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Primer highlights:
Joe Satriani video interview
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Featured Album
MASK |
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'Technopia' offers a further intriguing juxtaposition of Marvin Ayres'
electronic soundscapes and Sonja (Kristina)'s fragile, sensuous, and emotive
voice. |
Featured Album
NATASCHA SOHL |
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'...she now has the tunes, the cred, the springboard, to give herself the
best chance in an unnervingly fickle industry.' |
One to watch...
CHRIS SINGLETON |
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I'd jot down ideas for songs on old tube tickets,
boarding cards, you name it. I'd even record myself singing onto my mobile
phone's voicemail. Looked like a nutter when I did that. |
One to watch...
25 YARD SCREAMER |
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Classic rock of epic proportions. It would be a
crying shame if this didn't reach a wider audience
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One to watch...
MERMAID KISS |
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......elemental rock on an epic scale |
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Ten for 10 | LATEST NEWS
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Leafhound
- our featured artist in September!
Panic Room
- our featured artist in August!
Jaded Sun
- our featured artist in July!
PANIC ROOM TOUR IN SEPTEMBER
Panic Room are touring the new album this September promoted
by the Gig Cartel, where they will be introducing new bassist, Yatim Halimi,
following the recent departure of original member, Alun Vaughan (see the
announcement on the band's forum for the story -
http://panicroom.omgforum.net/index.htm
SEPTEMBER
9th (Thurs) - O2 ABC 2, Glasgow - 0844 477 2000
10th (Fri) - O2 Academy 2, Sheffield - 0844 477 2000
11th (Sat) - The Met, Bury - 0161 761 2216
12th (Sun) - The Wharf, Tavistock - 01822 611166
15th (Weds) - The Stables, Milton Keynes - 01908 280800
16th (Thurs) - Mr Kyps, Poole - 01202 748945
17th (Fri) - O2 Academy 2, Islington - 0844 477 2000
18th (Sat) - The Duchess, York - 0844 477 1000
19th (Sun) - Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton - 01902 401211
Panic Room recently recorded a cover of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's 'Bitches
Crystal' from Tarkus after being invited by Classic Rock presents Prog editor,
Jerry Ewing, to contribute a track to an ELP tribute CD 'The Endless Enigma'
which will be the covermount CD with a future issue of the magazine.
Panic Room have deconstructed the song and radically reworked
it with a slow swampy 'True Blood' feel. For a sneak preview you can hear the
band performing it on Sunday, 8th August, when they appear at the Cambridge Rock
Festival.
FM ANNOUNCE MORE DATES
OCTOBER
Oct 6 Newcastle O2 Academy www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
Oct 7 Manchester Club Academy www.ticketline.co.uk 0161 832 1111
Oct 8 Buckley Tivoli www.seetickets.com 0870 264 3333
DECEMBER
Dec 1 London O2 Academy Islington www.ticketweb.co.uk 0844 477 2000
Dec 3 Prestatyn Hard Rock Hell IV www.seetickets.com 0870 264 3333
FM are pleased to announce their UK tour in support of new album METROPOLIS continues.
In addition to three more dates in October, FM have been added to the bill at Hard Rock Hell IV on Friday 3rd December.
And the FM Christmas Party tradition returns with the announcement of a show at O2 Academy Islington on Wednesday 1st December.
More details of the Christmas show will be announced over the coming weeks.
"Bring Back Yesterday" from the bands acclaimed METROPOLIS album has been added straight to the BBC Radio 2 "B" list w.e.f. 28.08.10 and details of a new EP will be announced very soon.
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GUILFEST '10 !!
Jason Ritchie and Georgia Rawson reporting
HIGH VOLTAGE July 24-25
Photo: Noel Buckley/GRTR!
SONISPHERE 30 July-1 August
Photo: Moonshayde Photography/GRTR!
CAMBRIDGE ROCK FESTIVAL
6-8 August
Photo: Andrew Lock
BLOODSTOCK
6-8 August
Photo: Sonia Waterfield
OZZFEST IS A MIX OF THE OLD AND NEW
The legendary touring behemoth that is OZZFEST hits the UK with a one-off date
at London's O2 arena on September 18th 2010.
Headliner OZZY OSBOURNE will be accompanied on the main stage
by some of the biggest names in metal, including KORN, MURDERDOLLS, STEEL
PANTHER and SKINDRED. Now, OZZFEST can reveal a further four acts, who will play
on the JAGERMEISTER stage.
Headlining OZZFEST's second stage will be northern gloom kings PARADISE LOST.
The gothic metal pioneers look forward to once again sharing a stage with OZZY.
Frontman NICK HOLMES states:
"It's a great privilege to play at Ozzfest in our home country. We were lucky
enough to tour South America with Ozzy in the 90s. It was an amazing experience
although I contracted salmonella poisoning from undercooked Fajitas and nearly
died. Hopefully we will have more luck this time!"
Anyone familiar with OZZFEST will know it's not just about bringing the biggest
names in METAL - nurturing new talent is just as important, which is why this
year three of the UK's hottest up and coming bands will join PARADISE LOST on
the JAGER stage. JETTBLACK, REVOKER and BLACK SPIDERS take the prestigious
spots, and needless to say, all are very excited about the prospect.
Although indoors, the UK leg of OZZFEST 2010 will have everything you expect
from a festival, but without the temperamental English weather to contend with.
Taking over the whole of the o2, OZZFEST will host a Village Of The Damned
outside the main arena, to ensure this is so much more than a one day concert.
Alternative clothing, wigs and accessories from the likes of
VORTEX, HELLWEAR, KASTAWAYS, RALLY SHACK and MOSH T-SHIRTS will be available
alongside jewellery, skull sticks, beads, bandanas and other apparel stocked by
OCEANIA and ALCHEMY GOTHIC, with the world famous NEW ROCK BOOTS plying their
wears too. SILVERHAND JEWELLERY and BODY ART CO will also be on site to pierce,
paint and scar those who want a longer-lasting memento from OZZFEST.
If that's not enough, there will be a variety of funfair rides, including
dodgems, waltzers and more, plus a host of bars scattered around the site to
quench your thirst, including the JAGERMEISTER truck.
After a day of music and mayhem, the truly dedicated are welcome to join the
official aftershow celebrations. The METAL HAMMER OZZFEST MELTDOWN will take
place at the Indigo2, from 10.30pm - 2am. DJS from METAL HAMMER will be blasting
out hard rocking anthems to keep the post-fest party going, with KARAOKE for the
budding performers amongst the crowd.
What's more, the party doesn't have to end at the o2! There
will be free Thames Clipper boats sailing to central London from the o2 for all
those who attend the aftershow, with full bar and more loud rock being pumped
out until they dock in central London. Tickets are available now from http://www.kililive.com,
0844 871 8803 and usual outlets.
The 2010 package will be the first UK OZZFEST show in over five years, and is
also the first time the O2 features a general admission format on the lower
bowl; GA ticket holders will be able to choose between watching the show from
seats, or the specially enlarged standing area. Top level tickets will also be
available offering the usual seating.
OZZFEST UK 2010
OZZY OSBOURNE
KORN - MURDERDOLLS - STEEL PANTHER - SKINDRED -
PARADISE LOST - JETTBLACK - BLACK SPIDERS - REVOKER
18.09.2010 OZZFEST 2010 O2 Arena Greenwich, London
Tickets are available from 0871 230 5595, www.kililive.com
and usual outlets.
Photo: Lynne Saunders
EUROPE BALLS & BANNERS IN FEBRUARY 2010
Following their performance at the iTunes Festival at the London Roundhouse, Swedish rockers EUROPE have announced a nationwide February 2011 UK tour under the heading of the 'Balls 'N' Banners'. UK tour. Tickets for all UK dates go on sale at 9am on Friday July 30th, the same day that the band will play the Sonisphere Festival at Knebworth, England.
Full dates for Europe's Balls 'N' Banners 2011 UK Tour include Glasgow 02 ABC (Feb 17), Birmingham 02 Academy (Feb 18), London 02 Shepherds Bush Empire (Feb 19), Oxford 02 Academy (Feb 21), Bournemouth 02 Academy (Feb 22), Bristol 02 Academy (Feb 23), Manchester Academy 2 (Feb 25), Leeds 02 Academy (Feb 26) and Newcastle 02 Academy (Feb 27).
Tickets, priced at £17.50, with the exception of London (£18), and can be ordered from 0844 477 2000 / www.ticketweb.co.uk. Tickets for the Manchester Academy 2 concert can be ordered by calling the following ticket hotline - 0161 832 1111, www.ticketline.co.uk.
Europe vocalist Joey Tempest believes that it is the strength of the band's last album 'Last Look At Eden' that is responsible for their current success. "You can't make this stuff up," says Tempest. "Our latest CD has really turned things around for us. We're going to bring something very special when we return to the UK in February 2011, we're having the time of our lives right now and the audience will experience a Europe-camp that's ON FIRE!"
MAMMOTHFEST
Mammothfest is committed to promoting and supporting Britain’s vibrant metal scene, featuring the country’s most prominent acts while providing valuable exposure for great upcoming bands.
This UK driven mindset is something that the festival team will carry into future iterations of the event, with plans afoot for bigger venues and many more great bands over the next few years.
Amongst the bands appearing include headliners Entombed, Orange Goblin, Breed 77, and many others.
More information
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP INTERNATIONAL TO RELEASE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, AWARD WINNING RUSH DOCUMENTARY ON DVD & BLURAY
RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE AVAILABLE JUNE 28th
Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company, in association with Banger Films is thrilled to announce the feature length DVD and Blu-ray release of the critically acclaimed, award winning documentary, 'Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage' on June 28.
The film made its world premiere in April at the ninth annual Tribeca Film Festival in NYC and the filmmakers, Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn won the highly coveted Heineken Audience Award.
Rush (Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart) is one of rock's most influential bands, ranking third for most consecutive gold and platinum albums behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The band has engaged legions of devoted fans over the decades and is revered by generations of musicians.
The documentary features never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with some of today's most respected rock artists such as Billy Corgan, Taylor Hawkins, Trent Reznor, Sebastian Bach, Kirk Hammett, Jack Black and Gene Simmons.
'Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage' explores the forty-year career and phenomenon behind what could be the world's biggest cult band. Directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn embark on a comprehensive exploration of this extraordinary power trio, from their early days in Toronto, through each of their landmark albums, to the present day.
DVD Review
"...will appeal not only to the band's loyal fan base but also to all those who are interested in finding out how it is possible for an outfit as cult and commercially-unmotivated as Rush to sell out huge arenas, thirty six whole years after their first album came to light." John Stefanis
GONG BACK IN SEPTEMBER & BIRMINGHAM DATE ADDED
After the success of their 2009 40th Anniversary UK tour and the critically
acclaimed new studio album '2032', GONG, the legendary progressive/psychedelic
rockers will return to the UK in September 2010 for three special concerts in
Glasgow, Manchester and London. Support for these dates will come from very
special guests Nik Turner's Space Ritual.
GONG have added a fourth date at the newly refurbished Birmingham HMV Institute venue on Monday September 20th.
GONG first played at the Birmingham venue back in 1968, when it was known as the Digbeth Civic Hall.
Tickets for GONG's September UK tour go on sale at 10am on Thursday April 8th
and are available from 0871 230 0333 / www.artistticket.com. Dates include:
Glasgow 02 ABC (Thursday Sept 9 - £18.50), Manchester Academy (Friday Sept 10 -
£18.50) and London HMV Forum (Saturday Sept 11 - £20).
Tickets for GONG' Birmingham HMV Institute concert are on-sale from Monday May 24th, tickets: 0871 230 0333 / www.seetickets.com.
The forthcoming UK concerts will once again reunite core GONG members, including
original founding member Daevid Allen (Guitar, Lead Vocal), Steve Hillage (Lead
Guitar), Gilli Smyth (Space Whisper, Poetry), Miquette Giraudy (Synthesizer),
Chris Taylor (Drums), Dave Sturt (Bass) and Ian East (Sax, Flute).
Photo: Noel Buckley/GRTR!
JOE BONAMASSA BACK IN THE AUTUMN; BLACK COUNTRY ANNOUNCE RELEASE DATE
Due to popular demand, and straight off the back of a sold-out London Hammersmith Apollo concert in front of 5,000 people, critically acclaimed blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa will embark on a nationwide UK tour in October. Tickets go on sale from Tuesday June 1st and can be purchased from the nationwide ticket hotline: 0871 230 1101 or can be booked online from www.seetickets.com.
Tour dates: Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall (Oct 9), Cambridge Corn Exchange (Oct 10), Bridlington The Spa (Oct 11), Ipswich Regent Theatre (Oct 13), Bristol Colston Hall (Oct 14), Manchester Apollo (Oct 15), Newcastle City Hall (Oct 17), Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Oct 18), Leicester De Montfort Hall (Oct 19).
Joe Bonamassa plays the High Voltage Festival,London, on Sunday 25 July.
Black Country Communion the Anglo/American rock supergroup featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa, have confirmed the release date of their debut album 'Black Country'.
Released by Mascot Records in the UK and the rest of Europe on Monday September 20th, followed by a North American release through J&R Adventures on Tuesday September 21st, the album was produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Black Crowes, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin), and mastered by the legendary Bob Ludwig.
All songs are sung by Glenn Hughes, with the exception of Song Of Yesterday and The Revolution In Me which are both sung by Joe Bonamassa. Hughes and Bonamassa share lead vocals on Sista Jane and Too Late For The Sun. Also included is a new version of Medusa, the rock classic Hughes originally recorded with his first band Trapeze.
The band have recently posted a free MP3 download of
their debut single 'One Last Soul' on their official website -
www.bccommunion.com
Gig review
Photo: Christie Goodwin
SATRIANI TOURS UK IN OCTOBER
Joe Satriani, one of rock music's most renowned electric guitarists, undertakes a six date UK tour from Sunday 17th October at the Manchester Apollo.
Tickets go on sale from Friday May 14th and can be purchased from the National Credit Card Hotline - 0844 888 9991 or www.ticketline.co.uk. Very special guest is the critically acclaimed Belfast-based blues guitarist Simon McBride. The tour coincides with the release of Satriani's 11th studio album.
Joe Satriani has been a worldwide guitar hero since his 1987 breakthrough album, Surfing With The Alien. Over 10-million albums and CD's later, in addition to 14 Grammy nominations and numerous accolades Joe continues to push the envelope of modern rock guitar playing.
Although he originally started his career by teaching some of the top rock guitar players of the '80s and '90s like Metallica's Kirk Hammet and virtuoso Steve Vai, Joe Satriani is universally hailed as one of the most technically accomplished and respected guitar players in the history of rock music.
Satriani, who cites Jimi Hendrix as a major influence, quickly established his reputation as one of rock's most important guitarists.
In 2009 Satriani teamed up with Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen plus Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) to form Chickenfoot. Their debut album became a global hit and received gold awards in the US, Canada and Europe, while Classic Rock Magazine voted them Best New Band of 2009.
Tour dates:
Venue: Manchester Apollo
Date: Sunday 17th October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 08444 777 677 / 0161 832 1111
Address: Ardwick Green, Manchester, M12 6AP
Venue: Bristol Colston Hall
Date: Monday 18th October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 0117 922 3686
Address: Colston Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Venue: London HMV Hammersmith Apollo
Date: Tuesday 19th October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 08448 444 748 / 0207 434 2222
Address: 45 Queen Caroline St, London, W6 9QH
Venue: Newcastle City Hall
Date: Thursday 21st October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 0191 261 2606 / 0191 263 5000
Address: Northumberland Rd, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 8SF
Venue: Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
Date: Friday 22nd October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 0844 395 4000 / 0141 222 2211
Address: Finnieston Street, Glasgow, G3 8YN
Venue: Birmingham Symphony Hall
Date: Saturday 23rd October 2010
Tickets: £33.00
Box Office: 0121 780 3333 / 0121 357 0000
Address: Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2EA
Check out latest and breaking news!!
KORN OCTOBER UK DATES
Metal behemoths KORN are set to play a handful of UK headline shows following their Ozzfest appearance at the O2 Arena on 18th September (www.ozzfest.com).
The band's new studio album, 'Korn III: Remember Who You Are' hits stores on 12th July, with first single, 'Oildale (Leave Me Alone)' already available to purchase from i-Tunes and all good online retailers. Tickets are on sale now at www.seetickets.com.
Fri 8th October - SOUTHAMPTON Guildhall - £28.50
Sat 9th October - WOLVERHAMPTON Civic Hall - £27.50/£30.00
Sun 10th October - MANCHESTER Apollo - £28.50
'Korn III: Remember Who You Are', the band's ninth album, was produced by Ross Robinson, who also manned the boards for their explosively definitive self-titled 1994 debut, as well as the follow-up, 1996's 'Life is Peachy'. Bursting onto and instantly dominating the hard rock scene in 1994, Korn have proven to be one of the pre-eminent bands in the world, as well as one of the most influential and significant bands in hard rock for the past two decades.
QUO WINTER TOUR
Live Nation has announced that Britain's best-loved rockers Status Quo will undertake a 28 date UK Winter tour in 2010. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 21 May 2010 and are available from www.livenation.co.uk
The 'Quid Pro Quo' tour kicks off in Southend on 9 November and draws to a close in Bradford on 19 December.
With shows in 15 countries already confirmed for 2010, Quo are gearing up for yet another hard-rocking year. In the Autumn of this year, the band will surprise many of their fans with a special record release.
Francis Rossi said, "We cannot wait for the UK Winter dates. We've been halfway round the world already in 2010, so it will be great to get out on stage in front of our unbelieveable home crowds. Playing in the UK is so special to us." Rick Parfitt added, "It doesn't matter how many thousands of miles we've done on the bus, by the time the tour starts in Southend we'll be ready to rock - see you there!"
Last year, Status Quo were, for the second year running, crowned as Britain's hardest-working band in the Arena Venues category by the PRS (Performing Right Society). With over 40 years of hard-gigging behind them, Quo know better than almost anyone how to put on a show and seriously get the crowd rocking. With 'Quid Pro Quo' meaning an exchange of one item for another of value, Status Quo will trade one entrance ticket for one killer show packed full of hits and favourites from the last five decades. Support on some shows is from Joe Brown.
ARCH ENEMY FORCED TO POSTPONE APRIL'S UK TOUR DUE TO ASH
The long awaited forthcoming headline tour from Arch Enemy has had to be
postponed until later this year.
Arch Enemy has released the following statement about the postponement:
"Sorry to all our great UK fans, but the tour we had scheduled for next week has
unfortunately been postponed until November 2010.
As we all know, it's been a tough time in Europe with the volcanic ash shutting
down airspace in 23 countries and causing travel misery for millions of people.
One minute airports are open - the next they are not. We are determined to make
these shows work but don't want to disappoint our fans, so it has been mutually
agreed upon that the best way forward is to postpone the UK dates until
November."
We'd like to thank all of the promoters who took on the shows, and also the
support bands - everything was shaping up very nicely and their professionalism
is obvious. We appreciate their willingness to make these shows happen later in
2010 and we're more eager than ever to do so.
It's important to make it clear that this is not a cancellation - we just have
to move the tour to a different time.
Sorry again to all who planned to attend. Hope to see you in November!"
The new and only UK Arch Enemy dates for 2010 are:
November 23 - Manchester @ Academy 2
November 24 - Glasgow @ Garage
November 25 - Wolverhampton @ Wulfrun Hall
November 27 - London @ The Forum
(w/ Sabbat)
All tickets will remain valid for the new dates.
RODRIGO y GABRIELA ANNOUNCE FIVE NIGHT RESIDENCY AT 02 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE
Acoustic rockers Rodrigo y Gabriela will be back in London next year for an
unprecedented five night stand at one of their favourite venues - the O2
Shepherds Bush Empire. The shows will run on November 2nd, 3rd, 5th (yes, expect
to see fireworks), 6th and 7th, and will see Rod & Gab play to 10,000 fans
during the residency.
Tickets priced at £22.50 (including booking fee) will go on sale at 9am on
Wednesday 23rd December. The duo played three sold out shows at the venue in May
2007.
Rodrigo y Gabriela are currently on a world tour promoting their new studio
album '11:11' which was released to glowing reviews in September 2009. The next
leg will see them visit Australia, New Zealand and Japan before an extended
jaunt around North America en route to further European dates in the spring.
Rod & Gab's most recent London gig was the triumphant sold out night at the HMV
Hammersmith Apollo in November. Shows so far on the first leg of the '11:11'
world tour have seen them joined onstage by Robert Trujillo of Metallica in
Chicago and guitar legend Al Di Meola in Paris.
'11:11' is Rodrigo y Gabriela's personal tribute to eleven musicians or bands
who have inspired them along their musical journey, ranging from household names
like Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix to personal favourites such as Le Trio Joubran
and Michel Camilo. The album was produced by Rodrigo (with co-production by John
Leckie on one track) and mixed by Colin Richardson (Slipknot, Trivium).
Album review
Gig review
NEW RELEASE/TOUR NEWS
(AUGUST 2010- )
New release dates
'THE FINAL FRONTIER' OUT NOW
The release date for IRON MAIDEN'S highly anticipated new studio album THE FINAL FRONTIER is now confirmed for Monday 16th August (Aug 17th in the USA). The new album artwork has been unveiled on their website www.ironmaiden.com and was illustrated by Melvyn Grant. To mark the occasion, the band have made special arrangements for one new album track 'EL DORADO' to be made available Worldwide as a FREE digital download MP3 with immediate effect via their website www.ironmaiden.com
Singer Bruce Dickinson explains: ''El Dorado' is a preview of the forthcoming studio album. As we will be including it in the set of our Final Frontier World Tour (which opens in Dallas on 9th June - full dates below) we thought it would be great to thank all our fans and get them into The Final Frontier mood by giving them this song up front of the tour and album release.'
The band reunited with long-time Maiden producer Kevin 'Caveman' Shirley in early 2010 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau to record the album and then moved to LA to finish the recording and do the mixing. Compass Point Studio is very familiar to the band, it was where they recorded the Piece Of Mind ('83), Powerslave ('84) and Somewhere In Time ('86) albums.
Bruce comments: 'The studio had the same vibe and it was EXACTLY as it had been in 1983, NOTHING had changed! Even down to the broken shutter in the corner...same carpet...everything...It was really quite spooky. But we felt very relaxed in such a familiar and well-trodden environment and I think this shows in the playing and the atmosphere of the album'
Thirty years on from their eponymous debut album in April 1980, The Final Frontier will be Maiden's 15th studio album, making a remarkable average of a new album every two years for 30 years and totalling over 80 million album sales during this period.
Iron Maiden headlined Sonisphere, on Sunday August 1.
Sonisphere review
BIOGRAPHY DVD SERIES UNCOVERS THE STORY BEHIND THE HITS
BIO is proud to present 'Biography: Stevie Wonder', 'Biography: Cat Stevens' and 'Biography: The Kinks', a trio of fascinating DVDs charting the lives of three extraordinary musical talents. Featuring early footage, performance clips and interviews with the people who know them best, the programmes explore how the lives of each superstar has shaped their music, provide an insight into their creative processes and uncover the human drama behind the hits.
A folk rock legend with a string of hits such as 'Wild World', 'Peace Train' and 'Morning Has Broken', Cat Stevens shocked fans when he abandoned the music scene in 1977 following his conversion to Islam. Over the last decade, Yusuf Islam - as he is now known - has gradually resumed his musical career, with 2006 seeing the recording of his first all-new pop album since the '70s. BIO's new DVD provides a rounded portrait of this brilliant, controversial and often misunderstood artist.
Blind since birth and growing up in an abusive home, the young Stevie Wonder had one thing going for him - he was a musical prodigy. Signing with Motown at the tender age of 11, Wonder went on to record more than 30 U.S. top ten hits, winning 22 Grammys and enjoying album sales of over 100 million units. From his political activism to his near-fatal car crash to his appearance at President Barack Obama's Inauguration Day concert, this Biography explores the life and music of a truly remarkable man.
Over the years, they have battled through family drama, the harsh realities of fame and the coming and going of band mates to remain one of the most highly regarded and influential rock bands of all time - this is the story of The Kinks. Formed around brothers Ray and Dave Davies, The Kinks epitomize for many the London of the Swinging Sixties through enduring hits such as 'You Really Got Me', 'Waterloo Sunset' and 'Lola'. This Biography explores the triumphs and tensions of this classic British band.
Win a set of DVDs! 
STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN & DOUBLE TROUBLE 1984 ALBUM 'COULDN'T STAND THE WEATHER' EXPANDED TWO CD LEGACY EDITION
Couldn't Stand The Weather: Legacy Edition commemorates the 20th anniversary year of the passing of legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan.
It revisits the commercial breakthrough of the second album by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Released in May of 1984, it was their first LP to go platinum in the US.
The first entry by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble in the prestigious Legacy Edition series of multi-disc packages, The Legacy Edition will be available as a two-CD set at all physical and digital retail outlets on August 16th.
More information and win a CD/DVD!
BOWIE DELUXE REISSUE IN SEPTEMBER
EMI release special and deluxe versions of the 1976 Bowie album 'Station To Station' on 20 September.
The album reissue is available as a 3-CD Special Edition and 5-CD, DVD and heavyweight vinyl Deluxe Limited Edition.
Both the Special and Deluxe Editions come with the original album - taken straight off the analogue master - and the much bootlegged live favourite and previously unreleased Live Nassau Coliseum 76. (3-CD)
The Super Deluxe Edition adds the 1985 RCA analogue master and 5-track Singles Versions E.P. incl. previously unreleased version of Station To Station and, for first time on CD, 'Word On A Wing' and a range of memorabilia all housed in a foam-packed box.
The 3-CD set is also available as a Digital download with a bonus track (Panic In Detroit (unedited alt. mix) (13.09). Live at Nassau)
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KATATONIA |
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I wouldn't say that "Night Is The New Day" conveys a lot of optimism as an album, especially while looking into the lyrics on offer, but the music is breathing - it has got a life of its own and it moves on many different levels like life itself. |
Rock Stars
CHRIS GOSS |
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I like economics in music, it makes you work smarter, makes you work faster. If someone gives you a million dollars, you'll find a way to spend it and it's stupid. |
Rock Stars
FRANCIS ROSSI |
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'Foghat, hah, they copied us in many ways. But we were doing so well in the UK and Europe that we thought that America wasn't so important for us. Certainly our management thought that too.'
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Rock Stars
STEVE VAI |
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'...Zappa was an inspiration especially a composer and also as a band leader. He was the person who showed me how an idea could be put on a blank sheet of paper and how it could then affect a 100 piece orchestra'
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Rock Stars
DON AIREY |
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'...Some gigs I've done and I've thought "How's it come to this?" But if you're a musician that's what happens, you just have to keep on going. Playing's better than not playing, that's the thing.'
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Rock Stars
JACK BRUCE |
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'...When I started out there was one choice of margarine! Now you have 57,000 different choices of reverb and it's too easy to get hung up on that...'
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Rock Stars
BLAZE BAYLEY |
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'...The world is a better place with Iron Maiden in it, and it's given me an opportunity to do something on my own, and it's taken a while to get it off the ground but at last things seem to be working. '
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10 Questions
RICK WAKEMAN |
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'...I don't believe really in big breaks or luck. The definition of a big break or luck is when preparation meets opportunity...'
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Rock Stars
DORO |
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'...my music comes out as it does and sometimes it is far different from what anyone would expect'
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Pure Metal
ANGELA GOSSOW
(Arch Enemy) |
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I don't grunt anymore. I did that in my previous bands. With Arch Enemy I utilize aggressive vocals but I incorporate the melody and the rhythm of the riffs in it...'
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Rock Stars
BIFF BYFORD (SAXON) |
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For me music is guitar riff, drum beat, melody. AC/DC, Motorhead, anything like that, if it's got two of those things it's alright... |
Rock Stars
TODD RUNDGREN (audio) |
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Return of guitar rock... |
Rock Stars
PAUL GILBERT |
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...I realised that much as I'd come to appreciate Joe Satriani for example, I didn't go to him for inspiration.
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Rock Stars
GEOFF TATE |
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What's really great is we get letters all the time from fans and we meet people after the show who tell us their feelings. For some reason a lot of our fans seem to be teachers.
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Rock Stars
NEAL SMITH |
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I wrote these songs because I think there is a massive void in the music industry at present. If old AC fans dig KillSmith that's cool and if I can capture a whole new generation getting into KillSmith that's cool too.
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10 Questions
STEVE LUKATHER |
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There are NO plans after this next leg of the tour. I think we need to put it to rest for an indefinite amount of time.
I am not saying NEVER but I do not see it in the near future and certainly not in this configuration.
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Rock Stars
MICHAEL WEIKATH (Helloween) |
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... We can easily create songs with an average speed of 260bpm or even more, but these are not going to be feasible to perform live everyday - it would be madness!
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Rock Stars
KAI HANSEN (Gamma Ray) |
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...There is a certain amount of naivety that we include in our music while composing our albums and all these are responsible for the connection that you can find between our last effort and "Land Of The Free". Lyrically speaking, the songs are based on the concept of freedom as seen by various different perspectives.
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Rock Stars
ROYE ALBRIGHTON |
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...What happened in 1990 was that someone in Bellaphon picked up the wrong master tapes (which were the quad ones) and transferred them to CD.
This had the effect of only 2 of the 4 channels being used, and hence only half the instruments could be heard. How they managed to do this is beyond me.
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Rock Stars
RUSSELL MAEL |
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...Ron worked out we have to play 4,825,623 notes during the performances of all the albums...
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10 Questions
ANDY FRASER |
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I had in fact asked both Paul and Simon what about doing a concert at that time (on the release of 'Free Forever'), recording it for DVD, and putting our differences aside for a day, just for the fans. Simon was into it, Paul wasn't. I doubt if another opportunity will present itself.
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Pure Metal
SYMPHONY X |
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...I think it's just the fact that the new album is very powerful, a very strong record...it's the best produced album that we've ever had! It's a solid album from beginning to end. We've had records in the past where there's always a question of a track that we were not happy with...
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Rock Stars
TED NUGENT |
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My guitar is my own personal primal scream, it's the same thing that influenced people like Bo Diddley and all those black R&B people that Jimmy Page later milked for Led Zeppelin.
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Rock Stars
JOE BONAMASSA |
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You can hear the blues in the early Prog Rock, you know, and you can hear the blues in early Jethro Tull and stuff like that, so I love that plain canvas, with no rules, and that's what I try and do. |
Rock Stars
KEN HENSLEY |
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...songs are a medium for sharing rather than preaching and, even though I am a man of strong opinions, I also know that no-one is always right so, if the gift of music is used in a political sense, I think it loses some of its magic |
Paolo Gregoletto (audio)
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Trivium's bassist on the band's rise and rise...
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Rock Stars
JOHNNY WINTER |
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I went to black clubs all the time, and nobody ever bothered me...I always felt welcome, and eventually I got the chance to play, and they must have figured I was good |
Anna's Tull Tour Diary
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The insider story of Life with Tull... |
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