Tag Archives: rock

JORN- ‘Return of the Jorniverse’, out December

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A new release from JORN will be out next month (Dec 11), coming after the release of Jorn Lande’s work with Tony Iommi. The is compilation containing 30 songs, available on CD, Vinyl…Check out the press info below.

Pre-Order HERE

Described as one of the greatest rock singers of our time, the Norse God of Metal, and a driving force in the renaissance of classic hard rock, Jorn Lande has established himself as one of the genre’s most distinctive and respected voices. Renowned for his world-class vocal range, rich tone, and unmistakable delivery, JORN has built an extraordinary career spanning more than five decades of releases, earning worldwide recognition not only as a powerhouse vocalist but also as an accomplished songwriter and lyricist.

Since the release of JORN’s debut album, Starfire, in 2000, the project has amassed an extensive catalogue of 21 releases, encompassing original studio albums, live recordings, compilations, and the acclaimed Heavy Rock Radio cover albums. With millions of albums sold worldwide and chart appearances across the globe, including Billboard, JORN has consistently demonstrated the enduring appeal of classic hard rock and heavy metal. The band’s most recent studio album, Over the Horizon Radar, arrived in 2022, reaffirming that JORN’s rock crusade shows no signs of slowing down. A third installment in the Heavy Rock Radio series is also planned for 2026, continuing his tradition of reimagining beloved rock classics in his own unmistakable style.

In 2025, JORN celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a quarter-century of powerful songwriting, commanding performances, and a musical legacy shaped by an impressive roster of musicians. Now, that legacy takes center stage with a comprehensive retrospective personally curated by Jorn Lande himself. Bringing together many of his favorite original JORN songs, the collection offers a journey through the full spectrum of the band’s sound, from epic, majestic heavy metal anthems and dark, hard-hitting tracks to timeless melodic classics. It also highlights the contributions of the acclaimed musicians who have helped shape JORN’s distinctive identity over the years.

The collection arrives at a time of renewed interest in the band’s back catalogue, with original JORN material that has been unavailable on physical formats for years generating growing demand among fans and collectors. Available in premium triple-vinyl, double-CD, and double-cassette editions, this release is both an essential addition for longtime fans and an ideal introduction for newcomers discovering the world of JORN.

JORN’s extraordinary versatility extends well beyond his own band. Since 2008, he has frequently toured internationally with Avantasia, the acclaimed metal opera project, showcasing his voice alongside some of the biggest names in rock and metal. He has also ventured into the gaming world, lending his unmistakable vocals to Karthus, the undead champion in League of Legends’ virtual metal band Pentakill.

Another major milestone in JORN’s career comes with his collaboration with Tony Iommi, the legendary Black Sabbath guitarist widely regarded as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. On Iommi’s solo album From the Dark, scheduled for release on October 23, 2026, JORN contributes all the lyrics and vocal melodies, while delivering his signature powerhouse vocals alongside Iommi’s iconic riffs. The collaboration further underscores Jorn’s stature as both an elite vocalist and a songwriter capable of standing alongside the most influential figures in heavy music.

On stage, JORN leads a formidable lineup of musicians who bring their own character and fire to the band’s unmistakable sound. Featuring guitarists Tore Moren and Adrian Sunde Bjerketvedt, bassist Øyvind Strønen, drummer Francesco Jovino, and keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio, JORN delivers a wall of powerful hard rock that hits with the force of a freight train.

Driven by an enduring love of music and fueled by the connection between the band and its fans, JORN continues to carry the torch for classic hard rock and heavy metal, honoring the genre’s legacy while keeping its spirit alive for a new generation.

JORN LINE-UP:
Vocals: Jorn Lande
Guitar: Tore Moren
Guitar: Adrian Sunde Bjerketvedt
Bass: Øyvind Strønen
Drums: Francesco Jovino
Keyboards: Alessandro Del Vecchio

https://jornlande.com

TEAZE in Ten Songs

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Canadian band TEAZE returned a few years ago, and more recently released a brilliant live album, followed by an excellent studio album. But, the band which had some 46 years between their new Rev Your Engines and 1980’s ill fated Body Shots, is still unknown to many of those outside Canada. During the band’s 5 year run of 4 studio albums (and one live one), Teaze received plenty of press, with opening slots on tours by other Canadian acts like April Wine and Triumph. They had a hit single, but it wasn’t a song that necessarily represented the band’s 2 guitar hard-rock sound. So, in those near 40 years that the band was gone, classic rock radio may have not been as kind as their catalogue deserves. So, consider this list for those who know little to 0 about Teaze; those that I’ve mentioned them to, who aren’t familiar. This is Teaze classics for those who do know the band’s albums, so if you’re new to them (or curious), check it out.

Most recently the band has also launched their brand new website, which is being taken care of by new drummer Jim Bonventre. So, anything you need to know and want to discover about this Canadian band can be found there. Pay the website a visit, check out their history, discography, download a new(er) track, and sign up!

https://teazeofficial.com

Rockin With The Music

The first track on the band’s debut album from 1976. Written by guitarist Mark Bradac. A fast paced, guitar rocker, an anthem, and an obvious opening cut to set the tone for the album. Also featured as the opener on the band’s Tour Of Japan album.

Boys Night Out

Also from the Teaze album, written by Bradac and drummer Mike Kozak. Another rocker and anthem celebrating the ‘boys night out’. An easily likeable and memorable song, which was released as the single in Canada. This was re-recorded for the band’s Body Shots album a few years later. Pre-dated the Toronto hit “Girls Night Out” by 7 years. Honestly, it was difficult cutting it down to 2 songs from the debut, this album rocks pretty solid right to the end. Classic ’70s guitar rock, and a good place to start if you’re curious about this band. “Boys Night Out” appeared on the 1985 UK release Heavy Metal America (w/ “Back In Action”), as well as 2LP Castle Communications release Metal Killers Kollection, Volume 2, in 1986.

Sweet Misery

From Teaze’s 2nd album, On The Loose, in ear;y ’78. “Sweet Misery” would become the band’s lone charting single, but … The song written by guitarist Chuck Price and Mike Kozak, was a country flavored ballad, which was unlike Anything the band had done. It probably confused fans and record buyers back then, and even the band steered clear of playing it live, as it had nothing to do with their 2 guitar, energetic rock reputation. In retrospect, maybe not a wise decision. Still a great song. The band did eventually play it (when they reunited), and even re-recorded by the band for their new album Rev Your Engines. “Sweet Misery” would be included on K-Tel’s Hot Ones collection from ’77.

On The Loose

The title track to their 1978 album. This one, which opened side 2, written by Mark Bradac and singer/bass player Brian Danter, is another hard edged high energy rocker. These guys wrote plenty of easily likeable and memorable choruses, as is this here. Love the sound on these early albums, not too polished, just cool raw late ’70s guitar rock.

Heartless World

Prior to 1979’s One Night Stands, Teaze had released Tour Of Japan album, their first live album, and more importantly, signed to Capitol Records to finally get their records released in the US. Capitol US had signed April Wine in ’78, breaking them in to the US market with “Roller”. One Night Stands came out in March of ’79, and was produced by Myles Goodwyn (April Wine). And everything about this is a step up – from the songs, performances, and production, even the front cover and packaging. I think by and large this is considered the band’s best work, and it’s tuff to pick a few songs from it, but the most obvious choice is the band’s epic “Heartless World”. This one, written by Bradac and Kozak starts off with acoustic guitar, then vocal, before the band kicks in. There’s a number of changes here, as well as a bit of keyboards, piano, sax, and the band’s heavy gallop, but more so, it has Brian Danter’s vocals, and his finest vocal in the band’s entire catalogue. There is nothing else like it in the band’s 70s catalogue, and how it did not become of a hit (it was a single) or remain an FM radio staple is baffling. “Heartless World” would feature in 2 films, Twists Of Terror (1997 Canadian), and Metalhead (2014, Iceland). The song was also covered by Canuck band Unleash The Archers in 2019.

Young And Reckless

Also from One Night Stands, “Young And Reckless”. A bit of funk-rocker., love the bass, and the shift between chorus and verse. This one’s very easily likeable. Written by Bradac, Danter, & Kozak. Would’ve made a nice single, but was used as the B-side to the 2nd single, and ballad “Loose Change“.

Touch The Wind

The closing track on One Night Stands. Written by Brian Danter. Again, featuring acoustic guitar, and build up. Features a cool instrumental section, with an extended heavy solo, softens up (bass and drums mainly), but speeds up before eventually building up and dropping back into acoustic guitar. This one has such a cool late night ’70 rock feel, with a Blackmore guitar tone in the solo. Oddly, makes me think of the April Wine cut “Silver Dollar”, a similar vibe. Classic track!

Sure Thing

Well, despite One Night Stands sounding so good, it didn’t put Teaze on top, and unfortunately Myles Goodwyn was not recalled to produce the follow up, Body Shots, from 1980. Whether is was the label and/or producer Nick Blagona, Body Shots was a step back, and sideways. There’s some good songs here, the bandmembers will tell you some of their best, but it’s largely marred by the production in some attempt to make the Teaze sound a bit more pop or new wave or something. The standout track here, for me is “Sure Thing”, credited to Danter, Bradac, and Kozak (as are all the song here). It’s another funk rockier tune, much in the style of “Young And Restless”.

Rev Your Engines

So most bands that might make a new album 45 years after their last one (kidding, who does that!?), might make an album that is a shadow of their former self, but nope Teaze comes out with Rev Your Engines, an album that can arguably be called their best album. The band now features guitarist/keyboardist/producer Chuck Lambrick (who’s been playing with Teaze since 2019), and drummer Jim Bonventre. The album kicks off with this rocker, geared for the stage, written by Bradac, Lambrick, and J.J. Garrisi. An excellent song to get things going, cool guitar blends in the solo….

Man Of Vision

The first single from Rev Your Engines, the first brand new Teaze song since 1980, and what could one expect!? Well, “Man Of Vision” is another featuring acoustic guitar, build up, to the chorus, with harmonies…. Just put this one in the same class as “Heartless World”. Musically epic, it says something lyrically, and is a powerful song. Penned by guitarists Mark Bradac and Charles Hambrick, with vocal from Brian Danter, who still sounds as powerful as he did in 1980.

I could’ve picked more from this album, but these 2 tracks are the most obvious, IMO.

Ten Band Catalogues I Would Keep

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At my age I’ve started thinking about downsizing my record collection; not so much my CDs, but LPs, which I have the most of. Between age, other things I want to do with my life, and hope to some day move house again, I gotta wonder what I really want to listen to from here on in and how much I might actually get the time to. There are records I’ve kept for years, for decades, and things I’ve picked up in recent years that I’ve thought One day I will have the time to really get in to this and enjoy it much more. Well, that time is now, because I’ve gotten plenty of albums and catalogues that I still rarely pull out (if ever), And more so, I have catalogues of bands and artists I can pull out any day and enjoy, and would gladly add more to that catalaogue if there’s something more or new of interest. So, here is 10 bands or artists that I would be putting aside. It is important to look at quantity and quality too – I love Boston, but 6 Boston albums. I also include direct or significantly related works…..

Now that I struggled through this, I may do a part 2 eventually including some of those shorter catalogues). And then there’s the band’s catalogues that I don’t even know why I still have!

URIAH HEEP (Ken Hensley, David Byron, Peter Goalby, Phil Lanzon….solo)

Well, for me the most obvious….Uriah Heep have 25 studio albums, 20 (official) live albums, numerous non-LP tracks that have ended up on compilations or reissues. There’s been 5 lead singers, each adding a different appeal to the band. There’s also been a number of name keyboardists, drummers, and bass players pass through the band, with 2 keyboard players providing a major part of the songwriting during their time in the band. So, aside from the studio and live albums, I’d be including the most obvious solo releases from Ken Hensley, David Byron, Peter Goalby, and Phil Lanzon. Sure, there’s plenty more, but those are most signifigant IMO.

BLACK SABBATH (Ozzy, Dio solo)

Some of the first albums I ever owned were the early Black Sabbath albums, so I can easily live with those 8 studio albums with Ozzy. I loved the Dio albums (mainly the first 2), and subsequent albums with Gillan, Hughes, and Tony Martin are largely great by me. 20 studio albums (I’m counting the Heaven & Hell releases), 8 live albums (though I’m not crazy about all these). Throw in the post-Sabbath catalogues from Ozzy, Dio, Bill Ward, and Tony Iommi, and i’m happy.

MAGNUM

British hard-rock/Aor band Magnum have been releasing albums since the late 70s. Their last coming 2 years, around the same time as guitarist & songwriter Tony Clarkin passed away. Few of the band’s albums actually got released over here, so I’ve still got a few gaps to fill in, but 23 studio albums, 10+ live releases. Lots of classic British rock to be heard, and keep me busy.

RUSH

Well, another no-brainer…. For being just a 3 piece band, Rush released a ton of excellent albums in their catalogue. 19 studio albums, 10+ live albums, plus lots of must-have bonus material (largely live) on box sets and reissues. The band changed direction a few times, always trying to stay modern and fresh, so there’s one can;t get bored of the band’s massive output since 1974.

STYX (Dennis DeYoung, Tommy Shaw solo)

Another band I got started with when I began collecting records. Styx released a string of hit albums from the mid 70s til 1981 Their catalogue though is worth having also for the band’s more obscure early releases, and most recent albums. 18 studio albums (albeit a few post-81 I am not keen on), plus 9 live albums (even though a number of these came after the band split with founding member Dennis DeYoung). But the has redeemed themselves in recent years with 3 excellent studio albums (w/ Lawrence Gowan). Not a lot of rarities in the band’s catalogue, but definitely worth keeping the solo albums from DeYoung and Tommy Shaw, as well.

PINK FLOYD (David Gilmour solo)

Since 1967, British psych and progressive band have released 15 studio albums, and 8 live albums (tho’ may of these are archived releases coming decades after the fact). I’m not crazy about the band’s earliest stuff, but the addition of David Gilmour, his guitar playing and vocals are the draw for me, largely. Pink Floyd did not record every year like most bands in the 70s, which seems to make many of their releases seem more like ‘events’. Love their 70s output (meh, not so crazy about The Wall), but also enjoyed 80s releases, and any David Gilmour solo releases, with his live albums always featuring a good chunk of Pink Floyd material. Roger Waters, well I like his first solo album.

ASIA (John Wetton solo, John Payne) ,

When Asia came out in 1982, that debut album was outstanding beginning to end! Rock, AOR, prog….a band consisting of 4 ‘name’ players, 3 big hit singles…. The follow ups were never as good, but I still liked them a lot. Featured the voice of John Wetton. Bu the band began to fall apart by the 3rd album, and endless changes occurred til Wetton left around 1990, and keyboardist Geoff Downes reformed the band around himself and new singer/bass player John Payne. The Payne era of the band, which released 8 studio albums of material and a number of live albums, never really caught on commercially and many fans simply overlook this period, but there is some excellent releases in there. The original band eventually reformed, released a couple of fine studio albums. Sadly Wetton passed away in 2017, but Downes has more recently regrouped with new guys, notably unknown singer/bass player Harry Whitley, who sounds remarkably like Wetton, and have (so far) released 1 live album and recorded 1 studio album, all sounding very promising. With the Asia releases, I’d include John Wetton’s solo records, and John Payne’s post-Asia solo , GPS and Dukes Of The Orient albums

LYNYRD SKYNYRD

Not a huge catalogue, especially what is considered the ‘real’ Lynyrd Skynyrd, the 70s stuff. But, as much as some of us (including myself on occasion) about this band continuing after the plane crash that claimed their leader and singer in 1977, there’s actually been some pretty good albums from the band, with Johnny Van Zant sounding close enough to late brother Ronnie, and enough originals or key guys there for years, that all make this a catalogue I’d be keeping and expanding on (especially archival releases). 13 studio albums (excluding the frigging Christmas album), tons of live releases (post reformation and archival), box sets, rarities releases….

APRIL WINE

One of my favorite Canadian bands. This band has been around since 1971, but there’s lots of gaps, so we only have 16 studio albums, 4+ live albums, a pile of compilations, though not a lot of rarities or related/solo material. But I can pull out these albums most days.

ALICE COOPER (band, solo…)

The original ALICE COOPER was a band, and my favorite American band. AC only released 7 studio albums in their day, before Alice went solo and has released over 20 solo albums. We also get solo and related albums from the other members over the years (Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway, Neal Smith), as well as a reunion album, an archvied live album, a reunion live mini album, box sets, and numerous live and compilations from Alice, solo.

PAUL LAINE to release ‘The Long Road Back’

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PAUL LAINE : “THE LONG ROAD BACK”
OUT ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2026
VIA FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL

PRE-ORDER HERE

The renowned Canadian singer Paul Laine announced that his new studio album, The Long Road Back, will be released on September 25, 2026, via Frontiers Music Srl.

The first single, “Love Me Or Leave Me”, came with an official visualizer. Laine commented: “I’m so happy to launch a new era in my solo career with my new single “Love Me Or Leave Me”. I feel like I finally got a chance to pick up where I left off all those years ago, when I finished making “Stick It In Your Ear”. Come join me on my new musical journey with “The Long Road Back” album. See y’all out on the Road in 2027.”

The second single, “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite” is now available. Laine commented: “I’m excited to share the release of my next single, ‘Don’t Let Me Go Tonite.’ This song is another chapter in the soundtrack of my life – a look back at love, loss, memories, and all those moments when you can’t help but wonder what could’ve been. I hope this one finds a place with you the way it found a place with me. See y’all out on the road in 2027! ❤️

A masterclass in melodic rock, Paul Laine’s new album delivers soaring hooks, heartfelt ballads, and arena-ready anthems that traverse the full spectrum of the genre. From the driving energy of “Love Me Or Leave Me”, to the intimate vulnerability of “Someday” (co-written with Andrew Oye), every track is meticulously crafted, showcasing Laine’s signature vocal power and melodic sensibility. “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite” comes alive with a striking video that complements its infectious energy.

Laine stated: “Ever since I released my first solo album, I’ve wondered when I’d finally have the chance to make a follow-up. Life – and music – have a way of taking you places you never expect. Looking back, every chapter of my career has led me down a different road, and each one has shaped me as both a songwriter and a person”.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to make records with Danger Danger, Darkhorse, The Defiants, Shugaazer, and Jetset Junkies. Every one of those experiences taught me something and gave me memories I’ll always carry with me. But somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew the road would eventually lead me home – to where it all started. Just a kid with a guitar, trying to make sense of love, life, loss, hope, and everything in between through songs”, he added.

“The Long Road Back” is exactly that. It’s a musical journey back to my roots, but it’s also a reflection of every mile I’ve travelled to get here. Every song carries a piece of the life I’ve lived, the people I’ve met, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. In many ways, this record feels like coming full circle. After all these years, I’m grateful to finally share this chapter with everyone who’s been waiting for it. I hope these songs find a place in your story, just as they’ve become part of mine”, Laine concluded.

Joining Laine in the studio are longtime collaborators Bruno Ravel (his bandmate in The Defiants and also in Danger Danger – bass, producer), Scotty “Hooch” Taylor (drums), Andrew Oye (lead guitar), with production handled by Laine and Ravel. The album features standout singles like “Love Me Or Leave Me”, the video-driven “Don’t Let Me Go Tonite”, and the heartfelt “Someday”.

Musically, the record touches every corner of melodic rock, yet the songs sound like they’re coming from the classic era when Bon Jovi dominated the airwaves – both in Laine’s soaring vocals and in the anthemic, hook-laden songwriting. This is an album for fans who crave big choruses, passionate performances, and the kind of timeless melodic rock that only Paul Laine can deliver.

Tracklist:

1.    Love Me Or Leave Me
2.    Don’t Let Me Go Tonite
3.    Someday
4.    Come Back To Me
5.    Save Me Saturday Night
6.    Her Name Is Trouble
7.    Heaven And Earth Collide
8.    Bad Habit
9.    Kiss Me California
10.    The Ones That Got Away
11.    Now That You Don’t Love Me Anymore

Line Up:
Paul Laine
Bruno Ravel
Scotty “Hooch” Taylor
Andrew Oye

Pre-Order “The Long Road Back” HERE

photo: Dee Oliver

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/paullaineofficial

SWEET – ‘Live 25’ to be released in October

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A new SWEET live album, from the band’s most recent tour will be released October 23, on Metalville. Live 25, will feature 16 tracks from Andy Scott and company. This is available for pre-order through Metalville’s website, on CD and colored vinyl.

With Full Circle (2024), the rock institution SWEET released an album that critics and fans around the world considered to be their strongest album since Level Headed (1978), the last album recorded by the four original band members. Full Circle was also the band’s first Top 20 entry in the German album charts since the release of the 1978 classic.

With such a strong album under their belt, it was only natural for the band, led by founding member Andy Scott, to present the new songs live. The album Live 25 is now ready for release. Alongside tracks from Full Circle, the band performed all the classics hits plus a few heavy rock tracks that had rarely made it onto the setlist in previous years.

The current SWEET lineup has proved to be the perfect team. The sound and dynamics of the band live carries the audience on a magic carpet ride of pure emotion.

Andy Scott comments: “Live 25 is more than just a live recording; it’s a celebration of what SWEET do best. From the 1970s, performing live has always been at the heart of who we are, and that fire still burns bright. So crank up the volume, sing your heart out, and experience the energy of a SWEET live concert.”

LINE-UP: Paul Manzi – lead vocals, Lee Small – bass guitar / vocals, Tom Cory – guitars / keys / vocals, Adam Booth – drums / percussion, Andy Scott – guitars / vocals

Tracklisting:

1. Full Circle (Intro)

2. Action

3. Hellraiser

4. Circus

5. The Six Teens

6. Don’t Bring Me Water

7. Lost Angels

8. Windy City

9. Set Me Free

10. Teenage Rampage

11. Wig Wam Bam

12. Love Is Like Oxygen

13. Fox on the Run

14. Blockbuster

15. Ballroom Blitz

16. Sweet Jane (Outro)

LINKS:
www.thesweet.com
www.metalville.de
www.facebook.com/metalville 

Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026

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New Live Album Released October 9, 2026

Available as Double CD/DVD and Double Vinyl
Pre-Order CD & Vinyl | Pre-save Digital

photo-by-elsa-wellamo

Finland´s own “Queen of the Slide Guitar” Erja Lyytinen is celebrating her 50th Birthday with a lavish live album package consisting of a double CD, double vinyl and a full-length DVD, which was recorded at the prestigious House of Culture, known as “Kultsa” in Helsinki Finland on 21st March 2026. The venue House of Culture has a long tradition as a live music locale, where renowned artists from Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Queen, and Slayer have performed.

Entitled Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026, the spectacular live album is released by Tuohi Records on Friday October 9 and is available to pre-order on CD and vinyl HERE, and digitally HERE.

The first single take from Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026 album is Lyytinen´s song “One Thing I Won’t Change” that features glam rock and punk-legend Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Joan Jett) on bass guitar and on backing vocals. The live single is available on all streaming platforms HERE.


The chemistry between the two musicians’ sparkles on this song, which combines blues and classic rock and has an infectious chorus, which makes you move!

Erja’s amazing band back her through this 90-minute-long concert full of old gems from her career. The release features songs from albums such as Voracious Love, Another World, and the latest studio album Smell the Roses.

This is a heavy blues rock show with international stars. Erja brought her favourite artists to perform alongside her on the show. Swedish banjo punk/blues group Baskery featured on the song “Torn” with Erja accompanying their vocals with her guitar. Legendary bassist Sami Yaffa (Joan Jett, Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls) joined Erja and her band on the track “One Thing I Won´t Change” and you can certainly feel their energy, while they rock out to this tune that was rearranged for the event from the album Forbidden Fruit (2012) to celebrate life and Erja´s musical skills today.

Photo by-elsa-wellamo

The evening starts with an introduction from Erja´s twin boys inviting the group on stage and after that the first band song “Ball and Chain” kicks in hard. We also hear “Smell the Roses” and “Going to Hell” from the latest studio album, before the set list continues with songs from older gems such as the rocking “Bird,” Erja’s beautiful slide solo take on “Lullaby,” the lushy “Cherry Overdrive” and “Nasty Weather” from Erja´s “Dreamland Blues” album. The latter was recorded in Mississippi in 2006 with Kinney and David Kimbrough and has now been played and renewed exactly twenty years after.

On the song “Another World,” Erja makes a vocal break down, where a thousand people in the audience join her to sing along and savor this great moment together. The live recording also includes “Stoney Creek” and “The Ring” as an encore song, that wrap up the joyous evening at House of Culture on Erja´s Birthday.

Additionally, the live album contains a concert from the “Smell the Roses” studio album release tour in October 2025. Recorded in Tempo, Mikkeli Finland, this recording has all the album songs, like “Dragonfly,” the heavy “Abyss,” the heart wrenching ballad “Empty Hours,” huge southern-rock vibey “Wings to Fly” and in addition Erja´s favorite live tracks “You Talk Dirty” and a 13-minute-long rendition of “Wedding Day”. The latter was originally recorded on the album Another World together with slide maestro Sonny Landreth.

photo-by-elsa-wellamo

Erja Lyytinen – 50th Birthday Live 2026 album is a great package showing that this firecracker lady continues to enjoy playing live and isn´t anywhere near ready to stop making music and developing herself as a musician, songwriter, and entertainer. This live album is a must for all Erja fans, who enjoy unique hard rock and blues music played with an attitude. And it will leave you with a smile on your face!

50TH BIRTHDAY LIVE 2026

CD/DVD
1. Introduction by Massimo & Dante (0:50)
2. The Road Leading Home (1:21)
3. Ball and Chain (4:55)
4. Smell the Roses (5:29)
5. Going to Hell (5:28)
6. Hard as Stone (4:48)
7. Bird (6:46)
8. One Thing I Won’t Change featuring Sami Yaffa (4:19)
9. Another World (7:23)
10. Torn featuring Baskery (3:54)
11. Lullaby (2:03)
12. Nasty Weather (4:01) (Only DVD)
13. Cherry Overdrive (5:59)
14. Don’t Let a Good Woman Down (4:01)
15. You Talk Dirty (6:51)
16. Stoney Creek (7:45)
17. The Ring (7:12)

SMELL THE ROSES LIVE 2025

CD
1. Ball and Chain (4:48)
2. Smell the Roses (4:55)
3. Dragonfly (7:54)
4. Going to Hell (5:00)
5. Abyss (7:24)
6. Stoney Creek (6:09)
7. The Ring (7:10)
8. Empty Hours (5:08)
9. Wings to Fly (7:00)
10. You Talk Dirty (8:52)
11. Wedding Day (13:19)

PRODUCTION CREDITS

Erja Lyytinen – Vocals, guitars
Harri Taittonen – Hammond, backing vocals
Heikki Saarenkunnas – Bass, backing vocals
Jesse Lehto – Drums
Olli Huttunen – FOH Sound engineer
Santtu Lehtiniemi – Guitar tech
Elsa Wellamo – Photography
Marko von Konow – Graphic design

Recorded by Olli Huttunen at Mikkeli, Tempo, Finland on 03.10.2025 and House of Culture, Helsinki Finland on 21.03.2026
Mixed by Matias Kiiveri at Hollywood House, Helsinki Finland 2026
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers, Espoo Finland 2026
Executive producer Erja Lyytinen for Bluesland Productions/Tuohi Records

50TH BIRTHDAY LIVE OCTOBER 2026 UK TOUR
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM
https://erjalyytinen.com/tour

ERJA LYYTINEN ONLINE: WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE

RUSH – Roll The Bones (1991)

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When 1985s Power Windows came out, I loved the lead off single “Big Money”. Again, it was different than their previous album, a step further into their change to a more keyboard sound, modern, lighter…but beyond “Big Money”, I didn’t get too much into Power Windows. I saw that tour, at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, but that was the last Rush album I picked up early on in release, and last tour until the 2000s.

Roll The Bones was produced by Rupert Hine, a British musican/producer, who was more known for producing more 80s pop & New wave then, such as The Fixx, Howard Jones, and The Thompson Twins. He did do a couple of excellent Saga albums as well. So, with Rush’s lighter and modern direction for the past few albums, Hine, I guess, seemed like a good fit for what the band was going for then.

This album featured the singles – “Dreamline” (promo) “Ghost Of A Chance” (US, UK, Germany) and the title track. “Roll The Bones” (being the only video released), is the best known from this album, with it’s brief ‘rap’ section, which though I could do without, it is something different (again) and made for a great visual video and live. The stand-out track on this album for though is “Bravado”, and hearing this one in recent months (prior to the tour) is what had me revisiting this album. Seeing the live clips of it from the 50 Something Tour, and then hearing it in Toronto, along with the Neal Peart tribute collection of photos that went along with it, made more of an impact. Such a unqiue melody, lyirc and song in the band’s catalogue. One thing about the lighter sound, Alex Lifeson’s solos were always spot on during this period, such as on “Bravado”. Although I really like the 3 songs chosen as singles, I can’t imagine why “Bravado” was not issued as a single (tho there was promos of this in the US & France).

Other good songs on Roll The Bones (for me) include the instrumental “Where’s My Thing” (which was nominated for a Grammy), and “Heresy”. Can’t say I’m crazy about everything here, but there is enough classic Rush to make me want to put this on more, and rethink and revisit previous albums I never really got into so much.

ARTHUR BROWN – to release new album ‘Nature’

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Legendary British rocker Arthur Brown has a new album coming out September 4th, through Prophecy Productions. It is a collaboration with multi-instrumentalist Dan Smith. Arthur Brown is still out there rocking – touring, and creating new music – 58 years after his worldwide hit “Fire”!

Arthur had 2 albums in 2022, Monster’s Ball (w/ various guests) and the excellent Long Long Road (w/ Rik Patten). His new single and video is out. The album is available for pre-order, in various formats HERE. Check it out. Really looking forward to this. *Also check out the press release below, as well as tracklisting and links to more on Arthur Brown. Further, Arthur has upcoming shows and will also be a guest host on ALICE COOPER’s upcoming UK book tour, see all dates below.

Video by Marvin Stang

Iconic British blues rocker ARTHUR BROWN has revealed the title track of his forthcoming new full-length “Nature“, which has been created in collaboration with DAN SMITH. ‘Nature’ is presented in the shape of a beautiful music video that has been pro-shot live at his flamboyant shows during ARTHUR BROWN’s recent touring across Europe.

ARTHUR BROWN comments on ‘Nature’: “This is a time of confusion and choice”, the legendary rock musician muses. “Deep inside us is a consciousness, which is the basis of everything. Can we find a way to know ourselves as being it? At the moment all our social structures, our laws, education system, everything in our culture are no longer using the parts of our brain that can care for the world in its totality. From this comes our discomfort in our living. All our problems arise from this dualistic world image. We need to find a way to stand before this ‘consciousness’ and drop all our current ‘answers’.”

As ARTHUR BROWN continues to perform – “Nature” stands as a profound and poetic culmination of his artistic journey. After six decades on all the stages of the world, boundary‑breaking performances, pioneering and innovating rock music, fate and life have brought the iconic singer back to where he came from – both as a creative artist and in his personal geography.

For more than sixty years, ARTHUR BROWN has stood as one of the most singular figures in rock music. The singer and performer is universally recognised as a true visionary whose work has always moved beyond conventional songcraft and crossed over into theatre, ritual, and sonic experimentation. At the culmination of his extraordinary decade-spanning career, ARTHUR BROWN announces the release of what he describes as his pinnacle album: “Nature”. 

In recent years, ARTHUR BROWN has been contemplating how he would like to see the final chapter of his musical journey to unfold. After decades of global travel and artistic exploration, the question became not how to continue – but how to remain true and authentic to himself. Originally planning to settle in the United States, the Norns weaving fate pulled some strings. Brown and his partner as well as creative director, Claire Waller, found themselves unexpectedly in North Yorkshire, in the north of England. 

An Album Shaped by Time, Elements and a Return

What at first looked like only a temporary change of plan soon revealed itself as something far more profound. Settling down among the vast landscapes of the North York Moors, ARTHUR BROWN discovered that he had followed something powerful, the call of his blood. The iconic rock pioneer found himself living in his ancestral home, only miles from the final resting place of his great‑grandfather, grandfather, and father on one side. While on the other side loomed that ancient fishing town at the heart of many a dark folk tale, Whitby – the place of his birth. These discoveries made his return feel almost magical in its poetic symmetry.

“Nature” is a reflection on a life that has and is dedicated to the search of meaning through creativity, spirituality, and artistic exploration. Throughout ARTHUR BROWN’s life, one idea has returned time and again: the cosmic unity of existence. “Nature” places that philosophy at its centre. “Nature” is not intended as some kind of closing statement but rather the distillation of a lifetime spent exploring the mysteries of being. It is the sound of a wandering minstrel pausing, at last, to listen to the wind in the trees. And quite literally so…

Nature’s call changed the way that ARTHUR BROWN was used to working on new music. Rather than constructing the album purely within the walls of a studio, he began recording the natural sounds that surround his home. The bubbling brook. The flow of the nearby river. Wind moving through trees. Wind chimes hanging in the air. Footsteps across soil and woodland paths. The crackle of fire in the hearth. All these sounds and more became part of “Nature”‘s sonic palette. 

ARTHUR BROWN went on to find the perfect collaborators for his musical endeavour. Working with his friend and producer Isaac McInnis of Crooked Room Studio, the veteran musician developed the conceptual framework of the record – blending environmental recordings with improvisational composition. When he was satisfied, ARTHUR BROWN took the next step and called upon another friend, the composer, multi-instrumentalist, and collaborator Dan Smith, who is also a member of the current CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN live line-up, to help shape the music.

Together with McInnis and Claire Waller, the creative process unfolded organically step by step. ARTHUR BROWN brought with him a lifetime of lyrical writing, poetic prowess, and philosophical reflection. The songs evolved through a series of improvised recording sessions, which were guided by instinct rather than rigid structure.

Following these sessions, Dan Smith continued to expand and develop the musical landscape. He worked alongside McInnis, Waller, and Brown to shape what would ultimately become “Nature”. More than just another album, this record offers an interwoven tapestry of natural sounds, improvised exploration of instruments, traditional composition, and joyful collaboration.

It is time to let “Nature” take its course…

photo: Harvey Waller

Tracklist
1. Nature
2. With a Tear
3. The Source
4. Seven
5. Bursting the Bubble
6. Water on Stone
7. Open Hearts
8. Enough

Line-up: Arthur Brown – vocals
Dan Smith – various instruments

Recording line-up:
Arthur Brown – vocals
Dan Smith – guitar, bass, keyboards, programming, backing vocals
Isaac McInnis – keyboards, programming, scissors

Guest musicians:
Sam Walker – drums, steel pans, percussion, backing vocals on track 1 & 4
Claire Waller – scissors, recorder on track 1 & 7
Paul Elliott – drums, percussion on track 2

Recording & mix: by Isaac McInnis at Crooked Room Studio, York (UK)
Mastering: by Kevin Tuffy at Tuff Mastering, Berlin (DE)

Artwork photography: by Harvey Waller
Layout: by Łukasz Jaszak

Available formats

“Nature” will be available as a ltd. hardcover 48-page 2CD artbook with essays by Arthur Brown & bonus CD incl. two excl. studio tracks, ltd. Gatefold marbled natural & clear vinyl LP (400 copies), ltd. Gatefold brown vinyl LP (400 copies), Gatefold black vinyl LP, and on Digipak CD.

Links
www.thegodofhellfire.com
www.facebook.com/arthurbrownmusic
www.instagram.com/godofhellfire_actual

https://arthur-brown.bandcamp.com/album/nature-1

ALICE COOPER UK Book Tour dates with host ARTHUR BROWN:
13 OCT 2016 London (UK) Palladium
14 OCT 2016 Brighton (UK) Dome
17 OCT 2016 Stockton (UK) Globe
20 OCT 2016 Wolverhampton (UK) Civic Hall

The J. GEILS BAND – Love Stinks (1980)

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When I was in grade 6, J. GEIILS BAND’s Freeze-Frame album was one of the biggest albums happening, with 2 huge hits that were heard regularly. Eventually I picked this up, but I’d also picked up it’s predecessor not too long after, not knowing much else of the band. Yeah, I went back and picked up most of their back catalogue, when used LPs were dirt cheap. The earlier stuff I was less keen on, but they had some cool album covers!

Anyway, 1980’s Love Stinks would be my favorite album from the band. It was their 11th release, and 3rd album for EMI. The previous album, Sanctuary is pretty good too; it featured the hit “One Last Kiss”. Although the J. Geils Band, from Boston, originally was known for their R&B and Blues sound, and party band atmosphere, in later years they came around to a more, almost mainstream rock direction, particularly with Love Stinks. Most of J. Geils Band’s original material was written by singer Peter Wolf, and keyboard player Seth Justman, with the band doing much less covers by this point. At this point the band was also changing their image with the music, in time for the video (MTV) which came a year later. Love Stinks came in a unique cover design by Carin Goldberg, with the front featuring a seeminglyhappily married couple in the 50s, the back cover featuring childhood photos of bandmembers, and the inner sleeve consisting of various love themed pics and headlines. Pretty weird at the time.

Love Stinks starts out with 2 of the albums best tracks, the upbeat “Just Can’t Wait“, this one featuring that classic old organ and hand claps. “Just Can’t Wait” would be the 3rd single in North America, and hit the charts in Canada and the US. The next track, “Come Back” would be the album’s first single. Both songs go so well together, the latter with a more modern sound, more synths, heavier guitar, and a big drum sound. “Come Back” is my favorite here; love the instrumental section which features a guitar break, and highlights with an unusual drum section, and keyboards. The synths here and closer to the end remind me of things like Gary Numan’s “Cars”, and Alice Cooper’s “Clones”. “Come Back” would be a Top 20 hit in Canada, top 40 in the US,. “Night Time” is the a;bum’s lone cover, originally a 1965 hit for the New York band Strangeloves. The first side ends with the band’s comical track, “No Anchovies Please”, with Peter Wolf narrating a twisted tale, reminiscent of Brownsville Stations “Martian Boogie”

Side two opens with the album’s title track. Another big hit single, and like “Come Back” – a little more hard-rock. “Love Stinks” was performed by Adam Sandler in the movie The Wedding Singer (the J. Geils version appeared on the movie’s soundtrack, volume 2). It was also covered by Joan Jett, appearing as a bonus track to her Hit List compilation in 1990, as well as industrial metal band Bile, in 2002. Peter Wolf, himself would include a live stripped down version of this on his 2016 album A Cure For Loneliness. I always thought this song was meant as a bit of comedy, but it was penned following Wolf’s divorce from actress Faye Dunaway, which makes me wonder if any other songs resulated from this experience(?)

Next up is “Tryin’ Not To Think About It”, another excellent song that features a heavy riff, and a hard driring pre-chorus, but in between there’s pop, funk, blues….just a cool tune. “Desire” is the album’s ballad, again a really good memorable track that would’ve made a fine single. The album concludes with an old school J Geils type party rocker in “Til The Walls Come Tumblin’ Down”, which is perfect closer after everything else here.

Freeze-Frame came out a year and a half later. With Wolf only co-writing on half of this, leaving Justman to write most of the album, as well as produce it. I really liked the singles off it – “Centerfold” and “Freeze-Frame”, in particular, which drove the album to #1 in North America. But overall I found this album a bit more pop-ish, less guitar, and less memorable songs. A 3rd single, “Angel In Blue”, a ballad, also made the top 40, but beyond this I am much less keen on this record overall. A live album, Showtime, was released a year later. It contained 11 tracks, but omitted 2 of the band’s more recent hits – “Come Back” and “Freeze-Frame”! It made the top 30 in the US though. Soon after, internal conflict, largely Wolf disagreeing with the band’s more modern ‘techno’ direcetion, lead to his being fired. J. Geils Band continued with one more (largely forgettable) album soon after, while Wolf had a couple of successful solo albums in the 80s – Lights Out (1984) and Come As You Are (1987). The J. Geils Band broke up in ’85, but reunited with Wolf on a few occasions, even touring without the band’s guitarist and namesake., John ‘J’ Geils, who, sadly passed away in 2017.

LINKS:

https://www.jgeilsband.com/jgeilsrecordings.html

https://jgeilsband.wordpress.com/page/2

https://peterwolf.com

https://www.classicrockforums.com/threads/j-geils-band-official-thread.4014

NESTOR Announce first live album ‘Live At Gothenburg Film Studios’

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NESTOR are set to present their thrilling live energy on record for the first time with new album Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, out August 14 via Napalm Records! Originally formed back in 1989, the band took the international rock scene by storm with its comeback and first music releases in 2021, unleashing the debut album Kids In A Ghost Town (earning a Swedish Hard Rock/Metal Grammis nomination!). The following studio album Teenage Rebel (2024) entered several charts internationally (incl. #12 on Official German Album Charts and #19 in Sweden), and the band has gathered millions of streams on several of hits. 

On Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, NESTOR showcase their nostalgic, ’80s-inspired melodic anthems in a new light — infused with their signature, radiant live presence. The band has won over live audiences around the world, from huge European festivals to the Monsters Of Rock Cruise in the U.S. and headline shows in Japan, and shared stages with legends like KISS and Europe. Now, the band is gearing up to release its first-ever live album. Make sure to pre-order your physical copy, and stay tuned for the first single!

Vocalist Tobias Gustavsson comments:
“When I listen to Live at Gothenburg Film Studios, it becomes clear to me that it shows everything that NESTOR was about, from the beginning. A live performance with all the little quirks and mistakes that makes it human, a thing that I have learned to love even more in an era of AI generated music. Live at Gothenburg Film Studios is less clinical and more of a human experience in comparison to our studio albums and shows a different side of NESTOR. I hope you will enjoy it as much as we did recording it up on stage.”

Pre-Order Your Copy of Live at Gothenburg Film Studios NOW

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios treats fans old and new to a hefty selection of live versions of future classics from NESTOR’s celebrated catalogue. The band brings the heat with a new rendition of the track “Firesign” (originally from Kids in a ghost town, 2021) – catchy riffs and rhythms carry the heavily 80s-inspired, authentic sound that is topped with impressive rock vocals. The nostalgia-drenched following track “Teenage Rebel” (title track of the latest studio album, 2024) gets audiences singing along without a failure with its irresistible chorus that is accompanied with emotion-loaded melodies and massive riffs. Further highlights of this extensive, 16-track offering include a live rendition of one of the biggest NESTOR hits to date, “On The Run” (also from the praised debut Kids in a ghost town, 2021), featuring epic, AOR-inspired keys and guitars, and another one of the band’s possibly catchiest singalong-choruses so far. 

This comprehensive live album, available even as a DVD, draws from NESTOR’s impressive repertoire of arena-worthy anthems and rock ballads, polished with the very best AOR and classic 80s rock influences. Without a doubt, NESTOR continue their steady mission to restore the glory of rock!

TRACK LISTING:
“Intro”
“We Come Alive”
“Kids In A Ghost Town”
“Stone Cold Eyes”
“Perfect 10”
“The One That Got Away”
“Last To Know”
“Unchain My Heart”
“Signed in Blood”
“Victorious”
“Caroline”
“Firesign”
“On the Run”
“Teenage Rebel”
“1989”
“It Ain’t Me”

Live at Gothenburg Film Studios will be available in the following formats: 
2 LP Gatefold MARBLED TRANSLUCENT REPTILE – Napalm Records Mailorder only (strictly limited)
2-LP Gatefold SOLID RED
1-CD + 1-DVD Digisleeve, 12p Booklet

NESTOR LIVE 2026:
Festivals
7/17 — Laukaa, FI — John Smith Rock Festival
7/25 — Mönchengladbach, DE — BOBfest
7/31–8/1 — Turku, FI — Baltic Metal Storm
8/15 — Falköping, SE — NestorFest 2026
8/19–8/22 — Haddeby, DE — Baltic Open Air

NESTOR ARE:
Tobias Gustavsson — Vocals
Jonny Wemmenstedt — Guitar
Mattias Carlsson — Drums
Marcus Åblad — Bass
Martin Frejinger — Keyboards

LINKS:

http://www.nestortheband.com

https://www.facebook.com/nestortheband/

https://www.instagram.com/nestor_theband/