A new listing of some cool new (and newer) song releases. Please check out the details in the video descriptions!
MAGNUM – Kingdom Of Madness (live)
For MAGNUM’s new Live At K.K’s Steel Mill release, the first single us a lyric video for the classic “Kingdom Of Madness”.
“The title track ‘Kingdom Of Madness’ from our 1978 debut album is one of the most frequently played songs of our career, an absolute fan fave and typical of the music we wrote back then. A true classic and the perfect encore at every show for almost fifty years. A MAGNUM gig wouldn’t have been complete without this number!” (Bob Catley)
GRAVE DIGGER – Killing Is My Pleasure
“Here it is at last, our new studio album, true to the motto: #gravediggeroldschool. With Tobi Kersting in the band, we have focused on the essentials of our sound again after many years with numerous concept albums: Concise straightforward metal songs that burn themselves into your brain stems after the first listen. “Bone Collector” doesn’t sound like off-the-shelf stuff, but highly energetic, fresh and you’ll notice that we had a lot of fun with the songs. We’re looking forward to your reaction, the release of the album in January and 45 years of Grave Digger live with you,” (vocalist- Chris Boltendahl)
ORIANTHI – Some Kind Of Feeling
Blues guitarist ORIANTHI (ex Alice Cooper) has a new album coming in spring 2025. This is the 3rd single (and title track) from it. Produced by Kevin Shirley.
UTILITY POWER – Challenger
Vancouver metal band UTILITY POWER release their 3rd album this week. This is the title track from Challenger.
WHISKY OF BLOOD – Baby Revolution
Hard rockers WHISKY OF BLOOD’s new single from their latest album Diablesse Of Revolution (released in September). The album features a couple of guests, notably Chris Holmes (Wasp).
THE DAMN TRUTH – The Willow
Canadian band THE DAMN TRUTH have released a new single from their next album (2025). Great psych influenced hard & classic rock!the band start a UK tour Nov 24, and have album launch shows in Montreal and Quebec City in March.
BLUE OYSTER CULT – The Alchemist (live)
From the band’s upcoming live release50th Anniversary – Third Night, from the 3rd New York show in 2022, celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary, and performing the album Secret Treaties. “The Alchemist” comes from the band’s last studio album The Symbol Remains in 2020.
ROD RODRIGUEZ – Mom’s Lullaby
From the new album Tales Of A Changing Life, Part 2, by this Canadian -Brazilian guitarist. Influenced by, and recommended for fans of Dream Theatre, Rush, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani.
SVEN GALI – Lunatic Fringe
SVEN GALI has released a cover of the classic “Lunatic Fringe”, originally by another Canadian band- RED RIDER.
Vol. 2 of the Lost Tapes from legendary British 70s hard / funk rock act TRAPEZE, curated, compiled by Tom.Galley, brother of guitarist Mel Galley (RIP), and packaged brilliantly by Mel’s son Marcus, with photos from Carl Dunn. Although TRAPEZE split in the early 80s (following Live In Texas), there was a reunion or 2, and judging by the amount of and quality of the songs on both releases, an abundance of leftover finished tracks from every period. There have been 2 singles released – the rocker “Fighting”, which actually came from the first PHENOMENA sessions (feat Don Airey on keys, Ted McKenna on drums), and “Homeland”, an absolute classic, which sounds like it was done in later years. The lyrics and video pay homage to where the band came from.
There is also alternate takes of a few well known Trapeze favorites, such as the title track to 1979’s Hold On album (sung by Peter Goalby), and one of the band’s best lived tracks – “Coast To Coast”. I kinda prefer this version of “Coast To Coast”, a little rougher, and less smooth compared to the original album version. Also alternate takes of “Loser”, and Trapeze funk- rock favorites”Way Back To The Bone”, and “Midnight Flyer”. Other highlights include “Must Be In Love” , from the Goalby era. This one’s a bit more late 70s Apr, with,a bit of a country feel. “Welcome To The Real World”, from the early 90s reunion, including Geoff Downes on keys, another excellent post-70s track. Also included is the last track guitarist Mel Galley ever did – “Live Fast Die Laughing”, another rocker, well fitting here. 14 tracks total, all worth checking out.
Lost Tapes – (both volumes), are highly recommended, not merely just for Trapeze completists, but for fans if classic British rock. Trapeze may not have released a ton of albums, but both these albums (on vinyl & CD via Metalville) add greatly to the band’s catalogue and legacy! Out now!
Madfish Music is delighted to announce the forthcoming release of “Still Barking” a highly anticipated CD/DVD box set of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. This deluxe compilation will be on sale from today for release on 13 December 2024.
This major retrospective box set has been in the making for seven years. Band members Roger Ruskin Spear, “Legs” Larry Smith, Rodney Slater, Vernon Dudley Bowhay Nowell, Sam Spoons and Neil Innes were involved in defining the original concept. Titling the set “Still Barking” was very much Neil’s idea. Sadly, Neil, Sam and Vernon passed away before the set’s completion, but their involvement has been immeasurable.
Initial work on the box set was halted by a court case which the Bonzos eventually won. Madfish Music overcame numerous hurdles to clearing material, finding masters and sourcing unreleased material. Surviving and former band members contributed reminiscences and pithy tales and fans were invited to put forward their own memories and memorabilia.
The result of everyone’s hard work and dedication has culminated in two editions of the box set (see Editors’ notes for list of contents). The Standard Edition will feature 17 CDs and three DVDs plus a hardback coffee table book featuring a new essay by esteemed music journalist Chris Welch, archive writings, memorabilia and photographs, and a detailed chronology (cornology) of the band. The Special Edition release will also include a shellac 78 rpm record, an etched, one sided 7” single featuring a previously unreleased version of “Boo!,” reproductions of early promotional posters and booklets, plus an exclusive signed print of the box set artwork by artist Dan Abbott.
Formed in the early 1960s by art students Vivian Stanshall and Rodney Slater, the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band began as a jazz ensemble parodying the music of the 1920s and 30s. Already proving they were a creative force, their art school training further encouraged them to think outside the box – twist the norm and mix genres. Elements of slapstick comedy, music hall, Mariachi flavors, psychedelia and bawdy seaside humor all conspired and inspired the growing band to evolve into a pioneering force in rock and comedy. Their satirical songs, surreal humor, eccentric and eclectic performances quickly made them a favorite on the London underground scene and secured them a permanent residence in the counterculture prevalent at the time.
Their appearances on the TV show “Do Not Adjust Your Set” gained them national fame and featured many of the songs that have become lifelong favorites of fans and critics alike. “I’m the Urban Spaceman,” became the band’s most successful UK hit produced by Paul McCartney under the pseudonym Apollo C. Vermouth.
“We know Bonzo’s fans will be excited about this release,” a spokesperson for Madfish Music explains. “In addition to remasters of the band’s original albums, we have sourced rare and previously unreleased outtakes, BBC Sessions, short films, vintage footage, live recordings and films of concerts in Europe and USA. This was a band that would leave an indelible mark not just on their fans but the music and comedy world.
“‘Still Barking’ is the definitive 20-disc limited edition boxset, the ultimate tribute to a band that defined a genre. Dive into the eccentric world of the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and experience their enduring legacy.”
BOXSET CONTENTS 17 CDs documenting a spectacularly entertaining career featuring: • Stereo versions of all the band’s original albums, carefully remastered to capture their idiosyncratic charm • Additional versions of “Gorilla” and “The Doughnut in Granny’s Greenhouse” in their original mono mixes • A newly compiled CD of all the band’s singles • Two discs of demos, rehearsals, and outtakes • A single disc of backing tracks • Three discs of BBC Sessions that capture the band’s eccentric live energy • Two live discs: Studio Bellevue, Amsterdam. Recorded: November 1968. Transmission date: 3 January 1969 Fillmore East, NYC, 17 October 1969 • A CD featuring a live rehearsal for a show from London’s Marquee Club and additional material of band rehearsals from the Manor Studios in Oxfordshire.
Plus: • Three DVDs of visual material, including the complete “Do Not Adjust Your Set” shows, “Colour Me Pop,” “Beat Club,” and more. Highlights include rare appearances, short films, and vintage footage from the height of their career. • 148-page hardback coffee table book featuring an essay by Bonzos authority Chris Welch and an in-depth Day By Day Chronology/Cornology by noted author Andy Neill (The Who; Ready, Steady, Go!). Also includes tributes and remembrances from fans, friends and band members including Rodney Slater, Yvonne Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, “Legs” Larry Smith, Pete Townshend & Stephen Fry, alongside images and photos from throughout the band’s career, and much more.
Note: the following content is only available in the Special Deluxe Edition: • Seven reproduction band photo prints individually signed by Roger, Rodney, “Legs” Larry & Vernon • 3 band art prints • Reproduction of Imperial Records US promo poster • 1967 Liberty Records press release
Three big names in Canadian rock will tour coast to coast in the spring. BTO – featuring Randy Bachman headlines the Back In Overdrive tour, along with APRIL WINE and The HEADPINS.
Super excited to see this news! A live album from MAGNUM’S final performance, before the passing of guitarist/songwriter TONY CLARKIN. Set list is below the press release, as well album artwork and ordering Link. There is a few clips from this show online (shared below. The DVD was included as a bonus disc to the band’s last album). A great looking set-list, largely earlier classics, with a few newer gems, should be a another great sounding release as with previous MAGNUM live albums!
British rock icons MAGNUM have announced the release of the band’s final live album with founder Tony Clarkin. Recorded December 10, 2022, ‘Live at KK’s Steel Mill‘ was the memorable night when they played the final show of their European tour at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton and, as they had done on all previous nights, wowed their fans from the first to the last note. The concert was recorded by state-of-the-art audio equipment, which later turned out to be a real blessing because it was – as we now know – the last official live recording starring Tony Clarkin. The guitarist and main songwriter died unexpectedly on January 7, 2024, just a few days before the release of MAGNUM’s studio album ‘Here Comes The Rain.’
The album presents MAGNUM as an enthusiastically celebrated act whose repertoire of hits, classics, and newer material could hardly be more varied. “It was the perfect evening,” recalls singer Bob Catley. “We finished our The Monster Roars tour in Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill was packed out and the promoter was a passionate MAGNUM fan. I couldn’t imagine a more worthy farewell to Tony than those recordings.”
HiDue to the huge demand and to mark the first anniversary of Clarkin’s passing, ‘Live At KK’s Steel Mill’ will be available via Steamhammer/SPV starting January 10, 2025, for the first time on double CD, triple LP, and for digital download.
To pay tribute to their late bandleader, MAGNUM are set to play an exclusive series of ‘Tribute to Tony’ shows in the UK in January 2025. As a special gesture, Clarkin’s daughter Dionne will showcase two of her father’s favorite instruments to the concerts – his red Telecaster and his white custom guitar, hoping that Clarkin will be watching from heaven. “My father was an extremely modest and humble man who would probably be surprised at how much the large MAGNUM community continues to love him to this day. He always believed that few people would really care if one day he would no longer be with us. As it turns out, the exact opposite is the case: We all miss him, his huge artistic achievement, and his great empathy as a father, friend and musician!” This is why ‘Live at KK’s Steel Mill’ is undoubtedly one of the most emotional albums in MAGNUM’s longstanding career! Pre-Order Exclusive CD/LP Bundles
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
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.
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
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.
DEEP PURPLE have a new single/video out from their soon to be released album. “Lazy Sod” is the 3rd single from ‘=1′. *Check out the video below, info & links in the description.
Outsider Rock 