complemented by Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino, forming a powerhouse lineup.
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT remains an force, ready to ignite thes tage once again with the upcoming release of ’50th Anniversary Live – Third Night’ on Frontiers Music Srl.
50th Anniversary Live – Third Night‘ Track List: Album 1
1. Career of Evil 2. Subhuman 3. Dominance and Submission 4. M E 262 5. Cagey Cretins 6. Harvester of Eyes 7. Flaming Telepaths 8. Astronomy Album 2
1. Stairway to the Stars 2. Golden Age of Leather 3. Tainted Blood 4. Burnin’ for You 5. Shooting Shark 6. Black Blade 7. Train True (Lenny’s Song) 8. Godzilla
Album 3
1. Buck’s Boogie 2. Tenderloin 3. Sinful Love 4. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper 5. The Alchemist 6. I Love the Night 7. Joan Crawford 8. Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll
i come across a lot of new singles, new albums, much of which I don’t have the time to review & post here. But I think what I will be doing from time to time is post a number of recommended clips to check out… So check em out below!
SUNSTORM – I’ll Stand For You. From the band’s new album Restless Fight comes out on Frontiers, Nov 22. Features the voice of Ronnie Romero. Pre-Order – https://ffm.to/sunstormrestlessfight
VICTORY – Tonight We Rock and Falling
From the latest album by German hard rockers Victory (on AFM), who’ve been at it for decades. Love the cover art for Circle Of Life. The track “Falling” kinda reminds me of Alien Nation” by the Scorpions. Both great tracks! https://shop.afm-records.de/victory/
WARLORD – Golgotha (the Place Of The Skull)
the new single from US metal band. WARLORD is releasing singles to coincide with a number of Metal Festivals that they’ll be performing at.
LAST TEMPTATION – Fuel For My Soul
From this California band’s 3rd album Heart Starter. Features members of Temple Of Brutality, Annihilator, and Killing Machine, but this is more like classic bands Y&T and Van Halen . The first single “Get On Me” is below this one. Album out November 22, on Metalville.
DREAM THEATER – Night Terror
From the band’s forthcoming album Parasomnia , due out in February. Sounds good, but damn long.
NO FAVORS – Stop Where You Are
British band whos beginnings go back to the 80s, and have been revived. This is from their upcoming album The Eleventh Hour (ain’t that a Magnum title!?), due out November 22 on Pride & Joy. Check out the description in the video for more on the band’s history and links.
SANDVEISS – Standing In The Rain
The title track from the new album by Quebec’s SANDVEISS. Highly recommended. (More on these guys in another post). Album is now out, check out info & links in video description.
HOUSE OF LORDS – Taking The Fall & Bad Kharma
Lead by singer James Christian, HOUSE OF LORDS FullTilt Overdrive is out now, on Frontiers. It’s their 12th album.
ECLIPSE – All I Want
Megalomanium II is the latest from Swedish rockers ECLIPSE. Out now. Check it out.
HAZZERD – Deathbringer
From the forthcoming album The 3rd Dimension, from Canadian thrash band HAZZERD. Not a huge thrash fan, but dig the riff and guitar sound throughout this…plus they’re Canadian, so… Check out more info & links in the video description.
SAXON – Fire And Steel
not really a new track, but a brand new video from this fast paced rocker from Hell, Fire And Damnation, released earlier this year. The single/video is out in time to announce the band’s upcoming Hell, Fire and Steel European tour.
Italian prog-rockers BLIND GOLEM have a new album coming out. Wunderkammerwill be released November 22, on Andromeda Relix Records. This is the follow up to 2021’s debut A Dream Of Fantasy. Wunderkammer includes an interesting cover version choice. For more details check out the press info below. Artwork is (again) done by Rodney Matthews. And the first single/video is the song “Born Liars”!
Description: organ, wah-wah heavy Les Paul guitar, massive choruses: all the classic ingredients that made Blind Golem debut album such an intriguing cult classic in 2021 for lovers of bands like Uriah Heep, Magnum, Rainbow, are back in full force for second album “Wunderkammer”, 11 songs showing a more developed personality and also featuring a great cover version of one of Heep’s more obscure songs, the “Demons and Wizards” outtake “Green Eye”. Cover art is once again an impressive painting by the great Rodney Matthews! Influences for the Album: Uriah Heep, Magnum, Lucifer’s Friend, Rainbow, Black Bonzo
Blind Golem is a project born out of a lifelong passion for classic hard rock, with a big Hammond organ, screaming wah-wah guitars, massive choruses. The original seed comes from members of the seasoned hard blues band Bullfrog (5 albums) joining with members of the tribute band Forever Heep, dedicated to the classic Uriah Heep repertoire, that played several times as a backing band for Ken Hensley himself, founding member of Heep. In 2021 the band released its first collection of original material, “A Dream Of Fantasy”, which featured Hensley himself on keyboards and slide guitar. The album got enthusiastic reviews especially from fans of that specific and immortal sound, the marriage of Hammond organ and big guitars. After several shows, including a prestigious appearance at the prestigious Porto Antico Festival in Genoa, the band entered the studio to produce it’s album of original material, showing a clear growth in personality, still maintaining firm roots in the classic, powerful and melodic sound of the first album. As an homage, the album features a strong cover of the most obscure Uriah Heep deep cut, “Green Eye”, an outtake from the 1972 classic ‘Demons and Wizards’ sessions. Cover art was made once again by none other than the legendary Rodney Matthews, responsible for countless classic covers for bands like Thin Lizzy, Nazareth, Magnum, Diamond Head, etc. The members of Blind Golem all come from experienced bands, having released several albums with Bullfrog, Rocken Factory and Forever Deep, and played thousands of shows through the years backing rock legends like Don Airey, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Bernie Marsden, and opening for Uriah Heep, John Lawton, Uli Jon Roth, Dan Baird, Doug Pinnick. Like the first album, ‘Wunderkammer’ is released by Andromeda Relix Records and it will also be issued on splendid double LP, in a gatefold package, in the near future.
Band Line-up: Andrea Vilardo, lead vocals. Simone Bistaffa, Hammond Organ, Piano, Keyboards. Silvano Zago, Guitars. Francesco Dalla Riva, Bass, Lead & Backing Vocals. Walter Mantovanelli, Drums.
the track “Fighting” has been released as the first single & video from the forthcoming TRAPEZE release Lost Tapes vol. 2, on Metalville. The track, featuring Mel Galley and Glenn Hughes,, along with Don Airey (keyboards) and Ted McKenna (drums). It comes from.sessions for the first PHENOMENA album.
MusicOnVinyl has reissued Heep’s 1985 album Equator in a limited, color vinyl edition. Equator was the last to feature singer Peter Goalby and keyboard player John Sinclair. See info below!
Limited edition of 1000 numbered copies on smoke coloured 180-gram audiophile vinyl. Equator is the sixteenth studio album by the British rock band Uriah Heep, released in 1985. It marked a departure from their earlier progressive rock sound towards a more commer- cial and accessible style, incorporating elements of pop rock and AOR (album-oriented rock). It peaked at #79 in the UK albums chart. The album features a lineup consisting of Mick Box (guitar), Lee Kerslake (drums, vocals), Trevor Bolder (bass guitar, vocals), Phil Lanzon (keyboards), and Peter Goalby (vocals). This album was the last to feature Kerslake and Goalby before their departure from the band. Singles on the album include “Rockarama” and “Poor Little Rich Girl”.
A new TRAPEZE album is set for release – Lost Tapes vol. 2. Like Vol. 1, which came out last year, Lost Songs vol. 2 features previously unreleased recordings from the band’s career. The band’s guitarist was Mel Galley (RIP), who was also the band’s only constant member from beginning to end, in a band that was also known for the other ‘name’ players that were there from Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Dave Holland (Judas Priest), and Peter Goalby (Uriah Heep). Galley was also songwriter (along with his brother Mel) and shared vocal duties. His son, Marcus Galley is a graphic designer and has created a number of album covers, most notably and recently the last year’s Lost Tapes vol. 1, and the forthcoming ‘Lost Tapes vol. 2‘. Both album covers share a theme of old tape boxes, quite cool and retro looking. I haven’t seen the rest of the packaging for vol. 2 yet, but vol. 1 comes in a brilliant package. Below is my exchange with Marcus Galley on his involvement & work on these Trapeze projects, his favorite cuts from these releases, a bit about his other work, and a bit more. I’ve included a couple of galleries featuring some of Marcus’ other designs, and links at the bottom.
Pre-Order TRAPEZE Lost Tapes vol. 2 (available on CD & vinyl) HERE or HERE
Can you tell me a bit about your own work (own your own company?) – what all does it entail aside from the few album covers I see you credited on?
I set Mammoth Creative Works up in 2010 but had been in the design industry a long time before that. MCW is mainly focused within the music industry, where I design tour and general merch, posters etc for a lot of bands. Also book covers, album artwork, skateboard graphics, different sports brands… I’ll do anything that I find interesting really.
Prior to the Trapeze covers, you did a couple of others. Any brief recall on 1 or 2 of those?
I’d done a lot of covers before the recent Trapeze ones. A couple of which were also connected – the Phenomena albums created by my uncle, Tom Galley. Dad, a bunch of the Whitesnake and Trapeze guys and some great guest artists also played on those. Amongst the most recent, I’ve done 5 or 6 over the last couple years for a new label that specialize in 100% eco-friendly vinyl presses, they’re putting some great music out, and have a couple HUGE releases lined up for this autumn… but I can’t talk about that yet. I’ve done a bunch of reissue covers for albums originally out in the 80’s / 90’s. It’s always fun revisiting old artwork and of course advancements in printing and computing mean you can clean up images and really go to town.
Lost Tapes Vol. 1 had such a cool retro cover concept. What inspired that whole idea, and the details involved? and can you tell me about the process involved in achieving that cover?
Thank you! I’ve got a real thing for good packaging design, and as soon as we came up with the title for the album I had the idea in my head what I wanted to do. We always had reel to reel tapes around the house and there’s some gorgeous utilitarian design on those. I took various ideas from a few. Budget unfortunately wouldn’t allow for what we really wanted to do – The idea was to house the two 12″s in a box and have loose photographs, info sheets etc enclosed, make it look like something that had been lost in the loft for years. It’d be nice to do that one day, maybe with Vol. 2 in there too. It was good looking through our photo archive here and picking which of Carl’s images to use.
Did you have a pretty firm mental picture of how you might’ve wanted either cover to look before you got started? And did you have any input from anyone else involved in the projects?
Pretty much. I did insist it was pressed on clear orange vinyl to carry the logo theme on, same as Vol. 2 being on a clear smoke grey to replicate a tape reel. I work very closely to Tom on these, and luckily, he trusts me to come up with something half decent! Tom’s very artistic too and has a great vision (sometimes too grand!) I’m pretty bloody minded when it comes to anything Trapeze related, so I’ll always stick to my guns on the look.
Lost Tapes vol 2 is a very different cover, but also very retro, and as you mention it retains that ‘tape box’ theme. I presume you’ve seen plenty of those from old recordings, etc… did you have specific recollections, photos and tapes that you might’ve used for inspiration, ideas….?
There are a few Japanese brands that had the best packaging, they just do stuff like that better over there. I’ve got folders on hard drives full of images that I know I can use on something one day. I think Vol. 2 is based on bits from three or four different ones. Of course, I’m not going to tell you which, where’s the fun in that!
Aside from the tape boxes, was there any other old LP covers that had any influence of how either ‘Lost Tapes’ covers look?
Without giving it away…yes. There’s a nod to two Trapeze albums inside Vol. 2. I recreated a couple pieces of artwork imagining how they’d look if you were to visit today. You’ll have to buy the album to see! Of course, there’s the logo used on Volumes 1 & 2, based on the logo from the self-titled album, I’ve always liked that logo, so we just recreated something similar.
As you are attached to Trapeze very personally, can you tell a bit about how much it meant to have these recordings finally released and being such a big part of it? And do you have any favorite tracks from Lost Tapes Vol 1 ?
It’s a weird mix of emotions to be honest. I’ve heard these songs in every incarnation from being hummed on the dog walk, played on a guitar sat in front of the TV etc, so I don’t get that same ‘wow!’ as someone else hearing the tracks for the first time will get, but that doesn’t take it away from the fact that I’m a fan, and it’s great to give people something new (to their ears at least) to listen to. I’d buy the album’s if I had to (I’ve had to buy all the Trapeze ones again over the last few years, as we never really had copies in the house, they were always given away to friends). Favorites from Vol.1, ‘Goin’ Home’ for sure, Hot Wire being my favorite Trapeze album. It’s the album that sounds like Trapeze should, given the influences at the time.
Favorite tracks off Vol.2, I just put the masters on now to listen again. I’d say ‘Can You Feel It’, ‘Turn It On’ & ‘Midnight Flyer’, but they’ve always been favorites anyway. They sound like Trapeze should sound, a great groove. The couple gigs I played drums for my dad, we did ‘Way Back to the Bone’ and ‘Coast to Coast’ in the set. We were just about to start rehearsing for another couple gigs when he got taken ill, so that was a shame we never got to play those. There’s a CD here in my office that he sent with the 24 songs to learn that were going to be in the set.
As one who creates album covers – do have a short list of some of your favorite album covers or favorite artists (album designers)
A short list!?!?! are you kidding!?!? I’ve always bought records; I’ve spent a fortune over the years on albums just because they had a great cover, so to narrow it down is a tough call, and definitely not a short list. Barney Bubbles could do no wrong in my eyes, a huge inspiration. Hipgnosis, Stylorouge, tDR (of course), Vaughan Oliver, Peter Saville, all absolute genius. I could go on all day…but they’re the first names that come to mind.
Might we see either of your Trapeze album covers be used in official merch for fans? (t-shirts, posters)
I hope so! Prints are a thing I’d particularly enjoy to do, mainly due to the size and unlimited colors you’ve got to play with, especially of the two reimagined pieces I mentioned a few questions ago for starters, but we’ll definitely do shirts. They’ll have to be slightly different to the Vol. 2 cover, that nine color screenprint would come out super expensive! Merch based on old promo bits has always appealed to me, there was a cool raglan / baseball shirt and coach jacket I’d like to make available at some point.
The Warriors one there is a giant poster to mark the anniversary of the film, there’s a t-shirt and a double-sided picture disc too – MG
Canadian singer/songwriter RICK LABONTE And The Band of Brothers have a new single (and video) out. A rockin’ tune with a easily likeable and memorable title and chorus – “Born Ready” was written & produced by Rick. It features plenty of guitar, a bit of harmonica (from Rick), and special guest Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Planet X) on Hammond organ. The new song is one of a few Rick (and The Band of Brothers – Tim King, John Kersey, Paul Richard) have recently recorded, with the songs likely being part of a new album for 2025. *Check out the video below, as well as more info and links in the description. “Born Ready” is also available on all streaming services. Also check visit www.ricklabonte.com for further news, releases, interviews, etc…
The Keep & The Spire is the 2nd album from THEIGNS & THRALLS, lead by Kevin Ridley of folk-rock act SKYCLAD. Quite a mix of folk, celtic, rock, and metal – like you go to see your favorite Irish folk band at the local pub and a classic metal band joins them! Very unique, with memorable tunes and choruses, and some big rock & metal guitar performances and solos. Cool album: now I gotta check out the debut from 2022. Love the cover art. *Check out the press info below, as well as videos, and links.
“The Keep & The Spire” is the second album from the band, but it is the first album to be recorded as a band – though there are a few guest musicians on it. The title is taken from the song ’Theigns & Thralls’ and refers to the keep and the spire being considered as the twin towers of control (i.e. the state and religion).
Kevin Ridley started writing new material for this album as soon as the first album was released and had a few tracks together when he was contacted by Per Ablinsson (the Swedish lyricist) about the possibility of working together. This was something different for him because, while he has worked with lots of different musicians, he normally writes the lyrics. But he thought it was an interesting idea and decided to give it a go. This changed the shape and feel of the album, in that (after some discussion). Per quickly, came up with some lyrics that had strong Anglo-Saxon or Viking themes.
Ridley then had the idea of combining some of these lyrics to form a ‘suite of tracks’ (something he had never done before), so that these songs would take up the whole side of an album. Those songs became ‘The Maldon Suite’, and the album could be viewed as ‘The Maldon Suite’ and other songs. A lot of the other album tracks are based on poems and ideas that Ridley had for a while, like ‘The Harrowing’ and ‘Interrogativa Cantilena’ (which he did with Korpiklaani). And, as they didn’t want to make the whole album dark and serious, they added a few more up-tempo and fun tracks like ‘the Seeker’, ‘The Mermaid Tavern’ and ‘The Grape And The Grain’.
Pushing the boundaries of their sound, Theigns & Thralls cements their position in the global music scene. The new album not only reflects their artistic growth but also offers fans a deeper and more immersive experience.
The new album “The Keep And The Spire” is due out on September 20th, 2024, and will be available on CD / VINYL (Black and Orange/Marble editions) from Rockshots Records.
Track Listing The Battle of Maldon Suite 1. Overture 2. A Single Beam 3. Fight And Lay Your Bones 4. The Battle of Maldon 5. Aftermath 6. Pagan Song 7. The Harrowing 8. The Seeker 9. Now My Life Is Done 10. The Grape And The Grain 11. Interrogativa Cantilena 12. The Mermaid Tavern
With URIAH HEEP’s 55th Anniversary coming up, the band have decided to wind things down with the upcoming ‘The Magician’s Farewell’ tour starting next year. Watch Mick Box’s announcement below.
Outsider Rock 