US heavy metal band WINGS OF STEEL have released their second album, Winds Of Time. The band, which is heavily influenced by 80s LA metal, as well as classic hard rock & metal acts like MSG, Queensryche, Rainbow, Dokken….The band is based around Swedish singer Leo Unnermark and guitarist Parker Halub, who formed the band and write the songs. There’s 3 videos out from Winds Of Time, which you can check out below, including the epic 10 minute+ title track. Order the album at the links below. Band bio and press info below. If you’re missing high energy 80s heavy metal, check these guys out. Bandanas included. Another cool album cover from Spencer Caligiuri.
Los Angeles-based heavy metal powerhouse WINGS OF STEEL returns with their second full-length album, Winds of Time — cementing their status as one of the genre’s most exciting new forces.
Hailed by fans and critics alike as one of 2025’s most anticipated metal releases, Winds of Time builds on the band’s fast-rising legacy with a sound that is both nostalgic and unmistakably fresh. From the first note to the last, the album channels the spirit of a golden era when titans like Judas Priest, Dio, and Queensrÿche ruled the stage — yet it does so with modern intensity and pristine production. Across eight electrifying tracks, Winds of Time delivers soaring vocals, blistering guitar work, and a rhythm section that strikes with the unyielding force of a hammer.
The band comments: “Winds of Time is not just an album; it’s an immersive journey into the heart of heavy metal. It’s boiling with passion, precision, and raw power — a record that will resonate deeply with both new listeners and lifelong metal fans. Every note, every drum hit, every lyric was crafted to capture the essence of what makes heavy metal so timeless”
Formed back in 2019, WINGS OF STEEL is a Los Angeles-based heavy metal/hard rock band rooted in the classic styles of the 70s and 80s. Their sound combines Unnermark’s bluesy, powerful vocals with Halub’s bombastic riffs and expressive soloing, creating a distinctive and massive sound reminiscent of the glory days of heavy metal combined with all the crisp clarity that modern recording techniques have to offer.
After their 2022 debut EP, “Wings of Steel,” they released their critically acclaimed first full-length album, “Gates of Twilight” (2023). In spring 2024, Wings of Steel embarked on their first European tour where they reaffirmed their position as one of the most prominent new bands in Heavy Metal. Wings of Steel continues to be praised for their energetic and captivating live performances, which can be experienced sonically on their live album “Live in France” (2024).
To date Wings of Steel has played numerous shows in the US and Europe, including festivals and venues like Heavy Week-End, Rock Hard Festival, The Whisky-A-Go-Go, Up the Hammers Festival, Keep it True Festival, and more.
Additional information/credits: Recording on the album: Vocals: Leo Unnermark Guitars & Bass: Parker Halub Drums: Damien Rainaud
Tour lineup (as featured on pictures): Vocals: Leo Unnermark Lead guitar: Parker Halub Rhythm guitar: Stefan Bailet Bass: Mathieu Trobec Drums: Marcel Binder
February 9 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – War Memorial Auditorium February 10 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center February 13 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall February 14 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom February 15 – San Antonio, TX – Boeing Center at Tech Port February 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre February 20 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum February 21 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live February 24 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union Event Center February 26 – Loveland, CO – Blue FCU Arena February 27 – Omaha, NE – Steelhouse Omaha February 28 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory March 2 – Des Moines, IA – Vibrant Music Hall March 3 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory March 4 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed March 7 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center March 8 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit March 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – UPMC Events Center March 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met March 12 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway March 14 – Virginia Beach, VA – The Dome March 15 – Washington, DC – The Theater at MGM National Harbor March 17 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Event Center March 18 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy
Canada
April 6 – Halifax, NS – Scotiabank Centre April 9 – Laval, QC – Place Bell April 11 – Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto April 14 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre April 17 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Convention Centre April 18 – Calgary, AB – Grey Eagle Event Centre April 20 – Vancouver, BC – PNE Forum
Canadian singer and songwriter RICK HUGHES has a new solo album out (October 24) called Redemption. Rick is also the singer for Canadian heavy metal band SWORD. Sword released 2 albums in the 80s on Canadian label Aquarius, and went on to tour supporting Alice Cooper and others (I must’ve seen them in Toronto on the Raise Your Fist and Yell tour in Toronto). Since then Rick went on to front SAINTS & SINNERS, and release a few solo albums. Now Rick is back with an excellent new solo album, with great songs, including a few covers, and some very special guests. Redemption can be ordered at: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/rick-hughes
Below, Rick and I talked about his new album, plus Sword, as well as his influences, and favorite artists. …..
With the first single, “The Real Me”, you had a lot of guests on it and that, so I’m wondering from where you’re based, how you got all those guys involved? What the connection is with Brad Gillis and Tommy Aldridge and that?
That’s a connection that comes from my Saints & Sinners days. With Saints & Sinners, I was working with the keyboardist from San Francisco, Jesse Bradman, a good friend of mine. When we started to get the project for my new album, that was like two years ago, we went about asking for songs. We asked Jesse if he had some songs to propose for my new album. And he says, “Yeah, I got a couple of songs that I wrote with Brad Gillis”. So, we said, Oh, we want to hear that song. Upon hearing the songs, I fell in love with the songs. I says, can I please have them? They say, Yeah, of course! That’s how we got Brad Gillis, because he accepted to let me record the song. And then we became friends. So, when it was time to record “The Real Me”, we said, well, we have Brad for his songs, because he plays on his songs, of course. And lucky for us. So, we said, “Can you do another one?” And we asked him to play on “The Real Me”. And that’s when the idea came about to reunite him with Rudy (Sarzo) and Tommy Aldridge.
That’s interesting, because when I saw that, obviously, like, I was a big Speak Of The Devil fan when that album came out with that Ozzy lineup.
So Was I !
I’m curious how you got to where you are now with this new album Redemption, because I’ve recently picked up a couple of the Sword albums. So obviously, it’s a very different sound. You got a lot more variety on the on your new album that. Can you talk a bit about how you are where you’re at now, as opposed to just doing the Sword stuff or kind of more of the metal stuff?
That’s a very good question. And the answer is quite logical, is that when I’m a metal singer, or I chose to record metal, I do it with Sword If it’s a solo project, like here in Quebec, I’ve been doing 50 to 100 shows a year for the last 20 years. And the shows that I do are for seven years old to 77 years old people, you know. I’m the kind of guy that when I wake up in the morning, if I listen to music, I listen to The Band, Elton John, metal stuff. Later on in the afternoon, if I have to go around and do other stuff, listen to blues, hard rock… When I ride my Harley, sometimes I listen to heavy metal. But I’m a fan of music. My biggest influence is Robert Plant. So, if you take Robert Plant’s career, I’m not trying to mimic or duplicate, but when your mentor does stuff, you kind of go that way without even noticing it. When you think about Robert Plant, since Zeppelin and today, it’s totally different. He’s never redone the same album. It’s always been different. So that’s what I try to do with my solo career, I do what people already know me for. I’m a singer and I love rock music. So, rock music’s got plenty of genre – it’s got heavy metal, it’s got hard rock, it’s got blues rock, it’s got heavy blues, it’s got pop rock, it’s got rock, it’s got country rock. So that’s the sound you hear on my album, just what I just described.
Now you do have a few covers on the album, in particular, “The Real Me”. I love the Who albums. I’m kind of curious why you picked that one of all the Who stuff.
Because of the playing. When my manager and I decided on this song, we said, “Okay, let’s redo The Real Me, and let’s find the perfect musicians to render the song. So, it was magical because that was way before Brad was even in the conversation. So once Brad got in on the song, then we went for Tommy Aldridge and Rudy Sarzo, with the result that we hear on the recording.
There’s a few other covers, you do the Michel Pagliaro song. I imagine he’s a big influence on you. We don’t see him much outside of Quebec, I assume, but the albums are pretty easily to find here. But I wonder if you can talk a bit about that track that you chose.
Again, a very good question and I’ll answer it by answering two questions because probably you’ve got another question around the corner. Michel Pagliaro, we affectionately call him ‘Pag’, is one of my main influences. As a kid, when I first saw him on TV, that’s when I fell in love with the guy, with the attitude, the music, the sound. Pag is like the rock and roll attitude, man; this guy is amazing. And when it was time to choose the songs, I said to the producer, John Webster, and my manager, I told them, “We need at least a couple of French songs on the album”. And they obviously asked me, “Why is it so important?” I said, “Because I’m a loyal guy. I’ve been playing here in Quebec for 10 years. I’ve been doing 50 to 100 shows a year, there’s some French material in the show. There’s obviously a lot of English material because I’m more at ease singing Americana kind of stuff, or even British stuff. But still, there’s a section in my show that that’s Francophone for my Francophone fans. So, I said to my producer, I said, “Listen, John, you’re the best producer in the world in my book. I’m about to do one of my most important albums. There’s got to be a couple of songs in French”. I’m a loyal guy. I don’t want to leave my French speaking fans out of this album that is so important. And the way I closed the deal I said to him, I said, “It doesn’t matter if it’s French or English at the end of the day, because just think about Rammstein, they’re German, they sing in German, everybody loves it. You wouldn’t change German to English because of the way it sounds. So same goes with my French song on the album. I’m sure that the English-speaking fan will find something interesting in the French song or they’ll catch a glimpse of the words. And yeah, I’m confident they’ll like it as much as they’ll like the English song.
It’s interesting because I think Michel Pagliaro did the same thing where he had some French and some English songs on various albums and that. Correct?
True. Yes. A lot of artists here in Quebec do that, they mix both, because as you can hear, I’m a French speaking guy. Rick Hughes is my real name. It’s not a stage name. My father was from Irish descent. So, it is my real name. But I’ve grown in a French environment. My girlfriend is French, my dogs, my kids, everybody around my neighbors. I speak French 24 7. So that’s it. But like I said earlier, I love the sound of singing a song in English.
The other cover, I wouldn’t say it’s cover. Actually, it’s your song, the Aldo Nova track “Someday”. I listened to that. I thought I know that because I got that here (held up Blood On The Bricks CD). Obviously, that song is good 30 plus years old. You’ve done a lot of work with Aldo as well, that song and some other stuff as well.
This is such an important song for me. And I’ll tell you why. I wrote the song while I was working with Aldo on Saints & Sinners album. Aldo was producing the Saints & Sinners album while Jon Bon Jovi was producing his album, Blood on the Bricks for Aldo. So, while he was producing Saints & Sinners, he had written some amazing songs for the album. And so one night I came to him and I showed him “Someday” and he says, “Wow!” I said, “Cool, you like it? So, it’s going to be on the album?” He says, “No… let me ask Jon because we’re looking for a ballad right now. We’re missing a ballad. And if you would allow me to use your ballad on my album, I’d be very grateful.” I says, “…if Jon likes it, then it’s yours! I got plenty of good songs on Saints and Sinners. And again, you wrote some excellent songs for me. So, it would be just a show of gratitude to leave you the song.” So, the next day he called me and says, “Jon loves it. We’re going to use it for my album”. A couple of months after that, they gave me a call, they were in studio and they were rearranging the song, changing some lyrics, adding some parts here and there. So that’s how Aldo and Jon are credited on the song. But I am the main songwriter of the song. So, I wanted to redo it. But I waited to make sure that it was okay with Aldo.
Well, it’s a great inclusion. It was a hit and it’s something obviously people will be familiar with.
And what I meant by this song is very important is that, like you said, that’s 30-something years ago that Aldo recorded that song. At that time, I was a young, struggling artist from Quebec. I had two kids that were just born. My wife, at that time and I wanted to buy a house, but we needed the down payment for a house. And we were, you know, scratching and putting some money aside and getting ready to buy a house. It would have taken us a long time. And by leaving that song to Aldo, the first royalty check that I got was the down payment for the first house I bought. So, it’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Well that works out then…The other person you have on here I see a lot lately, he’s on the new Alice Cooper album as well, is Robbie Krieger (on “Dans La Peau“) . How did you wind up with him on the album?
The album was recorded at Little Mountain Studio in Vancouver where Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, name it, they all recorded there. Now it’s called Iposonic Sound, but it’s the same. Nothing has changed. Frames on the wall, everything’s the same. So, everything was recorded there. It’s a live album. We got the rhythm section to record all the songs there. So, it’s a live album. But when it was time to record my duet with Amy Keys, a fabulous female singer. Man, I’m a big fan of hers. She was available but only in Los Angeles. So, they gave me a call.
They said, “Okay, Amy wants to do the duet with you, but it’s going to have to be in L.A. I said, “okay, so let’s do it in L.A”….”Okay, well there’s a studio in L.A. It’s Robbie Krieger’s studio, and it’s near where she lives. They got the equipment”, I said, “Wait, wait, wait! … you had me at Robbie Krieger”. I’m a big, big, big Doors fan. We went to Robbie Krieger’s studio to record Amy Keys. And while she was there recording the song, I came up with the idea. I told my manager, I said, “Why don’t we ask Robbie to play on that song?” It’s a kind of bluesy country-ish kind of song. And he goes, “that’s a long shot”. I said, yeah, but if we don’t try it, we’ll never know. So, we tried and he said yes. And that to me is like, it’s not even a dream come true because I never even dreamt that Robbie Krieger would play on one of my albums. I’m very, very grateful to him.
Well, yeah, it’s an interesting inclusion. He seems to do a few guest appearances; he’s on the new Alice Cooper album and he’s on an album by Blue Coop, which is the BOC guys and that. And the other guy you’ve mentioned on this album, I’m not familiar with him, is Johnny Hallyday.
Oh, Johnny Hallyday! I’m a fan of this guy. He’s like the French (from France), Elvis Presley. He died in 2017. And he was filling stadiums back in France, like 80,000 people.
He was a big, big, star, big, big influence on me as a kid, because my mom was a big fan of Elvis and of him. My mom was an artist, you know!? The Johnny Hallyday song is not known. It was kept quiet. It was released and they took it out. But before they took it out, I had a copy of it that I had put on a CD that time when we could burn CDs. So, I was listening to the song all the time and I kept it private, I didn’t want anybody to steal that idea because I thought it was such a good song. It’s like a hard rock, heavy blues kind of song. And the subject matter is so, so, SO, up to date.
How did you get a hold of it? It was an outtake from an album?
Well, you know, when I mentioned Amy Keys; Amy Keys was one of his backup singers for many years. So, he would do duets with her. The guy that wrote the song, the duet with Amy Keys, wrote the song for Amy Keys and Johnny Halliday, but Johnny died. He never could even listen to the song or let alone record it. So, it fell into my lap. That’s when I said, “Yeah, I’m a big Johnny fan. That was meant for Johnny, I want that song!” That’s how the connection was made.
You mentioned this album being a very important album. I get the impression in like reading some of the notes that it’s quite, some of the songs are quite personal for you. So, I wonder if you can talk a bit about the importance of everything as an album and some of the songs as being personal to you.
Just the title, you know, I was looking for a word that was the same word in French than in English, so not to deny my French root. And a couple of words came to mind, and then I came up with, Redemption, came into my head. Because I’ve been around the block a couple of times.
I’ve toured with Motorhead in the UK. I’ve been here, there, everywhere. I say that very humbly. I had my shares of let down and get up again and fight more – that’s the story of my life. And my philosophy about that is that we’re in a constant state of redemption if we strive to get better every day as a human being. So, if you look up redemption, not in a biblical sense, but in the literal sense, it’s about focusing on yourself, not on others or what happens around the world. It’s just focusing on you and how you can make your world better. And the best way to do that is to forgive yourself all the time for everything that you do. If you’ve done something wrong, or that was not quite right, just forgive yourself and just readjust. That to me is redemption. I thought the title was perfect because of my age, where I’m at in my life right now, the importance of that album, and all the subject matters on the album. They’re not that serious; they’re not pointing fingers at anybody. I wanted to create an album where if somebody digs it, well, while he listens to it, he forgets about the world, he forgets about anything, he just thinks about himself and how he feels upon listening to the album. That’s why there’s so much difference between one song to the other, so people can travel in their mind, and not always stay on the same train.
What else do you have planned for promoting this? Will you be doing any shows outside of Quebec? Anything planned as far as a band goes or anything?
That’s the main reason why I did the album, is to get more shows going. I really, I truly come alive on stage. That’s my second favorite place in the world. My first favorite place in the world is here at home with my wife and my people. My second favorite place is on stage.
As soon as I put one foot on the stage, “Whoa!”, something happens. And it’s been like that since the beginning; and it’s still like that. So, yeah, the reason for this album is to get us more shows, you know, abroad, not only in Quebec. I would love to go play in Niagara. I’ve been there before.
Growing up where you did, obviously, there’s a lot of Montreal, Quebec has kind of its own scene. There’s a lot of stuff that we don’t see much out of over here. But there’s a lot of great bands from Quebec, like Frank Marino, Pagliaro, Offenbach.
April Wine! They were based out of Quebec.
I’m a big April Wine fan.
What kind of stuff you grew up on and what some of your favorites as far as the Canadian scene went.
When we’re young, we get influenced by the music our parents listen to, as long as they listen to something cool. My parents were really cool. My father was a guitar player, singer, leader in a rock band, and my mom would sing in the band with him, a bit Johnny Cash- June Carter kind of stuff. They had this amazing vinyl collection when I was a kid. They had Zeppelin, Janis, French stuff, lots of Elvis. So, it was very rock and roll. So, my early influences were Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, some French stuff like Offenbach, Pagliaro. But yeah, it starts at home, or with your friends. In my case, it started at home. We’re a musical family. Everybody does music in my family. My sister sings on the album with me. My brother plays drums in Sword.
Did you keep a big record collection growing up?
Yes, I still have my vinyl collection, and I still have some old record players, like we used to have when we were kids, with the cabinets there. I got two, and I play my records on that. I got one in this room and I got one in my ‘man cave’.
The SWORD albums, which I recently picked up, the Unidisc reissues. You guys were on Aquarius, and I think Aquarius closed up at some point in the early 90s. Did you guys have any say in these reissues?
No, it’s Unidisc that handles that, but we had a good relationship with Unidisc. George, the owner of Unidisc, is a great guy. He’s taken good care of Sword’s albums. As you can see, the reissues are beautiful. The way he redid the sleeves and everything. It’s really good. Are you aware that we recorded a third album!?
Yeah, I was looking at that, and I see there was a limited amount of vinyl for that. I was just looking at trying to find a copy.
It’s just called Sword III.
Yeah, and then there was the live album as well?
Yeah, the live album was (done) before, but Sword III was released in 2023, a couple of years ago. We love that album too. It sounds great. By the way, I’m rehearsing with Sword tonight. I’ve been rehearsing for the past five weeks because we’ve got some shows coming. We’re friends since we were 15 years old. We’ve always been together.
You guys must have had some success. You had a lot of names on the albums. You had Gary Moffet, you had Jack Richardson producing the one album and that. So, what are some of the highlights of those first two albums, that period there?
Well, it was the best of times. My brother and I started to make music like we were 13. I was 13, he was 14. I played the guitar and he was banging on stuff. And then he got drums, I got an electric guitar. Then we met the two Mikes – Mike Plant and Mike Larock. We were living in the same town. So, we were 16, 17 years old. We did the bar circuits for years and years. And we built up a fan base. In 1986 we signed with Aquarius. We released Metallized, and the next thing you know, we’re opening for Metallica! And then we got a call from the UK to go open for Motorhead. We got back, we did the second album, and then we went on tour with Alice Cooper.
That was a dream come true because my brother and I, when we were in our teens, we were the guys that would go in line at the A&M record store and wait till the door opened to buy the new Alice Cooper album, Welcome to My Nightmare and all that stuff. We were big fans of Alice Cooper. So, we got to open for him like 10, 15 years after being big fans, and get to meet him! We were so in awe. And you mentioned Jack Richardson, who worked on some Alice Cooper albums; and that (again) was another dream come true.
The other guy who recorded one of your albums was Gary Moffet, an amazing guitar player.
Yes. And amazing songwriter.
Have you seen the new version of April Wine at all?
Yes, I saw that. And the singer is a good friend of mine – Marc Parent. I played with him a couple of times. We had a show together. He’s good, he’s got a good voice, and he’s a good Good guitar player!
What else do you have on the go?
That’s it. I’m very happy with the team I have on this album. I’m really looking forward for the world to hear it because I know that with Sword and with Saints & Sinners I’ve got some fans here and around the world. So, they’ll discover a new sound, which is who I am today, what I listen to, what turns me on, what gives me the shivers, what makes me think. It’s like a good movie – if you sit down and watch a good movie, for a couple of hours you get inspired because of the message, well, the same goes for music. That’s what it does to me. If I put on a good album, I won’t stop in the middle I’ll listen from beginning to end because I know it will take me somewhere else in my head and my thoughts. You travel without leaving home! Just sitting down. Like when we were kids, and we got Pink Floyd The Wall, how that changed our lives. I remember as a kid listening to The Wall and crying on some songs because I thought ‘wow, this is so beautiful!’ And it changed my life, a little bit. And then I heard another album that changed my life a little bit. Music does that to you.
A good songwriter will not only work on the music, but also on the lyrics to make sure that what he says reflects what he thinks, and what he thinks is right. And again, a good songwriter will do that. There’s songs that I’ve heard 20-50 times and they still do the same thing to me. They make me want to be a better person. Music does that to you. People take it for granted, but music is like food for thought; it’s food for your soul.
Is there any plans for another Sword album?
Yeah, probably. I’m doing some rehearsals with Sword because we got some shows coming up, but I’m really focused on my solo project. I just can’t wait for the album to get out, and to start to tour for that album. When I’m done with that, the timing is right, then it’s going to be Sword.
You mentioned a few of your influences. What are a few of your favorite albums of all time; albums that have stuck with you, that you can put on anytime?
Of all-time, I’d say Led Zeppelin I,II, III, and IV. Every Black Sabbath with Ozzy, with Dio, and Born Again with Ian Gillan… Those are my favorites – Dio, Ozzy, Robert Plant, some Judas Priest. Those are my favorite singers, biggest influences.
Canadian singer Ron Moratti will have a new solo album, Sovereign, out December 12, on Frontiers. There’s a new single out now. The album features Joel Hoekstra (!) on lead guitar, among the players. *Check out the video below, as well as the bio, track-list, and links at the bottom.
Talking about the new track, Rob stated: “It is the perfect opener. Most of us have struggled with relationships and this song is packed with the most powerful positive energy, you can feel it! We are all here for each other to lean on and help you win again. We hurt and we heal. We learn from our mistakes. Just don’t give up on love”.
Rob Moratti is a solo artist, formerly lead vocalist of Moratti, Final Frontier and of course Saga. Rob Moratti, a genuine and true original, has an astonishing range and has carved a unique style for himself, blending the finest elements of melodic and progressive rock.
“Sovereign” is Rob Moratti’s sixth solo album on the heels of the critically acclaimed release “Epical”, his debut on the Frontiers label. Filled with his trademark harmonies and memorable choruses, the songs on ” Sovereign” develop from where “Epical” has left off and are easily some of the most exciting that he has ever put his stamp on. An absolute must for fans of classic AOR music in line with The Storm, Journey, Survivor, Strangeways and Signal.
The album once features a stellar cast of contributing writers and performers, including Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, ex-Night Ranger) on lead guitar, Tony Franklin (ex-The Firm, Blue Murder) on bass, Felix Borg on drums (and co-writing), Fredrik Bergh on keys (and co-writing) and Pete Alpenborg (who also contributes rhythm guitar and keyboards). A real all-star line up for this excellent album!
Moratti started his professional singing career in the early 90’s as lead vocalist and songwriter of the band Moratti. They were immediately well received, garnering airplay in Japan and Europe. In 2002, Rob’s future went forward with Final Frontier, a band with whom he has released four incredible melodic-minded metal albums.
Over the years, despite all the changes in the music scene, Rob’s perseverance and passion have stayed strong. His talent captured the attention of the multi-platinum selling legendary progressive rock band SAGA and in 2008, Rob Moratti would become the new vocalist for the band for a while, appearing on 2009’s “The Human Condition”.
Over the course of his solo career, Rob has also worked with many incredible musicians like Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake, TSO, ex-Night Ranger), Reb Beach (Whitesnake. Winger), Tony Franklin (ex- Blue Murder, The Firm), Brian Doerner (Saga), Ian Crichton (Saga), and Steve Augeri (ex-Journey).
1. Don’t Give Up On Love 2. Can’t Let You Go 3. Every Word 4. Waiting 5. Locked Down 6. Two Hearts 7. In The Air Tonight 8. I’ll Never Break Your Heart 9. The Calling 10. Angel 11. This Is Forever
Line Up: Rob Moratti – vocals Joel Hoekstra – lead guitar Tony Franklin – bass Felix Borg – drums Fredrik Bergh – keyboards Pete Alpenborg – rhythm guitar and keyboards
Norwegian art-rock/prog band GAZPACHO have been releasing albums since the early 2000’s, with the new album scheduled for October 31. The music is kinda lighter, experimental, atmospheric…but check out the new single “We Are Strangers”, which is a standout track here, and pretty representative of the band’s sound here. *Check out the press info below, as well as videos and links below.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative acts in modern progressive music, Gazpacho have carved out a cult following with their unique blend of art rock and cinematic storytelling. From their critically acclaimed 2007 masterpiece Night to the hauntingly beautiful Demon (2014), the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of progressive music.
They’ve toured with legends like Marillion, played to devoted audiences across Europe, and earned a reputation for crafting concept albums that challenge and move listeners in equal measure.
After a five-year break, Magic 8-Ball marks Gazpacho’s return with eight new tracks built around the idea of fate. How it moves without warning, and how the choices we make can slowly strip away who we thought we were.
The title, Magic 8- Ball, ties into the idea of randomness and inevitability. Shaking something for answers you already suspect and repeating the cycle over and over. The idea of infinity is central. These stories repeat throughout the album. Different forms, same patterns always finding a way back.
Musically, the album stays true to Gazpacho’s core. Atmospheric, layered, and emotional. But more focused. No unnecessary weight. Just eight stories told with clarity and tension. The album was mixed by Thomas Juth (a-ha/Elton John/Paul McCartney/Cat Stevens) and mastered by Hans Olsson at Svenska Grammofonstudion Mastering.
Of interest to fans of Marillion, The Pineapple Thief, Steven Wilson, Riverside…
Gazpacho: Jan-Henrik Ohme – vocals Thomas Andersen – keyboards, programming Jon-Arne Vibo – guitars Mikael Krømer – violin, additional guitars Kristian “Fido” Torp – bass Robert R Johansen – drums
Swedish band SWEET FREEDOM has a new album out. Initially, I though ‘hey a band using the Heep album title’ (LOL), but nope, as one band member replied “It doesn’t. I can understand the question but the name comes from our intension to be as free as possible with our music. The first album released in 2022 was released without a label. In that way we could control everything, and also decide how everything should be done. So Sweet Freedom isn’t just a band name, it’s a vision.” But these guys will appeal to classic hard rock/metal fans with their mix of guitars, organ, and excellent vocals. Below is press info on the new album, as well as their 3 videos from Blind Leading The Blind, ordering info, and band links.
Sweet Freedom began as a solo project by Swedish keyboardist Jörgen Schelander during the pandemic, born from a clear artistic vision and DIY spirit that had long been brewing in his mind.
Their debut album, initially released with no promotion, gained surprising attention — even landing coverage in Sweden Rock Magazine as one of the year’s top releases. By late 2022, the band evolved from a solo project to a full lineup under the name Sweet Freedom, reminiscent of how Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow became simply Rainbow.
The new album, “Blind Leading The Blind”, sees the return of the same core lineup, but with one notable change: powerhouse vocalist Matti Alfonzetti (Skintrade, Jagged Edge) steps in as frontman, replacing Stefan Nyqvist. Matti’s signature voice and charisma elevate these already high-octane songs to new heights.
Together with Håkan Nilsson on guitar, Jan Lund on bass, and Håkan Rangemo on drums, Sweet Freedom forms a Swedish supergroup. The new album is a ten-song collection of massive classic rock with a progressive twist.
The album was recorded live as a full band at Tilt Recording Studios in Strömstad, Sweden – an intentional move to capture the raw energy and chemistry that can only happen when a real band plays together in the same room. That energy, combined with a massive-sounding mix and master by Stefan Boman (Opeth, Alice Cooper, Def Leppard), results in a huge, dynamic rock production.
While Matti is well known in the rock world, the rest of Sweet Freedom’s members also boast serious credentials. Jörgen performed all keyboards on the 2024 touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar (featuring Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain of Salvation), and both Jan and Håkan previously played in Sabbtail alongside Mats Levén and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth.
Sweet Freedom is here, loud and proud – and “Blind Leading The Blind” proves they’re a force to be reckoned with.
Talking about the record, Jörgen Schelander stated: “This album is a blast of classic rock. Close your eyes and listen all the way through “Blind Leading The Blind” – and you’ll come out blind no more… Maybe just a little deaf! The energy we captured, especially with Stefan Boman’s production, is something rare these days”.
Tracklist: 1. Infinity 2. Tears Of The Sun 3. Another Day 4. Skin And Bone 5. Innocent Child 6. Live From The Heart 7. Skeleton Key 8. Solid Ground 9. I Push Too Hard 10. Outcry
Line Up: Matti Alfonzetti – Lead and backing vocals Håkan Nilsson – Lead and rhythm guitars, backing vocals Jan Lund – Bass and backing vocals Håkan Rangemo – Drums and percussion, backing vocals Jörgen Schelander – Organ and keyboards, backing vocals
British band FM will their 15th studio album next month. They’ve released 2 singles/videos so far, both are excellent aor-type rockers. Check out the press info below, as well as the videos, and the links.
It’s no surprise that FM’s upcoming album ‘Brotherhood’ continues to showcase their signature blend of hook-laden AOR and blues-tinged hard rock that solidifies their status as masters of the genre.
‘Brotherhood’ showcases a band at the top of their game with highlights including an infectious anthem “Living on the Run,” anthemic rocker “Don’t Call It Love,” the punchy and powerful “Coming For You,” and the emotionally charged “Time Waits For No One,” all tracks that echo the spirit and melodic strength of FM’s early classics, while being unmistakably fresh and vibrant.
Opening track, “Do You Mean It,” brings a bluesy, soulful vibe that echoes the Doobie Brothers’ classic “Takin’ It To The Streets” sound, setting the tone for the album. ‘Brotherhood’ also features one of FM’s most powerful ballads to date, “Just Walk Away” – a beautifully emotional song that highlights the band’s mastery of melodic rock. Wrapping up the album is “The Enemy Within,” a track that introduces exciting new sonic ideas while retaining the powerful and melodic qualities FM fans love.
Supporting vocals from a female guest choir add warmth and dynamic depth to “Do You Mean It” and “Just Walk Away,” perfectly complementing Steve Overland’s consistently exceptional lead vocals.
Overland comments on the new album: “I am proud of the new album. It is one of our strongest song albums to date. It is another milestone, as it’s FM’s 15th album. It’s very well-paced and has great variation in song styles throughout. The album’s big ballad, ‘Just Walk Away,’ is one of our best. I hope our fans feel the same way as we do about ‘Brotherhood.'”
To promote ‘Brotherhood,’FM will embark on a major UK headline tour in September 2025 with 14 confirmed shows, followed by European dates in early 2026. Visit FM’s official website for tickets.
I really loved Arjen Lucassen’s Sonic Revolution album from 2023, Golden Age Of Music, so I am looking forward to Arjen’s upcoming solo concept Songs No One Will Hear, out next month. Currently listening to this album, and enjoying it; another amazing collective of stories, songs and performers and production from Arjen! (more to come) So far there are 3 singles from it, with the most recent “Goddamn Conspiracy” just out today.
*Check that out below, along with the previous 2 videos. See ordering info and links below press info…
Also on the same day, Arjen is re-releasing his very first solo album from 1993, Pools of Sorrow, Waves of Joy, as a deluxe version, with tons of demos, previously unreleased and new tracks. Check that out HERE.
Photo Credit: Lori Linstruth
Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s latest solo album, the apocalyptic Songs No One Will Hear, is set to be released in a month, on Sept. 12th, 2025 on Inside Out Music.
True to his signature style, this album offers an eclectic blend of tracks, moving seamlessly from powerful, epic songs to lighter, more playful ones. At its core, Songs No One Will Hear is bound by a profound concept: what would people do if they only had five months left to live because of an asteroid impact? Expect an emotional rollercoaster, delving into both the light and dark aspects of human nature.
Guiding the album is narration from Mike Mills (Toehider) along with collaborators like Irene and Floor Jansen (Nightwish, After Forever, Kamelot), Robert Soeterboek, Marcela Bovio, and Patty Gurdy, adding depth to the album’s diverse sound!
Strap in! The pulse of rock ‘n’ roll just got a major jolt. Modern rock supergroup THE FELL, featuring legendary bassist Billy Sheehan, multi-platinum producer Mike (K.) Krompass, and Australian vocal powerhouse Toby Rand, return with their electrifying new single “Killswitch,” a crushing, high-voltage anthem that melds the golden age of rock with a modern-day edge via streaming as of July 18, 2025.
Watch for the video premier of “Killswitch” on July 30.
“Killswitch” will be available in Dolby Atmos mix via Apple/Amazon/Tidal on August 15.
“Killswitch” is about reclaiming control, cutting off the noise, shutting down manipulation, and powering through chaos with conviction, says the band. It’s a rally cry for anyone who’s ever felt pushed to the edge. The track pulses with massive guitars, blistering bass, and bone-crushing drums, wrapped in a wall of sound that nods to the best of late ’80s and ’90s rock while punching hard with a polished modern edge. This is not nostalgia, this is evolution.
THE FELL’s powerhouse lineup features legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth, Sons of Apollo), multi-platinum producer, songwriter, and guitar player Mike (K.) Krompass (Smash Mouth, Nelly Furtado, Everybody Loves an Outlaw, Dead Romantic), and vocal powerhouse Toby Rand (Rockstar: Supernova, Juke Kartel, Ashen Moon), whose dynamic voice soars over a backdrop of “Killswitch”’s grinding riffs and thunderous grooves. Sheehan delivers his signature low-end firepower with acrobatic flair, while Krompass’s massive guitar tones and razor-sharp production elevate the track to arena-sized proportions. Rounding out the lineup is elite session drummer Nick Chiarore (Dead Romantic), whose explosive drumming brings relentless precision and raw intensity. Chiarore’s chops can be heard on recordings with Slash and Steve Vai.
“Killswitch” will be available in Dolby Atmos mix via Apple/Amazon/Tidal on August 15.
Additional singles, “Face Out” is being released on September 12th. Followed by “Trippin’” on October 24th, plus a new version of their past hit “Footprints” (with Toby on vocals) on November 28th.
October 24th “The Killswitch EP” will be released in special packaging containing both CD and laser-etched LP, will feature 4 streaming singles plus a new version of “Dancin’ On A Glass Floor” that will remain exclusive to this release. A limited number of band signed deluxe editions will be available through their webstore. Watch for the announcement of record release shows in late October.
The album is released by Crown X Recordings/ BCMG Recordings.
L-R:Daniel Löble (drums), Michael Weikath (guitars), Markus Grosskopf (bass), Michael Kiske (vocals), Sascha Gerstner (guitars), Andi Deris (vocals),Kai Hansen (guitars, vocals) Photo credit: Mathias Bothor
With 15 gold awards, six platinum awards and over ten million records sold, HELLOWEEN are celebrating the band’s 40th anniversary with the successor to their self-titled #1 album from 2021. GIANTS & MONSTERS is the second album for the legendary line-up and the title immediately states where the album is heading.
Confident and bursting with vigor, the septet presents what probably is the most versatile album of their career. Already the opener “GIANTS ON THE RUN” flips the switch from the very first riff and impressively marks the terrain with the power voices of Andi Deris and Kai Hansen. No trace of restraint – the track takes a breath, takes off and unleashes a roar that leaves no doubt about the blazing pulse of the ten new songs. On this album, the experience and musical enthusiasm of a band that can do anything and everything blazes its way: Heavy, speed, rock, ballad – plain, intricate or progressive. With five strong songwriters and seven world-class musicians, creative limits are set aside once and for all on GIANTS & MONSTERS.
Musically rather straightforward and a veritable hit, “A LITTLE IS A LITTLE TOO MUCH” gives Andi Deris and Michael Kiske the space their monumental voices need for an intimate story. “Basically, it’s about the famous straw that breaks the camel’s back. During the writing process, however, I remembered an experience I had at the age of 15 and the lyrics ended up being pretty erotic – about little things that can quickly put an end to a big thing”, grins Deris. “THIS IS TOKYO” is another personal track. “I’ve always wanted to write this song. Japan plays a very special role in my life because I had my first big successes there with Pink Cream 69, and they have always treated me incredibly well. I wanted to create a tribute to Japan and finally had the right idea for the lyrics. Because ‘Tokyo’ sounds better in a chorus than ‘Japan’, the city stands for a whole country that is very important to me.”
“‘UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)” is a reminder that everything in the universe is connected, and what looks like an infinite number of stars could actually be moments, hearts and decisions,” describes songwriter Sascha Gerstner. With a playing time of over eight minutes, “UNIVERSE (GRAVITY FOR HEARTS)”, together with “MAJESTIC”, not only stands out as a longtrack – they both surprise with dizzying dynamic changes and huge melodic arcs that create entire worlds: Whatever you believe in is real. Alongside “WE CAN BE GODS”, “MAJESTIC” is also one of the tracks featuring all three singers of the HELLOWEEN super alliance. Both songs were penned by Kai Hansen and launch all trademarks that secured his place deep in metal hearts. “The space and aliens are my favorite themes and pretty fascinating. But you could also read the chorus as a description of the band: ‘We’re back and we’re the Masters of Power Metal’ – I’ll leave that up to the listeners,” laughs Hansen.
Masterclass is just as evident in gigantic ballads, and “GIANTS & MONSTERS” serves the first one in this constellation. “INTO THE SUN” is a duet in which Deris and Kiske sweepingly pour their hearts out, carried by masterfully orchestrated string cascades and yearning guitar solos. “Originally the song had different lyrics, but now it’s about reincarnation and that suits the track much better,” reveals Deris. “Michi and I share similar beliefs in that area, and I really wanted us to record the song together. He just sounds great when he sings it”. “SAVIOR OF THE WORLD”, a classic Weikath at his best, could have well been on one of the legendary ‘Keeper’ albums, and the extravagant “UNDER THE MOONLIGHT” also underlines his exceptional songwriting talent.
Consistently topping superlatives and presenting yet another milestone with “GIANTS & MONSTERS” requires the courage to keep reinventing a colossus like HELLOWEEN as well as continuing to challenge seven brimming careers even after four decades. And the instincts of the congenial producers Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward. For example, the fact that Dani Löble recorded all tracks on three different drum sets to individually decide which set delivers the perfect vibe for a song was only imaginable through unrestrained love of experimentation and highest standards. An effort and attention to detail that not everyone is willing to bring to the table. The mix was done at the legendary Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, which have witnessed the works of the greatest names in music – from Iron Maiden to Judas Priest and Def Leppard to Rammstein.
Friction is another secret of the band that experiences a second spring with the reunion. “What keeps motivating us is the fact that we’re extremely different. That generates suspense and creative energy,” explains Weikath, “and if problems do occur, we connect through our passion and our sense of humor. We try not to take ourselves and everything around us too seriously,” adds Hansen, before Deris concludes: “In the end, we’re just seven guys who want to make music and enjoy the incomparable force that arises when we’re together. HELLOWEEN is way more powerful than the sum of its parts.”
The world-famous unique pumpkin power will once again flood all stages on the upcoming anniversary tour when the band and their fans celebrate 40 years of HELLOWEEN. The band will be touring the planet’s prime arenas with an ultimate setlist including classics, newer songs and some legit surprises. The first dates of the European tour, starting in mid-October, were sold out immediately and tickets for additional shows in Madrid and Bochum are already on sale. The recently released live CD and Blu-ray/DVD “LIVE AT BUDOKAN,” documenting the first sold-out gig at the legendary Budokan in Tokyo, is the perfect warm-up before HELLOWEEN take their fans and all the world’s “GIANTS & MONSTERS” on their next victory lap through metal paradise.
Track Listing: 01. Giants On The Run 02. Savior Of The World 03. A Little Is A Little Too Much 04. We Can Be Gods 05. Into The Sun 06. This Is Tokyo 07. Universe (Gravity For Hearts) 08. Hand Of God 09. Under The Moonlight 10. Majestic
“GIANTS & MONSTERS” will be released on August 29, 2025, as CD Jewel case, CD Digipak (incl. bonus track), Earbook (incl. bonus CD), 2-LP Gatefold (in various colors) and 2-LP Picture (incl. bonus track), MC and digital.
GLENN HUGHESReturns With New Album ‘Chosen’, Out September 5th, 2025 via Frontiers Music Srl
Rock legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee GLENN HUGHES returns to announce his new studio album ‘Chosen,’ set for release on September 5th, 2025, via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the announcement, GLENN shares the title track, along with an accompanying music video, available to view below.
In addition, this year will also see GLENN HUGHES busy touring across Europe and South America, with “The Chosen Years” tour starting in Zoetermeer, Netherlands, on September 2nd, and ending on November 29th in Bogota, Colombia. For the full list of dates, please see below.
Commenting on the new album, GLENN states:“Songwriting is deeply personal to me, and l generally write and record when I have something to say. It’s been nine years since I recorded my last solo album, ‘Resonate.’ There have been recordings and collaborations with other artists since 2016.
“When writing ‘Chosen,’ I went back to my life drawing board, writing about the human condition, love, hope, faith, and acceptance. I write about how I feel on the inside and not externally. My life is lived from within, in the present moment. It’s an album of soul food, and I’ve never been so grateful, right here, on planet earth. Music is the healer!”
Vocalist, bassist, and songwriter GLENN HUGHES is a true original. No other rock musician has so distinctively blended the finest elements of hard rock, soul, and funk. His astonishing voice is his calling card, he’s known as a singer’s singer. Stevie Wonder once called HUGHES his favorite white vocalist. After a nine-year hiatus as a solo artist, GLENN HUGHES returns with ‘Chosen,’ a brand-new solo album that finds him at his most hard-rocking. Explosive and dynamic, ‘Chosen’ showcases HUGHES at his absolute best, both in songwriting and production. A truly captivating return!
Outsider Rock 