NEWS
ALMANAC
- announce debut album »Tsar«;
first studio trailer revealed
After 15 years and 10 CDs as guitarist, producer and composer for the German heavy metal institution RAGE, and with hits penned by him like 'Down', 'Soundchaser', 'War Of Worlds', 'Straight To Hell' (well-known from the German blockbuster movie »Manitou’s Shoe«), 'Carved In Stone', 'Forever Dead', 'Empty Hollow' and 'Cleansed By Fire', Victor Smolski now continues his musical career with his new group ALMANAC. The guitar virtuoso’s composition 'Suite Lingua Mortis' was first released on the successful 2006 RAGE record »Speak Of The Dead«, and it helped build the classical foundation for the new, more versatile yet even playful LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTRA sound. Their LMO release in 2013 scored them a big success by outselling RAGE's most releases and charted in Germany at #24 on the official album charts. In comparison to RAGE, LMO offered fresh song material entirely composed by Smolski, a new musical concept combining heavy metal with classical music, songs written especially for a band and orchestra plus several male and female singers sharing the lead vocal job.
This success story now continues with ALMANAC who add a powerful touch of heaviness to LMO’s unique sound. The Belarus-born guitarist Smolski with this new group is joined in this new group by former LMO band members Jeanette Marchewka (vocals) and the Symphony Orchestra “Orquestra Barcelona Filharmonia” and White Russian Symphony Orchestra. New in the line-up are bass player Armin Alic, drummer Michael Kolar and keyboard player and Enric Garcia! The two high-class singers David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) and Andy B. Franck (BRAINSTORM) complete the extremely prominent line up. Most recently ALMANAC have signed a record deal with the world’s leading heavy metal label Nuclear Blast. Their debut album, called »Tsar«, will be released in March 2016.
The band gives some insight into their studio work in the form of their first studio trailer, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/GOJME_1_YAE
For all the members of ALMANAC, »Tsar« is a new, exciting, and very interesting chapter. Traditional metal in conjunction with classical music, world music and elements of Russian folklore with a modern sound all make ALMANAC a compelling and absolute listening experience.
Singer David Readman states:
“When I was first asked by Victor to join the band I felt very honored to be a part of a new great band, I have to admit I was very uncertain where we would go musically with the band, and this was my feeling even as I entered the studio a few weeks ago.
As soon as we started to record it was very clear to me that this would be a great collaboration of musicians creating a masterpiece…
The whole experience from the first pre-production recording in my home studio and writing lyrics, to finally getting the real emotion on tape with Seeb and Victor was an evolution.
Some records are difficult to make, but this was just easy!”
Fans with an interest in deeper subjects including history and culture will also be able to dive into a new world with »Tsar«, which combines historic and modern parallels that will surprise many. From the warlike nomadic horsemen in the steppes of Russia, to the tsardom, Ivan the Terrible, warlike Cossacks who dominate the Tatar, the siege of Constantinople and the Mongol invasion are stories about battles, wars, intrigue, conquest, terror, power and love that can be heard vocally using the different styles of the singer’s voices.
The first phase is already complete, and now the band is currently engaged in working on the arrangements of the songs. Victor Smolski says: “We're thrilled about this first release and of the many albums to come, commencing from March 2016. Also we are very eager to let loose the mighty power of ALMANAC to the people, on as many different platforms as possible as well as on stage.”
Vocalist Andy B. Franck adds:
“Vocal recordings for the very first ALMANAC album are done... and I can't believe how amazing all of the songs are. Incredibly intense, melodic, extremely powerful, aggressive and symphonic... all in one. Victor has created a monster of an album... it's great beeing a part of it!”
In addition to this news, ALMANAC have just been confirmed for Winter Masters Of Rock in Zlin (CZ) on November 15th
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More info:
www.victorsmolski.de
www.facebook.com/almanacvs.band
www.nuclearblast.de/almanac
Swedish melodic metal band ETERNAL (of Sweden) is back in business with their new thundering album “Heaven’s Gate”. Three years after their debut Chapter 1 (2012), the tracks on the new album will take you on a journey through the best of the best in today’s metal!
From roaring power metal tracks like “Ruins” and “The purity inside” to the more progressive title track of the album, and the emotional track “Angel” this album will appeal to metal fans of any kind. Once again the record was produced by Sweden’s metal madman Peter Tägtgren (Hypocrisy, Pain, Lindemann) and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (Raubtier, Bourbon Boys). ”Heaven's Gate” will be released on January 29th, 2016 on Black Lodge/Sound Pollution and kick some major metal butt.
In advance, a single and a video clip for the track “Ruins” will be available in advance from November 20th, 2015. Here comes the cover artwork for the single:
Lineup:
Christer Gärds-Vocals
Björn Andersson-Guitar
Pelle Hindén-Drums
Pontus Lekaregård-Keyboards
Anders Sandström-Bass
‘Eternal (of Sweden) play a style of music that’s by turns headbanger-friendly, efficiently hummable and deeply pompous. Dave Ling, Classic Rock Magazine,UK
‘Stick this belter on for a dose of the old fashioned grit that is true Heavy Metal, the way it was once always played and always should be’ Dave Attrill, Metalliville.co.UK
Liebe Medienpartner,
Eagle Vision/ Edel veröffentlichen am 20.11.2015 die neue DVD und Blu-ray von Gitarren-Legende Ritchie Blackmore, welche diesen treffenden Namen trägt: „The Ritchie Blackmore Story“.
Wir bemustern ab morgen wahlweise mit der DVD oder der Blu-ray – Print- und Online-Medien in Deutschland und Österreich.
RITCHIE BLACKMORE
THE RITCHIE BLACKMORE STORY
Ritchie Blackmore ist ohne Zweifel einer der großartigsten Gitarristen aller Zeiten. Von seinen Pop-Wurzeln mit The Outlaws und vielen Studioaufnahmen in den Sechzigern über den packenden Hardrock mit Deep Purple und Rainbow in den Siebzigern und Achtzigern bis zum Mittelalter-Rock mit Blackmore’s Night hat Blackmore bewiesen, dass er ein (Gitarren-) Meister aller Klassen ist. „The Ritchie Blackmore Story” erzählt zum ersten Mal die ganze Geschichte seiner bemerkenswerten Karriere, mit Videoclips unter anderem von „Smoke On The Water”, „Highway Star”, „Since You’ve Been Gone”, „Wring That Neck”, „Space Truckin’”, „All Night Long”, „Long Live Rock‘n’Roll”, „Hush”, „Black Night”, „Child In Time”, „Mistreated”, „Burn”, „Man On The Silver Mountain”, „I Surrender”, „Perfect Strangers”, „Play Minstrel Play”, „Renaissance Faire” oder „Fires At Midnight”. Hinzu kommen ausführliche aktuelle Interviews mit Blackmore sowie Beiträge vieler seiner Kollegen und Bewunderer wie etwa Brian May, Glenn Hughes, Lars Ulrich, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, der verstorbene Jon Lord, David Coverdale, Gene Simmons, Joe Lynn Turner, Steve Vai, Graham Bonnet und Ian Anderson. Dies ist die ultimative Geschichte einer echten Gitarrenlegende. Das Bonusmaterial umfasst mehr als 40 Minuten weiterer Interviews mit Ritchie Blackmore und seinen Gefährten. „The Ritchie Blackmore Story“ erscheint parallel auch auf DVD (EREDV1148) und in einer Deluxe Edition (EREDV1194).
VÖ: 20. November 2015
Künstler: Ritchie Blackmore
Titel: The Ritchie Blackmore Story
Label/ Vertrieb: Eagle Vision/ Edel
Format: Blu-Ray-Musik
Katalognummer: ERBRD5258 (DVD: EREDV1148; Deluxe-Edition: EREDV1194)
Bildformat: 16:9
Sound-Formate: DTS-HD Master Audio, LPCM Stereo
(DVD: DTS Surround Sound, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Stereo)
Spielzeit: ca. 134 Minuten
Untertitel: Englisch, Französisch, Spanisch, Deutsch
German PINK FLOYD tribute band ECHOES feat. Oliver Hartmann (Rock Meets Classic/Avantasia/Hartmann) on vocals and guitars today charted in Germany at the official German DVD sales chart at #20!
„Barefoot To The Moon“ was released on 16.10.2015 on Sonic 11/Pride & Joy Music with German distribution via Edel and marks the first ever chart entry for our inhouse label PRIDE & JOY MUSIC.
Thanks to journalists and media partners who have helped to make this big success happen and especially the guys at Edel for their huge support
Youtube trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nI97wi4Tch4
Press quotes (in German):
„Schlicht und einfach sensationell.“ (Eclipsed)
„Das (die Songs) alles wird mit zusätzlichem Saxophon, mit Streichern und mehrstimmigem Chorgesang nicht nur geschmackvoll, sondern erstaunlich authentisch in Szene gesetzt, sodass man phasenweise die Herren Gilmour, Waters, Mason & Wright eigenhändig am Werk wähnt. Toll…!“ (Classic Rock)
„Egal ob man sich am Ende für DVD oder CD enscheidet, "Barefoot To The Moon" gehört definitiv in jede gut sortierte FLOYD-Sammlung.“ (powermetal.de)
„Danke für dieses Album.“ (Radio Barbarossa)
„Phänomenal.“ (myrevelations.de)
„Ganz große Kunst.“ (Dream Out Loud)
„Die Band spielt groß auf.“ (Musik an sich)
„Die vorliegende DVD…dokumentiert eindrucksvoll einen denkwürdigen Abend und offenbart die Musik von Pink Floyd in einer Weise, wie sie bislang noch nicht zu hören war.“ (Medien Info)
ECHOES live:
(presented by Eclipsed & Rockantenne):
30.10.15 D-Zweibrücken, Festhalle
07.11.15 D-Battenberg, Burgberghalle
28.11.15 D-Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg (20th Anniversary Show)
03.12.15 D-Heidelberg, Stadthalle (AC)
04.12.15 D-Landau, Universum Kinocenter (AC)
19.12.15 D-Aschaffenburg, Stadttheater (AC)
20.12.15 D-Bochum, Christuskirche (AC)
02.01.16 D-Freiburg, Konzerthaus
03.01.16 D-Reutlingen, Stadthalle
09.01.16 D-Nürnberg, LUX-Kirche (AC)
12.01.16 D-Frankfurt, Alte Oper (AC)
22.01.16 D-Osnabrück, Rosenhof
23.01.16 D-Ahaus, Logo
12.02.16 D-Karlsruhe, Substage
13.02.16 D-Soest, Stadthalle
27.02.16 D-Brunsbüttel, Elbeforum
(AC) = Acoustic shows!
Dear media partners,
please find below the key information about AOR Heaven’s upcoming November 27th, 2015 release from SAFFIRE and MAJOR INSTINCT.
As usual, this label’s release will be promoted digitally via Haulix. We will take care of European media excluding the UK. UK media – also as usual – may contact Mike @ ME PR.
Product: Saffire – For The Greater God
Label: AOR Heaven
Release date: 27.11.2015
PR: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Saffire was born in 2005 when Victor Olsson and Dino Zuzic were in school together. The idea was to form a band based on old school melodic hard rock and heavy metal but add a modern twist to it. After months of searching and auditioning, the duo was joined by Magnus Carlsson, Martin Järbur and Gustav Elowson.
In 2007 they recorded a first demo but soon after, Gustav had to leave the band and was replaced by then 17-year old Anton Roos, who had just won the Swedish Drum Solo Champion of the year contest. Another demo was recorded in 2008 and Saffire started playing shows in the local area, slowly making a name for themselves. In 2010 Martin was replaced by Tobias Jansson, and an EP was recorded and released. The band kept playing lot's of live shows and finally in 2013, Saffire signed with Inner Wound Recordings for the release of their debut album ”From Ashes to Fire”.
The album was highly praised all over the world, and Rocknytt.net, Sweden's biggest rock website, put the album on their top 10 list of the best albums of 2013.
Saffire went on to tour all over Sweden, playing some of the biggest festivals alongside bands like Slayer, Steel Panther, At the Gates and Sabaton.
The new album is titled ”For The Greater Good” and consists of 11 songs written by Victor Olsson and Tobias Jansson. The album was mixed and partly recorded at Sound Industry Studio by Arnold Lindberg (Evergrey, Ghost, Hardcore Superstar) and mastered by Dragan Tanaskovic (In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Mustasch)
Line-up: Tobias Jansson – Vocals, Victor Olsson – Guitars, Anton Roos – Drums, Dino Zuzic – Keyboards, Magnus Carlsson – Bass
Tracklist: 1. The Great Escape, 2. Casters Of The First Stone, 3. For The Greater Good, 4. Heartless, 5. Dandelion's Shame, 6. Shadowland, 7. Wake Up The World, 8. As Promises Burn, 9. Blame It On The Rain, 10. Ghost Town, 11. This Is Not The End
www.facebook.com/saffiresweden
Soundfiles in Advance:
SAFFIRE - Casters Of The First Stone (Edit)
SAFFIRE - Dandelions Shame (Edit)
SAFFIRE - The Great Escape (Edit)
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Product: Major Instinct – Roots & Wings
Label: AOR Heaven
Release date: 27.11.2015
PR: Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!
Video „High Five“: https://youtu.be/2E7CY79FyUQ
The new Swedish classic hard rock band MAJOR INSTINCT is the brainchild of M.ILL.ION founder, main songwriter and bass guitarist B.J Laneby. After 25 years, seven highly critically acclaimed albums with six figures sales and international touring, he decided to put M.ILL.ION to rest and start something new. This decision came after B.J became very ill and actually nearly died at the end of their last UK-tour (June/July 2014). Several months of intensive care both in the UK and in Sweden followed and once conscious and recovering, he had a lot of time to think. Said and done, the best musicians and the coolest guys available in Sweden were picked and in late December 2014 MAJOR INSTINCT was formed in Gothenburg. A BAND, not a project! The line-up soon was completed with Stefano Marchesini (lead vocals, ex HUMAN RACE), Magnus Mild (guitars), Johan Häll (drums, ex- M.ILL.ION) and 22-year old newcomer Gabriel Glamheden (Hammond & keys).
The songwriting took place in the first part of 2015 and carries on the vibe of bands like Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, KISS and Deep Purple. The major part of the lyrics, all written by B.J Laneby, reflects on the rollercoaster ride called life. A couple of rough recordings were sent out to some contacts in the business and very soon there were offers on the table. In May 2015, the band decided to go with Metal Heaven and MAJOR INSTINCT signed a deal with them for Europe.
With a deal and a budget in place, July 2015 was spent in the Rabbit Hole Studios in Gothenburg Sweden. Guitarist Magnus Mild was the engineer, Victor Olsson took care of the mix and Martin Kronlund of JM Studio mastered the album.
“High Five”, a straight catchy rock´n roll song with a positive message was chosen as the first single and a video clip: "We can do it together!" Be it the team, the band or the couple. The release date for both was on September 30th, 2015. The video for this track was directed by the video producer & photographer, the talented Mr Alex Kristoffersson.
“Roots & Wings” is the name of the album which finally will see the light of day on AOR Heaven on November 27th, 2015. On the same day the band will make their first live appearance at the launch party/release at Musikens Hus, in Gothenburg Sweden.
Tracklist: 1. Roots & Wings, 2. One In A Million, 3, High Five (album version), 4. 316, 5. I Need A Drink, 6. Eyes From Above, 7. Don’t Come To Me, 8. Here and now, 9. Kicked To The Ground, 10. Follow The Trends (new version of the M.ILL.ION track from 1995), Mother of all
Website: www.majorinstinct.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Major-Instinct-957707434250701/timeline/
Soundfiles in advance:
MAJOR INSTINCT - Here And Now (Edit)
MAJOR INSTINCT - High Five (Edit)
MAJOR INSTINCT - Roots & Wings (Edit)
