Tag Archives: Hard rock

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 

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 – 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.

t

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

KEN HENSLEY – My Book Of Answers to get special vinyl reissue

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Originally released last year on CD & vinyl, Ken Hensley’s posthumously released My Book Of Answers will get a special white & black ‘splatter’ vinyl reissue in May, on Cherry Red Records.

The album came months after Hensley’s passing, featuring 9 tracks, and cover art by Olesya Vasilieva, package design by Hugh Gilmour, and lengthy liner notes from Ken Hensley, as well as from Steve Weltman (manager & friend). Each track on this album was accompanied by a video. Stand-out cuts included “The Cold Sacrifice”, “Stand (Chase The Beast Away)”, and “Lost (My Guardian)”.

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/ken-hensley-my-book-of-answers-black-splatter-vinyl-lp/

PETER GOALBY – Second solo album coming in May

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A mere 6 months following the Peter Goalby’s debut solo release (of archived recordings), Cherry Red Records will release a follow up titled I Will Come Runnin’, also recorded during the same period.

Fans who waited 30+ years to hear something new from Peter following his departure from Uriah Heep, and a solo single, can add another album consisting of 10 songs, along with the aid of Paul Hodson, Robin George, and Eddy Morton.

Peter Goalby has been extremely surprised and happy with the response & reviews to the first album. I Will Come Runnin’ will be released May 6, 2022, and can be pre-ordered at Cherry Red Records, as well as Amazon.

*A 10-track album personally overseen (from tape transfer, mastering and artwork) by the former Uriah Heep and Trapeze vocalist .

1 I Will Come Runnin’
2 Rock ‘N’ Roll Crazy
3 A Brand New Love
4 Dancing on Water
5 Somebody’s Fool
6 It Was There All The Time
7 Waitin’ For An Angel To Call
8 There’s Always A Place In My Heart
9 Perfect Strangers
10 A Little Piece Of Heaven

https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/peter-goalby-i-will-come-runnin/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/petergoalby

KJ, 02/’22

LEADER OF DOWN – Former IRON MAIDEN guitarist guest’s on new single

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British rock heavyweights Leader of Down, who are the final band of the late great Würzel (Ex Motörhead) recently announced that following the bands critically acclaimed debut album “Cascade into Chaos” in 2018, they are ready to unleash a second album entitled “The Screwtape Letters” on April 8th 2022.  Mixed by long-time Motörhead producer and Grammy winner Cameron Webb and mastered at Abbey Road Studios, the album will be available worldwide through US label Cleopatra Records and will be released on all formats including a special limited edition red vinyl and CD with full color 20 page booklet, featuring 10 blockbusting tracks with titles such as “Cat’s Eye Night” and “Holloway Motel” that will take no prisoners with their own brand of heavy rock ‘n’ roll. 

Leader of Down launch the first single and video from the album Hitman on 3rd March.   Hitman features special guest and long-term friend, ex Iron Maiden guitarist and member of Lionheart Dennis Stratton. “It was a great pleasure to be asked to provide a solo for Hitman and having guested on stage with Leader of Down on a recent UK show it was great to be back with the boys and appear in the video as well”

Leader of Down’s career so far has seen them headline shows across Europe as well as supporting the likes of Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons and Nitrogods receiving rave reviews for their live shows from around the world. Leader of Down will be supporting Tank on their spring UK tour before headlining the Heavy Metal Mayhem Festival in England, many more shows will follow throughout 2022 and the band have now been added to the Hard Rock Hell Festival in January 2023. The new album will see the band take a new journey as we sail out of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Leader of Down are:  Matt Baker – Vocals  / Alex Ward – Guitar / Tim Atkinson – Bass  / Daniel Akaoui – Drums 

*Leader of Down’s 2018 would also feature a guest vocal appearance from the late Lemmy –

https://facebook.com/leaderofdownofficial. https://leaderofdown.com/home .  https://twitter.com/leaderofdown  . https://instagram.com/leaderofdown . https://open.spotify.com/artist/48llR4uRL1F33GWJrQkin3  . https://music.apple.com/us/artist/leader-of-down/1435415599 

03/’22

ALTZI – Debuts solo album, All Eyes On Me

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Swedish singer Rick Altzi (aka Rickard Thornberg) has recorded with a number of bands, such as At Vance, Masterplan, Gathering of Kings, and Herman Frank. This being Altzi’s first solo project, and it’s a very good set hard-rock tunes, a bit o’ metal, a bit of AOR, with Altzi’s vocals being not too far off from fellow Masterplan alumni (and Norwegian) Jorn Lande.

Lots of AOR-type keyboard intros, followed by heavier guitar driven rockers. The first 4-5 tracks are worth checking out alone, before things lighten up a bit. But really, no real dodgy cuts here, tho’ I think most albums should end at 10 tracks (there’s 14 here, but oh well) . Favorites include “Point Of No Return”, “Run To You”, and “Tossin’ and Turnin'”. Lots of great guest guitarists doing solos , notably Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake), Oliver Hartmann (Avantasia), and Andy LaRocque (King Diamond),

Press Release:

RICK ALTZI is an artist from Helsingborg, Sweden who started to play bass at the age of 14. He was a member in various tribute and original bands until 2004 and switched over to the microphone in 2005. His first album as vocalist saw the light of day in the year   2007 with the band AT VANCE. Since then, he has worked with a lot of outstanding musicians from bands such as Helloween, Accept, King Diamond, Pain Of Salvation, etc.. In 2020, Rick Altzi started to work on his first solo album under the moniker of ALTZI. Rick Altzi also is writing and recording with the bands Masterplan, Gathering Of Kings and Herman Frank.

In 2021, ALTZI has released a couple of successful singles and videos from the brand new album “All Eyes On Me” in advance. The full album, which will be available on CD and digitally from March 25th, 2022, now contains 10 more new songs. 

Rick Altzi recorded all vocals in Outhouse Studios on the west coast of Sweden, Drums were recorded at Parental Studios in Cologne. The album is mixed by Victor Ohlsson in his studio located in Gothenburg and produced by Rick Altzi and Ulrick Lönnqvist. Thomas ”Plec” Johansson took care of the mastering at The Panic Room.

Track list: 1. Point Of No Return, 2. Crash and Fall, 3. Into The Fire, 4. Run to you, 5. Legacy, 6. You Don’t Believe In Love, 7. Strangers in the Real World, 8. Desire, 9. Hurting Kind, 10. Motherless Child, 11. Wind & the Rain, 12. Tossin’ and Turnin’, 13. Final Warning, 14. Where Dreams never Die 

Line-up: Rick Altzi – Lead and backing vocals, Pete Alpenborg – Guitars, Keyboards
Nalle Påhlsson – Bass guitar, Kevin Kott  – Drums
Ulrick Lönnqvist – Acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Victor Ohlsson – Additional guitars, backing vocals
Teresia Svensson – Backing vocals
Kimberly Kott – Backing vocals
Musicians on the song ”Into the Fire”
Rick Altzi – Vocals, Magnus Berglund – Guitars, Morgan Jensen Guitars, Ken Sandin – Bass guitar, Kevin Kott – Drums

Guest solo guitarists: Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, Cher), Matthias IA Eklund (Freak kitchen), Per Nilsson (Meshuggah), Olaf Lenk (AtVance), Oliver Hartmann (Avantasia), Morgan Jensen (Swedish Erotica), Victor Ohlsson (Gathering of Kings, Saffire), Magnus Karlsson (Freefall), Andy LaRocque (King Diamond), Magnus Berglund (Arctic Rain), Stefan Lindholm (Vindictiv), Eric Rauti (Dreamland)

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

https://www.facebook.com/ALTZIMUSIC

KJ, 02/’22

NORWAY – Rising Up From The Ashes Revisited & Band Update

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Norway was (is?) a band from New Jersey. Many years back I received the band’s 2nd album – Arrival (on Frontiers). It was a good disc of AOR/Hard rock featuring excellent cuts like “Givin’ It All”, “One Night Alone”, and “Find My Way Home”.

The band featured Jim Santos (guitar, synth prog), Glenn Pierson (vocals, keyboards), Joe Slattery (bass) & Marty Brasington (drums). In 2006 the band changed singers with Pierson being replaced by Dave Baldwin (ex Voices), and issued Rising Up From The Ashes (MTM). Not sure how this album did at the time, but I was unaware of it til I stumbled on it a few months ago. The songs and performances here are still just as good than the previous 2 albums, though the production and approach comes up a bit more AOR than Arrival. Plenty of appealing radio friendly tracks like “Save Me”, this could’ve been a hit in a slightly different era, But there’s plenty of good pop/rock songs here – “Anything At All”, “The Power of Gold”, as well as ballads like “Haunted”, and “The Only One I Need”

Much of this stuff bordering on Bon Jovi and Journey. type tunes and sound not so much keyboards, but in the backing vocals. Guitarist Jim Santos notes that the album did not turn out as planned- “MTM basically released our demos;-the drums and guitars were supposed to be re-done in a proper studio — didn’t happen.”

Santos is planning to put together a ‘Best of Norway‘ for possible release later this year, and having heard one of his much improved remixes, it sounds like it will be a welcome release for those who dug those Norway albums – “There are 5 songs from Night Dreams and 5 from Arrival, and 2 from Rising Up-that Glenn will redo the lead vocals that were sung by Dave Baldwin, plus we’re thinking of 2-3 brand new tunes and a pile of ‘extra’s’ -demo’s, lost unreleased tracks, and possibly a few special collector editions. Might be two discs. We’ll see what happens.”

Although Santos insists the band never really broke up, the members have gone on to other things, but intend to get back together for the upcoming Best of – “Drummer Marty Brasington had moved to Columbus Ohio shortly after Rising , which made it “difficult”. There were other individual personal matters that each of us had to handle. I moved to California for 5 years which didn’t make it any easier, lol. For my part I stay active playing everyday, recording, songwriting. I wrote lyrics for one song on the forthcoming new Frozen Rain album, and played guitar on a couple of things for Adry A (Mattsonn) and we wrote one song together. I know Marty plays with a classic rock band in Ohio. He has a small recording setup, and will be working on drums for a couple of new songs for the Best Of. Glenn also just writes and plays piano at home. Now he moved to South Carolina only 3 1/2 hours away from me, so we’re planning some catchup sessions. Bassist Joe Slattery, I think still lives in NJ, not sure what he is doing these days.”

https://www.norwayrocks.com/