product: Operus - Score Of Nightmares
release date: 19.06.2020
label: Pride & Joy Music
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OPERUS' world class performance style is a cross breed of a metal band with the dramatic performance of theatre that come together to produce a unique sound and thrilling live show.
Formed by six professional musicians, OPERUS' depth comes from the vast musical experience each member brings with them. From extensive studio time, to worldwide performances in metal bands, Symphonic/chamber orchestras and the stages of musical theatre. OPERUS has come for all metalheads and music lovers around the globe.
The combined musical knowledge in OPERUS comes from decades of intense dedication to music with University and Masters Degrees, Royal Conservatory of Music certifications and first-hand experience from performing live across North and South America, Europe, and Asia.
These experiences from the band members include well known ensembles such as Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Robin Howe), Annihilator (Oscar Rangel), Vital Remains (Dean Paul Arnold), Skull Fist (J.J. Tartaglia), Eclipse Eternal (Wojciech Sokolowski), and leading roles in professional theatrical productions such as Jukebox Hero and Beauty & the Beast (David Michael Moote).
OPERUS has brought their world class performance to such great stages as Wacken in Germany and Force Fest in Mexico in addition to opening for power metal heavy hitters Sonata Arctica and the Rhapsody Reunion Tour.
In 2015 OPERUS recorded and produced their debut EP, “Opus I”, which was followed by their debut full length album "Cenotaph" recorded at Silverwings Studios, Montreal in early 2017. Cenotaph was released worldwide on October 13, 2017 through Dark Star Records in Association with MVD Entertainment and Sony Music.
In 2019 Operus returned to Silver Wings Studios to begin recording their second full length album, "Score of Nightmares", which is set to be released on June 19, 2020 through Pride & Joy Music.
product: She Bites - Joyride
release date: 19.06.2020
label: Pride & Joy Music
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SHE BITES came into being in 2019. A great blend of hook-driven AOR with lots of roaring and rocking guitars.
Berlin-based singer and actress Melanie Stahlkopf, who has already performed all over Europe with several projects, and Lars König (g, LIONCAGE, ex SKYLINE) who also took over all the studio work, decided to start something new to explore new grounds.
Joining König and Stahlkopf in SHE BITES are Carsten Kohl (d, THREE WISHES) and Arvid Lucas (b, LIONCAGE).
Within only nine month, the album “Joyride“ was completed. A video for their first single - also called “Joyride“ - has been shot and will be released in advance on May 29th, 2020.
The blistering song “Rock This Night“ features Olaf Senkbeil (v, DREAMTIDE, he worked with BLIND GUARDIAN and many others) as guest. Melanie and Olaf are a perfect match.
SHE BITES is a perfect combination: Amazing harmony vocals, big drums and strong guitars with huge hook lines all over the place accompanied by a contemporary production.
„Joyride“ offers the best of the 80’s in an exciting way, a fairy wheel ride on a summer’s day. For fans of ROXETTE, ROBIN BECK, FIONA and STARSHIP.
Out on Pride & Joy Music on June 19th, 2020.
product: Sapphire Eyes - Magic Moments
release date: 15.05.2020
label: Pride & Joy Music
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SAPPHIRE EYES started in 2011 when Niclas Olsson (ALYSON AVENUE, SECOND HEAT) decided to put together a record (”Sapphire Eyes”) alongside friends he had made in the music business. The first album was handled more as a project than as a band with various performers/singers.
After the debut was released, thoughts started to brew about making SAPPHIRE EYES a band with regular members and in time for album number two, the critically acclaimed ”Breath Of Ages” was put together. The group is all Swedish but when Niclas searched for a vocalist, he approached to Finnish vocalist Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE, LEVERAGE) and immediately, it felt like a perfect match!
”Breath Of Ages” was released in 2018 and grounded the Scandinavians as performers of classic Melodic Rock/AOR. Airy keyboards and great hooks & melodies oozed from the record and a few concerts really got the group together even tighter towards becoming an act on the music scene to really take note of.
Now, SAPPHIRE EYES will release their third album called ”Magic Moments”. The band tries to reconnect to the simpler times full of passion and possibilities when growing up. Still, the melodies are foremost important and the emotions delivered are meant to make you feel like anything is possible in life!
Line-up: Kimmo Blom - vocals (LEVERAGE, URBAN TALE); Niclas Olsson - keyboards (ALYSON AVENUE, SECOND HEAT); Emil Knabe - guitars (ACACIA); Patrik Svärd - guitars (CLOUDSCAPE); Christer Engholm - bass (ALYSON AVENUE, ACACIA); Fredrik Eriksson - drums (DAWN OF OBLIVION, ALYSON AVENUE)
product: Asgard - Ragnarøkkr
release date: 15.05.2020
label: Pride & Joy Music
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ASGARD, the Trient based Italian Prog Metal band, was founded in 1986 and since then has released the five studio albums “Götterdämmerung” (1991), “Esoteric Poem” (1992), “Arkana” (1992), “Imago Mundi” (1993) and “Drachenblut” (2000).
In their early years, the Prog group with folk influences was mainly active live and also took part in some contests (of which they have won three!). The Italians also recorded two demos and took part in various compilation albums which even included recordings in Ibiza with Nick Griffiths, a former sound engineer of Pink Floyd!
Maybe because ASGARD come from the very North East of Italy, a region with historical and deep cultural connections to both Austria and Germany, the German label “Music Is Intelligence” signed the group in 1990 and put out their first four albums.
In 1995, two of the band members moved to Germany and released the record “Drachenblut” with a new line-up in the year 2000.
“Ragnarøkkr“ now is ASGARD’s 6th full-length release in total and was produced by Roland Grapow (ex Helloween, Masterplan). Join ASGARD’s world full of myths, shamans, rituals & atmosphere combined with progressive heavy metal & some medieval parts. Don’t expect the ordinary – this band’s sound is just breathtaking & unique!
product: Captain Black Beard - Sonic Forces
release date: 15.05.2020
label: AOR Heaven
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Captain Black Beard made their live debut in Stockholm, Sweden on the 31st October 2009 and released their self-titled album in May 2011.
Hailed by the press all over the world, so much it was called one of the "albums of the year” by legendary journalist Geoff Barton of Classic Rock Magazine.
After shows in America and the UK, most of 2013 was spent working on the second album "Before Plastic" which was released in May 2014. The band also made a return to the UK playing the Hard Rock Hell Festival and opening for Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, MSG). This album also got great reviews and featured a guest appearance by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad).
In February 2015, Captain Black Beard entered the studio with producer Chips Kiesbye (Hellacopters, Bonafide). They also toured Scandinavia as support act to Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen), Robin Beck and House Of Lords. “It's A Mouthful" was released in March 2016 and the tour started with a comeback to the Hard Rock Hell Festival as well as - again - supporting Joe Lynn Turner. By the end of the year the group amicably parted ways with singer Sakaria Björklund.
In 2017 a "new" Captain Black Beard entered the studio to record with producer Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.e.a.t) and in April 2018, "Struck By Lightning" was released to rave reviews. This line-up would however be short-lived and tour dates following the release featured the amazing Linnea Vikström (Therion) as temporary lead vocalist.
In early 2019 the band brought in singer Martin Holsner for a co-headlining tour with Osukaru throughout Germany and started to work on a new album with producer Dave Dalone (guitarist in H.e.a.t) which led to the band completely reinventing themselves in time for their 10th anniversary.
Following a bombastic start of 2020 supporting Geoff Tate on tour, Captain Black Beard are proud to bring out their “Sonic Forces” this coming April.
The album was recorded at Yardstreet Studios in Stockholm, Sweden.
product: Stoneflower - Finally
release date: 15.05.2020
label: AOR Heaven
territory: world
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Having released one album with Diesel Dahl (d, TNT), Tom Sennerud (g), Frode Henriksen (v) and Jon Johannessen (g) decided to form a band on their own in 1996: STONEFLOWER. The Norwegians were soon joined by Svenn Huneide (b). They decided to hire experienced drummer Steinar Krokstad (STAGE DOLLS) and Dag Bårdstu (keys) to create the best result. The debut “Crack A Little Smile” was finally released on the small label Storyteller Records in 2003 and sold world-wide via AOR Heaven’s mailorder. A video for the track “If You Say” was released feat. Geir Johnny Huneide (d). Then, Johannessen left group in 2005.
When singer Frode Henriksen moved to a different part of the country after 2010, the band split up. Tom felt that the album already in progress was too good to let go, so he started finishing the album on his own. “Destination Anywhere” was released on his own label, Late Night Music. It received highly critical acclaim, like “best AOR album 2014” (Sweden Rock Magazine).
After the positive feedback, members Tom and Svenn decided to reignite the band with a new singer. By sheer luck they found the amazingly talented John Masaki (“Norwegian Idol“). The first track recorded included one of the most famous and gifted Norwegian drummers, Per Hillestad (LAVA, A-HA,) but the band soon decided to go for a full-time member and the talented and AOR-loving Geir Johnny Huneide (brother to Svenn) got the job. Geir then recorded the rest of the album with Steinar Krokstad (STAGE DOLLS) guesting on one track. STONEFLOWER this time signed a record deal with AOR Heaven. “Finally” was mainly recorded in Tom’s own studio “Late Night Music“. Some drums were recorded at Leif Johansen’s (21 GUNS, PHENOMENA, A-HA) “Stable Studio“. Guests on “Finally” are Per Hillestad (d), premium Swedish AOR guitarist, Tommy Denander (PAUL STANLEY, ALICE COOPER), Bjørn Ole Rasch (keys, SECRET GARDEN) and Gunnar Westlie (g, DA VINCI). Mixed by Trond Engebretsen and Tom Sennerud, mastered by JK Northrup (KING KOBRA).
product: DeVicious - Phase Three
release date: 08.05.2020
label: Metalapolis
territory: world
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DeVicious is an international Hard & Melodic Rock band from Karlsruhe/Germany. With their two albums “Never Say Never“ (2018) and “Reflections“ (2019) they managed to built up a big fan base in the Melodic Rock scene. They toured with acts like HARDLINE, AMMUNITION or MAVERICK and played festivals such as H.E.A.T FESTIVAL, INDOOR SUMMER FESTIVAL, ROCK 'N LOC or ROCKNACHT TENNWILL. On these festivals their new singer Antonio Calanna from Italy debuted and got the fans immediately by the balls with his energetic and professional performance
“Phase Three“ was produced by band mastermind Alex Frey, mixed by Patrick Damiani at Tidalwave Studios and mastered by Robin Schmidt at 24-96 Mastering.
The album again offers all band trademarks like big arena melodies, bombastic choir arrangements and a very powerful production. Since they focused more on guitars this time, the record seems to be a bit heavier than the previous ones.
After “Reflections“ was very successful on the international market with listings in more than 50 “Album Of The Year“ rankings, the band now hopes to take the next step with album number three!!!
