German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL and his band have released the first single/video from their forthcoming album ‘Risen Symbol‘, due out in June. Check out the clip for “Guardian Angel”, as well as links and info in the video description.
AXEL RUDI PELL’s New Album ‘Risen Symbol’ to be released June 14, 2024, via Steamhammer/SPV
No doubt about it: The world would be a much poorer place without AXEL RUDI PELL! On his 22nd (!) studio album ‘Risen Symbol’, the Bochum-based guitarist and songwriter continues to fly the melodic hard rock flag without watering down his style with pseudo-modern stylistic variations or expendable studio gimmicks. At the same time, he is constantly looking for new influences, exciting inspirations, and catchy hooks. One of the best things about ARP’s anthems is that they are perfectly tailored to the charismatic voice of frontman Johnny Gioeli. The American vocalist is one of the most eminent rock singers worldwide and, together with PELL, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and the two longstanding ARP members Ferdy Doernberg (keyboards) and Volker Krawczak (bass), has been an integral part of a perfectly oiled machine for more than ten years, wowing fans and media alike.
‘Risen Symbol’ will be available on Steamhammer/SPV from June 14, 2024. For all those who can’t wait, 3 April 2024 will see the arrival of the lead single “Guardian Angel” followed on May 22, 2024, by “Darkest Hour”.
Track List:
1. The Resurrection (Intro)
2. Forever Strong
3. Guardian Angel
4. Immigrant Song
5. Darkest Hour
6. Ankhaia
7. Hell’s On Fire
8. Crying In Pain
9. Right On Track
10. Taken By Storm
‘Risen Symbol‘ will be released on June 14th, 2024
via Steamhammer/SPV in the following configurations:
=> CD DigiPak incl. poster
=> 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, neon orange vinyl, printed inner sleeves
=> Download / Streaming
Pre-Order HERE
=> Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyl
only at the Steamhammer shop
Pre-Order HERE
=> 2LP Gatefold exclusive colored edition only at the Napalm shop
Pre-Order HERE
| Band: Johnny Gioeli – Lead and Backing Vocals, Axel Rudi Pell – Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Ferdy Doernberg – Keyboards, Volker Krawczak – Bass, Bobby Rondinelli – Drums |
Legendary German prog band ELOY has a new album out – Echoes From The Past. The band, from Hanover, formed in 1969 and is lead by founder/guitarist/vocalist/songwriter & producer Frank Bornemann. Also on board is bass player Klaus-Peter Matziol, who joined Eloy in the mid-’70s, drummer Stephan Emig (who played on the previous album), as well a number of backing singers, and keyboard players – most notably Steve Mann (MSG, Sweet), who’s been on a number of Eloy albums since the mid ’90s. Echoes From The Past is Eloy’s 20th studio album and is a follow up to the band’s previous 2 releases – The Vision, The Sword, and The Pyre (Parts 1 & 2), which are based on the same story (see below).
The new album’s stunning artwork was once again created by Michael Narten, who has done many covers for Eloy, as well as Scorpions and Trumvirat, Eloy has also released a single/video for the song “Fate” (check it out below). Echoes From The Past comes in multiple formats and multiple colored vinyl issues.
Eloy’s debut album was released in 1971, produced by the legendary Conny Plank. Eloy (the album), was a harder guitar driven album, more in tune with the likes of Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, and Lucifer’s Friend. But the band would turn towards a much more progressive sound and approach, ala Pink Floyd, releasing such classic albums as Dawn (1976), Ocean (1977), and Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes (1979). The latter could be easily mistaken for a lost Pink Floyd album upon first hearing. During this era Eloy also featured former Scorpions’ drummer Jurgen Rosenthal, and keyboard player Detlev Schmidtchen (who would go on to release a pile of solo albums in the 2000s). Eloy’s ’70s output is some of the most essential progressive rock out there, though harder to come by over here as very few of these albums got issued in North America.
From press release: “The album is the conclusion of a three-part album production on the theme of “Joan of Arc”, and a very spectacular video is also presented for the title “FATE”, which illustrates the whole story of the French heroine from the Middle Ages, who was crowned a saint, in an astonishing 3 minutes with rhythmic force and a rolling beat, as well as a tremendous choral refrain. After the first two albums entitled “The Vision, The Sword & The Pyre (Part 1 & 2)” already brought great success, as well as reaching high chart quotations, “Echoes from the Past” could even surpass this, because on this album the band sounds even more the way their worldwide fan community likes them most. The typical Eloy spirit of sensitive, atmospheric sound waves alternating with powerful, pulsating rhythms rules this album, literally jumping at the listener with every note.“
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/Official4Eloy
https://www.facebook.com/groups/480619625337102
https://www.facebook.com/drakkarentertainment
Peter Hesslein’s Night Drive 3 is out! The album contains 16 new cruising tracks, 15 being instrumental, and 1 song featuring vocals from former Lucifer’s Friend singer Mike Starrs. Night Drive 3 is a fun journey of different tunes highlighting Hesslein’s guitar work, as well as song creation with varying styles and keyboards. It is upbeat, brightly produced and the best of the 3, IMO. On how the guitarist approached the new album, Hesslein states: “My way of developing music is always the same. First I start with a chord sequence or a guitar riff and at the same time I work out the melody, the playbacks, until the song is ready. then come the subtleties and sounds that make the track attractive.”
The disc’s last song “Chapters Of My Life” is an excellent ballad, and will be the highlight for Lucifer’s Friend fans, as it features the vocals of Mike Starrs, who sang on the band’s Good Time Warrior and Sneak Me In albums. Peter Hesslein explains how the song came about: “For the conclusion of the Night Drive trilogy, I wanted to make a song with vocals that could convey lyrics. After all these years, I also wanted to take up the topic “I Did it My Way”. Since Mike is also my age, it is fitting that he wanted to write the lyrics. After all, we have known each other for a very long time.” (Starrs has recorded with Crossover in recent years who have a new CD single out. As well Starrs’ 1974 solo album Electric Garden has also just been reissued on CD through Cherry Red).
Beyond the new album Peter Hesslein still has tracks that were planned for another Lucifer’s Friend album prior to John Lawton’s passing. These tracks require a collaboration with a singer, who can add lyrics as well. Hesslein also recently posted that he was happy with being featured in a new book on German metal, stating: “The book by Frank Schäfer is called “Heavy Kraut” – How Metal Came To Germany. It contains interviews of me and other companions. A very successful work, well researched. Thanks again to Frank Schäfer.” At this time the book is only available in German language.
*For more on Night Drive 3, check out the official press release below, as well as the links.
Peter Hesslein is an original founding member of the band Lucifer’s Friend and an accomplished guitarist. His first Night Drive album was meant to be a one-off, but its success prompted a sequel in Night Drive 2 and now the further demand, from fans, has led to a Night Drive 3.
Lucifer’s Friend was originally formed in Hamburg in 1970 by guitarist Peter Hesslein, singer John Lawton, bassist Dieter Horns, keyboardist Peter Hecht and drummer Joachim Reitenbach. Lucifer’s Friend reformed in 2015 and since then has recorded new studio albums and played concerts and high-profile festivals.
The last track on Night Drive 3, “Chapters of my Life,” features a guest appearance by former Lucifer’s Friend lead singer Mike Starrs.
Peter Hesslein said of his new studio album: “So now I’d like to share with you a third Night Drive album because I had a lot of messages asking about it. When I started the idea, I thought the first Night Drive album would be on its own, but now fans have asked for two more albums for car journeys! I am very grateful fans like this music and they want more from me!”
Night Drive 3 is OUT NOW and available via these links:
Amazon CD: https://geni.us/NightDrive3cd
Spotify: https://geni.us/PeterHessleinSP
Apple Music: https://geni.us/PeterHessleinAM
Also available directly from CherryRed: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/artists/peter-hesslein/
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/Lucifersfriendph
https://www.facebook.com/LucifersFriendOfficial
https://www.facebook.com/mikestarrsoflucifersfriendandcolosseumII
Guitarist Peter Hesslein of legendary German band Lucifer’s Friend has finished a new collection of instrumental tracks for his Night Drive 3 album, to be released on October 14.
Night Drive 3 features 16 tracks, and will be the last in this solo trilogy.
Following the reformation of Lucifer’s Friend in 2015, a live album and 2 new studio albums, Peter released his first solo album titled Night Drive in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lucifer’s Friend, followed by Night Drive 2 in ’21. Sadly, Lucifer’s Friend singer John Lawton passed away on June 29 of last year, putting an end to the band, with a compilation titled The Last Stand being issued later in the year.
Night Drive 3 features singer Mike Starrs (who replaced Lawton in Lucifer’s Friend in the late ’70s), who ‘guests’ on the album’s last track. Starrs has recently recorded an album with the band Crossover. I am looking forward to hearing his voice on Night Drive 3, and ‘hope’ their may be more to come.
Track Listing:
1 This Way Home
2 Sunset Drive
3 At A Crossroads
4 Driving All Night
5 Going South
6 In The Fast Lane
7 Road of Dreams
8 On The Horizon
9 A Few More Hours
10 No Backseat Driver
11 A Warm Day’s Night
12 Faster Than a Slug
13 Exit Number 9
14 Sunrise Pit Stop
15 A Gnat In My Life
16 Chapters Of My Life
To pre-order –
For Lucifer’s Friend fans, despite the recent deaths of both Dieter Horns and John Lawton [Dec ’20 / June ’21], there are a couple of upcoming releases that will [hopefully] lift fans’ spirits. October will see the second solo release – Night Drive 2, from guitarist Peter Hesslein, and in December there will be the Lucifer’s Friend compilation The Last Stand. In this exchange Peter Hesslein gives some answers regarding both of these new releases, as well as future releases that fans can look forward to.
*For pre-ordering of both of these CDs check out > http://www.cherryred.co.uk
Regarding Night Drive albums:
How was response to the first one?
The reaction to the first Night Drive album was a huge surprise for me, with unanimously positive reviews, I had planned the album for myself to relax and to bridge the gap until the next Lucifer’s friends album for the loyal fans, I was initially a little insecure as the rock lovers can be felt, I was immediately motivated to find a successor with many good reactions, especially since John still had not started with the vocals, although the playbacks were completely finished.
When was the 2nd Night Drive recorded? and does it differ much from the first one?
Night Drive 2 was finished in May 21st, it’s a little more rocking than number one.
After so many years of working in bands or with other people, how did you enjoy recording solely for yourself?
Working while listening to top musicians from all over the world naturally shaped me, as I have already done everything myself for Lucifer’s Friend and John had given the vocals, it was a habit for me.
Do you foresee yourself doing another such solo album, or is there something else [musical direction] you’d like to record in?
I finished the recordings for Night Drive 3 and I even aimed it towards Brazilian music, inspired by my long-time friend and percussion player Pablo Escayola
Nice. when is this planned for release?
In May 2022.
Lucifer’s Friend :
The Last Stand compiles songs from the LF albums ’94 to 2019. Is this basically your own choices or how did you choose the tracks?
The Last Stand was supposed to be the new Lucifer’s Friend album, as this wasn’t possible now, management decided to turn it into a sampler of tracks from the last four albums. I chose these songs in the sense of being John’s favorite songs.
Is there more Lucifer’s Friend stuff in the vaults that could be released — be they leftover studio tracks, demos…?
Lucifer’s Friend only have playbacks without vocals.
You had mentioned previously a LF recording from Japan. Might this be something you could still release, and is there any other live recordings that was could be issued?
There is a live recording from Japan, but unfortunately the quality is too poor to be released.
Regarding the unfinished LF album – I understand that everything was done except for the vocals!? If so, is this something that could be finished musically OR with ‘guest’ singers?
The management has decided to close the chapter of Lucifer’s Friend for the time being.
Curious if there were any song titles [?]
Since John always wrote his lyrics shortly beforehand, so unfortunately, none exist.
Is there any chance we could still get proper CD reissues of the entire Lucifer’s Friend catalogue? [maybe a box set]
When the management gets the rights for a box set from the different companies, maybe at the end of ’23.
Is this something that is being planned with a particular record company?
That is planned with Cherry Red.
Might you consider writing a memoir of your career in music?
My rheumatism makes it difficult to write.
Links:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/peter-hesslein-night-drive-2/
https://www.facebook.com/Lucifersfriendph
https://www.facebook.com/LucifersFriendOfficial
*Photos courtesy of Richard Wagner.
KJ, 09 / ’21
Lucifer’s Friend’s brand new album “Black Moon” is out! [see my review], and fans of this well aged German band [fronted by an English singer] will be happy to hear it! Fan and album artist Damian Bydlinski [of Lizard] also gives us a few words on how he got involved and his favorite LF songs!
Singer John Lawton was with the band in the beginning and has sang on all but 2 of the band’s 11 albums. Here John answer questions regarding the band’s brand new album and updates on members and future Lucifer’s Friend plans.
http://www.lucifersfriend.com
LF has been back together for 4+ years and Black Moon is the bands 4th release. Did you forsee the band being so busy and are you happy with the reception overall that the bands return has received?
John: Yes I think so. After such a long time away fans of the band were naturally curious to see what we had to offer. That we could play Sweden Rock festival made it easier to reach quite a few new fans. Overall the reaction has been good plus the fact that it gave us the push to write new material.
The first thing that stands out on the new album is the artwork. I like how it ties in with the bands debut from 1970. Can you tell me a bit about how that piece came together and if bandmembers had much input (idea wise)?
John: Actually the artwork was put together as a backstage pass by Damien Bydlinski the singer with our support band Lizard on our Polish tour. He is not only a good musician but also a graphic designer. We loved the idea and after a few tweaks we had it…..
How do songs for LF come together nowadays – pieced together through emails or is there a time where you’re all in the studio together?
John: The days when bands spend time in the studio rehearsing before they record I think are gone. Firstly, the logistics of spending the amount of time it takes to go through say 10-15 songs arrangements, keys etc. is really time consuming. These days with so much computer stuff available to musicians, it’s easier to sit at home and fine tune everybody’s parts…..
It the same with LF, Peter Hesslein or Dieter Horns will forward to me the basic track which I can the add the vocals too. I record my vocals in peace 😎😎here in the UK and then via the wonders of the web, they are sent back for the guys to work their final parts. The only time we spend together apart from gigs is in the rehearsal room before the live stuff. But even when we are not recording or gigging we are on the phone to each other at least a couple of times a week…..
You write the lyrics – what sort of inspires you for ideas and topics these days?
John: A lot of the lyrics are based upon stories I hear in the news or read about. For instance on TOO LATE TO HATE some of the lyrics relate to the thousands of refugees trying to get to Europe for a better life. Even 2 years later this story is still making headlines….
Can you give me a bit of insight into particular songs on the new album – how they started, ideas – really like the title track, Call The Captain, Little Man, Passengers,
John: CALL THE CAPTAIN is based on recent stories again in the news about mental heath issues and how younger people are being manipulated by social media, wanting to be like the celebrity’s they see in magazines. The title is just about trying to reach parts of the brain (the captain and pilot) for the right direction….🙂🙂
LITTLE MAN relates to my 2 grandsons and watching the grow up. PASSENGERS is written to open people’s eyes to the shit we are doing to the world….
BLACK MOON – Really just about those days when everything seems doomed to failure but you struggle through….
Any others that you’re particularly happy with?
John: I’m happy with all of them, they all have meanings hopefully not only to me but also to the listener…..
There’s a number of guests on this album, really dig the horn solo on Black Moon – classic LF touch. Can you comment on how some these (or this one) come up?
John: On BLACK MOON Peter and I were talking about a particular solo part and we tossed around a few ideas until Stephan (drummer) suggested a trumpet player who was with the James Last Orchestra (Chuck Findley). He lives in LA but very kindly went in the studio and put down (I think) a blistering solo…
On FREEDOM Peter new Stephan (violin player) from studio days and again asked him to put something together….and he did and I think it’s one of the highlights of this album….
What can you tell me about Simon Hesslein and his involvement with the band?
John: Simon runs a very successful music business in New York and has hits under different names, he has always wanted to produce a Lucifer’s Friend album so we said hey go for it. Unfortunately, it was at the wrong time as he was also very busy so that’s why the delay in the release. Simon is very accomplished at what he does and we are very proud of the final mix….
How is everyone’s health?
John: Not so good actually. Peter really needs an operation on his shoulder as he is in pain daily. The only drawback is that the operation is very complicated and the recovery time is long…at least a year and the surgeons have told him there is no guarantee of a complete recovery…it’s very sad that it happened to Peter but we hold out for him to get back to playing ASAP ….
Dieter Horns has recovered well from his problems, which is a great relief and I’m getting there slowly….oh the joys of getting older 🤪🤪🤪🕺🕺
Will we see many LF shows this year and will there be plenty from Black Moon in the set?
John: For the foreseeable future we won’t be performing live, some people have said “we could get another guitarist to stand in for Peter or another bass player for Dieter” – but we couldn’t go out as LF without those 2. I am hopeful that one day we could be on stage again together….
We still have one more new album to release….I still need to do the vocals etc. but that looks like 2020 release…..
You’ve used Jogi [Wichmann] on keyboards over several LF projects, but he’s only a guest on BM. Was it just easier for Peter to do keyboards or something else?
John: Jogi was very busy doing studio work around that time and he was playing keyboards in the musical CATS…..
Peter had put down most of the keyboard parts that he wanted Jogi to play but his were really good, so we stuck with it….
One thing – there is no vinyl edition of Black Moon (or previous few releases). Any chance this can be fixed ? 🙂
John: At the moment I don’t think so, unless we sell quite a bunch of CD’s the company is a bit reluctant to go vinyl…..There was talk of TOO LATE TO HATE on vinyl but nothing concrete yet….
Next year Mark’s the 50th anniversary of the first Lucifers Friend album. (A couple of things) – do you have any long outstanding g memory or stories fro. Making that album?
Will there be any anniversary reissue or show to celebrate it?
John: Wow – is it that long [?]….it has stood the test of time, I think 🥳🥳
It was a strange time for me, coming off the back of doing vocals on Asterix and then going straight to something really heavy was a bit of a kick but a good one…..
Looking back, it was a great time and when I think that there was no rehearsal time, I was it in at the deep end with heavy lyrics 👹👹👹
The guys were looking for an English singer and I happened to be there at that time….
I don’t think there will be a re-issue as the there have been so many bootleg copies etc. down the years but it’s not such a bad idea….
From the Album’s Cover Artist – Damian Bydlinski :
“I am a big fan of Lucifer’s Friend. The proposal to make a cover was a great honor for me.
I love all their albums. But for the best, I think – two albums: “Banquet” and “… Where the Groupies Killed the Blues”.
With favorite songs – it’s harder because there’s a lot of them and a derivation from different albums. But the most important ones are:
Hobo, Burning Ships, Ride the Sky, Groovin Stone, Spanish Galleon, Dirty Old Town, Fugitive ….
However – there is a song – at which time since I heard it for the first time – I always have shivers and I am overcome with emotion –
“Thus Spoke Oberon” – amazing melody, arrangement and brilliant singing of John.
The history of the cover is quite simple. Two years ago – LF and my band Lizard – we played three concerts in Poland. For this occasion, I designed a poster and tickets – the project appealed to John and asked if they could use it for the new LF album. After introducing some changes in the color scheme – this cover was created.”
For more on Damian’s art [he does most of the art for Lizard albums] and to check out his band, visit – http://lizard-band.com/index.html
For more reading:
https://glassonyonpr.com/2019/04/27/lucifers-friend-releases-new-studio-album/
http://www.grande-rock.com/interviews/lucifers-friend
http://www.roadtometal.com.br/2017/11/john-lawton.html
KJJ, 05/’19
Since German based rockers Lucifers Friend reunited 4 years ago they’ve been very busy. what started out as a ‘best of’ compilation with a few new songs grew into a few live shows, a live album, more live shows, a new studio, and now their latest – “Black Moon” – the band’s 4th release in as many years. Founding members – Peter Hesslein [guitar, keyboards], Dieter Horns [bass], and John Lawton [vocals], along with [drummer] Stephan Eggert, and a handful of guests on this album.
First off – love the album artwork, paintings by Damian Bydinski. LF had a few classic album covers in the 70s, and I love this one, even including the original characters from the debut album [nearing 50 years]. My only beef is there’s no vinyl LP available for this album. Oh well…
Too Late To Hate was released in 2016. It was a decent album, but I think Black Moon is a step up. The title track is great opener; LF fans will easily dig this rocker; added trumpet solo and congas are a nice touch [this band usually mixed it up with brass, and different instruments on early albums]. The 2nd track here is “Passengers”, a more progressive rocker, love the lengthy intro; this one bounces along with Lawton’s vocals coming in and the song building back up. In their earliest days LF drew comparisons to the likes of Deep Purple & Uriah Heep, and certainly the first few songs will impress fans looking for those sounds. Black Moon keeps up a pretty good pace with “Rolling The Stone”, “Palace Of Fools” and “Call The Captain” – another favorite here, a bit of a pop-rocker, but a good tune and memorable chorus. There’s some decent more poppy tunes in “Behind The Smile” and “Glory Days”, these remind me a bit of the band’s “Sumo Grip” stuff. Featured ballad is “Little Man”, a bit of blues and soul – perfectly suited for Lawton’s voice, and a brief / cool guitar break from Hesslein.
Interesting thing about this band is they could never be categorized. Starting out as a very heavy band, then veering in to jazz, fusion, pop, prog,.. so aside from good songs and great vocals, don’t have any pre-conceived ideas of what to expect. [And here one could easily stick a good few tracks amongst their early LF favorites]. Yeah – I’d like this band to make a really heavy album [and turn up the guitar], but Lucifer’s Friend is not that band this time out, and those that like the band’s past albums will be quite happy with Black Moon.
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/lucifers-friend-black-moon-cd/
https://www.facebook.com/LucifersFriendOfficial/
KJJ, 05/’19
Outsider Rock 