LIPS TURN BLUE, formerly DDrive, Sign Worldwide Record Deal with MIG RECORDS

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New York rockers turn tragedy into triumph; 
after the passing of legendary lead vocalist Phil Naro, band releases brilliant debut album and adds new singer/ musician, Iggy Marino.  

LIPS TURN BLUE, formerly known in the Upstate New York region as the popular club act, DDRIVE, has regrouped and returned with a new name, a brilliant debut album, a world-wide record contract, and a new member in singer/musician Iggy  Marino. The band (nicknamed LTB) which also includes guitarist Don Mancuso, keyboardist Eric Bieber, bassist Mike Mullane, and drummer Roy Stein are currently preparing for the release of its new album and some select concert dates.  

Pre-orders / pre saves available here:  https://lipsturnblue.lnk.to/justpushThe group’s first single, “Just Push” will be released March 23rd. That will be  followed by other singles: “Pray For Tomorrow,” an ode to the turbulent times much of  the world is experiencing; “Blood Moon,” and “Crazy In Love.” The debut album, LIPS  TURN BLUE will have its worldwide release this coming May 4th., to coincide with the one year anniversary of the week he passed away. 


When the band’s lead vocalist and co-songwriter Phil Naro sadly passed away after a valiant battle against cancer the group’s future was in doubt. Naro and the other band members had just secured a worldwide record deal with the European-based label, MIG RECORDS, and had put the finishing touches on the album when his illness returned, and tragedy struck.  

As his illness progressed the band members assured Naro the record would be released, and they would continue to pursue his artistic vision for the material he felt was his best work as a songwriter and vocalist. Now, with the record deal signed, a  release date set and a dynamic new vocalist in place, their promise to their fallen musical comrade can finally be fulfilled.

Iggy Marino came to the band after an extensive search for a new vocalist. He is a recent Nazareth College graduate whose instructors at the school included LTB  drummer Roy Stein and its manager, Bruce Pilato, who both teach music-industry courses there. 

“We feel we have a great singer and fellow musician in place that the music touches and motivates,” says Don Mancuso. “We want to get this amazing music out there. It needs to be played to as many music fans as possible. After our period of  mourning Phil’s loss, we now have the drive and experience to take this music on the  road and finish our next album, which is already well in the works.” 

Adds Eric Bieber, who, in addition to his skill has a classically trained keyboardist and longtime professional performing musician, recently retired as a physician and hospital executive administrator. “Phil was passionate in his desire to have this music heard and performed. We are honored to be able to carry on his legacy by doing just that. Iggy Marino is a remarkable young musician who will take the band in yet another direction with some of the new material. He is also a fan of the existing album and will  be faithful to Phil’s vision.” 

Lou Gramm, founding member and former lead vocalist of FOREIGNER,  appears on the album’s final track, “A Little Outside.” 

“We believe this is one of the strongest debut albums we have heard in many years,” says Bernd Ramien, A&R & Director of Catalog Marketing for MIG (Made-In Germany-Music GmbH), which signed the band soon after only hearing a few tracks from the debut album. “We had thought and hoped Phil would overcome his illness, but when he sadly left us, we were determined to make sure this album and band could  carry on.” 

At the moment, MIG has plans to release three singles by the time the full album is available this coming April. The group is currently booking tour dates to coincide with the album’s release. Based in Hannover, Germany but distributed worldwide, MIG  Music has released albums by an extraordinary roster of acts that includes: Joe  Jackson, Sheila E, Jack Bruce of Cream, Roger McGuinn, Ron Wood, Muddy Waters,  Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, Weather Report, Nash Albert, Pat Travers Band, Vanilla  Fudge, Richard Thompson, George Thorogood, Public Image Ltd, and many others. For All Things LIPS TURN BLUE, please visit:

WEBSITE: www.Lipsturnblue.com
FACEBOOK  https://m.facebook.com/Lips-Turn-Blue 
INSTAGRAM @ lipsturnblueband 
TWITTER  https://mobile.twitter.com/LipsTurn 

JETHRO TULL – Album Artwork Box-Set

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Jethro Tull are excited to announce the launch of jethrotullart.com Working exclusively in collaboration with London’s Flood Gallery, Jethro Tull are for the first time offering iconic studio album cover art in two fine art print formats to be released individually over the next 24 months. 

First to be released is the ground-breaking and iconic Aqualung album cover from 1971. Printed in two large format sizes, 24” square (signed edition of 350 @ £120) and 28” square (signed edition of 150 @ £175). The prints are gallery quality giclées printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper stock and will all come numbered and signed by Ian Anderson and embossed with a Jethro Tull stamp. 

The first 14 studio album cover art prints can also be purchased together in a Super Deluxe custom-made box with 2 bonus prints. All prints in the deluxe set are number-matched, signed by Ian Anderson and each print is embossed with a unique ‘Collectors Edition’ JT stamp. The Deluxe Boxes are handmade and only 75 of these amazing box sets are being made available to purchase worldwide (£1,800). 

 The Aqualung print and the Super Deluxe box set will be available for pre-order from 4pm on Friday 25th March and will be shipping from June, visit the site jethrotullart.com for details and     updates. 

This will be followed in the Autumn by another 4 releases – ‘Thick as a Brick’ which this year is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its UK release and also the first three albums, ‘This Was’ ‘Stand Up’ and ‘Benefit’.  All are released as signed limited edition art prints. 

The Jethro Tull album artwork came about in many ways. The first 4 album covers were commissioned and paid for by Chrysalis Records (now Warner Music Group) with subsequent cover concepts from Ian Anderson being commissioned from various artists, photographers, and   designers. 

All copyrights for these prints are owned by Warner Music Group. 

Contact details for further information about the prints and promotion: info@thefloodgallery.com 

03/’22

PHIL NARO – 2 Bands, 2 New singles debut in past week

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Rochester born singer Phil Naro had a very busy and successful career fronting a number of bands, notably Talas. Sadly Phil passed last May after battling cancer. Phil also was a part of a number of tribute acts, such as Ozone Baby (Led Zeppelin), as well as worked with Classic Albums Live and the Platinum Rock All-Stars. In 2009 Phil won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance of the theme song to the animated TV show “6Teen”. Phil kept busy right til the end, finishing 2 albums. Phil was a great talent and a classy guy, who was always friendly and just seemed happy performing. Billy Sheehan once described Phil as “the best attitude singer” he knew.

Sheehan would reform Talas with Phil 5 years ago, and play a number of shows. They would also sign a record deal with Metal Blade Records and record a new Talas studio album just prior to Phil’s passing. It is the first Talas studio album since 1982. Phil joined Talas after that, singing on the band’s 1984 Live Speed On Ice, before eventually moving on to numerous short lived gigs like Coney Hatch, Naro, Blood Red Flower, 24K,…. The first single from the forthcoming Talas album is “Inner Mounting Flame”; a thundering hard rocker in classic Talas form which Sheehan describes as – “a bombastic, high-speed chaos of adrenaline that we would often use as our opening song at the live TALAS shows in 1985. We stayed close to the original arrangement – this was such a blast to record, and Phil sang his ass off on it. The song title came from a very famous fusion bands album title (The Mahavishnu Orchestra – Inner Mounting Flame), and was our take on what that flame might be about.” The song is produced by Billy Sheehan, Russ Mackay, Scott Bush and Talas – which also consists of drummer Mark Miller, and new addition Kire Najdovski on guitar. As a fan of Talas, this track simply an amazing surprise – not just getting to finally hear it, but the fact that it is so energetic, and so well performed and produced. Phil sounds better than ever on it, so I am really looking forward to the rest of the album. There should be more news soon. Check out the Talas V2 Facebook group for updates – https://www.facebook.com/talasv2

Within days of watching the new Talas clip repeatedly there came a press release and Another video release featuring Phil Naro for the first single from the forthcoming LIPS TURN BLUE album. Lips Turn Blue is the band formerly known as DDRIVE, along with former Black Sheep / Lou Gramm guitarist Don Mancuso, as well as keyboardist Eric Bieber, bassist Mike Mullane, and drummer Roy Stein. DDrive had released 2 full albums plus a mini-album over the years but changed the name for this newest recording (see Japanese metal band D_Drive).

The first single is “Just Push”, an easily likeable aor rock track, with a great chorus, a bit of funky guitar, and well placed keys. Phil sounds excellent on this one too. It’s a fun upbeat tune, and is the first of a few singles from LTB’s album, The band signed to MIG Records (Europe), who will release the album in May, a year after Phil Naro’s passing. as well as LTB’s next one that has already been started, and will feature new singer Iggy Marino.  https://m.facebook.com/Lips-Turn-Blue

More on Lips Turn Blue in a future post…. But check out Mitch Lafon’s interview with Don Mancuso [below] for some insight and news.  www.Lipsturnblue.com

Phil can also be heard on Cactus’ Tightrope album from 2021, as he co-wrote and sang on the track “Wear It Out”. One can spend hours going through Youtube checking out all the albums and projects Phil was a part of, some great stuff to be discovered there.

03/’22

NESTOR – Kids In A Ghost Town now on vinyl

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The debut album from Swedish band Nestor is getting issued on vinyl for fans. The band also signed with metal label Napalm Records. Kids In A Ghost Town comes in 2 different, very limited vinyl issues – 1 magenta colored vinyl (750 copies) and 1 picture disc (250) copies. Both can be ordered at the band’s merch site, although it seems the picture disc can only be obtained as part of a bundle. – https://nestor.merchants.se

Nestor is also being added to a number of big festival shows this year, including the Tons Of Rock Festival in June, in Norway, which features 40+ bands, notably Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Europe, The Darkness, Mastodon, Accept, Opeth…… Nestor play the 3rd day – which Deep Purple headlines. The band will also headline their own Nestor-Fest in August, in their hometown.

Press release:

NESTOR SIGN WORLDWIDE CONTRACT WITH NAPALM RECORDS Deluxe version of debut album to be released in 2022

Napalm Records is proud to welcome Swedish melodic rockers NESTOR to the family! The band has signed a worldwide record deal with the leading Austrian rock and metal record label.

Originally founded in 1989 but only releasing their first album “Kids In A Ghost Town” in 2021 it is NESTOR’s mission to restore the glory of rock!

Their acclaimed first album sent their fans on a journey back in time to the 80’s.NESTOR on signing to Napalm Records:”We’ve been looking for the right partner for quite some time and we are thrilled about the signing with Napalm as they totally get the ambition and vision of Nestor. We are super exited to continue this fantastic journey with Napalm Records on board.”

Napalm Records CEO Thomas Caser adds:

“Welcome NESTOR – a band that is unbelievable fun and with whom we have a lot of plans for the next years!”

NESTOR are five childhood friends who formed a band over three decades ago in their hometown of Falköping, Sweden.

Now the rockstar dreams of their youth have been revitalised and once again the band embraces influences from the 80s with tongues-in-cheek and a lot of heart.

NESTOR ARE:

Jonny Wemmenstedt (guitar)

Mattias Carlsson (drums)

Tobias Gustavsson (vocals)

Marcus Åblad (bass)

Martin Frejinger (keyboards)

https://www.nestortheband.com

https://www.facebook.com/nestortheband

http://instagram.com/nestor_theband

http://youtube.com/nestor_theband

03/’22

EWINIAR – Burning The Night Interview

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EWINIAR is a new band from Croatia, consisting of Marin and Katarina Tramontana (husband & wife). They have recently released their independent debut album Burning The Night, which has received plenty of great reviews and following. In this interview Marin and Katarina talk about their influences, as well as various aspects of their new album. *Check out my previous review, as well – check out the links below.

  • First, can you tell me a bit about the band name, what it means or where it came from?

Marin: Ewiniar is the name of the Micronesian god of thunder. Since we share a love for rain and heavy rhythms it seemed very interesting to us. Also, it does not suggest a style of music that we play, so we have extra freedom of expression that is very important to us.

Had you been making music together prior to this, and how did it evolve in to Ewiniar – the sound and direction your album has taken?

Marin: We were both in a few bands that played mostly covers, but we wanted to go in a different direction and start something on our own. That’s how the idea of Ewiniar was born. It all started with a few demos, but later we realized we wanted to make a complete project. We weren’t targeting a specific style; we were just looking for a sweet spot between our musical possibilities and our musical tastes and I think we achieved that on our debut album.

What influences have you both as singers, musicians, songwriters?  [favorites of each, as well as a few favorite albums each]

Katarina: I adore music and I understand it very broadly so I have been and still am influenced by artists from different genres. It’s definitely not easy to pick some favorites from everything I listen to, but let’s say these are artists I’ve been listening to for years: Paradise Lost, Dead Can Dance, Depeche Mode, AIR, The Sisters of Mercy, Nick Cave and Vangelis.

As for the albums, the choice is also not easy as I could choose many of them. The first that come to my mind are: Type O Negative – October Rust, Candlemass – Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Tiamat – Wildhoney David Sylvian – Secrets of the Beehive, Mark Lanegan – Blues Funeral, Nightwish – Century Child.

Marin:  I can say that that I grew up with classic metal bands like Iron Maiden, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Slayer and I still like them very much, but later I discovered some of the bands that Kate already mentioned and that was my way to go. My albums would be in no particular order:  Type O Negative – October Rust, Paradise Lost – Icon, Amorphis – Tales From the Thousand Lakes, Alice In Chains – Dirt, anything from Dead Can Dance…

Can you tell me a bit about how songs were put together — what they started with and how they developed?

Marin: Usually, I have a bunch of short ideas, that can be musical part or some vocal line and everything starts from there. From there I add new things, while trying to keep the flow of the song. Sometimes it goes smoothly, sometimes I need to rearrange songs multiple times before the balance is reached. Once song is musically done, I am forwarding it to Katarina for the lyrics. Our roles are fairly divided. I make the basic construction of the songs and the vocal lines. Once the song is ready, Kate works on the lyrics, in the end we work together on the vocal arrangements and details.

What influences or inspires the lyrics or lyrical topics? Any stories behind any songs you can tell me about? 

Katarina: I write about everything I feel, see and hear. Sometimes inspiration comes from my own experience, and sometimes it’s from other people’s experiences. Sometimes it’s just a feeling I draw from a book I read or a film I watch. Honestly, I tend to over-analyze everything, so from that tendency comes the inspiration for the lyrics I write. As for the context, I don’t like to say what the song is about but I prefer the listeners to interpret as they want and find their own meaning in it. But, since you ask, I can tell you a secret that the film Scream for me Sarajevo was a great inspiration for me while I was writing the lyrics for the song Mother.

Do you plan on playing this album live? If so, presumably you’ll be adding players to the band for live shows.

Marin: Regarding live gigs, we were slowed down by corona virus situation, but once everything goes back to normal (at least to some extent), we will hopefully be able to be active in that way, as well. Of course, we want to perform live, but until the conditions for that are met, we will continue to release new material as duo.

Did you have a hand in choosing the album’s artwork? and can you tell me a bit about the cover? [what’s it about and about the artist who created it]

Katarina: Artwork was done by English artist James Hutton. In search for something that will be interesting and suit our style we found his sketches and drawings on social networks and immediately fell in love with them. His works are brilliant, mostly in occult folk style with pen and paper. There is no specific message behind the cover, it is more like a glimpse of the visual atmosphere that can be heard in our music, mix of the good and evil, hope and sadness, dream and reality sharing the same space, or in this case, burning fingers of the hand.

What is the hard-rock / metal scene like in Croatia?  And the music scene there in general? Any fellow Croatian bands you’d recommend to rock fans?

Marin: I would say that Croatian scene is not too big, but those who are there are very passionate about what they do. Before COVID-19 it was just fine, concerts were being held very often with good communications between the bands. There are always some enthusiastic promotors who are willing to push scene little bit further, but unfortunately, Covid made everything worse and there are lot of bands quitting these days. The bands I would recommend are: Act of Denial, Kryn and Manntra. These are great musicians; you may even know some of them.

Have you started thinking about or writing a follow up album?  When might that happen and how might it differ?

Marin: Our future plans are to be active as long as possible and to produce new songs and albums. As soon as we were done with the debut album we started to work on new songs, so I can say that it is already in progress, but for now we are still promoting current album and hopefully later in the year we will be able to talk about follow up album with more details.

Links:

https://ewiniar.bandcamp.com/album/burning-the-night

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Ewiniar&i=digital-music&search-type=ss&ref=ntt_srch_drd_B09FYQ623W

https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/145169492

https://www.instagram.com/ewiniarofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/ewiniarofficial/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUsjnpNGqkRMkPj7DL7yMyw

ENTREVISTA CON KATARINA TRAMONTANA

ASIA In Asia: Live At Budokan Arena, 1983 to get official release [box set/ 2LP / CD]

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ASIA announce they are to release ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, as a Deluxe box set containing: 2LP, 2xCD, 40 page 12” book, Blu-ray video, printed memorabilia and ‘ASIA’ pin badge, through BMG Records on 10th June 2022.

*Also available as a 2LP Gatefold, 1CD and Digital Formats.

*Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR

ASIA, Geoff Downes (The Buggles & YES, keyboards & backing vocals), Steve Howe (YES, guitars & backing vocals) and Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, drums) with special guest Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, bass & lead vocals), visited Japan at the end of two years of touring to promote their phenomenally successful eponymous debut album (1982) and the follow-up Alpha (1983).

The second of three shows at the historic Budokan arena in Tokyo, on 6th December 1983, would make history as first live broadcast between Japan and MTV in America, an amazing achievement for its time. This performance has previously only been available on VHS. The concert featured some of ASIA’s biggest and most memorable tracks including, Time Again, Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor, Wildest Dreams and the global hit single Heat Of The Moment.

Greg Lake stepped in, at short notice, following the sudden departure of ASIA’s founder member John Wetton ahead of the Japanese dates. Despite a short period for Lake to learn the songs, and some changes to the arrangements to accommodate Lake’s different vocal range, the Japanese shows were hailed a great success.

Carl Palmer was proud of his former ELP bandmate for performing exceptionally in the situation. “Greg Lake did a great job jumping into John’s shoes. So many songs to sing, he did it so well. It was impressive.”

Geoff Downes, too, was pleased with the event, especially given the massive undertaking. “It was a grand and sumptuous affair. The stage was the iconic ‘A-frame’ shape we had for the US tour. I think we pulled it off admirably in the end. There were some good people behind us: crew, lighting designers, cameramen and backing singers, it was quite a production.”

“The show was an important global commitment,” says Steve Howe, “so we had to rise to the occasion, which we did, with Greg’s help. We couldn’t have done it without him, for sure.”

For Downes, the release stands as a testament to the band’s resilience. “It deserves its place in the Asia catalogue. Aside from its musical strengths, it demonstrates the level of professionalism that we have always striven to bring to the ASIA name.”

This newly packaged box set includes:

Exclusive new artwork by Roger Dean

Color vinyl 2LP of original MTV Telecast concert audio, remixed 2022 from the master tapes, with two previously unreleased, post broadcast encore tracks

2 x audio CD:

Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, MTV satellite telecast concert (6 December 1983, USA time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Matt Wiggins and Rick Nelson

Live at The Budokan Arena, Tokyo, Japan, previous night’s show (6 December 1983, Japanese Time), remixed 2022 from the master tapes by Hiroki Furutani

Audio-visual Blu-ray of restored original broadcast concert with 2022 remixed audio (Duration: 1hr 20 mins), plus restored original concert laserdisc featuring alternate camera angles (Duration: 1hr).      

40 page, deluxe 12” book with rare and unseen band photos, memorabilia and extensive new sleeve notes new quotes from the original band members

New, bespoke metal and enamel ‘ASIA’ logo pin badge

Printed memorabilia: 2 x exclusive new Roger Dean artwork A3 posters,  2 x reproduced live broadcast original concert tickets, Replicated, matt laminated original AAA backstage pass, Original concert VHS advert, 3 x glossy 8” x 5” rare band photos

ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983 Tracklist (2 x LPs, CD1 & CD2)

1. Introduction From Mark Goodman (MTV)

2. Time Again

3. The Heat Goes On

4. Here Comes The Feeling

5. Eye To Eye

6. Steve Howe Solo (Sketches In The Sun)

7. Only Time Will Tell

8. Open Your Eyes

9. Geoffrey Downes Solo (Ihiri – The Setting Sun / Bolero)

10. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

11. Wildest Dreams

12. Carl Palmer Solo

13. Heat Of The Moment

14. Sole Survivor

15. Cutting It Fine

16. Daylight

ASIA in Asia – Live at the Budokan, Tokyo 1983 – out 10th June

Pre-order here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/budokanPR

Website: https://originalasia.com/

Facebook – Original Asia

Twitter – @OriginalAsia

Instagram – asiatheband

03/’22

YES to celebrate 50th Anniversary of Close To The Edge.

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Progressive pioneers YES have announced a change to their forthcoming The Album Series Tour 2022 as they will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their iconic album Close to the Edge. This tour, twice rescheduled due to the Covid pandemic was intended to showcase YES’s 1974 classic Relayer album but will now feature Close to the Edge, performed in full, along with other classic tracks from YES’s extensive catalogue.  An announcement regarding the European dates will be made shortly.
The tour line-up features Steve Howe (guitars), Alan White (drums), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals) with additional drums and percussion by Jay Schellen. All tour dates are as previously announced and all tickets remain valid. A full performance of the Relayer album will now be featured in a future tour in The Album Series.The show will comprise full production and a high-definition video wall directed by Roger Dean who will also be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art.
Following the release of The Yes Album and Fragile, in 1971, YES released what is widely considered one of the most defining albums, not only for YES but for the whole progressive movement. Close to the Edge became an inspiration for their contemporaries and for successive generations of musicians.
“We reached a real high, doing ‘Close to the Edge’,” said Steve Howe. “We valued the musicianship, the artistic ideas and the vocalising that people bring and that’s why we’re still doing it, because it’s exciting to do! ‘Close to the Edge’ was voted the most-proggy album possibly ever made. It was very experimental. We had already done 10-minute epics but with ‘Close to the Edge’ we just took it a stage further and I’m very pleased we were brave enough to do that.”

YES 2022 UK Tour Dates Are:
June 2022 
15th June       Wednesday   Glasgow        Royal Concert Hall17th June       Friday             Manchester   Bridgewater Hall18th June       Saturday        Nottingham   Royal Concert Hall20th June       Monday          Liverpool        Philharmonic Hall21st June        Tuesday         London           Royal Albert Hall22nd June       Thursday       York                Barbican
24th June       Friday             Birmingham   Symphony Hall
26th June       Sunday          Newcastle      O2 City Hall
28th June       Tuesday         Dublin Eire    Vicar Street
29th June       Wednesday   Cork Eire       Opera House
Tickets remain valid for the rescheduled shows. For full details and to book tickets for all shows go to venue website or http://yesworld.com/live where you can also book Meet and Greets with the band. 

About YES
Steve Howe: guitars, backing vocals (1970 –1981, 1990–1992, 1995–present)
Alan White: drums, percussion (1972 – present)
Geoff Downes: keyboards (1980–1981, 2011–present)
Jon Davison: lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2012–present)
Billy Sherwood: guitar, backing vocals ((1994, 1997–2000), bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)

Formed in 1968 by Jon Anderson and the late, and much-missed, Chris Squire, YES have been one of the most innovative, influential and best-loved bands in rock music history. Their 1970s albums The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs (a triple live album set), Tales From Topographic Oceans, Relayer and Going For The One were ground-breaking in musical style and content. Their music also became synonymous with artist Roger Dean whose distinctive YES logo design and artwork adorned the lavish gatefold presentation sleeves of many YES albums.With sales of over 50 million records, the Grammy-award winning YES were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 where they performed Roundabout from the album Fragile and the FM radio-friendly Owner Of A Lonely Heart from the 1985 album 90125.  In 2021 YES released their 22nd Studio album, The Quest, produced by Steve Howe, which went to No.1 in the UK rock chart and entered the Official UK Album Chart at No.20. 
http://www.yesworld.com http://www.facebook.com/yestheband http://www.twitter.com/yesofficial http://www.youtube.com/user/yesofficial http://www.instagram.com/yesofficial
soundcloud.com/yesofficial

Lionsoul – A Pledge To Darkness coming in April

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Italian power-metal band with their 3rd album. Some fine heavy riffs, lots of fast metal numbers, good production. Tracks range from the roaring speedy opener “Exile To Anse”, to powerful metal rockers like “Amber Of Illusion”, the first single “Wailing In Red”, and closing favorite “The Strangers”. For fans of such bands as Helloween and Gamma Ray.

*For more info, check out the press release below, plus links:

Rockshots Records will be releasing LionSoul’s third album “A Pledge To Darkness” this coming April 2022. The full length follows the band’s albums “Welcome Storm” (2017) (Limb Music), their self-released Omega” (2013) and EP “The Throne” (2015). Since the band’s formation in 2012, they have shared the stage and toured with artists such as Domine, Iron Savior, GammaRay, Kissin’ Dynamite, Geoff Tate, Tygers Of Pan Tang in Italy and across Europe along with festival appearances on Metal For Emergency (IT), Biker Fest (IT), and Loud and Proud Festival (IT).
The new album “A Pledge To Darkness” is a huge step forward in LionSoul’s career as it is more heterogeneous, in some ways darker than the previous ones. Featuring 11 roaring cosmic tracks, it brings with it
nuances ranging from thrash to melodic death metal, including some death metal vocals in order to give more emphasis to certain passages. The album is a composition of different stylistic approaches that converge into the power/heavy roots that still remain at the basis of their sound. The songs range from a classic power metal opener with spatial atmospheres up to a futuristic western ballad, from speed metal tracks – that wink at thrash and melodic death metal – to 80’s synth-wave tunes, from mid-tempo hymns in Teutonic/industrial style to the almost omnipresent Cyberpunk themes. “A Pledge to Darkness” remains in all respects a power metal album, but with some dosed contaminations. Overall, its goal is to take you on a hyperspace voyage from Tatooine to 2049 Los Angeles, while passing through Tranctor. The band explains further: “Imagine your planet at the end of its life and you have the burden to preserve the knowledge so you take a spaceship for a trip to L A in 2049 meanwhile you pass through a portal between 1953 to 1986 and also you change your skin to save the human race from a virus.”

Today, the band shares their first single entitled “Wailing In Red”. The track is a Blade Runner-inspired story, the wailing of an android who cries red tears. “It’s a classic heavy metal riff that continues for all the verses before turning in a fast chorus, all that arranged in a modern key, with some industrial synths to act as a frame for this cyberpunk drama-inspired song. It’s our first single, a meeting point between classic heavy metal and modern sounds, fast, the notes reflect the obscure and the emblematic nature of the theme addressed in the lyrics with Claudio’s powerful growl vocals inserts.” adds the band.


Digital – https://bfan.link/wailing-in-re

Album pre-order – https://bit.ly/LionSoul_C

Tracklist:

Continuum
Exile to Arise
Amber of Illusion
Wailing in Red
No Beginning (Nor An End)
Soldier through time
Skin 2
A Pledge to Darkness
Red Flame
Man, Machine, Almost Rhyme
The Strangers

http://www.lionsoul.it
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LionSoul/328404230591942
https://twitter.com/LionSoul_band

EWINIAR – Debut with Burning The Night

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Ewiniar is a duo from Croatia consisting of Marin and Katarina Tramontana. This husband & wife metal/goth rock act deliver a strong 9 song album Burning The Night, with Marin handling the music writing & arranging, as well as playing all instruments, while Katarina penned the lyrics and delivers powerful vocals throughout this set. A great production, good songs, and solid performances throughout this album. Love the guitar sound throughout this, as well as the various keyboards, plenty of drama, and light & shade throughout this. A pretty heavy album, that is so well put together. Fave cuts include opener “Against The Stream”, “Years Of Heaven” (the first single), “Mother”, and the title track that ends the album. Highly recommended modern heavy rock!

*See the attached press release for more info.

Tracklist

1 – Against The Stream

2 – Under the Stars

3 – Years of Heaven

4 – Mother

5 – Midnight Sun

6 – Suspiria

7 – Until the End of Time

8 – Seekers of the Sense

9 – Burning the Night

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ewiniarofficial

https://ewiniar.bandcamp.com/

https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/145169492

https://www.youtube.com/c/Ewiniar

ewiniar-press-kitDownload

BEYOND THE LABYRINTH – Release fifth album XXV

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XXV is the new and fifth album from Belgian rock band Beyond The Labyrinth. The CD was issued in December of 2021, followed by a digital release in February. The album’s title is to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the band. And tho’ Beyond The Labyrinth debuted in 1997 with a 3-track EP, their first full album didn’t come until 2005.

I am not familiar with the band’s earlier releases, but can tell a lot of ’70s and ’80s influences, from prog, to hard rock, to AOR. You get plenty of synths, some heavy guitars, some cool keyboard intros. “Louder Than Thunder” has a bit of a Judas Priest feel to it, but the ’80s synths bring it back from being ‘metal’ , more like AOR / hard rock. “Dedicated To Sir J / Rush Rush Rush” has a lengthy and slow organ intro that would sit nicely on a Deep Purple album, and the song is an upbeat rocker, with some synths and backing vox, kinda making it more like modern Uriah Heep. The ballad “In Camera” is more synth driven, with a cool guitar break, and you get more of Journey feel to it. Best tracks come in the 2nd half of this set (for me) being “This Is How We Roll”, “Improve, Enhance”, and “Long Way Home”, all should appeal to fans of Journey, Toto, Saga…

*Check out the band’s website to hear the album and ordering links below.

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Filip Lemmens (Vocals)
Geert Fieuw (Guitars, Backing Vocals)
Dominic Heynderickx (Bass)
Eddy Scheire (Keyboards, Backing Vocals)
Michel Lodder (Drums and Loops)

Tracklist:

1 – Altitude For Energy

2 – Louder Than Thunder

3 – Invisible Battle Scars

4 – Nothing Comes For Free

5 – Dedicated To Sir J./Rush Rush Rush

6 – Falcon Eye

7 – In Camera

8 – This Is How We Roll

9 – Improve, Enhance

10 – Up There In The Sky

11 – Rise Above

12 – Long Way Home

Bonus tracks:

13 – Healer (2021 version)

14 – Wings (2021 version)

*Silver Edition comes with bonus live DVD and CD compilation.

More about this band can be found at:
https://www.facebook.com/Beyond.The.Labyrinth
http://www.beyond-the-labyrinth.com/
https://www.youtube.com/c/BeyondTheLabyrinth
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3hek3bMIJj9uNel9BQVeIV
https://music.apple.com/be/artist/beyond-the-labyrinth/293629513
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/3164251
https://listen.tidal.com/artist/7410546

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