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| February 23, 1999 |
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Anyone who's looking for something different should try the latest Deus Ex
Machina disk "equilibrismo da insofferenza" :
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The music is extremely complicated - exceptionally technical. The singer
is amazing - he has something like a 4 octave range - he makes any metal
singer on the planet sound like shit. But...he sings in Italian. The music is
heavy but it is definitely not metal. It is prog rock all the way.
Deus Ex Machina truly is one of the best progressive rock bands on this
planet ! (Johnny Kruidhof)
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| February 23, 1999 |
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Blackmore's/Night is coming out with their second CD, "Under a Violet
Moon".
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In April '99 in Japan, mid May '99 for Europe (no dates given for
anywhere else, hope it gets a US release). 16 tracks on it, including a
cover of the old Rainbow track, Self Portrait! Strawbs singer John Ford
sings a duet on a song with Candice. Des Geyers Schwarzer Haufen guest
on one of the three instrumentals on the CD. Jens Johannsen (ex-Yngwie,
Dio, in Stratavarious now) plays some keyboards on the CD. Jeff Glixman
(Gary Moore, Yngwie) produces most of this CD. Should be interesting to
hear this CD.
March 6 at 9 PM in the UK, an RB interview with Chrysalis TV on Channel
4 (think others have mentioned this one here before). RB will be on the
VH1 show (US VH1 only) "Where are they Now" on March 23 at 10PM. There
may be a part of a live performance by RB, Candice, and a new member of
Blackmore's Night on this segment. Should be good. (Magnus Florin)
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| February 21, 1999 |
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Liquid Tension Experiment II
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The release date for LTE 2 has changed once again... Currently,
the album is scheduled for release on Tuesday, June 15th, 1999.
Meanwhile, here is the tracklisting:
1. Acid Rain (6:35)
2. Biaxident (7:40)
3. 914 (4:01)
4. Another Dimension (9:50)
5. When The Water Breaks (16:58)
6. Chewbacca (13:35)
7. Liquid Dreams (10:48)
8. Hourglass (4:26)
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Spiral Architect
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Mixing of the album was completed today by Neil Kernon at Village
Productions in Tornillo, Texas. The album will be mastered over the next
few weeks at Ocean View Digital in Los Angeles. Hopefully we will have
some samples for you all to hear soon.
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Opeth
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It is now confirmed that the 4th Opeth volume will be released by UK
label, Peaceville records. The band currently on the verge of signing
the necessary papers, and are due to enter Fredman studios on April (not
March) the 15th. There are also plans of doing a pre-production of the
album together with Dan Swanö behind the mixing desk. This unofficial
recording has only one purpose, to be the solid ground on which their
4th album will be constructed. Opeth are currently rehearsing the newly
written material, which is nearly done. It will definitely be another
concept album, and the music is described to be the most wicked and
strange sounds ever in the history of Opeth. The mellow parts have taken
a near classical direction with many additional "Camel" touches. The
heavy parts are described to create strong emotional visions with the
usual Opeth vibes, but the band have also incorporated some virtuoso
leads caressing the solid power of the rhythms. As usual there is no
title for the album yet, but some songs are "Face of Melinda", and
"Serenity painted death". This might be Opeth longest work since
"Morningrise". The album will probably be released during the late
summer of 1999.
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Madd Hunter
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Madd Hunter will enter the studio beginning Jan. 23rd to start work on
their latest CD, "Silence of The Lamb", with ex-SACRED REICH drummer
Chuck Fitzgerald. Phil Grasso (ex-STEEL ASSASSIN bassist) will handle
all guitars and bass as usual, but a possible guest vocalist may handle
lead vocals this time. We'll keep you informed. Also, M.H. will be
contributing to the DEMON tribute CD being put out by Hellion Records in
association with Unbroken Metal T.V. M.H. will be performing the DEMON
classic, "Father of Time". |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Divine Regale
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Divine Regal have parted ways with their singer Dwight Hill. By now
they are looking for a new singer as they have written a couple of songs
for the upcoming album. |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Labyrinth
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Labyrinth have changed their singer. The new one is Morby. Some of you
should know him from DOMINE and SABOTAGE. Morby also played the tour
with HAMMERFALL. |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Jacobs Dream
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Metal Blade is proud to present the latest signing: JACOBS DREAM
released last year one of the best self-financed CD´s and got
immediately some label interest. We are glad they decided for us. For
those who don´t know, JACOBS DREAM play a style similar to old
Queensryche. |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Masquerade
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New on the label is MASQUERADE, the melodic Power Metal heroes from
Sweden. They have already two albums out and their third one should be
released in spring 1999. Planned title for the record is "Flux". The
Suedes are already in the Park Studios recording the album!!! |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Aztec Jade
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The boys of JADE will be performing on an upcoming Dream Theater Tribute
CD out of Italy. The CD is being put out by Energie Records in Milan,
Italy and will feature many great bands - Jag Panzer, to name one. AZTEC
JADE has already completed recording / mixing of "another day" off the
Images and Words album. The master is on it's way to Italy as we speak.
Next, AZTEC JADE's producer /mentor, Scott MacPherson will be heading
over to France during the end of January to attend the Meetum convention
for internation sales and distribution - bringing Jade's material over
for licensing contracts and who knows what else ? Lastly, AZTEC
JADE will be performing at " Northern Lights " in Clifton Park, NY on
January 30th. We will be playing alot of new stuff off the
upcoming CD, so don't miss out. The venue holds about 1000 people, so
let's fill it ! - More Later. |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Clockwork
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"The official release date of album has been finally revealed.
"Surface Tension" is coming out on February 15, 1999, so let
us be patient for a little while longer." |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Darkstar
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Dan Rock here again, I just got back recently from Germany where the mix
down of DARKSTAR 2 went pretty cool!!! It should be out by early March,
so bug your local record store owner to order it from Rough Trade if
you're in Europe, or Century Media if you are here in the States.
If you are curious about how the new Darkstar will sound, I will tell
you that if you liked the 1st one, you will not be disappointed. This
one also has the addition of two songs with vocals, one male, and one
female.
Plus, I was fortunate enough to work with my dear friend & former
Psychotic Waltz brother, Brian McAlpin! We composed a 6 minute song
titled "Flight To Nowhere"with a 3 minute dark & winding harmony solo!!
Imagine combining "Ashes" with "Into The Everflow" with shades of
Darkstar, and perhaps you have an idea of what we've created! |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Destiny
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Gunnar Kindberg, the former Destiny guitarist from the album Nothing
Left To Fear has rejoined Destiny as a additional live guitarist! That
means that Destiny is once again a five piece on stage!
The current line up will be Zenny Gram - vocals, Knut Hassel - guitars,
Gunnar Kindberg - guitars, Stefan Björnshög - bass, and special guest on
the drums, Björn Öhrfeldt on loan from Pagan.
Björn will help out as a temporary drummer until Destiny finds a
permanent drummer!
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Dreamline
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Dreamline has entered Sound Designers Recording Studio to begin the
recording of their new album "Dying To Remember", the band has
already laid down bass and drum tracks to 4 of the new songs. The album
will include the following tracks: "Gods", "For One More Day",
"Down The Line", "Real", "Horizons", "Mirror Man", "Life Pt.1 - The
Fall", "Sand And Stone" and "Dying To Remember".
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Olaf Thorsen
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Olaf Thorsen (Labyrinth) is soon to release his first solo album titled
"Divine". Fabio (Rhapsody) will do the vocals.
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| February 20, 1999 |
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Luca Turilli (Rhapsody)
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Luca Turilli (Rhapsody) solo album should be called "Kings of the nordic
twilight" and will be released in October on the same label as Rhapsody
(LMP/Lucretia/SPV), preceded by a mini-cd in July/August with a bonus
track and it will be promoted and produced (by Sascha Paeth and Miro)
with the same budget of a Rhapsody cd, as it should be the beginning of
a parallel career for Mr. Turilli.
It will be a fantasy concept and should sound heavier and faster than
the Symphony of enchanted lands' cd.
Track list:
1. Black dragon
2. The anciemt forest of elves
3. Legend of steel
4. Knight of immortal fire
5. Warrior's pride
6. Lord of the winter snow
7. Where heroes lie
9. Kings of the nordic twilight
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| February 20, 1999 |
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DGM
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The new DGM cd is almost ready should be out in a couple of months
and the artwork will be done by the same artist of the lastest
Stratovarius cd.
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| February 20, 1999 |
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White Skull
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White Skull will soon release their third cd on Underground Symphony,
featuring guest vocals by the singer of Grave Digger. |
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| February 20, 1999 |
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New Project
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Carsten Schulz (vox/MR.HATE), Angel Schönbrunn (gtr/SANVOISEN), Achim
Keller (dr/SANVOISEN), Markus Pfeffer (gtr/WINTERLAND) plus an unknown
bassplayer will launch a new project soon. |
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Former WATCHTOWER guitarist Ron Jarzombek has started
laying down basic tracks for the second SPASTIC INK album, titled Ink
Compatible, a concept album of sorts based on computers and the
internet.
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The supporting cast will likely include original WatchTower vocalist
Jason McMaster, bassist Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, TESTAMENT), drummer
Richard Christy (DEATH), bassist Sean Malone (ex-CYNIC) and drummer Sean
Reinert (ex-Cynic, Death); the latter two, along with Jarzombek, are
also part of GORDIAN KNOT whose debut album has just been released in
the US via Sensory. In related news, Ron Jarzombek has also contributed
a metalized version of 'Celebration On The Planet Mars' to David
Bagsby's CD tribute to legendary Hollywood film composer, Raymond Scott.
For more info and a sneak peak of what's in store for "Ink Compatible",
go to www.spasticink.com.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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This is some news from Chris Rodler of Leger de Main
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Right now Leger de Main and RH Factor are taking a break. I am
concentrating my efforts on four new projects.
The first is KLANG which is instrumental prog fusion that is just
complex beyond belief. It is the most complex, most technically
demanding music I have composed thus far. It will not be for everyone
though,...probably if you like King Crimson, Fire Merchants, Fates
Warning, Dream Theater, Zappa, Mike Keneally etc, you will probably
enjoy this stuff. We are recording the drum tracks Oct 24th at Metrosync
studios, a popular commercial studio in Cleveland, OH. This release will
promise to be the best sounding release ever on PMM. There will be 10
songs total six of which I wrote and four of Mike Ohm's compositions.
Brett will be the drummer on all ten songs and the music is just
instrumentally ferocious!
The second project is called Endeavor and is prog metal in nature.
These guys have been playing locally for several years and I started
recording their CD earlier this year and after working so closely with
them as the recording engineer and being genuinely impressed by their
material, I offered to play keyboards for them. So that is my main job
right now,...to write and record keyboards for their music. The good
news about this is that we'll be playing live. This is exciting for me
as I haven't played proggy music live in 5 years or so. They are very
tight and sound like a mix of early Queensryche, Fates Warning and Dream
Theater mixed with Rush and some other assorted metal influences.
The third Project is Anakin Tumnus and will feature a lot of
compositions with Grand Piano as the centerpiece. Picture Rick Wakeman
and Tori Amos jamming with King Crimson, Yes, Rush and Fates Warning
for a musical description. The album is over halfway finished but one
more 20+ minute song is in the works to complete the composition part of
the CD so it will take a while to flesh this track out. Perhaps the most
diverse sounding CD I have been involved with yet and certainly very
progressive sounding from start to finish. We began the final mix for
the first two songs, "Call and Response" and "Passage of Time" this week
and I am very pleased with the results so far.
I think this will be the best progressive record I've ever been involved
with.
The last project I am involving myself with is the production of the
Cleveland based band Quest. Their sound is similar to that of 80's
Rush,Yes and Kansas and is very melodic and pleasant. The lyrics are
usually uplifting and the musicianship is top notch for the genre. Their
debut CD "Opposite Sides of the Picket Fence" was well recieved by most
but some critics felt they were a bit too commercial sounding. Well,...
I agree so I am trying to release the more progressive sounding songs
that didn't make it on the first CD. Live, this band was a powerhouse
and often dwarfed their studio sound many times over. So what I am
proposing is that I remix a live recording of the band and add studio
treatments to round out the sound. I'd like to re-record the lead vocal
tracks and keyboard tracks and add some sweetening. Songs like "Man with
a Mission" and "Wavelength" deserve to be heard as they are great
songs that are far superior to the songs on their first CD I feel. Terry
Brown is the new vocalist for the project and we will tentively begin
tracking the vocals in January.
All of these projects are very much underway and most are more than
halfway done so 1999 looks like a great year for Progressive Music
Management and its bands. Look for the Quest and Andromeda CDs to
surface first and the others later. You can always look to our web pages
for new info and updates.
http://www.velocity.net/~palaas/pmm.html
http://www.crocker.com/~elf/apex/leger
http://www.crocker.com/~elf/apex/drama
Chris Rodler / PMM
6802 Helena Drive
Erie, PA 16510
USA
814-898-0039 fax
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| February 15, 1999 |
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JOHANSSON' The Last Viking is a new album by the Swedish maestros of
classical metal, brothers Anders and Jens Johansson.
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The album has been
issued in Japan with the bonus track 'Samurai'. Jens plays keyboards &
Anders bangs the drums, while Goran Edman handles vocals and SYMPHONY
X's Michael Romeo takes care of the guitar and bass duties.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Soul Cages
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The band enters the studio to record their upcoming third cd.
It'll be in similar vein as the first two cds and will probably
be released in July/August. Also, the band now has a new full-time
keyboard player.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Digital Ruin
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They are preparing for their upcoming release and rumors say it is
going to be entirely different from what you would expect from these
guys, allthough still maintaining the unique Digital Ruin sound.
Harder - more aggressive - melodic - atmospheric - are keywords on the
new material.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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The new ION VEIN cd, "Beyond Tomorrow," was released last weekend on
Majesphere Records.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Ice Age impressed the crowds at the Power Mad Festival this past Summer
with their brand of Dramatic, Progressive rock.
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Mixing the classic
elements of the prog rock bands of the past three decades with the
melodic metal leanings of Styx and Kansas. The debut album will be out
on MagnaCarta Records on June 1st.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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James Labrie has a new project in the works.
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On the album James has
gathered Mike Mangini on drums (Steve Vai, Extreme); Mike Keneally on
guitars (Beer For Dolphins, Steve Vai); Brian Beller on bass (Beer For
Dolphins); and Matt Guillory on keyboards (Dali,s Dilemma). Songs were
written especially for this album by Trent Gardner (Magellan), Carl
Cadden-James (Shadow Gallery) and Matt Guillory, among others.
No release date set yet.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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THOMAS WOLF’S STORMWIND is soon to release his third album.
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The new
album features musicians as Thomas Vikström: vocals (Candlemass, Talk Of
The Town), Kaspar Dahlberg: keyboards (Treasure Land), Thomas: guitar
and Patrik Johansson: drums (Without Grief).
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| February 15, 1999 |
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LAB RAT have now changed their name to MAJESTIC.
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The band features
among others guitarist Peter Espinoza (Nasty Idols/Espinoza) and singer
Jonas Blum (Pole Position). The style is within the neo-classical field
and the band’s debut is soon to be released. The title is "Abstract
Symphony".
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Latest news on Twilight Kingdom from Keith Menser.
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Unfortunetly the
disk is not available yet. We have been remixing it and it's been
postponed for a few weeks. However the final process of master is still
the next thing before manufacturing. The record is worth the wait and
rockhard mag has really been giving this release a great review. A must
for prog metal fans!
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| February 15, 1999 |
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An YNGWIE MALMSTEEN tribute will soon be released by Black Sun
Records. The album will feature Treasure Land, Stormwind, Narnia and
several others.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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LION’S SHARE`s new album "Fall From Grace" has just been released in
Japan. The Japanese version contains a version of City Boy’s classic
"The Day The Earth Caught Fire" as bonustrack.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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EVERGREY will enter Andy La Roque´s studio to record their follow up to
their critically acclaimed debut cd "The Dark Discovery".
The cd will be released in August.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Morifade are soon to release their first fulllength album, "Posession
Of Power", following the great mini cd "Across a starlit sky".
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Swedish prog aor/metal band Scudiero will release their debut cd
"Walking Through Mirrors" on Z Records March 15th.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Progressive/melodic metal band Pathos, will release their follow up
to "Hoverface" on Black Mark in March. The new cd will be titled "Uni
Versus Universe".
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Olaf Thorsen (ex Time Machine, now Mesmerize) will release his solo
album very soon.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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Good news for Kamelot fans. Sascha Paeth (Rhapsody etc.) will produce
their next album.
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| February 15, 1999 |
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DREAM THEATER - Jamming Out A New Record!
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DREAM THEATER are starting work on their new studio album at Bear
Tracks Studios in Suffern, New York. Doug Oberkircher will be the
engineer. The album will be self-produced (mixer to be announced) and
written and recorded spontaniously, much like LIQUID TENSION
EXPERIMENT. Recording will probably last through to May. The band will
take March off for the birth of Marlene and Mike Portnoy's son. The
album will feature new keyboard player Jordan Rudess. The band will also
try to incorporate a new version of 'Metropolis Part II' into the
record. In related news, former DT keyboardist, DEREK SHERINIAN, who got
the walking papers from the band recently, is busy working on his first
solo album. Set for release in May on Magna Carta Records, it will
feature guests such as bassist Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm) and
drummer Virgil Donati.
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| February 9, 1999 |
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New Destiny line up! New albums!
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Just a week before Destiny's concert with In Flames, in Gothenburg, Sweden February the 5:th, guitarist Knut Hassel decided to leave the band. Fortunately enough Pagan guitarist Anders "Fagge" Fagerstrand was available and after just two rehearsals with the band he was invited to replace Knut on a permanent basis. The concert, which was a success, was also the premier for the bands new drummer Tomas Fredén, formerly of Danish band Twilight. Tomas is of course Swedish even though he recorded one album with the Danes.
Finally, for the first time in many years Destiny have a full five man line up: Zenny Gram - vocals, Stefan Björnshög - bass, Gunnar Kindberg - guitars, Anders Fagerstrand - guitars and Tomas Fredén - drums. The band is now looking forward to the recording of their fifth, as yet untitled, album in Mars.
Destiny have also been invited to record songs to tribute albums for Yngwie Malmsteen, Black Sabbath and Demon.
As reported before Destiny also plan to re release their three first albums Nothing Left To Fear, Atomic Winter and Beyond All Sense. At this stage it seams likely that both NLTF and BAS will also be completely re-recorded versions with possibly some bonus tracks. These albums will possibly be released to coincide with the 15 year jubilee of Destiny's first album, Beyond All Sense, next year. (Magnus Florin)
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 Comments, remarks or ideas? Please mail us. |
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