Hopefully this feature will become a regular monthly piece, which will keep everyone updated on news within the AOR & Melodic Rock world. If you’re part of a label, are promoters or in band and you have news or would like to be featured in the roundup contact us at
info@midlandsrock.co.uk (ask for Woody) or alternatively email me directly at
info@woodysrockreviews.co.uk
Firefest
The Friday night gig was totally sold out but has now been moved to Rock City, so more tickets are available.
Festival favourites Mitch Malloy & Strangeways will be making return appearances! Cult acts Jeff Paris, Silent Rage; Kane Roberts & Alien are also amongst proceedings and should prove popular with Firefest regulars. Opening the bill on both main days are popular American bands Talon & FarCry who should start the days off with a bang. Two new bands are amongst the mix that represent two opposite sides of the current scene and should cause a stir amongst fans on the day. Australia’s White Widdow will be looking to expand their fan base with their brand of infectious and catchy straight out of the 80’s melodic rock, while next-generation melodic rockers Vega will show there’s a future for the genre – Vega are the only all-UK act set to play the festival!
The headliners should cause a lot of attention and create good turnouts - popular hair-metal band Warrant, Steve Augeri (ex-Journey/Tall Stories), classic Canadian rockers Coney Hatch & popular AOR favourites Unruly Child. Tickets and information can be found at http://www.thefirefest.com/
German rockers Bonfire have just released their new album “Branded”, which I highly recommend and should now be available everywhere after being released in the UK on 14th February.
The same day also saw the release of
Robin Beck’s new album “The Great Escape”. It’s another album I highly recommend which features contributions from the extremely busy Tommy Denander! There is also talk that Robin maybe hitting the road in Europe with James Christian and Fiona this summer! You can find more information and buy the album from
http://www.robinbeckrocks.com/
We hear excellent news of the return of the Fiona Flanagan who is working with Robin Beck on an all new and long overdue album! There’s going to be many happy people when this is released, including me!
Label news >>>
Frontier Records
January saw the release of new albums from:
Hurtsmile (feat. Gary Cherone of Extreme),
John Waite’s “Rough & Tumble”, & the wonderful
Mr Big “What If” (
read our review of the latter here)
February sees a more metallic month with releases from Benedictum & Scheepers (Primal Fear vocalist) with their albums available from the 21st. Big news release of this month though is the return of TEN with their album “Stormwarning” which see’s the band return to sound and style that made them popular in the 90’s.
Jimi Jamison (Survivor) & Bobby Kimball (Toto) should be releasing a duet album via the label in the spring featuring songs written by some of the most popular writers in melodic rock, including Richard Page & John Waite.
The band will also be touring to support the album including a show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on the 16th June! I’ll be there! Support comes from Luke Morley’s new outfit The Union.
AOR Heaven/Metal Heaven
January saw the release of the rather excellent Bad Habit “Atmosphere” album and the phenomenal return to form “A farewell To Arms” from TNT!
February 28th sees the release of Oliver Weers’ “Evil’s Back” & Sideburn’s “Jail” albums. With March 28th seeing the release M.ill.ion “Sane & Insanity” & China “Light Up The Dark” albums on the label.
Also look out for releases from Cult AOR-sters After Hours, Elevener, Ed3n, Soul Doctor & UK outfit Big Life which features Michael Thompson Smith (Praying Mantis) and underground melodic rock hero Steve Newman – not one to be missed I assure you!
Serpentine’s second album is set to land in late summer/early autumn which will feature Tony Mills on lead vocals. Although the Serp’s have unveiled their new singer Matt Black (Invisible Idols) who will be making his live debut with the band in London when they play with Swedish AOR-sters Houston & UK Melodic Rock sensations Vega.
Avenue Of Allies
January saw the following releases from Avenue of Allies
Danger Zone – “Line Of Fire”
Hell In The Club – “Let The Games Begin”
Escape Records
January saw the releases of Appearance of Nothing “All Gods Are Gone”, Last Autumns Dream “Yes” and a ‘best of’ from legendary cult melodic rockers Heartland “Travelling Through Time” - a 2 disc set featuring two new songs from Chris Ousey & Co!
Z Records
May 15th will see
Z Rock 2011 take place right here in the Midlands at
The Asylum in Birmingham. The Line-up headlined by Its Bites include’s Legion, Paul Laine, Mad Max, Takara, Tara’s Secret, Sacred Heart & Daylight Robbery. Go to
http://www.zrecords.net/ for more information and tickets.
Legion who will be making their debut live appearance at Z Rock will be releasing their second album “Code Of Honour” on April 2nd!
D’ercole will be releasing their second album “Rock Scar” on March 4th. Steele’s “Tricks Up My Sleeve” comes out on May 3rd. Arabia will be releasing their new album “Freakshow” on June 6th.
The back end of 2011 could also see the release of an all new and the bands third album from UK AOR-sters Pulse. A release I’m really looking forward to!
A super secret project Z having going is an AOR project called ESCAPE. They have just revealed their front man Lee Small but the rest of the band are yet to be named – the album is set to have a pure AOR sound in the tradition of Journey.
Woody
