AXEL RUDI PELL’s New Album ‘Risen Symbol’ to be released June 14, 2024, via Steamhammer/SPV
No doubt about it: The world would be a much poorer place without AXEL RUDI PELL! On his 22nd (!) studio album ‘Risen Symbol’, the Bochum-based guitarist and songwriter continues to fly the melodic hard rock flag without watering down his style with pseudo-modern stylistic variations or expendable studio gimmicks. At the same time, he is constantly looking for new influences, exciting inspirations, and catchy hooks. One of the best things about ARP’s anthems is that they are perfectly tailored to the charismatic voice of frontman Johnny Gioeli. The American vocalist is one of the most eminent rock singers worldwide and, together with PELL, former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli, and the two longstanding ARP members Ferdy Doernberg (keyboards) and Volker Krawczak (bass), has been an integral part of a perfectly oiled machine for more than ten years, wowing fans and media alike.
‘Risen Symbol’ will be available on Steamhammer/SPV from June 14, 2024. For all those who can’t wait, 3 April 2024 will see the arrival of the lead single “Guardian Angel” followed on May 22, 2024, by “Darkest Hour”.
Track List:
1. The Resurrection (Intro)
2. Forever Strong
3. Guardian Angel
4. Immigrant Song
5. Darkest Hour
6. Ankhaia
7. Hell’s On Fire
8. Crying In Pain
9. Right On Track
10. Taken By Storm
‘Risen Symbol‘ will be released on June 14th, 2024
via Steamhammer/SPV in the following configurations:
Band: Johnny Gioeli – Lead and Backing Vocals, Axel Rudi Pell – Lead and Rhythm Guitars, Ferdy Doernberg – Keyboards, Volker Krawczak – Bass, Bobby Rondinelli – Drums
Canada’s own STRIKER has a new album out this week, titled ‘Ultrapower‘, the Edmonton band’s 7th record. First off, love this cover-art by Al Perez/Ramone Sketch, awesome retro 80s drawing of machine/robot and cool colorful lettering drawn in. These guys are really more fast paced hard-rock /metal, but throw in elements of AOR/pop, prog-metal, and party type rock & anthems. The band’s latest single “Give It All” even features keys and saxophone, and those big ’80s backing vocals, making this one sound like it could be out of some lost ’80s action hero movie! For the most part this is really good, with standouts “Circle Of Evil” (the previous single, a Malmsteen inspired metal cut about secret societies, etc..), as well as ’80s styled arena rockers “Turn The Lights Out” , “City Calling” (influenced by 80s AOR & pop like Kenny Loggins and Toto) , and “Ready For Anything”. Most interesting track is the sorta progressive “Blood Magic”, with a few twists and changes, big guitar solos, with the band citing King Diamond as an influence here. Musically these guys pick up lots from ’80s bands like Dokken, Queensryche, Anthrax, as well as Judas Priest (the ’80s stuff)… Well worth checking out. A fun rocking album! *Check out the band bio below, as well as the 3 videos from Ultrapower, and links!
STRIKER:
Dan Cleary – Vocals Tim Brown – Guitar John Simon Fallon – Guitar Pete Klassen – Bass Jono Webster – Drums (album only)
Blending classic heavy metal, hard rock, and 80’s hair metal, Striker has been making shredtacular anthems since 2007. The band has toured multiple times across Europe and North America, chosen to open for Metallica in their hometown of Edmonton, AB, Canada along with many festival appearances that include 70,000 Tons of Metal, Wacken Open Air (Germany), Bang Your Head Festival (Germany), and more to add to the almost 1000 shows performed in their decade-plus career. The band has been honoured with multiple Best Album awards in their home country of Canada from the JUNO Awards(The Canadian equivalent to the American Grammy), Western Canadian Music Awards, and the Edmonton Music Awards.
Striker is kicking off 2024 with their seventh studio album “ULTRAPOWER”, which follows their Juno Award-winning self-released full-length “Play to Win” (2018) released on their label Record Breaking Records. The new album also features the band’s latest lineup addition of long-time friend and guitarist John Simon Fallon (The Order of Chaos). For the band’s seventh full-length, they teamed up with producer Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810), entering the studio in March 2023. With the band writing material since 2018, “ULTRAPOWER” is a collection of five years of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues.
“ULTRAPOWER is the amalgamation of 5 years of writing and exploring music. With influences from AOR to Speed Metal, Hardcore to Hair Metal, Steely Dan to Deathcore, you name it, it made its way into the album. In the end with the help of Josh Schroeder’s guiding hand, we melted it all together to present something uniquely Striker. Lyrically we’ve stuck to the Striker tradition of writing montage songs for movies that don’t exist, songs about our spiraling serfdom, and lyrics about the evils that lurk in the shadows.” adds the band.
“ULTRAPOWER” follows Striker’s six studio albums Eyes in the Night (2010, Iron Kodex), Armed to The Teeth (2012, Napalm), City of Gold (2014, Napalm), Stand in the Fire (2016, Record Breaking), Striker (2017, Record Breaking), and Play to Win (2018, Record Breaking).
Jack Russell & Tracii Guns have a new album out now titled Medusa, and it rocks! Russell was the voice of GREAT WHITE, one of my favorite bands to come out of that LA hard rock ’80s scene, and Tracii Guns is from the legendary LA GUNS. Jack Russell released an album in 2017 titled He Saw It Comin’ (as Jack Russell’s Great White), and Guns (who is always busy) released an excellent collaboration with Michael Sweet (STRYPER) in 2021 Evil And Devine (as SUNBOMB). Both albums are highly recommended, with He Saw It Comin’ sounding more like classic 80s GREAT WHITE than anything the band had done in years (particularly without him). So it is no wonder that album is another solid set, heavy, melodic, with Jack Russell still sounding as great as he did 35+ years ago, and Tracii Guns being one of those amazing players that suits anything. Lots of great heavy riffs here on rockers like “In And Out Of Love” (the Hammond organ is a nice touch), “Give Me The Night”, “Coming Down”, and the single “Tell Me Why”. There’s also a good ballad in “Living A Lie”. Further cool heavy rock in the album’s title track and “Where I Belong”. Every song here is at least good (OK, I’m not crazy about the lead off single “Next In Line”, but…), enough changes to keep it all interesting, along with added piano and organ throughout this record (courtesy of Alessandro Del Vecchio. Awesome collaboration.
RUSSELL – GUNS marks the beginning of a fresh artistic partnership between two legendary figures of Los Angeles hard rock: Jack Russell and Tracii Guns, accompanied by Johnny Martin, Shane Fitzgibbon and Alessandro Del Vecchio.
The pair released their new studio album, ‘Medusa,’ on January 12th, 2024 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Commenting on the partnership, Tracii Guns said, “Jack is one of the greatest rock voices of our generation. It’s a total honor to play guitar on this record.”
For Jack Russell, this project represents a long-awaited return to recording and new music, coming seven years after the release of ‘He Saw It Comin” with Jack Russell’s Great White. Instead of dwelling on the past and attempting to recreate the storied origins of the multi-platinum hard rock entity, Jack is excited to be moving forward and collaborating with none other than Tracii Guns, an artist experiencing a creative resurgence of his own.
On ‘Medusa,’ Jack and Tracii have discovered a common thread in a collection of songs that draw from the bluesy power and heavy energy of their most celebrated material and roots, yet infused with a fresh, energetic drive and modern metallic production.
About the album, Jack had this to say, “It was so great making a record with Tracii! Initially, I had my reservations about making this record, but in the end it kicks ass. I’ll play with Tracii anytime!”
‘Medusa’ is an album that showcases inspired artistic integrity and commitment to rock’n’roll from two extraordinary rock stars of the 80s and 90s.
Track List: 1) Next In Line 2) Tell Me Why 3) Coming Down 4) Where I Belong 5) For You 6) Give Me the Night 7) Living A Lie 8) In And Out of Love 9) Medusa 10) Back Into Your Arms again 11) I Want You
Line Up:
Jack Russell – vocals Tracii Guns – guitars Johnny Martin – Bass Shane Fitzgibbon – drums Alessandro Del Vecchio – keyboards, backing vocals
In 1984, Jack Russell burst onto the scene as the frontman for Great White, a prominent presence in the Los Angeles music scene. The band’s self-titled debut, along with platinum-selling albums like 1987’s ‘Once Bitten…’ and 1989’s ‘…Twice Shy,” sold over 8 million copies worldwide. Their rock legacy continued into the 21st century, and in 2011, Russell went on to form Jack Russell’s Great White.
Tracii Guns is a legend in his own right. He founded LA Guns in 1983, which later merged with another group called Hollywood Rose, laying the foundation for one of the true giants of rock: Guns N’ Roses. After departing the band and reuniting with former Girl lead vocalist Phil Lewis to reform LA Guns, he signed with Vertigo Records and released 14 studio albums with the band. He also ventured into various side projects, including Contraband (with Michael Schenker and others), Sunbomb (with Michael Sweet of Stryper), and more recently, Blackbird Angels with Todd Kerns (of Slash & The Conspirators).
Ultimately, this new music from RUSSELL – GUNS is a gift to the millions of fans who have steadfastly supported both Tracii Guns and Jack Russell throughout the years. It’s everything they’ve been waiting for and more.
LUCIFER is a new(er) act from Sweden featuring heavy Sabbath-y guitar riffs and sounds, as well as influences like Blue Oyster Cult and Ghost, among other. Memorable tunes, melodies and awesome female vocals from Johanna Platow Andersson; this is definitely something new, exciting, and different. A fine mix of hard rock, metal, doomy titles, melodic rock… Favorite cuts include the lead off song “Fallen Angel” – which sounds very early Sabbath inspired, “Riding Reaper”, “Strange Sister”, and the slow kinda bluesy closing track “Nothing Left To Lose But My Life”…. *Check out the clips I’ve included below as well as band press info and links below.
Since it’s inception in 2014 In Berlin, the highly prolific band led by charismatic singer Johanna Platow Andersson has released four electrifying albums on Rise Above (LUCIFER I) and Century Media Records (LUCIFER II-IV), as well as and numerous stand-alone singles infused with 1970s hard rock, proto heavy metal, doom and occult rock, with a nod to their main influences such as Black Sabbath, Pentagram & Blue Öyster Cult.
Lucifer, now located in Stockholm, have been nominated twice for a Swedish Grammy in the category ‘Best Hardrock/Metal Album’ as well as the Swedish Radio Award P3 and several GAFFA nominations. Amongst others, they have graced the cover of the leading US metal magazine, Decibel, before their first album was released.
The group has concluded recording their fifth studio album, LUCIFER V, the first one to be released by their new label, Nuclear Blast Records to be released on January 26th 2024.
Although Lucifer is known to notoriously deliver critically acclaimed albums, supreme songwriting and quality recordings, LUCIFER V is rumored to be their best album yet. Combining elements of all their previous albums into one monumental mass of electrifying heavy rock and roll. Eerie landscapes shaped by soaring guitar riffs, the thunderous pounding of bass and drums from some sort of groovy inferno, haunted melodies to weep into your drink to, the screeching tires of a 1971 Cadillac hearse, the humorous morbidity and tragic wit of Johanna’s lyrics.
If death had a best friend, it would be Lucifer and they would hang out together at the local cemetery, shooting the shit.
Catch Lucifer live this November in North America on The Satanic Panic Tour co-headlining with Coven, as well as this coming February together with Angel Witch & Coven, when Lucifer brings The Satanic Panic Tour to Europe.
Lucifer: Johanna Platow Andersson (vocals) Nicke Andersson Platow (drums) Linus Björklund (guitar) Martin Nordin (guitar) Harald Göthblad (bass)
Tracklisting: 1. Fallen Angel 2. At The Mortuary 3. Riding Reaper 4. Slow Dance In A Crypt 5. A Coffin Has No Silver Lining 6. Maculate Heart 7. The Dead Don’t Speak 8. Strange Sister 9. Nothing Left To Lose But My Life
Over the past couple of decades SAXON has proved themselves as one those high ranking bands to emerge from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Though never as big as Maiden was or is, Saxon have consistently put out solid albums, almost yearly, giving their fans exactly what they want and expect – classic British kick-ass metal, with no deviations. Having said all that I think Saxon’s Hell, Fire and Damnation is the band’s best in years! Not that anything prior to wasn’t good, but the songs here just roll off so well one after another, with lots of memorable rockers, the Saxon historical tales, and anthems. Love the production from Biff Byrford and Andy Sneap, and perhaps the addition of Diamond Head’s Brian Tatler (having taken over for the retired Paul Quinn) has sparked something special. From the title track to “Madame Guillotine”, the speedy “Fire and Steel” that kicks off with Nigel Glockear’s drum roll, and early favorites like “Kubla Khan and the Merchants of Venice” and album closer “Super Charger”. Looking forward to putting this on in the car and cranking it up, and hopefully catching the band on their upcoming tour. Love the cover-art by Peter Sallai!
SAXON has also released a brand new single/video for the track “There’s Something In Roswell”. The track is about the enigmatic events surrounding the 1947 crash of an assumed Army weather balloon in Roswell New Mexico, referred to as ‘The Roswell incident’.
“It’s such a great story. It’s been around for years and years, and it’s just what the song says: there must be something in Roswell because there’s too much hoorah about it still”, lead singer and founder-member Biff Byford explains. “I like the tune as well, I think it harks back to ‘80s Saxon musically, a really good bridge between the classic ‘Dallas 1 PM’ era and ‘Saxon 2023.’”
Alex Machin of Canada’s A FOOT IN COLDWATER has a brand new single out titled “Till They Bury Me”. This catchy rocker was penned by Machin, autobiographical, with the lyric video featuring photos from his personal life and professional life (on stage & off). Machin’s vocals sound as good as they did 50 years ago when ‘Foot was taking off. Fellow Foot In Coldwater bandmate Danny Taylor plays drums, The singer also plays bass, and on guitar is Toronto player Gus Papas – “He had a couple of solo albums, one titled ‘Convicted’ that was released in America on Epic Records. He toured extensively and came close to breaking out in the States. Danny played drums on that record. “ Papas also co-wrote a track on Alex Machin’s 1984 project Champion (released as Champion featuring Alex Machin). An album that didn’t get off to a good start with the label going bankrupt the week of it’s release (“That’s a very long and painful story.”, AM), but it is highly sought after by A Foot In Coldwater fans.
A Foot In Coldwater released 4 albums in the ’70s, and had a huge hit with the ballad “Make Me Do (Anything You Want)”, in 1972., The band has played several reunion gigs since their initial split in 1977 – “We are still planning on having A Foot in Coldwater resurface at some point in the near future. For now I am busy having fun writing songs in my studio, putting them out and hoping that people enjoy them. ”
*Check out the new song, as well as the links below!
Outsider Rock 