Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Update 11/18/06

[Deathstroke]

Welcome to the 42nd installment of the 2006 HR/HM Update. A little bit of news for you to start this week off. With only 6 weeks left in the year and a lot of it backed up with holiday celebrations, I don't know how many more new posts I'll do. Starting in 2007, I'll be creating one yearly update thread for more timely updates. I like doing the updates, but time just keeps getting tighter and tighter.

Also, a while back you'll remember I posted some news about the site I write for looking for writers. Well, as it turns out the people who were hired mostly didn't work out. We are looking for writers again, as well as a couple other positions. All the details and contact info is included in this link. (http://www.rockislife.com/helpwanted.htm) If you apply, make sure to let the site owner know where you saw the initial link.

COMINGS & GOINGS

The founders of Peaceville Records will be retiring. News Link (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62271)

Marduk drummer Emil Dragutinovic has left the band. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61725)

Baltimoore has had some lineup changes. Everything is detailed here. (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62270)

Cold has split up again. Statement from vocalist (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62393)

There's a rumor floating around that Epica singer Simone Simons is in talks to join Nightwish. The band denies the story. (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62375)

Soul Doctor has signed a deal with Metal Heaven Records. A new CD is planned for summer 2007. You can check out the band at http://www.souldoctorrocks.com You can check out my review of their most recent album HERE. (http://www.rockislife.com/reviews/forafistfulofdollars.htm)

Singer Wade Black has left Leatherwolf. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61769)

Malice has reunited. (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61789)

Edenbridge has signed with Napalm Records. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61587)

Cradle of Filth has split with drummer Adrian Erlandsson. Band Statement (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62236), Erlandsson's statement (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62243). The band wasted no time in hiring a new drummer. That statement (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62302)

Witchfinder General has reunited. (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62142)

AUDIO & VIDEO SAMPLES

Richie Kotzen CD Showcase - Into The Black (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/richiekotzen-intotheblack.html)
Royal Hunt CD Showcase - 2006 Live (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/royalhunt-2006live.html)
Final Frontier CD Showcase - Freelight (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/finalfrontier-freelight.html)

Hirax MP3 - Lucifer's Inferno (http://www.blackdevilrecords.com/mp3/1.LucifersInfierno.mp3)

Here's the Youtube link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQN5UPIuuZs) for the Vainglory song "Burdened."

The Metal Church video for "Mirror Of Lies" can be viewed here. (http://www.metalchurch.com/video.shtml) You can check out some rare demos from the band here. (http://www.metalchurch.com/shrapnel.shtml)

You can check out the new Whitesnake studio track "Ready To Rock" via this Real Audio Link (http://www.spv.de/ra/whitesnake-08.ram). The song is one of four unreleased tracks on the live album Live In The Shadow Of The Blues due in Europe November 27th via Steamhammer/SPV Records.

ONLINE CD REVIEWS

Army Of Anyone - Army Of Anyone (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=932)
Bullet For My Valentine - The Poison (http://www.rockislife.com/2006reviews/thepoison.htm)
Trouble - Psalm 9 (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/showreview.aspx?reviewID=928)
Krokus - Hellraiser (http://www.rockislife.com/2006reviews/hellraiser.htm)
Blind Guardian - A Twist In The Myth (http://www.rockislife.com/2006reviews/twistinthemyth.htm)
Quiet Riot - Rehab (http://www.rockislife.com/2006reviews/rehab.htm)

MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

Ex-Anthrax singer John Bush is singing for Burger King. Story Link (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62305)

CD & DVD NEWS OF THE WEEK

A new April Wine album [i]Roughly Speaking was released on November 15th.

King's X will be opening up their vaults to release a lot of rare material. Initial Report (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62288), Doug Pinnick release details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62377)

Red Harvest will release their new album A Greater Darkness February 19th.

Crimson Glory reissues detailed. (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61634)

Funny Money will release a new album called Stick It! on December 1st. The band features ex-Kix singer Steve Whiteman and guitarist Jimmy Chalfant.

The second album from Shaw/Blades is entitled Influence. It's due out from VH1 Classic Records on February 20th.

01. Summer Breeze
02. Time Of The Season
03. Your Move
04. I Am A Rock
05. Lucky man
06. Sounds Of Silence
07. California Dreamin'
08. On A Carousel
09. Dirty Work
10. For What It's Worth
11. Dance With Me

The new Shadows Fall album will be called Threads Of Life. It's tentatively due in March via Atlantic Records.

The 4th album from Last Autumn's Dream is due out in Japan December 20th via Avalon/ Marquee. The album is called Saturn Skyline.

01. For The Young And The Wild
02. After Tomorrow's Gone
03. Pages
04. Rock 'N Roll Is Saving My Soul
05. I Know A Lot About Love
06. Critical
07. Supersonic
08. Frozen Heart
09. American Girl
10. Domino
11. Still On The Run
12. Skyscraper (Bonus Track)
http://www.melodicrock.com/lastautumnsdream-saturnskyline.jpg

Winger's latest album IV will get released in the US on November 21st via Shrapnel Records.

Saliva's new album Blood Stained Love Story is due out January 23rd. Here's the artwork for the first single "Ladies And Gentlemen."
http://www.melodicrock.com/saliva-ladiesandgentlemen.jpg

Metalium's new CD Nothing To Undo - Chapter VI is due out February 2007. Album details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62069)

Tarot's album Crows Fly Balck is due in Europe on January 22nd. It's been out in Finland since late October.

Type O Negative's Dead Again is due in early 2007 on SPV Records.

Code's new album The Enemy Within is due out via Escape Music on January 21st.

01. The Enemy Within
02. Sign Up For Love (http://www.melodicrock.com/audio/Code-SignUpForLove.mp3) (MP3 sample)
03. Home Away From Home
04. In The Shadows
05. How Do We Stay In Love
06. My Time
07. Lucky Town
08. Alive
09. Uninvited Guest
10. Change The World
11. Flying High
12. Sworn To Silence
http://www.melodicrock.com/code-theenemywithin.jpg

The last ever live recording of the original House Of Lords lineup (Gregg Giuffria, James Christian, Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright, Ken Mary) will be released by Frontiers Records on January 26th. Live In The UK was recorded at Firefest in Nottingham England on November 26th, 2005.

01. Sahara (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords01_sahara.mp3)
02. Chains Of Love (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords02_chainsoflove.mp3)
Love Don't Lie (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords03_lovedontlie.mp3)
Pleasure Palace (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords04_pleasurepalace.mp3)
05. Talkin' About Love
06. The Edge Of Your Life
07. Mindtrip
08. All Is Gone
09. The Rapture
10. I Wanna Be Loved
11. Can't Find My Way Home
12. Slip Of The Tongue
13. Havana (Studio Track)
http://www.melodicrock.com/houseoflords-liveintheuk.jpg

[Deathstroke]

INTERVIEWS OF THE WEEK

Soulfly guitarist Marc Rizzo (http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/06/11/MarcRizzo.php)
Sebastian Bach (http://www.glam-metal.com/sebastianbach.html)
Harem Scarem frontman Harry Hess (http://www.melodic.net/interviewsOne.asp?interviewId=164)
Yngwie Malmsteen (http://www.xpressmag.com.au/archives/2006/11/yngwie_malmstee.php)

Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali #1 (http://www.metalasylum.net/interviews/int0636.html),Interview #2 (http://www.rockislife.com/2006interviews/frankiebanali.htm)
9 minute audio interview with Banali (http://www.metalexpressradio.com/interviews/Quiet_Riot_Interview.m3u)

Krokus singer Marc Storace (http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/06/11/Krokus.php)
Ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick (http://www.popcultureaddict.com/close/brucekulick.htm)
Circle II Circle singer Zachary Stevens (http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/06/11/CircleIiCircle.php)
Five Questions with Kataklysm (http://www.rockislife.com/fivequestions/kataklysm.htm)
Jon Oliva's Pain frontman Jon Oliva (http://www.metal-temple.com/interview.asp?id=324)
Richie Zito (http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/richiezito.html)
Street Talk's Frederick Bergh (http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/streettalk.html)
Twisted Sister (http://www.rockpages.gr/interviews/TwistedSister2006-eng.htm)
Stratovarius guitarist Timo Tolkki (http://www.metalfury.com/Interview-TimoTolkki.html)
Dio guitarist Doug Aldrich (http://www.metal-rules.com/zine/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=714&Itemid=60)
Rob Halford (http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/a/halfordintervie.htm), 23 minute audio interview with Rob Halford. (http://www.metalexpressradio.com/interviews/Rob_Halford2_Interview.m3u)
Manowar guitarist Karl Logan (http://web.telia.com/~u43123410/mfintervju204.html)
Hammerfall singer Joachim Cans (http://www.rockmymonkey.com/interviews/06/11/Hammerfall.php)
Evanescence guitarist Terry Balsamo (http://ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/evanescence_guitarist_filling_ben_moodys_shoes.htm l)
Glenn Danzig (http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=5079)
Queensryche singer Geoff Tate (http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=5080)
Five Questions with The Transit War (http://www.rockislife.com/fivequestions/thetransitwar.htm)
Five Questions with Sam I Am (http://www.rockislife.com/fivequestions/samiam.htm)
Five Questions with Plain White T's (http://www.rockislife.com/fivequestions/plainwhitets.htm)

CD & DVD NEWS OF THE WEEK, PART II

The Irish band Stormzone will have the album Caught In The Act out January 21st via Escape Music.

The band features John Hanu Harbinson on vocals, Keith Harris on guitar, keyboardist Stephen Prosser, bassist Peter Rondo, and Julian Watson on drums.

01. Spellbound
02. Hold On To Her Love
03. Stranger Things Have Happened
04. Nervous Breakdown
05. Crying In The Rain
06. Call Of The Wild
07. Beating Of A Heart
08. New World
09. Tuggin' At My Heart Strings
10. Sky High
11. Rock On Through The Night

http://www.melodicrock.com/stormzone-caughtintheact.jpg

The Destruction compilation Thrash Anthems is due in Europe January 27th from AFM Records. Details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=61731)
http://destruction.de/img/specials/thrash-anthems-front.jpg, http://destruction.de/img/specials/thrash-anthems-back.jpg

[DonC]

That Geoff Tate interview had what, one question about music? The rest was politics. *snooze*

One of these days I have to pick up Jon Olivia's record. Maybe if it's on sale on Black Friday.

[Deathstroke]

That Geoff Tate interview had what, one question about music? The rest was politics. *snooze*

One of these days I have to pick up Jon Olivia's record. Maybe if it's on sale on Black Friday.

The Oliva record is fantastic, check out my review in the signature.

Geoff Tate is still a really good singer, but dear gawd he takes himself far too seriously these days.

[ghostrider666]

Cradle just cant seem to keep drummers.

I wanna hear Bush's work for BK. "Have it your way"!

[Deathstroke]

Kelly Keagy has a new solo CD due out soon called I'm Alive.

01. I'm Alive (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2001.mp3)
02. Stolen
03. Blink Of An Eye
04. When Nobody's Looking (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0.multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2004.mp3)
05. Back Of Your Mind
06. Life Worth Remembering (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2006.mp3)
07. Re-imagine
08. World Before And After (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2008.mp3)
09. Where Are We Now
10. Where The Road Ends
11. Everything I Need In A Woman (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2011.mp3)
12. Call In Another Day
13. Half A World Away

http://www.melodicrock.com/kellykeagy-imalive.jpg

[bert]

I'll definately have to pick up that HoL live album.

They are one of the few bands from Simmons Records that I actually still like listening to (the first two albums are fantastic).

any EZO news?. . are they still broken up? "Flashback Heart-attack" remains a fantastic song.

[Deathstroke]

I'll definately have to pick up that HoL live album.

They are one of the few bands from Simmons Records that I actually still like listening to (the first two albums are fantastic).

any EZO news?. . are they still broken up? "Flashback Heart-attack" remains a fantastic song.

Hey Bert! Glad to know that you are still reading the updates.

I'm hoping to get the HOL CD as a part of a future review material package.

I saw them live on their second tour, very good live.

Nothing on EZO, I believe they are still broken up.

[DonC]

Geoff Tate is still a really good singer, but dear gawd he takes himself far too seriously these days.


Oh, yeah. Went and saw 'Rÿche last week. He enters holding a "USA out of Iraq" sign and later holds one that says "Will someone give Bush a blowjob so we can impeah him already."

And the theatrical stage show they've been doing has officially lost its luster. The Mindcrime I production was cool. The Mindcrime II one looked like a low-budget high school musical. And I think everyone in the band except Tate is sick of playing second fiddle to the actors on stage. They looked bored as hell when they were playing.

I did get an answer to my question of what they do when "Nikki" sings with "Dr. X" on the song "The Chase." Tate steps offstage and all the singing is pre-recoded, with Tate/Nikki and Dio/Actor-playing-X shown on the screen behind the stage.

[Deathstroke]

The second album from Shaw/Blades is entitled Influence. It's due out from VH1 Classic Records on February 20th.

01. Summer Breeze
02. Time Of The Season
03. Your Move
04. I Am A Rock
05. Lucky man
06. Sounds Of Silence
07. California Dreamin'
08. On A Carousel
09. Dirty Work
10. For What It's Worth
11. Dance With Me


Here's four samples from the album:

Summer Breeze (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/shawblades01.mp3)
Your Move (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/shawblades03.mp3)
Lucky Man (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/shawblades05.mp3)
Sounds Of Silence (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/shawblades06.mp3)

And the artwork:

http://www.melodicrock.com/shawblades-influence.jpg

[Deathstroke]

Kelly Keagy has a new solo CD due out soon called I'm Alive.

01. I'm Alive (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2001.mp3)
02. Stolen
03. Blink Of An Eye
04. When Nobody's Looking (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0.multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2004.mp3)
05. Back Of Your Mind
06. Life Worth Remembering (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2006.mp3)
07. Re-imagine
08. World Before And After (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2008.mp3)
09. Where Are We Now
10. Where The Road Ends
11. Everything I Need In A Woman (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/kellykeagy%20-%2011.mp3)
12. Call In Another Day
13. Half A World Away

http://www.melodicrock.com/kellykeagy-imalive.jpg

Here's a Melodicrock.com CD Showcase to check out. THE LINK (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/kellykeagy-imalive.html)

[Deathstroke]

The last ever live recording of the original House Of Lords lineup (Gregg Giuffria, James Christian, Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright, Ken Mary) will be released by Frontiers Records on January 26th. Live In The UK was recorded at Firefest in Nottingham England on November 26th, 2005.

01. Sahara (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords01_sahara.mp3)
02. Chains Of Love (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords02_chainsoflove.mp3)
Love Don't Lie (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords03_lovedontlie.mp3)
Pleasure Palace (http://www.frontiers.it/portals/0/multimedia/houseoflords04_pleasurepalace.mp3)
05. Talkin' About Love
06. The Edge Of Your Life
07. Mindtrip
08. All Is Gone
09. The Rapture
10. I Wanna Be Loved
11. Can't Find My Way Home
12. Slip Of The Tongue
13. Havana (Studio Track)
http://www.melodicrock.com/houseoflords-liveintheuk.jpg


Here's a CD Showcase (http://melodicrock.com/showcase/houseoflords-liveintheuk.html) for the album to check out.

[Deathstroke]

The Irish band Stormzone will have the album Caught In The Act out January 21st via Escape Music.

The band features John Hanu Harbinson on vocals, Keith Harris on guitar, keyboardist Stephen Prosser, bassist Peter Rondo, and Julian Watson on drums.

01. Spellbound
02. Hold On To Her Love
03. Stranger Things Have Happened
04. Nervous Breakdown
05. Crying In The Rain
06. Call Of The Wild
07. Beating Of A Heart
08. New World
09. Tuggin' At My Heart Strings
10. Sky High
11. Rock On Through The Night

http://www.melodicrock.com/stormzone-caughtintheact.jpg



Here's a CD Showcase (http://www.melodicrock.com/showcase/stormzone-caughtintheact.html) for the CD to check out.

[Deathstroke]

Metalium's new CD Nothing To Undo - Chapter VI is due out February 2007. Album details (http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=62069)



Here's the cover art:

http://www.metalium.de/pics/nothing-_to_undo_cover.gif