Friday, 14 February 2025 10:09
Mike Derosier, Roger Fisher, Steve Fossen, Gino D’Cafango: The Return of Reigning Sun
Written by Gene Aaron
In the world of rock music, time is often the ultimate test of an album’s significance. Some records fade into obscurity, while others stand as a testament to the artists’ dedication, passion, and craftsmanship. For Mike Derosier, Roger Fisher, and Steve Fossen, their journey with the band Reigning Sun is one of perseverance, nostalgia, and musical brilliance. Decades after their initial recording sessions, their album Forest Rain is finally getting the recognition it deserves—proving that true art transcends time.
Originally recorded between 1992 - 1995, Forest Rain was born from a deeply personal and artistic collaboration between guitarist and vocalist Roger Fisher, drummer Mike Derosier, bassist Steve Fossen, and guitarist/vocalist Gino D’Cafango. The project was conceived as a tribute to Roger’s late son, Forest, while also serving as a celebration of their shared musical synergy. The band poured their hearts into crafting a sound that embodied both emotional depth and rock ‘n’ roll energy.
Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
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Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
Tuesday, 11 February 2025 06:19
David Gray Unveils 'Dear Life': A Profound New Chapter in His Musical Journey
Written by SULÉY ERA
GRAMMY®-nominated British singer-songwriter David Gray returns with his thirteenth studio album, “Dear Life,” released under his independent label, Laugh A Minute Records/Secretly Distribution. This deeply personal and evocative collection marks a new creative era for the artist, showcasing his signature storytelling through poetic lyricism and a rich sonic landscape. The album's release comes just ahead of Gray's much-anticipated 2025 "Past & Present" World Tour.
Produced by Ben de Vries and recorded in a secluded Norfolk studio, “Dear Life” dives into themes of emotional turmoil and resolution, mortality, faith, and the delicate balance between reality and illusion. Singles such as ‘Plus & Minus,’ ‘After the Harvest,’ ‘Singing for the Pharaoh,’ and ‘Fighting Talk’ set the tone for a deeply introspective yet sonically cohesive experience. This album cements Gray’s reputation as a masterful storyteller, offering listeners an immersive journey through love, loss, acceptance, and the unexplained forces that shape our existence.
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Friday, 07 February 2025 03:15
Black Sabbath – Ozzy Osbourne – Icons Of Metal Come Together For BACK TO THE BEGINNING
Written by SULÉY ERA
In a monumental event for heavy metal fans and enthusiasts, Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with the original Black Sabbath lineup — Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward — for the first time in two decades. The "Back to the Beginning" concert will take place on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, the home ground of Aston Villa Football Club.
This all-day charity event will honor the pioneers of heavy metal and will mark Ozzy Osbourne's final solo performance before he reunites with Black Sabbath for his farewell appearance.
The "Back to the Beginning” event will showcase performances by Metallica, Slayer, Pantera, Gojira, Alice In Chains, Halestorm, Lamb Of God, Anthrax, and Mastodon.
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Music News & Issues
Tuesday, 07 January 2025 06:08
Exclusive Live Show Review: Bruce Dickinson At The Observatory With Night Demon
Written by John Ivan
By John Ivan
I could never say that I used to be a huge Iron Maiden fan, but when I learned that my old-time friend Mistheria, A.K.A. Giuseppe Iampieri, the mastermind behind Vivaldi Metal Project, is playing keyboards with the great Bruce Dickinson on his 2024 tour in support of Bruce’s new album, “The Mandrake Project,” and they will be playing one of their very first shows of the tour at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on April 15th, I just couldn’t miss it!
An even bigger surprise hit me when I read that Brian Wilson (Night Demon, Hellwitch, Yngwie Malmsteen), an exceptionally talented drummer, with whom I collaborated on “Never Give Up” feat. Nick Z Marino music video is playing with the Night Demon, a supporting act for Bruce Dickinson on that one and only announced U.S. show!
Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
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Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
Wednesday, 18 December 2024 07:53
Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Laufey, Mariah Carey Light Up the Top 10 ASCAP New Classic Holiday Songs Chart
Written by SULÉY ERA
Listeners Still Love Traditional Tunes with “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” at #1 on Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs Chart
As the festive holiday spirit soars in the air and lights up hearts and homes, The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers, and music publishers, brings the ultimate soundtrack of the season to life. Honoring the creators behind trending tinsel tunes and cherished classics, ASCAP proudly presented its Top 10 New Classic Holiday Songs and the Top 25 Holiday Songs of 2024,
Topping the ASCAP’s New Classic Holiday Songs chart for the second consecutive year is Kelly Clarkson with "Underneath the Tree," co-written with Greg Kurstin. Other notable entries include Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe," Katy Perry's "Cozy Little Christmas," and Grammy-winning and genre-defying singer-songwriter Laufey’s “Christmas Magic" the latest addition to the list. These contemporary tracks have become holiday favorites, showcasing the evolving landscape of festive music and celebrating the magic of this joyous time.
Published in Music News & Issues
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Music News & Issues
Saturday, 14 December 2024 12:43
Beyoncé Makes A History With ‘act ii Cowboy Carter’
Written by Gene Aaron
The global music scene was shattered with Beyoncé’s eighth studio album act ii COWBOY CARTER, a shockingly disruptive and, in the eyes and ears of many, controversial yet perfectly performed and produced masterpiece, which smashed streaming platforms, airwaves, and news outlets on March 29, 2024, following the monumental release of two lead singles, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" and "16 CARRIAGES" on February 11, Superbowl Sunday.
In this groundbreaking work, Beyoncé embarks on a bold musical journey that transcends genre boundaries, rooted in the rich tradition of country music while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression. With her trademark creativity and fearless approach, Beyoncé delivers an album that pays homage to musical pioneers across genres like Country, Rock, Classical, and Opera, and it celebrates the past while charting a bold new course in Americana culture while valiantly redefining the soundscape of Americana culture.
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Tuesday, 08 October 2024 09:00
Plush Drops New Music Video "Run" While Taking Over Japan By Storm
Written by Gene Aaron
All-female rock sensation Plush recently wrapped up their first headlining Find The Beautiful Tour, following an epic, 23-show arena series with Disturbed and Falling In Reverse earlier this year. Plush closed the touring year by heading over the ocean to shake up Japan, where they played a special show in Okinawa on October 5, 2024, at the Futenma Flight Line Fair.
Right before leaving for The Land Of The Rising Sun, Plush has dropped a new music video for their smashing hit "Run," directed by Chase Warren. The song held a spot on the Billboard Top 40 Mainstream Rock Chart for several weeks and is featured on their latest EP, Find the Beautiful, which was released in January under Pavement Entertainment.
Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
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Thursday, 03 October 2024 06:31
UPSAHL Heats The Globe On “Melt Me Down” Tour. Released Hit Singles ‘Summer So Hot’ And ‘Tears On The Dancefloor’
Written by SULÉY ERA
Pop provocateur and reckless rulebreaker UPSAHL is making headlines over this last Summer with her latest upbeat and edgy hit singles ‘Summer So Hot,’ released on June 21st, 2024, and ‘Tears On The Dancefloor,’ released on August 23, 2024, both via Arista Records and is taking the world by the storm with her mega 40-plus headlining international tour “Melt me down” that kicked off on August 24 with her showcase at the Smukfest 2024 festival in Skanderborg, Denmark.
On August 24, 2024, at the Feelings 2024 fest in Bergen, Norway, UPSAHL completed the first part of the European leg of the tour before she returned to the US with a show at the Soma Sidestage in San Diego on September 10. After a two-month North America spree, UPSAHL is going back to Europe in November.The “Melt me down” tour is scheduled to conclude on November 26 in Paris at the Badaboum.
Published in Pop, Soul, R&B, Indie
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Pop, Soul, R&B, Indie
Monday, 30 September 2024 08:57
Tarah Who? New Album 'The Last Chase'. A Self-Titled Documentary In The Plans
Written by SULÉY ERA
Punk rock band Tarah Who? is back with their latest album, The Last Chase, released through Pavement Entertainment on September 20th, 2024. Produced by renowned musician Alain Johannes and frontwoman Tarah Carpenter, this album delivers the raw energy and unapologetic intensity the band is known for while pushing the boundaries of their sound. Known for Tarah’s gritty vocals and the band’s fierce guitar riffs, The Last Chase explores themes of perseverance, rebellion, and self-discovery, encapsulating the spirit of punk rock with a modern edge.
Working alongside Johannes, a founding member of the alternative rock group Eleven and whose production credits include Queens of the Stone Age, Chris Cornell, No Doubt, and Them Crooked Vultures, The Last Chase channels both the urgency of classic punk and the experimental flair of alternative rock. Carpenter’s powerful performance, backed by relentless rhythms and hard-hitting melodies, makes this release a defining moment for the band, cementing their place in the punk rock scene while drawing in a broader audience.
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Friday, 27 September 2024 11:52
Double Exclusive: Nick Z Marino And John Ivan GuitarSlinger Share Fate In Life And Music
Written by Gene Aaron
In the dynamic world of rock and metal, there are a few names that demonstrate an unparalleled synergy of technical mastery and raw passion as Nick Z Marino, a powerhouse vocalist and keyboardist known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen and his solo project NZM, and John Ivan Belousov, an internationally acclaimed progressive and thrash metal guitarist and songwriter, a member of the Michael Vescera Project, and co-founder of The Voices of Metal Project.
In this exclusive interview, we explore their musical journeys, their life experiences and stories, and what drives them to continue evolving. Nick and John talk about the roots of their friendship, the commonality of their backgrounds and fate, and share the history of their collaboration, offering a rare glimpse into the minds of two artists who live and breathe music of the highest level of creativity, drive, and multi-layered complexity.
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Thursday, 26 September 2024 08:30
David Gilmour ‘Luck And Strange’ Released On Sony Music. Touring EU - US.
Written by SULÉY ERA
Source: SONY Music
Pink Floyd is known for carefully crafting each of their epic work, and that applies to the solo works of each member of the legendary progressive rock ensemble and the latest release of David Gilmour's highly anticipated new album ‘Luck and Strange’ is not an exception. The album was released on Sony Music on September 6th, 2024, marking his first collection of new material in nine years.
The critically acclaimed nine-track album includes an enchanting reworking of The Montgolfier Brothers' 1999 song "Between Two Points," featuring Gilmour’s 22-year-old daughter, Romany, on vocals and harp. Other highlights include the title track, featuring the late Richard Wright of Pink Floyd, recorded during a 2007 jam session at Gilmour’s home. The album’s artwork is by an acclaimed artist Anton Corbijn.
Published in Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
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Rock, Prog-Rock, Metal
Monday, 23 September 2024 04:32
SOiL. Scream: The Essentials. Album Review
Written by Rick Patterfield
© 2017 Pavement Entertainment PVMT 6070 | 21 track = 68'35"
The first official, a non-promo compilation of Chicago modern metallers SOiL features the piece “The Hate Song,” among others. Originally it was released on the studio album Whole (2013), the band's reunion with vocalist Ryan McCombs. And it is very surprising that the harsh musicians did not dare to call the collection Hate Songs: such a title (or, Songs of Hate) would suit this quite monumental collection much more than the somewhat vague and neutral name of Scream.
You probably already think that this introduction will be followed by about 2,000 characters of reasoning about why the author of this review does not like SOiL as well as all modern metal, as in terms of the 90s?
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Thursday, 19 September 2024 10:54
Michael Kiwanuka New Album Small Changes Out Nov 15. Co-Headline Tour With Brittany Howard
Written by Gene Aaron
It has been five years since a conceptual album, “Kiwanuka,” received Grammy and Brit nominations and won the Mercury Prize for English singer-songwriter Michael Kiwanuka, and now the 37-year-old artist returns with his fourth album that reflects on changes in his personal life. The 11-track record “Small Changes” has been announced to be released on November 15th, 2024, via Geffen Records, following Kiwanuka’s US tour co-headlining with Brittany Howard.
For the making of “Small Changes,” Michael Kiwanuka reunited with co-producers Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton (Gorillaz, Black Keys, Gnarls Barkley) and Inflo (Sault, Adele, Cleo Sol), continuing the creative streak that began with his critically acclaimed 2016 UK number-one album, “Love & Hate.”
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Sunday, 25 August 2024 02:50
JOHN IVAN 2024 GuitarSlinger: A Real Guitar Record For The 2020's
Written by Rick Patterfield
JOHN IVAN, GuitarSlinger
© 2024 John Ivan Belousov / Bestia Records (number n/a), 9 tracks = 59'05"
Hope you remember the days of triumph of the mighty US label Shrapnel Records — not only the first American metal label but, far more importantly, a kind of springboard for quite a number of guitar talents all over the US and the world. With a string of albums of such great players as Tony MacAlpine and Paul Gilbert (as a member of Racer X), that label and its boss Mike Varney, a good guitar player himself, wrote the modern rock formula of what an instrumental album of the 80s and 90s should be.
Sadly, such kinds of albums of little-known or even unknown guitar virtuosos are nowadays extremely rare, but a debut solo CD by Ukrainian musician and producer John Ivan Belousov has all the generic traits of those Shrapnel Records of old. Raised on a heavy diet of Yngwie Malmsteen and, eh, aforementioned US shredders, John was once a candidate for one of the last “true” line-ups of the legendary Russian thrash metal institution Master, although his own band Bestia, based in the city of Nikolaev in Ukraine, played a pure US power/speed metal and drew many comparisons with Racer X (again!) even back in the 90s.
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