RIP Wurzel (Motorhead Guitarist)

http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2011/07/09/michael-wurzel-burston-1949-2011/

Lionville - ST

Now my little melodic rock buddies, do we have a band for you! Thanks to Avenue of Allies – who seem to be keeping AOR/West Coast music alive on their own, have unearthed a gem of a new band....Lionville!

Initiated by Stefano Lionetti (do ya see what he did there?) a singer songwriter and guitarist, and his brother Alessandro (keys), they somehow have managed to enlist a stellar ‘who’s who’ of melodic rock royalty. The key to the whole piece is Work Of Art’s Lars Säfsund, as lead vocalist. This fella is born to sing melodic rock numbers. Other (very ) notable recruits include Bruce Gaitsch (Richard Marx) who contributes an exclusive track on the album, Tommy Denander (Radioactive), Eric Mårtensson (W.E.T.), Sven Larsson (Street Talk), Arabella Vitanc (Alyson Avenue), Pierpaolo Monti and Amos Monti of Shining Line as well as other  ‘in demand’ Italian players, Andrea Maddelone and Anna Portalupi. Stefano Lionettii is a man of considerable talent, taking lead vocals on three tracks, handling a duet with Säfsund, and showing how good a composer and guitarist he really is. The album is basically like Shining Line’s great debut only with Lars Säfsund handling most of the vocal duties, and will have fans of the Shining Line and recent Work of Art’s albums salivating into their cd players. Its a musical Viagra for aor/Westcoast lovers

Opening track ‘Here By My Side’ sets out Lionville's intention directly from the off. A melodic gem, with Säfsund’s vocals layered over the music like a handsome dollop of Maple Syrup. ‘With You’ is a very Toto-esque sounding track, ‘Centre Of My Universe’ fits into is Westcoast surroundings, and is very much on the lines of Slama/Denander’s AOR project. 

There’s a couple of outside contributions, the first, a Gaitsch/Marx/Sky composition ‘World Without Your Love’. The second outside contribution is the stormy ‘Thunder In Your Heart’ a track originally performed by John Farnham for the 80s movie OST ‘RAD’. Ignore Farnham’s version as this one cries out ‘80’s cracker’ and pisses all over the original. If I can offer forward one small bit of advice and that is to buy the album for one track alone, and thats ‘The Chosen Ones’ with  Arabella Vitanc and Lars Säfsund sharing the vocal duties and is a modern day classic aor track if ever I heard one.

So, with bands like Shining Line, Work Of Art, and now Lionville, the modern era of Westcoast/aor is in very safe hands indeed

If you grew up in the 80s with bands like Foreigner, Survivor, Toto, Chicago, and Richard Marx., then you don’t need me to tell you that you need this in your collection. 80s influenced music doesn’t come much better than Lionville! 

95/100

Scoring

100 = A Classic - Every Home Must Have One

90-99 = essential

80-89 = very good

70-79 = good

50-69 = average

30-49 = below average

20-29 = shite

10-19 = utter shite

0-9   = burn the f*cker like it never existed

Stronghold III - The Hand (Part 1: Betrayal)

For those not in the know (me), Stronghold is a historic real-time strategy (RTS) game developed by Firefly Studios in 2001. The game focuses primarily on conquest and expansion through military pursuits, but also provides space for economic strategy and development. There is both an economic and a military campaign to be played and both are discussed in the game manual. The game takes place in Medieval England and Wales around the time of AD 1066.

So jump to 2011 and we have a musical oddity of metal based on the above said game. I don't particularly like genres (or labels) as they are the demon seed of record companies and PR guys, in this instance we have the wonderfully titled 'Castle Metal'

Stronghold is the brainchild of (names removed for legal purposes) lets call them Paz (guitars), Hedge (drums and vox), Pin (vox). Despite having a claw for a hand after playing Stronghold for hours on end, Paz had a vision, and that vision was to use recently written songs for his other band (Bleak Exist) as a tribute to Stronghold. Writing of the lyrics commenced with Hedge basing the premise of two Kings, one laying siege to the others castle. Firefly, the owners of the game gave permission for Stronghold to produce a musical tribute and the rest they say is history!

 Paz spent most of 2010 writing this, the aptly named 'Stronghold III, Part I', an album in two parts (part II follows later in the year. Enough of the roman numerals guys, its a bastard to write up)

I cannot be critical as it is far removed from my little melodic rock zone. I cant say that its right up my cul-de-sac, but the music is pretty riff-tastic. But... the even better news is that the album is completely free to download from their website (see below link).

Go on, live a little and open up our ears to something new. Think Devin Townsend in chain mail ! Nice!

http://www.castlemetal.co.uk/main_site_frameset.html

Best Holiday Ever? Oh yes!

Fancy a holiday on the high seas (do I hear you say Yaaarrrrr!)with a bunch of debauched (and aging) rock stars, who cannot escape your limp clutches because they are shut up on a ship with the audience, then the 'Monsters of Rock' cruise is for you!!!!
The below is taken from their website www.monstersofrockcruise.com

It all began one special day in August 1980 at Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England…Seven Metal Bands and thousands of rabid fans converged on the soggy turf of Donington Park and became part of rock history as a legendary event was born…the Monsters of Rock!

Fast forward to February 2012…Now you can become part of music history, as the tradition of the Monsters of Rock is reborn, this time in the Bahamas aboard a luxury cruise ship. We proudly announce the Monsters of Rock Cruise, the greatest floating 80’s heritage rock festival to ever sail the seven seas!



It all begins in Fort Lauderdale, FL, sailing from February 25 – 28, 2012 aboard the MSC Poesia, destination Nassau, Bahamas and Key West. This epic event will feature some of the greatest artists of the era, including Cinderella, Tesla, KIX, Stryper, Y & T, Lynch Mob, Firehouse, Black ‘N Blue, Bang Tango, Faster Pussycat, Keel, XYZ, John Corabi and Eric Martin. This is much more than a “Concert Cruise” event…it is fantasy camp for metal fans that will be talked about for many years to come!



The fun will begin the moment you come aboard the beautiful MSC Poesia, meeting new friends poolside during the kickoff Sailaway Concert. This will set the tone for the next 3 days, enjoying a myriad of over the top Special Events, including the Monsters Rock & Roll Prom 1989, “So You Think You Can Shred” Competition, Shotgun Wedding Vow Renewal, Artist Meet & Greets and much, much more.


In addition, you’ll appreciate the inviting Music Venues & Events, featuring our incredible artists on the Main Stage plus the Monster’s Coffee Shop, Back-Alley Stage and the Pool Deck Showcase for partying under the stars! You wont want to miss Eddie Trunk from VH1’s That Metal Show, as he moderates up close and personal Q & As with our artists called Rock ‘N Roll War Stories. Finally, our other celebrity guest, Rock of Love’s “Big John” will always be there to keep the party going…like you needed any more encouragement!!



We are about to rekindle the Spirit of Donington and set the bar at a new level with the Monsters Of Rock Cruise. You simply must be there…see you aboard!

My idea of heaven!!!

http://monstersofrockcruise.com/monsters-of-rock-cruise-artists/

Journey - Ecl1ps3

Well I doubt if many people would expect to see Journey currently headlining an arena tour ever again, never mind a UK arena tour. Many, with me included probably thought they had left their best days behind him with a certain Mr Perry at the helm.

But what a strange world we are currently living in, whereby a teenybopper TV show, can thrust a bands sales past the 1m mark on itunes (Don’t Stop Believing) and create a whole new phenomena and a new generation of followers in a melodic rock band.

To top all this off, Journey still need someone with the chops who can carry off the Perry back catalogue. Up strolls Arnel Pineda to the mic for his sophomore album with Journey. His fist showed that Journey weren’t here just to make up the (music by) numbers. There were at least three songs on Revelations that would stand tall and proud against the best that Journey have to offer.

In Pineda they have a front man who can (almost) hit all the Perry notes, and has a strong sound in his own right without coming across 100% Perry. For such a small block he has a set of pipes that would melt steel, but powerful isn’t everything.

What Journey have done is write their strongest album since ‘Frontiers’ (theres been at least a couple of Perry attempts included in this evaluation that are not as ‘on the money’ as ‘Ecl1ps3’). Not only that readers, but its probably the heaviest album that they have produced in their career. Obviously Neil Schon has had his way, and a certain Mr Cain, whilst co composer on most of the songs doesn’t have as much of the keyboard/piano influence of previous albums. ‘Ecl1ps3’ is more guitar driven and is probably for the better in this modern age.

Originally most people (me included ) thought that Pineda was a Perry sound-a-like, but after this 2^nd release with him fronting the modern Journey era, he proves that this can no longer be labelled at him, proved no more so than this recent UK tour, where he just ripped the place up like a little pocket whirlwind.

Opener ‘City Of Hope’ relates to Pineda’s home town, Manilla and is a worthy addition to this and (the other) version of Journey and sits very well in their repertoire. It sets out Schon’s ‘this time were really hear to rock philosophy’ where Journey boys definitely rock out with their cocks out, a full on aural assault of riff and catchy chorus that will stay in your head for weeks and weeks. ‘Edge Of The Moment’ carries on in a very similar vein, very guitar oriented indeed, come to think of it, note Journey like indeed, which isn’t a bad thing! ‘Chain Of Love’ starts with a Cain solo intro, before unleashing Schons fury with one of the darker riffs ever produced by Journey. Despite the ‘rockin’ philosophy, they do manage to throw in a couple of ballads. ‘Tantra’ sounds like its come from the TSO (Trans Siberian Orchestra) school of rock. I could see corporate America using it for an insurance ad with fathers and sons throwin’ a ball in the park, high five-ing each other, and professing their love of each other. No! Its probably just me then.

‘Anything Is Possible’ is more of the ‘light sounding’ Journey we’ve known to love. ‘Resonate’ is a well constructed piece and one of the highlights of ‘Ecl1ps3’. ‘She’s A Mystery’ starts very lightly before letting rip on the second half. ‘Ritual’ makes for some good ‘ol FM radio friendly stuff. ‘To Whom It May Concern’ comes over as a tearful ballad, before salvation comes by the way of the more pop laden Journey-esque ‘Someone’. Finally ‘Venus’ finishes of the CD with his scorching instrumental, showing exactly who calls the shots.

Best album since Frontiers? You Betcha!

Journey still have a valuable contribution to make in this modern rock era. Nostalgia act they most definitely ain’t!!

90/100

Alter Bridge announce UK arena tour!

ALTER BRIDGE ANNOUNCE UK ARENA TOUR

Following their awe-inspiring slot at the Download Festival this past weekend, ALTER BRIDGE are delighted to announce they will return to the UK this Winter for their first arena tour here.

Since ALTER BRIDGE formed in 2004, the band have built a diehard fanbase through relentless touring and stellar live performances, selling more than a million albums and in the process becoming one of the most respected rock bands in the world. Their third studio album, AB III, released last October and rocketing up to #9 in the UK album chart, was phenomenally received by critics and fans alike, blasting away any preconceptions and firmly lodging itself in many ‘Top 10 “end of year” lists.

Special guests on the trek will be none other than their Southern rockin’ labelmates BLACK STONE CHERRY, who just two weeks ago released their brand new album ‘Between The Devil And the Deep Blue Sea’, crashing into the UK national album chart at an impressive #13.

An additional opening band is yet to be announced. Tickets are £24.50 regionally and £26 for London and will go on general sale from 9am on Friday 17^th June from www.livenation.co.uk

.

Get your rocks off at:

Tue 22^nd Nov - BIRMINGHAM LG Arena

Wed 23^rd Nov - ​CARDIFF Motor Point Arena

Thu 24^th Nov - ​MANCHESTER Evening News Arena

Sat 26^th Nov - ​NEWCASTLE Metro Radio Arena

Sun 27^th Nov – GLASGOW SECC

Tue 29^th Nov - ​LONDON Wembley Arena

If Only - No Bed Of Roses

Never has a band or album been so aptly named!

If ever a band had such bad luck and misfortune and tragedy. If they fell in a bucket of tits, they’d come out suckin’ their thumbs!

It all started back in 1988 in London, If Only was to be centred around the amazing vocal talents of Lorraine Bennington, and after a few false starts and a rotating cast of members things finally settled down with the line-up that was set to record the “No Bed of Roses” album. Founding member and songwriter Greg Hart recruited his band mates from his previous group Moritz, including Ian Edwards on bass, Andy Stewart on keyboards and Andy Elphick on drums. Alongside them they added hot shot guitarist Martin Chaisson (UFO, Waysted). Unfortunately personal events led to the departure of Bennington after just one show, but luckily for the band a friend recommended ex-Girlschool vocalist Jackie Bodimead as a replacement. The latter tracks (13-16) are her recordings with If Only

The band got a break when a “chance hearing” of their working demo’s fell on the ears of Asia/Yes keyboardist Geoff Downes, who insisted on meeting the band. He was stunned by the quality of songs and performance, thinking it was a “big shot” USA band looking for a UK release. Geoff refused to believe IF ONLY were an English group, “No UK band can play AOR that good, they must be from America!”

With Geoff at the helm, the band completed the album, and even had the privilege of recording the album closer “Man Against The World” (a tribute to the immortal Freddie Mercury) with Mike Moran (Queen, Gotthard). Mike helped the band to finish the record by adding every Queen trick in the book

Cue 1991, and with grunge looming ever closer, the band were seemingly in trouble, in debt, and in emotional pieces. But once more help was at hand when the band was told about this amazing female singer from London ready to set the world alight, Tina Egan. She was invited to join the band and be given the arduous task of re-recording the entire vocals on the album. Tina roared her way into the studio and with a voice of blood and thunder, she set about stamping her mark on the tracks. To spice things up, Tina brought in a few of her own tracks for the album, one in particular was the excellent  “Long Way From Home”. Basically to keep it short...Blah...blah...3 singers...2 yrs to make....Blah....band died on its arse...blah...equals all this bad luck I said at the top of the review.

Now, years later, Avenue of Allies have done the melodic rock work a favour by releasing this long lost gem. What we have is a classic slice of 80s melodic rock which would have put the willies up many a US counterpart. Its actually better than other girly bands output from the 80s – bands like Vixen, Witness etc. Trouble is, it was recorded in the early 90’s with Grunge taking a hold. The delays meant it was destined for failure unfortunately. It has all the songwriting hallmarks of the Moritz album, but for me, it has a better singer in Tina Egan. She is a cross between Pat Benatar, Suze DeMarchi and Lorraine Lewis, and has a cracking rasp to her voice that few can manage (except these three of course!).

Opener ‘Loaded Gun’ is one of THE finest melodic rock tracks you’ll witness in many a year, and if it was penned and performed by New Jersey era Bon Jovi you wouldn’t be in the least surprised – plus IF ONLY would have made a shitload of money if that was the case. Great vocals, catchy chorus, huge riffs, it has all the hallmarks of what a great song should be.

Other notable highlights include ‘Tumblin’ Dice’, an acoustic/electric belter.  ‘If Love Could Last Forever’, which Egan comes over a little Stevie Nicks, before the chorus kicks in with, and I can only assume it’s Bonimead’s BV’s sounding exactly like a certain Cher. Title track ‘No Bed of Roses’ is a song that Cher wished she’d have performed, and conjures up the style of songs that Michael Bolton would have penned before he went all soft on us and became a multi millionaire. TWAT! But that’s a different rant.

The song that Egan brought to the table was ‘ Long Way From Home’ which opens with a Bad Company riff (almost identical, scrub that IT IS IDENTICAL, opening to Feel Like Makin love) which picks the pace up after a couple of minutes into this belting mid section. One of the best songs on the album methinks, before the dramatic piano led last track ‘Man Against The World’.

The bonus tracks predominantly belong to Bonimead’s tenure. To be honest, with Bonimead or Egan fronting the band, success should have come by the truck load. Bonimead has this vibrato to her voice (like Cher) and her vocals fit they style of If Only just as well as Egan’s and they round off the album very nicely indeed. It’s a shame she bailed really.

Long after its original release the bad luck still dogged the band, when their jewel in the crown, Tina Egan passed away in 1999. Tina, God bless ya, wherever you are. Your time with us was limited, but you crammed more quality into one album than many can in a lifetime.

One hope is a reformation. A ‘Moritz/If Only’ double header tour would be abso-fuckin-lutely brilliant. I’m allowed to dream aren’t I?

So, ‘’If Only’’ indeed! Never has a band been so aptly and unfortunately named. But with AOR staging a bit of a resurgence, this album deserves to be grabbed by the lot of us and given the credit it deserves. If you love female fronted rock bands (Romeos Daughter/ Femme Fatale/ Saraya/ Baby Animals etc) then you’ll come in your pants listening to IF ONLY’s long lost classic. They shoulda been huge....

90/100