product: Hartmann - Hands On The Wheel

release date: 18.05.2018

label: Sonic11/ Pride & Joy Music

territory: world (excl. radio PR in Germany)

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The history of HARTMANN started in 2005 with the debut 'Out in the cold', often reviewed as 'Album of the month' in a wide range of rock magazines all over the world. With their successful followers 'Home' (2006), '3' (2009), 'Balance' (2012), the live & acoustic DVD/CD 'Handmade' (2008) and the compilation 'The Best Is Yet To Come' (2013) the band has meanwhile worked out their status as being one of Germany’s best modern hard rock bands that is offering international high-class melodic rock. The band also enjoys the good reputation as an outstanding live band and has been called to tour with rock legends as Toto, The Hooters, Uriah Heep, Edguy, Mother’s Finest, Y&T and others. Their latest album ’Shadows & Silhouettes’ (2016) has been accompanied again with a club tour and many festivals last summer.

Now the forthcoming new album ’Hands On The Wheel’ – way more rough and rocking and than its predecessor - will be released May 18th 2018 on the artist’s label Sonic 11 Records in cooperation with Pride&Joy Music/Soulfood, again co-produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Beyond The Black, Kamelot).

Including the participation of guest musicians as Jimmy Kresic (The Roots, Rock Meets Classic), Karolina Galbavà & Irena Morisakovà (Hans Zimmer), the album will contain the catchy singles/videoclips ’Don’t want back down’ and the very special duet ’Simple man’ feat. Mr. Big vocalist Eric Martin, accompanied by a huge promotion-/video-campaign of Germany’s No 1 rock radio station Rockantenne and a special Facebook & online campaign.

Since the late 90’s founder Oliver Hartmann is known as a highly respected singer and guitarist on the international music scene due to four albums with the band At Vance, studio work for hard rock and metal acts as Hammerfall, Rhapsody, Helloween or Edguy, as a long time studio and live member of top sellers as Avantasia and as part of 'Rock Meets Classic' that is featuring the big names of the international rock scene: Alice Cooper, Ian Gillan, Uriah Heep, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, Paul Rodgers, Eric Bazilian, Jimi Jamison, Midge Ure, Steve Lukather, Chris Thompson, Bonnie Tyler and many others.

Besides that Oliver Hartmann is also fronting the successful Pink Floyd Tribute Echoes that climbed up to No 20 of the German charts in 2015 with their acoustic live DVD ’Barefoot To The Moon’ and received outstanding critics world wide.

product: Universe - Universe

release date: 13.04.2018

label: Pride & Joy Music

territory: Europe

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UNIVERSE started in 1982 in Upplands Väsby, Sweden, where hard rock ruled the streets. The members hailed from several different local bands. After leaving the band Moon, lead guitarist Michael Kling, who founded the band WC in the late 70's with John Norum, became one of UNIVERSE’s founding members. Bassist Hasse Hagman, who played in Joey Tempest's first band, along with drummer Anders Wetterström and guitarist Per Nilsson, all came from the band Twilight. Once UNIVERSE got their hands on keyboard player Fredrik Kriström and singer Kjell Wallen, the band was complete. They played diligently for a couple of years all over Sweden, opening for Nazareth, among many other gigs. In 1985, the band released its self-titled debut album with songs like "Rollin’ On", "Stories from the Old Days", and "Strong Vibrations". In 1986, Kjell Wallen left the band on good terms following creative differences and was subsequently replaced by Janne Åström. With Janne as the new frontman, the band focused fully on a follow-up to their debut album. Several demos were recorded but never ended up in the right hands. The band dissolved in early 1988 and then had a short reunion for a final show in the ice hall in Upplands Väsby later that year.

The band members went their separate ways, each showing up here and there in different contexts with connections to music. Everyone maintained occasional contact and eventually Per Nilsson reached out to the others to see if they were interested in playing together again. In 2002, all the members met up together for the first time in 14 years. They immediately knew they wanted to play again, and became convinced that the old material still had potential. Everyone agreed that a new album had to be released, but also that they were being pulled in different directions. For several years they kept continuous contact, waiting for the time when recording an album became inevitable. At first, UNIVERSE lacked a singer, but suddenly one day he was just there. Andreas Eklund (ex-House Of Shakira) became the new front man, his narrative lyrics and tasteful melodies opening the door to another dimension, so the band could take a bigger step into the galaxy. Now, finally, UNIVERSE is back as UNIVERSE INFINITY with “Rock Is Alive”, a powerful album that is a tribute to the music of the 70’s and 80's, and to their youth in Upplands Väsby.

Also on April 13^th, 2018, Pride & Joy Music in co-operation with Universal Music Sweden AB will re-release the UNIVERSE’s classic self-titled album from 1985. Ltd. on 1000 copies only, the re-issue will be remastered and come with an extended 12 page booklet.

product: Heartwind - Higher And Higher

release date: 27.04.2017

label: AOR Heaven

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With members from bands like Constancia, The Poodles, Token, Narnia and Essence of Sorrow, and with guest stars Nina Söderquist (Bjorn Skifs/Badrock, Champions of Rock a.o.), Janne Stark (Grand Design, Mountain of Power a.o.), and Tåve Wanning (The Voice, Adrenaline Rush, Peaches), new melodic hard rockers Heartwind may come across as one of those one off band projects, but nothing could be more far from the truth. Heartwind is the story of two old friends, with a common love for classical melodic hard rock and AOR, that after fifteen years of friendship started to write the album they always had wanted to listen to themselves. Over a meal in downtown Stockholm, guitar player and songwriter Goran Engvall (former with Hitworks) and progressive/melodic keyboard player and fellow songwriter Mikael Rosengren (Constancia, Token, Scudiero), laid down the vision for what was yet to come. 15 original songs and 12 months later, Mikael started to pull some strings from his many fellow musicians in the Swedish hard rock scene since 20 years back. The two songwriters were amazed with the positive response they got on their first demos, from hard rock industry people & fans. It became evident that they were going to be able to attract some great talent to the album and the band. Believing in the importance of fellowship and a strong people fit when starting a band, Mikael and Göran started to dig in closest ground: Drummer Peter TrumPeter Svensson (Constancia, Faith) and singer Germán Pascual (Narnia, Dj Mendez, Essence of Sorrow), happily joined the band, and two key pieces of the puzzle came into place. With Peter and Germán onboard, the band knew they had both a powerful backbone and a phenomenal front man in place!

Germán invited his old friends, and former band mates, guitar virtuoso Martin Hall (Germán Pascual band) and bass wizard Germain Leth (The Poodles, Watchmen) to join the band and magic was about to happen. When also the very well respected Fredrik Folkare (Unleashed, Firespawn, Eclipse, Scudiero a.o.), accepted to team up to produce and mix, the band knew they had something special going. Fredrik’s contribution also as a musician on the album (guitar & bass) cannot be underestimated.

With classical albums like Hysteria (Def Leppard), 1987 (Whitesnake) and Escape (Journey) serving as inspiration, the intention from the band has been to get every single track to stand on its own two feet! Timeless melodic hard rock with a modern but still genuine sound!

After publishing a short teaser on Youtube, just before X-mas 2017, Heartwind stood ready as a band and was offered record deals by no less than three (!) different labels. Heartwind was happy to sign with AOR Heaven in early January and making an old dream come true.

The album is mixed and produced by Fredrik Folkare, Chrome Studios, and mastered by Erik Mårtensson, Blowout Productions (Eclipse, Ammunition, WET a.o).

Heartwind is ready to rock the world!

product: Crosson - Invincible

release date: 27.04.2017

label: Metalapolis

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CROSSON are back!!! Following the release of their critically acclaimed 2016 album “Spreading The Rock ‘N’ Roll Disease”, Australia based Futuristic Theatrical Rock Warriors CROSSON are back with their new album „Invincible“. Once again mixed by legendary producer Duane Baron (OZZY OSBOURNE, MÖTLEY CRÜE, ALICE COOPER), and mastered by U.S mastering legend Dave Donnelly (AEROSMITH, KISS, WHITESNAKE), „Invincible“ delivers CROSSON’s own brand of uplifting catchy rock anthems with loud guitars, big harmonies and a blistering production. „Invincible“ is 10 notches up from where Crosson left off with „Spreading The Rock N Roll Disease“. The songwriting and production has leaped in great bounds and the album will have you shamelessly singing along to the catchy choruses while leaving your ears bleeding”., says bandleader and mastermind Jason Crosson. If „Spreading the Rock ‘N’ Roll Disease“ sparked people’s attention, „Invincible“ will have them jumping aboard the CROSSON rebel train. The opening track „Rock Warriors“ is an anthemic tribute to all the metal / rock bands and artists who laid the foundations for the genre and kept it alive and kicking for decades, whilst the first single „Never Give Up“ is an inspirational and catchy as Chlamydia track with a strong 80’s Bon Jovi vibe that would even make Desmond Child tap his feet. The album’s only ballad “Unconditional Love” is a duet with renowned Finnish singer / actress JESSICA WOLFF, with the music video shot in Australia and Croatia by award winning feature film and music video director Steve Ravic (DORO, MANOWAR, RHAPSODY). Nothing can prepare you for the visual onslaught CROSSON delivers in its live show. Numerous costume changes, blended with high-energy choreography, smoke, sirens, and catchy rock anthems makes the CROSSON live show a “seen-to-be-believed” entertaining experience. “If you like the of idea of KISS and Motley Crue crossed with The Darkness and Steel Panther, you’re gonna love CROSSON” - Xavier Russell (Classic Rock Magazine AOR).

product: Frontline - State Of Rock +2

release date: 27.04.2018

label: AOR Heaven

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FRONTLINE from Nürnberg, Germany belong to the pioneers of the German hard rock scene. Founded in 1989 by Robert Böbel (guitars, keyboards; EVIDENCE ONE, PHANTOM V), Stephan Kämmerer (vocals), Thomas Riess (bass) und Stephan Bayerlein (drums), their debut album “The State Of Rock” finally hit the stores in 1994 – a true classic which until today still is regarded as the finest album of the band by many. This record also meant the breakthrough for the guys in Japan where they reached # 10 in the rock sales charts. Straightly after the release, FRONTLINE went on tour in Europe and had the honour to open for various great acts such as GOTTHARD, CRASH TEST DUMMIES, BONFIRE, TYKETTO and CASANOVA.

In 1995, FRONTLINE pulled out the full acoustic album „Two Faced“. However, personal differences within the band followed and ended up in the departure of Stephan Bayerlein and Thomas Riess in 1996. They were replaced by Thomas „Hutch“ Bauer (Bass) und Rami Ali (Drums; EVIDENCE ONE, SHYLOCK). Still in the same year, FRONTLINE signed a record deal with a new label, recorded the single “Man In Motion” and the album “Heroes” which though officially only saw the light of day in Japan since their European label went out of business.

One year later, the band decided to start working on another new album which is well known under it’s working title “Heroes II” amongst the fans but never saw a release. Due to a complicated contractual situation many labels feared to contact FRONTLINE during the following years and the band went back to the underground again until Georg Siegl at AOR Heaven finally showed his interest in the band in the year 2000 and signed them for the first time. Just one month later, the album “Right Attitude” was released which can be regarded as a sort of compilation out of both “Heroes” albums …and “Right Attitude” became a huge success for the band again! The recordings for their 2002 output “Against The World” started the same year, and this album finally re-established FRONTLINE on the international hard rock market.

Throughout the months after the release of the best of compilation “Almost Unreleased” (2003) which also featured a couple of rare tracks for the fans, FRONTLINE again went into the studio and started to work on a new album called “The Seventh Sign” (2004). In the year 2006, the last studio album the German group called “Circles” was released.

On April 27th 2018, AOR Heaven now will re-issue the rare and out of print album “The State Of Rock” with two bonus tracks as a limited edition of 1000 copies. The album was re-mastered by guitarist Robby Böbel.

product: Trouble Agency - Suspected

release date: 23.03.2018

label: self-released

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Trouble Agency is a Belgian Thrash Metal band from Brussels, formed in 1993. Founding members Didier Van Coppenolle (guitarist) and Bart Brion (drummer) decided to join forces, writing their first songs, embracing a unique blend of groovy Thrash Metal with Hard Core elements. The band is considered as one of the last of it’s generation being still active in Belgium. Trouble Agency was born on the ashes of 80’s Thrash Metal bands Cyclone and Decadence. Their music was described as being similar to crossover and thrash metal acts Sacred Reich, D.R.I., Destruction and Annihilator by Dutch magazine Aardschok and Metallian magazine from France. Through the years Trouble Agency has shared stages with acts as Exodus, Destruction, Immortal, Anvil, Hyades, Onslaught and Paradox and headlined the Metal Blast festival held at the Botanique in Brussels. They also played Wacken Open Air in 2014's.

The original Trouble Agency line-up consisted of Didier Van Coppenolle (ex-Brain Cancer and Necrosis), Bart Brion (ex-Decadence) with Kalle Vanlint (ex-Cyclone & Decadence) on guitars, bassist Alain Fabry (ex-Necrosis), and Serge Van Bossele on vocals. The band recorded ‘Alone’ (1996) and ‘Angry’ (1998), their first two demos, and was joined back then by Pascal Haneuse on drums and Didier Meeus on vocals. Trouble Agency then released their first studio demo called ‘Bite Into Life’ (2002), which was recorded and produced by Xavier Carrion (ex-Cyclone & Channel Zero) and featured Jamal Obeidat on drums. Larry Van De Rostyne (ex-Decadence) joined the group on lead guitars in 2003. This line-up was the longest to last and also recorded Trouble Agency’s first studio album 'Moneycracy' in 2006.

The band’s commitment to self-releasing their albums and remaining independent from any local or major labels is obvious, and the music nevertheless always has been well received by the public. Jamal Obeidat’s departure from the band in 2008 opened a breach in the line-up, as bassist Alain Fabry and singer Didier Meeus left Trouble Agency shortly after.

Though Trouble Agency never broke-up; the most important line-up changes, occurring around 2010, didn’t affect the band’s inspiration or style. Trouble Agency recruited drummer François De Bock (ex- Breathstealer) and as a three-piece, released the totally self-recorded demo LP ‘The Last Shot’ (2011) with mastermind Didier Van Coppenolle assuming rhythm guitars as well as vocals and Larry Van De Rostyne on both lead guitars and bass. The addition of Simon Mouawad on bass definitely put Trouble Agency back on track, allowing them to bounce back and recruit longtime friend Kevin Nolis (ex- Breathstealer and Wasted Years) on vocals during early 2013. The Belgians now are releasing their new full-length album 'Suspected' – once again totally self-released.

The album can be ordered via the band’s website.