Gene Aaron
Managing editor
Larry Mitchell: Creative Spiritual Journey Through Life And Music
In the modern guitar world, few names resonate as profoundly as Grammy-winning producer, engineer, virtuoso guitarist, and multi-instrumentalist Larry Mitchell. Renowned for his spellbinding techniques, soulful compositions, and eponymous signature sound, Mitchell has carved out a niche that defies genre boundaries, seamlessly blending rock, jazz, blues, and world music influences.
During his star-studded journey, Larry recorded and toured with icons such as Tracy Chapman, Ric Ocasek, Billy Squier, Miguel Bosé, and Nile Rodgers. He collaborates with Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, George Lynch, and Doug Doppler, among many others, produced award-winning records for a variety of artists, and released several solo albums since emerging on the scene in the late 1980s.
The Best of NZM Feat. Hit Single No Innocence. Album Review
The release of “the best of…” compilation albums by any accomplished artist is always a major and highly anticipated event, praised by fans and the press. More importantly, such work is expected to be a signified mark set upon a certain, often pivotal point of the artist’s career, embarking on the upcoming new chapters. "The Best of NZM" by the prominent South Florida power metal band NZM, released on July 19, 2024, via FireRock Music Group, is just that.
NZM, led by brilliant vocalist, virtuoso keyboard player, and producer Nick Z Marino, introduced their exceptional work throughout the years, which features the band's greatest hits, fan favorites, and rare tracks, capturing the essence of NZM's high-energy and emotionally charged performances and powerful sound, including their latest hit single “No Innocence," offering fans both a nostalgic journey and a fresh perspective on the band’s musical evolution.
SOiL Tours US, EU, UK With “All Scars” Set. Plays Wacken Open Air And Other Fests
For Chicago heavyweights SOiL, 2024 became an exciting and busy year of touring. They started in March by headlining in The Back To The 2000’s Tour along with their counterparts from Texas, nu-metal pioneers The Union Underground, playing exclusive material from their most popular albums that were released in the early 2000’s.
In August, SOiL takes off to Europe for a two-week European tour, The tour kicks off at the legendary Wacken Open Air Festival on August 2 and concludes on August 16 in Sulingen, Germany at the ReLoad Festival. In November 2024, the band returns to the UK for another headlining round for the first time since 2019.
NOAPOLOGY On A Path To A Worldwide Breakthrough With "Defenseless"
With the February 20, 2024 release of their fourth original hit single "Defenseless," alternative metal and modern hard rock powerhouse NOAPOLOGY have entered the undeviating pathway to make a worldwide breakthrough with over 900,000 subscribers and staggering 200 million views on YouTube, and their eagerly anticipated upcoming full-length debut, finalizing their transition from a cover project, formerly known as Sershen&Zaritskaya.
"Defenseless" stands as the newest testament to NOAPOLOGY's unwavering dedication to crafting genuine, heartfelt music. It is a contemplation of Ukrainian rockers in their artistic development, following their previous highly successful originals, “Deadhearted” of 2023, and a debut single “Ashes,” which was produced in two versions - acoustic and a power-charged arrangement.
The Outfits' New Album ‘Go’ Delivers Uncompromised Energy
Thunderous riffs charged with the raw energy of purely aggressive and uncompromised hard rock and catchy melodic hooks comprise the foundation of Chicago rock masters The Outfit's new studio album, "Go." The album was released via Pavement Entertainment, marking their third release, following 2020's "Viking."
"Go" was expertly engineered by Chicago music stalwart Matt Mercado at Sonic Palace Studios in Oak Park, Illinois. It was mixed in Los Angeles by Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum producer Ulrich Wild, known for his work with Pantera, Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones, and Breaking Benjamin, who produced densely tight, yet well balanced high-quality sound.
Vitalij Kuprij – a Piano Master, Trans-Siberian Orchestra Keyboardist. In Memoriam.
Philadelphia, PA. February 20, 2024. Vitalij Kuprij, a virtuoso keyboardist for Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 2Cellos, Artension, and Ring Of Fire, a world-renowned classical pianist and composer, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy that will forever resonate in the hearts of countless music lovers worldwide. He was just 49 years old...
His talent and passion for music transcended borders, captivating audiences, and inspiring fellow musicians. As we mourn his loss, we celebrate his remarkable impact on the world of rock and classical music and the enduring beauty of his compositions.
OD Guitars /imagine: prompt AI Infused Natural Geometric™ Art
The year 2023 can indeed be named a year of Generative Artificial Intelligence, which took the world by storm with the explosion of ChatGPT and then took the race in the image creation by Imagen, MidJourney, FireFly, and others.
This is when an Israeli luthier Omer Deutsch got an idea about exploring the use of AI as a design tool for his hand-crafted guitar brand OD Guitars, which emerged from the heart of Israel and goes beyond the realms of conventional guitar manufacturing, delivering an unparalleled synthesis of craftsmanship, sexy design, and sonic artistry. Omer calls this project based on MidJourney AI - /imagine: prompt.
Oceans on Orion: “Start from Nothing” 2023 Review
For decades, US and British artists dominated the rock scene with just a few exceptions, until globalization, the internet, and social media overturned the entire music industry on the brink of the millennia.
For heavy music styles in particular, the artists’ origin is no longer a factor for popularity and acceptance in the United States. It opened an incredible opportunity for Oceans on Orion, a modern metal powerhouse from the vibrant cultural landscape of Israel that has already made its mark on the rock scene in the UK and Israel since 2019, and they are regulars at Israel’s major metal show PsychoWard Fest.
Scarlet Parke: '369' Manifest Changed My Life
Boisterously enthusiastic self-starter Scarlet Parke released her self-produced single and music video “369” delivering smooth jazzy vocals, hypnotic beats fused with mesmerizing melodies, and inspiring message through direct, uplifting lyrics.
Talented songwriter Scarlet composed a music piece, which emits a synergy of pop, soul, and jazz within easily recognized soundscape. For years Parke has been determined to produce her own music and this release became her signature achievement of her long-time goal as a music and video producer.
Candlebox 30th Anniv. Tour & Live Acoustic Album Feat. Original Members
Seattle nineties grunge and metal scene is not complete without multi-platinum rock power house Candlebox that marks the 30th Anniversary of their self-titled debut album with a release of a new, live, acoustic album, entitled Live at the Neptune on June 23 via Pavement Entertainment, and a “The Long Goodbye Tour 2023”, which kicks off June 10th thru September 23 to celebrate band’s three decade career, eight studio and three live album discography, and extensive live performing and touring.