product: Barnabas Sky - Inspirations
release date: 19.11.2021
label: Pride & Joy Music
PR territory: world
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The new all-star hard & heavy project BARNABAS SKY comes from the mind of guitarist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Winterland, ex-Scarlett) from Kaiserslautern/Germany.
The debut album full of catchy hooklines, edgy-groovy rocking guitar riffs and filigree guitar solos is titled "Inspirations" for a certain reason: Pfeffer was able to hire singers from internationally known bands for it, which had influenced him significantly during his musical beginnings: Jesse Damon (SILENT RAGE), Steve Grimmett (GRIM REAPER/LIONSHEART), Danny Martinez Jr. (GUILD OF AGES), Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI/AXEL RUDI PELL), Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE) and Danny Vaughn (TYKETTO) do the lead vocals on the album.
TYKETTO's "Don't Come Easy" was one of the first CDs Markus Pfeffer listened to on an endless loop as a schoolboy in 1991. Three decades later, he composes two songs together with TYKETTO's golden throat Danny Vaughn, the appropriately titled epic opener "Legends Rise" and "Say Farewell To Darker Days" with elaborate vocal arrangements and poignant lyrics.
SAVATAGE singer Zak Stevens contributed lyrics about the psychological effects of the pandemic for the heavy stomping track "What Lies Beneath", which is underpinned with down-tuned guitar riffs and subtle orchestral arrangements, and he sings about a legendary figure of Russian folklore in the form of a bird with a woman's head on "The Alkonost".
GUILD OF AGES frontman Danny Martinez Jr. from Denver/Colorado dominates the melodic hard rock songs "Breathe Again" and "In My Mind" with his very own timbre and velvety voice. The latter is the album's first video track with a more than hooky guitar riff and lyrics about the increasingly important attention to mental health.
SILENT RAGE's smoky-throated frontman Jesse Damon carries the epic ballad "Till The End Of Time" and the rocker "Youngblood", with AOR legend PAUL SABU contributing backing vocals for both tracks. Nostalgia fact on the side: Interestingly, the Hollywood classic movie "The Thief of Bagdad" starring Sabus's father was Markus Pfeffer's favourite film during his childhood. Damon recorded his vocals in North Hollywood at the studio of Bill Metoyer (FATES WARNING, ARMORED SAINT etc.).
Melodic metal siren Rob Rock (AXEL RUDI PELL, IMPELLITTERI, M.A.R.S. etc.) takes over the mic on the riff monster "Yesterday's Gone" and GRIM REAPER's Steve Grimmett's unmistakable voice convinces on the straight rocker "Never Enough".
As a tribute, Pfeffer has adapted the title tune of the seventies TV series "Timm Thaler" in a "GARY MOORE way" and provided it with deliberate sonic and stylistic reminiscences of Moore's classic "The Loner".
Musical guests on the album are keyboardist Thomas Nitschke and pianist Michael Weickenmeyer, drummer/percussionist Thomas Rieder and bassist Bernd Schreiber. The album's artwork was designed by well-known French artist Stan W. Decker (RAGE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, MASTERPLAN) and mastering was done at Rolf Munkes’ (CREMATORY) Empire studios in Bensheim, Hessia.
The names of the contributors speak for themselves - there can hardly be more arguments to lend BARNABAS SKY's debut album an attentive ear.
product: KAASIN - Fired Up
release date: 19.11.2021
label: Pride & Joy Music
PR territory: world
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Debut album from hardrock band KAASIN. KAASIN was founded by guitarist, JO HENNING KAASIN, collaborator with JOE LYNN TURNER (Deep Purple/Rainbow), GLENN HUGHES (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath), DOOGIE WHITE (Rainbow/Michael Schenker), BERNIE MARSDEN (Whitesnake), founding member, guitarist and songwriter with COME TASTE THE BAND.
After 23 years and great success with the album “REIGNITION”, feat. JOE LYNN TURNER & DOOGIE WHITE, COME TASTE THE BAND was put on ice in January 2020. Guitarist and main songwriter, JO HENNING KAASIN, then went on to form his own band, simply called KAASIN. He recruited his cousin, STAALE KAASIN from SPIDER and 2020VISION, to handle bass.The band also features the Norwegian singer, JAN THORE GREFSTAD, known for his incredible vocal duties with SAINT DEAMON, HIGHLAND GLORY and TNT. KAASIN also includes BENJAMIN DEHLI on hammond organ/analog synth and CHRIS BRUSH on drums.
KAASIN released two singles “RUNAWAY TRAIN” and “REVELATION” on Streampeak Music in 2020. Both have been a great success, streaming in thousand upon thousand on Spotify, Youtube, iTunes, and other download/streaming services. “RUNAWAY TRAIN” also went Top 10 on rock radio stations in France, the UK, Sweden and Norway.
KAASIN released a third single, “HIDDEN” on Pride & Joy Music in July 2021, i.e.the first single from the upcoming album, “Fired Up”. Recorded and engineered in JUKE JOINT STUDIO, Notodden – Norway and at DEHLI MUSIKK, Bø in Telemark. Produced by Benjamin Dehli, Halvor Halvorsen & KAASIN. The CD version of this release contains last year’s two digital singles, “Runaway Train” and “Revelation” as bonus tracks.
product: The 450s - The 450s
release date: 19.11.2021
label: Louder Than Loud
PR territory: world (excluding North America)
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Tales of decadence and despair are rendered with dark and edgy musicality in the provocatively titled songs “Flowers for Columbine” and “Lust and Denial.” Cleary, The 450s aren’t afraid to delve deep into the heart of darkness, either lyrically or in their modern take on soulful, raucous rock ‘n’ roll. Thankfully, some do get out alive, including frontman Rhett, who, like the other members of The 450s, is a musician with a storied history and prolific creativity.
But past critical raves and credits—and there are many among this foursome—don’t necessarily translate into brutally honest, beautifully rendered rock songs, influenced by the ages, but sonically current. Musical chemistry is elusive, but this band of brothers—though only two, Robert and James Jacobs, are blood brothers—have been friends and sometime musical collaborators for decades despite living in Florida, Connecticut, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Each musician had their own project when they came together: Respected drummer and producer (Anthrax, Blue Cheer and more) Carl Canedy just released an album with his iconic band the Rods; the Jacobs’ found strong success with a 2019 release from their acclaimed band St. James; while Rhett, a veteran of major labels, was thriving as a solo artist, earning critical praise for his “ugly-beautiful, gutter-to-penthouse vocals.”
When the quartet got together in Miami, on a whim, the chemistry was effortless, the resultant songs so strong that they caught the ear of legendary producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Patti Smith), who went the extra mile in mixing the album, highlighting The 450’s inherent musical tension and dynamics. Chris Collier (Korn, Prong) also worked on the mixing/production, helping to hone the “modern” part of The 450’s “modern vintage” vibe.
The result is songs with an immediacy and nakedness that’s so intense it’s almost scary. The bluesy flamenco spookiness of “One King” is hauntingly cinematic; while the addictive “Black Tar” mixes a raw power with a dramatic string section, courtesy of keyboard player Ryan Sambrook. The musical push-pull comes from their personalities, as they explain: “Carl is the foundation and Bobby is the bridge between Carl and the rest of the band.” Jimmy, who cites “Jimmy Page’s arrangements and production abilities and David Gilmour’s precision,” among his influences, “brings the whole thing together musically.” And Rhett himself? He brings a reckless urgency vocally, observing, “This is the heaviest record I’ve ever done, yet it has subtleties, and I hope, at times, a pop sense. Lyrically, this album talks about the thin lines that differentiate where one ends up in life.”
The 450s bring an old-school band ethic to bear: No resting on laurels, no copping styles from their forefathers; no pre-fab or pre-conceived anything. “We got together in a room and turned everything up real loud,” they explain. “We jammed and recorded what came out. Ultimately, it’s “about creating this group of songs out of nowhere for no reason other than it’s what we all love to do.”
product: Dangerous Times For The Dead - Father Time (digital single)
release date: 17.09.2021
label: self-released
PR territory: world
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DANGEROUS TIMES FOR THE DEAD is a Dutch Heavy Metal band that sounds they have been transported straight out of the 80's; a hard & heavy, classic but fresh sound, truly makes them a part of the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal. Full of energy, entertaining and powerful, epic guitar solos, thumping bass and drums and a singer who cuts through all this violence with true heavy metal, high-pitched vocals. What makes them stand apart is their unique, fresh and modern-day approach, both in sound and online presence. Their goal is to passionately blast out traditional heavy metal and share the fun and joy.
“Metal how I think metal should sound.” - Razende Roeland (Metal DJ)
"If Dee Snider, Glenn Danzig, Steel Panther and Iron Maiden would get together, get high, and record an album, it would sound like DANGEROUS TIMES FOR THE DEAD!" - Sonnenberg Metal (Metal Reviewer)
“The vocals sound like a mix of Paul Merrell from Jaguar and Alan Marsh of Tokyo Blade” - Klankgat Online (Review)
“For fans of classic metal, the fast pace and blistering guitar is a great tribute to the bands who were titans 30 years or so ago” - Damage Reviews
“A potent metal brew with a hooky-ass chorus, some delicious axemanship, and a full-throttle Danzigesque momentum” - Sleeping Village Reviews
“The NWOBHM influences shine through punching along somewhere between Iron Maiden and period Judas Priest” - NWOBHM Blog
"It's so much fun hearing a band with that much passion for that classic sound" - Matt Bacon (Metal Influencer/Marketer)
product: Axxelerator - Heads Or Tails
release date: 24.09.2021
label: Allegro Talent Media
PR territory: Europe
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Originally founded as Rust, the four member band has changed their name into Axxelerator in 2010. The Swiss combo is clearly dedicated to old-school Bay Area Thrash Metal, but also dares to experiment with other genres of the heavier type, which usually leads to comparisons with Metallica, Exodus or the NWOBHM. Catchy, varied riffs instead of dull bludgeoning - that's the motto of the Lucerne-based band.
After the release of their EP "Soulcatcher" in 2015, the band delivered several successful gigs in Switzerland, before it took a longer time-out due to two line-up changes. In 2021, Axxelerator finally returns with a new line-up, label support and a new record: The debut album "Heads or Tails" is released through Allegro Talent Media and shows the band stronger and more eager to play than ever!
product: Osukaru - Starbound
release date: 22.10.2021
label: AOR Heaven
PR territory: world
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Swedish melodic glam metal band OSUKARU are 'Starbound' with their 6th full length studio offering, standing high on the success of their last record "House of Mirrors" (2018). With one foot in melodic rock & roll, the other in classic heavy metal and all eyes aimed towards tomorrow, "Starbound" offers everything you want from a new OSUKARU album, if not more.
Going back 11 years, OSUKARU was just an idea in the mind of guitarist Oz Hawe Petersson (formerly known as Oz Osukaru) and it would take two more years and just as many EPs before they released their debut album "Salvation" in the spring of 2012. Back then OSUKARU was merely a band formed around Oz as he saw his vision come alive. A few years and line-up changes later, the 3rd full length release suitably titled "Transition" (2015) came out. That was, according to Oz himself, when OSUKARU truly started to become a band.
With roots in classic stadium rock, the first few releases had a more clear and pure AOR flavour to them. With "Transition" however, you could hear hints of a heavier spark deep within the tracks. Going forward, OSUKARU really started to gain a unique, harder yet melodic sound and with their last album "House of Mirrors" they landed a rock & roll homerun on which they have built upon to create the brand new comet ride titled "Starbound".
Produced by the power team Oz Hawe Petersson (guitar, keyboards) and Fredrik Werner (lead vocals, guitar) with Svein Jensen (Sister Sin, Transport League, Outshine) once again handling the mixing duties. The album was mastered by Christoffer Borg (Art Nation, Six Foot Six, Atlas) and features an extraordinaire guest appearance from saxophone player Mark Holden of Boulevard. The cover artwork sees OSUKARU expand their visual concept even further, with loads of details and easter eggs throughout.
"Starbound" will be available October 22nd where good music is sold.
Product: Six Silver Suns - As Archons Fall
release date: 22.10.2021
label: AOR Heaven
PR territory: world
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SIX SILVER SUNS is a recent addition to the Finnish rock field, but the band's members are all well known musicians. Janne Mannonen on the drums is known from Finnish legendary band, YUP. Vocalist Markku Kuikka has been heard on many of heavy and hard rock albums. Guitarists Toni Bite and Harri Petjakko, bass player Teo Lehto and keyboardist Sammy Tabermann have released dozens of records with several bands. Helena Haaparanta is heard as a background singer.
Six Silver Suns has emerged from the desire to wander back to the golden years of rock and pop music: the 70s and the 80s. The band’s inspiration comes from progressive rock, goes towards Blue Öyster Cult, and combines all with the catchy tunes and melodies from AOR and Hard Rock scene.
Their first release is entitled "As Archons Fall”. The album includes ten versatile songs which have beautiful harmonies and melodies all the way. "As Archons Fall" is a fantastic journey to the Six Silver Suns Universe, where any song can lead a listener into different kind of cosmic soundscapes. You cannot underline just one song only because "As Archons Fall" is an entire experience for the listener. There is also pleasant cover song, The Mamas and the Papas - "California dreamin`". The album's opening song - "Lord of the Southern Tower" lead you into distant worlds and tune you in to following songs. Until you have reached the song "A Night upon My Shoulders", you will understand the whole. Of course there is some pieces to pick up as a enjoyable moments as you like.
"Six Silver Suns has two main composers, and both have a strong vision. On my other band YUP, I felt I did not have much to offer as a composer, while now I feel like I’m more on my own field, musically. When Toni and I started to write music for Six Silver Suns, we soon realized we work really well together, even though our tastes in music are quite different”, explains Janne Mannonen.
"Six Silver Suns has given me a chance to sing in a completely new musical environment. Our goal has been to take influence from the 70s and it was surprisingly easy to find that natural groove. We all have been playing in quite different type of bands, but all that experience came together nicely in Six Silver Suns, and - at least to my ears - we sound good! " Vocalist Markku Kuikka says.
“This record is an awesome and casual journey into the world of rock music where there are no rules. Imagination and the freedom to compose without frames was a key element of this record for myself. I think this record will be a joy for many people for a long time to come”, explains Toni Bite
