HARD ROCKERS SVEN GALI RETURN WITH EXPLOSIVE COMEBACK ALBUM BOMBS & BATTLE SCARS RELEASED IN CANADA
SVEN GALI’s trademark blend of heavy riffs, gritty vocals, and anthemic melodies span decades. Cutting their teeth in the bar circuit of Southern Ontario, Canada in the late 80’s, SVEN GALI’s live show was a full on circus of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll.
Emerging with a record deal with BMG, SVEN GALI released their debut self-titled release in 1992. From the first chord of “Under The Influence” SVEN GALI made their mark. Follow up singles “Tie Dyed Skies” and “In My Garden” paved the way for the ballad number 6 CanCon song of 1993 that also went Top 10 nationwide, “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” As the album went Gold, SVEN GALI won the MuchMusic Best Metal Video Award in 1993 for “Under The Influence” and was nominated for two Junos. With a worldwide release, SVEN GALI toured with the likes of Def Leppard, Foreigner and April Wine.
SVEN GALI’s follow-up, Inwire, was partly recorded in in Seattle with producer Kelly Gray and saw the band take on a more alternative experimental tone. The band broke up soon after the album’s release and played sporadic shows before solidifying a new lineup with original members Dave Wanless (vocals), Andy Frank (guitar) and TT (bass) bringing in guitarist Sean Williamson and drummer Dan Fila from former BMG labelmates Varga.
SVEN GALI’s new release Bombs & Battlescars through Canadian label, Music In Motion Ent, combines the best of both SVEN GALI eras. The album contains five new originals. “One Gun” is a relentless driver that sets the battlefield ablaze with its blistering guitar work and commanding vocals. The massive groove of “Coming Home” and fierce anthem “Monster” showcase Sven Gali’s unapologetic attitude while the sonic prowess of “Life Inside” stands side by side with any current alternative metal peers. Closer “Nothing New” showcases the melodic side of the band with a catchy acoustic groove.
Bombs & Battlescars also brings the band full circle with a cover of Triumph’s “Spellbound.” Recorded at Toronto’s Metalworks studio where many of SVEN GALI’s early songs were recorded and demoed, acclaimed Coney Hatch frontman Andy Curran produced the track bringing the song into the modern age. Triumph drummer Gil Moore also appears in the video. The album is filled out with three remastered unreleased tracks from the band’s 90’s recording vault.
Bombs & Battlescars is out now, for both physical and streaming. Videos for “One Gun” and “Monster” are presently available online. The band’s third single, “Coming Home,” is set to coincide with the international release of Bombs & Battlescars on Feb 02, 2024. This date will also feature the debut of “Coming Home” mixed in Dolby Atmos (courtesy of Iguana Studios in Toronto ON) along with a new video for the single.
Bombs & Battle scars on CD and limited edition army green vinyl are available through retail. Signed CDs and LPs are available through their web store. *Watch for the Record Store Day release of Sven Gali’s 1992 debut on marble purple vinyl on November 24!
*Go to Svengali.ca for social media links, videos, merchandise and shows.
‘Metal’ Mike has written his own story on the 80s Metal bands he grew up with and interviewed. Independently published, at 214 pages, and available on Amazon for a mere $15! Check it out. Also, check out the press info below and links at the bottom.
80’s Glam Metalcast podcaster, “Metal” Mike, takes the reader on a journey through Hair Metal’s highs and lows, from 1986 to 1991. “A Hair Metal Journey” is loaded with stories about Metal’s glory days from past and current members of bands like KISS, RATT, Winger, Dokken, Britny Fox and more! You get a peak behind the scenes of Hair Metal’s classic albums and tours. All along the way, the author looks at back at his own 80’s adolescent journey, going to EPIC concerts, and keeping up with all the head banging fandom that came along with this legendary genre!
The rockers tell similar stories that help paint the picture of what it took for them to get to the top and stay there. It seemed liked the party would stay wild forever until it all came to a clashing halt in 1991. Many reflect on the challenges they faced as Hair Metal got bloated and Grunge emerged. “It’s a breath of fresh air to see someone like Mike release a book that is based on true research and experience.This guy knows his stuff when it comes to Glam Metal. He is a true fan of the genre and proves without a doubt, that his knowledge is deep and genuine. He knows how to ask the right questions and give credit where it is due to the bands who created this genre of Rock music. Great job Mike!!!!” – Steve Blaze (Lillian Axe)
“80’s Glam Metalcast podcaster Metal Mike knows what people want to hear about when he does interviews. That’s what makes his interviews interesting and fun to read.” – Olivier (Editor-In-Chief, Sleaze Roxx)
“Mike the 80’s Metal Man will take you back 40 years. Back when the music had balls, the hair had spray, and bands knew how to party their arses off and entertain a crowd for a cheap price. Bring me back Mike!” – Doc “Killdrums” Wacholz(Savatage/Reverence)
“From one Hair Metal fanatic to another, Mike’s knowledge, passion, and commitment to Rock n Roll’s most exciting, flamboyant, and decadent era is completely unparalleled” – Rob Wylde (Midnite City/Ex Tigertailz)
“Hair Metal Mike knows his shit! He knows how to take you on a trip to way back when. He’s always tasteful in how he gets the artists and readers involved.” – Chris Laney (Pretty Maids)
“I love Metal Mike’s insights into the history, songwriting, and musicianship of my favorite bands. I’ve always been a fan of this music… but I’ve never learned so much as I have from Mike. That’s what makes this book so fantastic. It’s not only packed with more insight, knowledge, and appreciation than could ever fit in a single podcast episode, it’s chock full of Mike’s personal stories and experiences. This is a book not just for the Metalcast audience, but for anyone who loved this music when it first came out… and still loves it today.” – Chad Gervich (Co-Executive Producer, “I Wanna Rock: The 80s Metal Dream)”
Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I is the second studio album by German power metal band Helloween, released in 1987. It marks the first appearance of vocalist Michael Kiske, and is considered the album that created the genre of European-style power metal. Now as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations for Noise, this classic album gets a limited edition reissue on splatter vinyl with album cover poster.
Loudwire named the album at third in their list “Top 25 Power Metal Albums of All Time” and commented the album is “a tireless LP and perhaps the first genuine power metal album.” ThoughtCo also named the album in their list “Essential Power Metal Albums.”
Tracklisting:
Side A Initiation I’m Alive A Little Time Twilight Of The Gods A Tale That Wasn’t Right
DOKKEN‘s new album Heaven Comes Down is now out. The band has released 3 singles from it, and has upcoming shows in the US in November (dates can be found at www.dokken.net). I recently exchanged questions and answers with guitarist & songwriter Jon Levin about Heaven Comes Down and a bit about his past. As well I’ve added on a brief exchange I had with co-producer/engineer Bill Palmer. Enjoy the read, check out the clips & the new album, as well as the links below!
Heaven Comes Down is the first Dokken album in 10 years. Can you kinda talk about some of the things that went on over the last several years that set the band back (health issues..)?
Yes, unfortunately we had some physical issues to overcome, but everything seemed to work out! For me, no matter what happens I always look at it as there are other people that have far worse, so I just keep on plugging along and try and keep a smile on my face and move forward.
How did Heaven Comes Down come together, as far putting songs together, recording time, and signing with Silver Lining?
In the past Don and I would always get together and write collaboratively. But due to the Covid pandemic, on this particular album, we were not able to do that so we both wrote independently in our own studios and would email each other ideas. After the Covid vaccine was available, Don flew out to me and I would play music that I had here and we would work. It was a completely different process than we had in the past as in the past we would always get together, because Don used to live near me. As far as Silver Lining, I knew Rod Kukla, who is a VP at the label since I owned a label of my own back in the late ’90’s. We ran into each other when Dokken played the Wacken Open Air Festival in 2018 and that’s how it came about.
How does a Dokken song come to the recording stage – do you guys collaborate or write separately and bring ideas in? Are lyrics usually or always Don’s or do you both contribute fully written songs?
Well, it was during Covid and we were all quarantined. I spent a lot of time in my home studio, writing and recording and Don did the same on his end. I think the vibe of the world created from the Covid pandemic created musical inspiration for me. We would work via the internet. At some point after the vaccines were available, Don came out to my house and we worked in my studio. We have a truly special writing chemistry together. He is my musical soulmate. As far as lyrics, Don writes them on his own. Sometimes I play him a track and he comes up with them on the spot!
Heaven Comes Down is a solid hard rock album, and although there’s no blazing metal anthems (ala ’80s), the songs really suit Don’s vocals. Can you tell me if what sort of ideas or directions you guys discussed taking on this album?
We both wanted a heavier record but you just write and it is what it is. You can’t really force anything. Somehow on this one, I think we just managed to get lightning in a bottle. Since I am a long time Dokken fan, I think that I naturally write in a style that fits into the direction that seems to work. I understand that the music needs to fit into what fans are used to hearing from us and if I come up with something that I don’t think fits, I usually won’t even play it for Don. That said, I had the tracks for “Over the Mountain” and “Saving Grace” – neither of which I were going to play for Don; I said, “hey, I have 2 tracks that I don’t think will work”, and Don said play them for me anyway, so I did. As soon as he heard ‘Over The Mountain’, he sang the first line of the song and said it reminds him of old Gary Moore, “I like it.” So he finished it right then! Same for “Saving Grace”. They were both supposed to be throwaways.
Can you give me any stories, antidotes, … on some of the tracks(?) I love ‘Gypsy’ (and Don’s story behind it), but also ‘Fugitive’, ‘I’ll Never Give Up’, ‘Saving Grace’… Any tracks you’re particularly excited about?
For ‘Fugitive’, the intro riff came to me while on an airplane and it stuck in my head. When I got off the plane, I immediately sang it into my voice recorder. I demoed up the track and Don came out to my house and I played if for him. Here’s what amazes me about Don. There was a mic set up in front of him while he was listening to it and he started singing the lyrics and melodies to Fugitive on his first listening. Right off the top of his head he sang “I’m a Fugitive from life.” Fortunately, I was recording while he was singing. I knew I loved it right away and said , dude that’s freakin great!!!! Don is much more than a singer. He is a true instrumentalists and musician. It’s remarkable to watch him come up with lyrics and melodies on the fly like that. I’ve never seen anyone else do that. It’s truly something to see and it’s really exciting when we’re in a room together and that happens. We have a truly special writing chemistry together. About 4- 5 tracks came together that same way, one of which was “Gypsy”.
One track that really stands out is the last one – ‘Santa Fe’. Love the song and ending the album with such a unique song. Can you tell me a bit about putting that one together, and how it suits the record?
I had nothing to do with ‘Santa Fe’. Don did that one alone on his end and our engineer Bill Palmer played guitar on it. Don sent it to me and asked if I wanted to redo the guitar parts. I thought it was great and told him there is no reason for me to replay this.
Having such a lengthy and cool catalogue of songs to choose from, is it a challenge to put together a Dokken live set, particularly when you have something new out?
It is a challenge, because if we add a new song in, that means we have to take a classic song out. Either way someone is upset. We will be playing songs from ‘Heaven Comes Down’ for sure though.
Over that time away from recording any new Dokken (prior to Heaven Comes Down), were you involved in anything else (recording-wise…)?
I am constantly recording. I amassed about 2 other records worth of material during COVID. It is just not the right material to present for Dokken. I just write what I like. Sometimes I record ideas I like but for example, they are more instrumental, or stylistically, just not the right direction for Dokken.
Going back to your time before Dokken, can you tell me what sort of bands (any recordings) you were involved in, and can you talk about what lead you to go in law, And then get back in to playing in bands (w/ Dokken) in the early 2000s?
Before Dokken I played with Doro in the late ’80s. After that, I was in another band that got signed to Atlantic records which also was ’80s rock type material. After that didn’t work out, I moved to Los Angeles and had yet another band. Then grunge rock hit the scene and as soon as that happened there was really no more guitar soloing. I didn’t know what to do so I went to law school. It was just by chance that one day in 1998 Jeff Pilson called me and asked if I would play some solos. When I got that message, I was at my father’s house for dinner and he convinced me to go down and play. I really didn’t want to because I hadn’t played much Guitar for years at that point. I had a record label and a law practice. I had no idea it was for Dokken or frankly, I never would have gone. When I went to the studio to my surprise the whole band was there. I was still in a suit and tie from having been at work that day! I remember Don opened up the studio door, handed me a Guitar and told me to play. I ended up playing a solo on the demo for what later became “Maddest Hatter”, and on a song called the “Irish Song”, which was released as a bonus track in Japan. A few weeks after that Jeff called me and asked if I could play a show at the Dallas Starplex with the band on July 4, 1998, which I ended up doing.
Can you give me a few of your favorite players and bands from growing up, as well as a ‘top 10’ favorite albums from your younger years?
Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, Michael Schenker and Nuno Bettencourt. Favorite albums, in no particular order:
Van Halen
Van Halen II
Van Halen “Fair Warning”
Van Halen, “Diver Down”
Ozzy Osbourne, Blizzard of Ozz
Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a Madman
Lynyrd Skynyrd, “One More For The Road”
Dokken, “Tooth N Nail”
Dokken, “Under Lock And Key”
Dokken, “Back For The Attack”
What are you listening to these days?
I just go on Youtube and find live clips of bands I like Jimi Hendrix, Michael Schenker, Eric Gales, Joe Bonamassa, etc…
From BILL PALMER : Bill Palmer co-produced Heaven Comes Down, as well he played the acoustic guitars on the final cut “Santa Fe” (something I hadn’t realized when I sent questions to Jon). I wrote Bill and he was kind enough to give some insight to the song, and it’s direction. Bill works as a producer & engineer out of Austin, TX, as well as his studio in the border town of Terlingua. “There’s an old church that I make a lot of records in. People come out here to get the desert border vibes. It’s magical! Very remote.” Bill is on Instagram (see below), and I’ve tagged on a local article about him. I asked Bill how the track “Santa Fe” came about, and kept as just an acoustic song to close the album – “Don had the idea that he wanted to do an acoustic “western” type song that painted a picture of his life and his move to the desert, a sort of spiritual journey. It doesn’t really have a chorus until maybe the very end. It just unfolds, much like his life….Don told me what chords he wanted, and I played the part. When it was all said and done, they liked what I played, and we left it”.…I like it. If anything, I hope he might do more of this type of songs in the future. “We’ve discussed it. The way his voice sounds nowadays really suits that type of sound.” I think that would be an awesome direction for him, especially with story-type things like ‘Santa Fe’, and ‘Gypsy’ or ‘Fugitive’ – “When we were starting to make the record, Don and I discussed songwriting and how he had so much to say. Hence the story songs on this one.”
DORO’s brand new album Conqueress – Forever Strong And Proud features a duet with Judas Priest’s Rob Halford on a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s hot “Total Eclipse Of The Heart”. Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler recorded in 1983, penned & produced by Jim Steinman for her. The song was a #1 hit in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and a few others. German metal singer Doro (Pesche) also shares vocals with Halford on a cover of Judas Priest’s classic “Living After Midnight” on DORO’s new album as well. Metallica’s “The Four Horsemen” is covered as a CD bonus track. *Check out both clips below.
Italian prog-metal band DGM have a new album coming out next month, and have just released their 2nd single from it. It’s a faster paced rockin’ track titled “To The Core”, a nice follow up to the epic “Unravel The Sorrow”. Check out the videos below, as well as the press info, and links!
Today, DGM share their new track, “To The Core”, accompanied by a new music video. This is the second single from their upcoming new album, ‘Life’, out November 17th on Frontiers Music Srl.
‘Life’ is the product of a two year period of creativity during which DGM’s main man, Simone Mularoni, wrote a wealth of musical material. The songs clearly show his desire to push the band beyond any previous boundaries and to build a more personal identity and approach. Truly, no small feat given the band’s catalog!
All the trademark elements of DGM’s sound can be found on ‘Life’ – sweeping choruses, deftly technical passages, lightning-fast fretwork, huge vocals and dynamic transitions – but the care and the dedication to the songwriting boldly emerges. Filled with phenomenal songs which carefully encompass everything from the heaviest of progressive metal to a more classic hard rock sound, the playing on this new album is faultless, as usual, and the melodies are perfectly woven into killer guitar work, epic keyboards, and pounding drums.
DGM comment, “’Life’ is exactly the sum of all the elements that build the DGM’s sound so far. Over the years we’re focusing more and more on the quality of the songs rather than the usual prog-metal technical aspects, putting all our efforts in the arrangements and caring every little detail of each song. We strongly believe that this album is the peak of our songwriting!”
Additionally, DGM’s line-up is more cohesively gelled than ever but, beyond Mularoni’s spectacular guitar playing, a special mention goes to singer Mark Basile who truly dominates the new material like a helmsman on a stormy night.
Watch out for DGM! They are not only Italy’s finest, but are an absolutely astounding force to be reckoned with in the international progressive metal scene. With ‘Life’ they offer up their fastest, heaviest, most intense platter of progressive power metal to date.
*DGM are planning a European tour in support of the album’s release. Dates will be announced soon.
Track List: 1 Unravel The Sorrow 2 To The Core 3 The Calling 4 Second Chance 5 Find Your Way 6 Dominate 7 Eve 8 Journey To Nowhere 9 Leave All Behind 10 Neuromancer
Finland’s SATAN’S FALL have a new album coming out in a few weeks. Destination Destruction will be the band’s 2nd full length album, and they’ve gone through a number of changes since their 2016 debut EP. The band just released their 2nd single (and video) from Destination Destruction – “Afterglow”; I like it, kinda reminds me a wee bit of Iron Maiden’s “Wicker Man” (the beginning, anyway). Great heavy sound, well produced. *Check out the clips below, as well as the press info, album cover, track listing, etc…
Finland is well-known as a country where metal talent abounds, and SATAN’S FALL, from Helsinki, is no exception. The band presents the second single from their upcoming album ‘Destination Destruction,’ accompanied by a music video. The song is called “Afterglow” and is one of the faster, more melodic tracks off the new album.
Guitarist Tomi Mäenpää adds: “‘Afterglow’ is easily one of the catchiest tracks on the album, both in terms of melody and delivery of the song. It reflects well how far we have come as composers and as a band. We think listeners will like it a lot!
“Once again we had the pleasure and honor to shoot the video with our trusted man Esa Jussila who is behind our previous videos.”
The music video was directed, shot and edited by Esa Jussila. The album was recorded and mixed by Lassi Tiainen and mastered by Mika Jussila.
After the release of their debut album, ‘Final Day’, in December of 2020, the pandemic, of course, made all tour plans redundant. However, SATAN’S FALL, the five-piece surrounding vocalist Miika Kokko, guitarist Tomi Mäenpää and bass player Joni Petander, hasn’t lost its idealism, as a matter of fact, quite the opposite. Following a line-up change that saw Ville Koskinen join on as new lead guitarist and Arttu Hankosaari take the drummer’s seat, the Nordic quintet sounds more impressive than ever before!
An even stronger album than the first, ‘Destination Destruction’ is eight powerful metal songs (+ two bonus cover tracks) performed with speed and virtuosity, infused with catchy melodies and brilliant production.
The album will be available from Steamhammer/SPV on November 3rd, 2023 on CD, LP and for digital download.
With a new album – Heaven Comes Down due out October 27, DOKKEN have released a 2nd single & video for the track “Gypsy”. It’s a very good song, which gets better each listen. Dokken’s new single has an interesting story behind it from singer/songwriter Don Dokken. Read the story when you check out the video below . The video was created by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz, who’s also done recent videos for Elegant Weapons, Alcatrazz and Uriah Heep.
Boston heavy metal unit BLOOD LIGHTNING present their new video “The Dying Starts”. Their self-titled debut album will be issued on October 20th through Ripple Music.
Comprising members of GOZU, Sam Black Church, Worshipper and We’re All Gonna Die, the band was formed with one thing in mind: get back to the real essence of heavy metal. No pretense. No subgenres to fit into. Only badass, straightforward, hard-hitting heavy metal with a nod to old-school NWOBHM with contemporary firepower. They teamed up with award-winning producer and engineer Benny Grotto (Rolling Stones, Aerosmith), and mastering legend Alan Douches (Motörhead, Mastodon, High On Fire) to record five original songs and one Black Sabbath cover, for what would become their thunderous self-titled debut album.
Formed in December 2020, Blood Lightning brings together the talents of vocalist Jim Healey (We’re All Gonna Die), guitarist Doug Sherman (GOZU), bassist Bob Maloney (Worshipper) and drummer J.R. Roach (Sam Black Church). What began as a 2019 Halloween show playing the entire Black Sabbath “Born Again” album just for fun has culminated in the release of original material by four veterans of the Boston metal/hardcore community. The band recently signed with acclaimed stoner/doom/metal label Ripple Music for the release of their self-titled debut album this fall.
BLOOD LIGHTNING: Jim Healey – Vocals Doug Sherman – Guitars Bob Maloney – Bass J.R. Roach – Drums
Norwegian metal band ROZARIO (name from singer David Rozario) have issued the anthem “Heavy Metal Rider”. It’s the 2nd single & video from their debut album – To The Gods We Swear, coming out on October 20. So far – 2 great singles; killer riffs, big guitar and big choruses.. check these guys out. Looking forward to the album. Produced & mixed by Trond Holter. *Check out the video below with bio and lyrics in the description, and the links below.
Outsider Rock 