| LATEST NEWS |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I just updated the page with 2 new REVIEWSPAGES! So, there's a lot for you to read. Included are many new sensations in both the AOR and Progressive rockscene. How about the bands KAMERA and HARMONY PARK, 2 excellent high quality bands, so go check out these reviews! Don't forget to check out that page 2 of our REVIEWSPAGES, as there are another 30 new reviews, which I couldn't put on the first page. You see, November and December are always the busiest months of the year, so many bands sent in their material, and it's almost impossible to keep up the reviewing, but I did my best as you might notice when scrolling through the reviewspages. Next week I will also add a few new interviews and then probably the next update will be just before X-mas, as that will be our annual CHRISTMAS UPDATE, with again many many reviews and this time, also a lot of interviews and last but certainly not least, also a bunch of Classic Rock reviews, but that's another 3 weeks from now, so just keep your fingers crossed until that day (probably the 23rd or 24th of December). For now, check out about 50 (!) new CD reviews and find the latest new bands in the style you admire the most! |
BRAD LOVE -
SONG HAUS MUSIC GROUP SIGNS BRAD LOVE LABEL DEBUT DUE
EARLY 2002 Love’s music
is a blend of progressive music and modern melodic rock
highlighted by his excellent song writing skills and
distinctive lead vocals. The Houston, Texas
based musician has already completed the album, which was
produced by Troy Warren, Jr., who also played drums on
the album to be titled “Through Another Door”. |
ZONATA -
Zonata is set to record the third album with Century
Media. They will hit Studio Underground Västerås Sweden
for 3 weeks the 22nd of April 2002. Once again with Pelle
Saether as Producer. The album will probably be available
at the end of the same Year. |
SUNCAGED -
Sun Caged guitarist Marcel Coenen ( http://www.marcelcoenen.com ) will record a Joey Tafolla song in
December 2001 for a "shrapnel" tribute CD which
will be released by Progressive Arts |
FIFTH - FIFTH is a new progressive thrash metal band from The Netherlands. The band consists of the following musicians: Spike (ex-Form, Stormrider) - Drums, Marcel Coenen (Sun Caged, Stormrider) - Guitars, Danny Tunker - Guitars, Rob Van Der Loo (Sun Caged) - Bass Guitar and Nick Hameury (ex-Form) - Vocals. The band already booked some gigs and a new Demo-CD will be recorded soon. People can expect a band which sounds like a mix of Pantera, Meshuggah, Cacophony and Strapping Young Lad with some progressive elements added. |
DUTCH CONCERT DATES - Here's something for the Dutch viewers (the Limburg/Brabant area): bandnaam:
STORMRIDER 14 dec 2001:
Vagant, Echt |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I just did a HUGE update on the REVIEWSPAGE, and 3 new interviews can be read at the INTERVIEWSPAGE. Upcoming interviews include FIONA and LEGS DIAMOND! Also many reviews on independent Progressive Rock/Metal bands coming up. For now, check out the updates! |
FRONTIERS RECORDS - The UK/Italian label has some interesting releases coming up, including the new TEN, SKIN TAG, DREAMTIDE, RING OF FIRE and ofcourse the comeback CD of AOR legends GIANT! Here's some more info on the GIANT release: Label: Frontiers
Records Release date: November the 28th, 2001 Barcode:
8024391009727 Catalogue #: FR CD 097 They eventually signed with A&M Records and released 1989's Last of the Runaways, featuring a classic, melodic hard rock sound, and which yielded a top-twenty hit with "I'll See You in My Dreams". Giant’s debut album is still regarded nowadays as one of the highest points in melodic hard rock of the end of the eighties melting diverse influences such as Van Halen, Journey and U2 to create an instantly recognizable sound. After countless tours and live performances in the US and Europe, the band found themselves on Epic for 1991's Time to Burn. Slightly more aggressive than it's predecessor, but still magnificent in the production and songwriting departments this album is also regarded as a main source of influences for many melodic and hard rock bands nowadays. Soon after the release of “Time To Burn”, Alan Pasqua decided to quit the band and went back to session work (Michael English, Lee Ritenour, Kip Winger etc.). The band toured once again Europe and US without him but soon after disbanded after Dan Huff ‘s return to sessions. Besides working with countless artists including Shania Twain and Michael W. Smith, he has also produced two albums for metal giants Megadeth (which brought him a Grammy Award as best rock producer). His brother David also started to become more and more involved in the production business and thanks to a mutual friend he was introduced in 1999 to Frontiers Records managers Serafino Perugino and Mario de Riso. This eventually brought to a meeting in Chicago were the label proposed David to bring back the name and the music of such a talented and majestic band. David loved the idea and agreed to release a brand new Giant album which features 10 songs following the style of “Time To Burn” and “Last Of The Runaways”.The resulting album “III” is a breathtaking collection of songs showcasing the immense talents of an amazing group of musicians. Giant are back and here to stay ! |
WHITE DIAMOND - This was or should I say still is a very interesting AOR band who are about to release a CD this month with their recordings from the past and present. They are being described as a pure AOR/Melodic rockband a la SURVIVOR, so definitely something to look forward to, more info and a review will follow shortly. Here's their website: www.mp3.com/white_diamond |
LOST BANDS FOUND - Because we put a lot of reviews of lost bands and their albums on our website (see our CLASSIC AOR PAGE), we sometimes get some interesting e-mails from ex-members of those bands. For example I got e-mails from former members of KARO, M&R RUSH BAND and several others. At the moment I am organising interviews with these bandmembers and maybe even can make it happen to get them back together, but let's keep our fingers crossed, because in the past more bands promised me a reunion, and see what happened with RATHSKELLER, never heard anything of these guys. Still it is nice to know that these people are still alive... |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I got some surprises coming up for you, a new page will be added this week (CONCERT REVIEWS), and we'll have a few surprise interviews, including one with a band that caused quite some stir in the AOR/Pomprock scene about 20 years ago! As usual I also have some new sensations coming up, such as the fantastic new US band 7 MONTHS (but more info on them next week). For now, check out the reviews and interviewspages for updates! |
DOUBLE ECLIPSE - DOUBLE ECLIPSE - FREEDOM TO FUNCTION The new CD from UK rockers Double Eclipse is shaping up nicely. The lads are looking to issue their long-awaited second album in the first half of 2002 through the Thirteen 772 Music label. Tentatively titled Freedom To Function it sees twins Alan Hackney & Phillip Hackney writing with guitarist Mikael Johannesson for the first time. Among those songs set to appear are See You On The Other Side, Burn, Temptation, Don't Be So Low, I Will Forget You, Everything's Gonna Be Alright, Don't Tell Me Lies, When All The Talk Is Done, Take It All Away, and A Chance To Make It Right. |
TRIBUTE -
America Rocks Back A Benefit Concert |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I just added 3 interviews to the INTERVIEWSPAGE. Check out interviews with 2 Swedish AOR sensations (BROKE[N]BLUE and SAHARA) and the fantastic AOR band from Peru! (ALIADOS). Upcoming interviews with TOXIC SMILE (new Progressive Rock sensation), Brazilian AOR sensation SILENT and Finish AOR heroes URBAN TALE. Also pretty soon some new Classic AOR reviews from my side, as we're digging into the past again with underground AOR stuff such as the Swedish bands PRIDE and ROULETTE... |
TRIBUTES TO THE USA ATTACKS - The past week a lot of bands and artists have been writing songs about the terrible attacks in the USA. The coming months a lot of tribute compilation CDs will be released, even pure AOR tributes to the people who lost their lives, and all the proceeds will go to the relatives of the people who died and also to all kinds of funds, such as rebuilding of the area. But the past week a lot of independent bands and artist have written songs, and one of them is JIMMY PACKKES. Here's a note from Jimmy himself: Living in NY and seeing the devastation from Tuesday's attack prompted this song. I am asking everyone to download the song, pass it along and donate $1.00 (US) to your local Red Cross. This could have happened anywhere. I believe that it is important for each of us to take a moment and pray for those still missing and rejoice for those who have been found. Please pass
this along. |
USA ATTACKS - Of course there are much more important things in life than music, and therefore I would like to say I was shocked too and couldn't take my eyes of the TV screen for a few hours. It's really terrible that something like this could have happened, with so many innocent lives lost. For a day or two I also couldn't think about music, but it's also one of the things that can help people through this terrible event. Tomorrow there will be a moment of silence in the whole world and then we must think about the people who couldn't get out of the building and the firemen who gave up their lives in order to save other injured people. May God bless you and all who have been affected in any way... |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I just updated the REVIEWSPAGE, about 30 new CD reviews have been added and also check out the PLAYLIST page which I recently updated. On that page you can see what we at the Strutter'zine camp are listening to a lot lately. Further updates on the INTERVIEWSPAGE and CLASSIC AOR PAGE will follow soon... |
STRUTTER'ZINE - As you might have noticed there have not been so many updates lately, but that's always the case when it's in the middle of the summer. It's extremely hot outside, there also isn't many news to tell and most of us are on holiday somewhere far away, so therefore there isn't much to do. The reviews continue of course, especially the releases of RADIOACTIVE, URBAN TALE, BROKE'N'BLUE and several others have been played a lot lately... Anyway, I collected some news and below you can read it, and don't forget to check our REVIEWSPAGE, as that page is frequently updated. Enjoy summer while it lasts! |
DEMON DRIVE - The German melodic rockband around MICHAEL VOSS is preparing a new release. The CD will be titled 'Rock And Roll Star' and you can already check some previews of the album at: |
JOSHUA -
NEW CD RELEASE DATE FINALLY SET! |
URIAH HEEP - The new Uriah Heep Tribute album, "A Return To Fantasy" is now officially announced! The CD will be out on August 27th 2001 through Century Media Records! As Thorsten Schultz from CMR wrote: "Featuring the following renditions to one of the most original and ground breaking bands ever in the history of rock music": Track list in
order: |
WILDEST DREAM -
CONTACT: AOR Central aorcentral@yahoo.com |
RECORD HEAVEN -
Latest & coming releases from Record Heaven Music,
Classic Rock Label: A 2-CD tribute
dedicated to Thin Lizzy main man that sadly passed away
in 1986. Parts of the profit of this CD goes to the
Roisin Dubh Trust Fund. Featuring tracks from Randy
Bachman. Ken Hensley, Robin George, Primal Fear, Sinner,
Demon, Lotus, Carl Dixon etc. Classic hard rock from this guitr wiz from the US of A. The sound reminds of bands like Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Rainbow. This is the future for classic hard rock. The band contains members from Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult, Ace Frehley and Slash's Snake Pit. Nitzinger - Going Back To Texas Ex Bloodrock
songwriter and Alice Cooper guitar player delivers 18
steaming heavy blues tracks from his sharp axe !! Legendary Nazareth
guitarman Manny Charlton goes heavy with his new Texas
based band. US band that rocks
like a battleship in a thunderstorm. Black Crowes &
Ac/Dc sounding, but with a unique touch. Heavy !! Dave Hlubek from
Molly Hatchet, Jakson Spires from Blackfoot joins up with
Jay Johnson from Rossington Band and Charles Hart from
Radio Tokyo and creates southern steaming rock. A new
album will be out later this year !! This finnish supergroup is now here with their 5th studio album. Classic hard rock in the veins of Zeppelin, with a touch of The Who, Bowie and Abba. The reviews so far is outstanding. Our big hope for the future. Guest appearance on two tracks by H.I.M singer Ville Valo. Their next single from the album called "Stone Cold Heartbreaker" MUST be a radio hit. DEMON - Spaced Out Monkey - Release date Aug 27th British cult band
deliver their first studio album in 9 long years.
Definitely their best since classic The Plague. The band
delivers heavy riffs like Iron Maiden and classic
symphonic epics like Pink Floyd. Already received 9/10
points in German magazine Metal Heart. Top Notch !! DEMON - Spaced Out
Monkey +3 CD single |
STRUTTER'ZINE - I didn't do an update for a while, because I was way too busy organising other stuff, but I just did an enormous update. Updated are the REVIEWSINDEXPAGE (all reviews to be find in a sec), INTERVIEWSPAGE (3 new interviews are added), REVIEWSPAGE (many new reviews to be read), CLASSIC AOR PAGE (2 old classic aor cuts have been put out of the dusty attic) and of course the NEWS page (the one you're now reading!). Enjoy reading! |
STRESS - The reissue of the 1984 Stress album "Killing Me Night & Day" is a classic melodic rock album. Stress came thundering out of Southern California with a hard rock sound and killer pop hooks.The band was founded in San Diego, CA by bassist Josquin des Pres and vocalist/guitarist Mike Thomas to merge the energy of rock 'n' roll with their extensive jazz chops. When their guitarist left in early 1985, he was replaced with axe-slinger Jimmy Crespo fresh from Aerosmith. Killing Me Night & Day is reissued here in its entirety along with seven studio bonus tracks including a cover of The Easybeats "Friday On My Mind". http://www.deepshag.com/stress.html |
DEMON - DEMON
RELEASE INFO (Updated) |
PHIL VINCENT - PHIL
VINCENT is preparing a new CD release. His next CD, a
double CD, with 20 songs is all done and ready for a
september release. |
Z RECORDS - NARO
WEBSITE LAUNCHED: |
BROKE'N'BLUE - The fantastic Swedish AOR sensation BROKE'N'BLUE has signed a deal with the German melodic rocklabel MAPLE LEAF RECORDS. The band's debut album "Northern Light" will be released at the end of June on Maple Leaf Records. More info at: http://listen.to/l.a.music and www.mp3.com/broke-n-blue There's a sample of the cover in the news section. |
BADLANDS - Legendary
BADLANDS Debut Album To Be Reissued Through KOCH Records
On June 26th. Sometimes, one must look to the past for
future inspiration. KOCH Records has deemed it time to
revisit a remarkable chapter in rock history, that of the
seminal hard rock quartet Badlands. The band, composed of
former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee, KISS and
current Alice Cooper drummer Eric Singer, bassist Greg
Chaisson, and inimitable vocalist Ray Gillen, took the
hard rock community by storm in 1989 with their debut
self-titled release. Their blues-based, Led Zeppelin-like
arrangements and cutting-edge compositions were a
distinct breath of fresh air from the chokehold of the
then thriving 'Hair Metal' era. Critics and radio
welcomed Badlands' invigorating sound with open arms. |
KYLE VINCENT - Kyle has just released a CD with recordings from the 80s and early 90s called 'Sweet 16'. This album is a so-called mainstream 80s AOR/Radiorock record, so pretty interesting for people who liked his CD 'A night like this' that was released by AOR HEAVEN a few years ago. Next week a review of the album. |
HAVEN - NOW
& THEN / FRONTIERS is pleased to announce that the
angelic, yet tough voice you hear in your head finally
has a name. Her name is "Pamme". The music she
plays is the one thing you can't escape from. Pamme is
the singer with the latest hot new band to come out of
the U.S. and the band is called Haven. Haven is the first female fronted act to be signed to the label in 5 years and is only the third in total, following Jaime Kyle and Dante Fox. This shows just how much potential NOW & THEN / FRONTIERS believes Haven has within the band. |
JASON BECKER - "Warmth
In The Wilderness" Part II - Coming soon |
MILLION - The new Million
album, their fourth studio album, is called
"DETONATOR" |