It was great to hear that my favourite band VEGA took the recent Firefest Festival by storm and were greeted by a warm and loud crowd reaction with plenty of vocal support. I’ve been told that many cited their short set as one of the best performances of the weekend! And trust me I’m like a kid waiting for Christmas in anticipation of seeing these guys play Hard Rock Hell in Prestatyn on December 2nd!

In a holy crap moment I discovered cult American AOR band Prophet are set to play Z Rock 2012 next May 5th at The Robin in Bilston. The band is also hard at work on a new album entitled Recycled due out on the Z Records label! Z Rock is looking like it’s shaping up to be an amazing festival now!

Yes are set to release a new live album via Frontiers Records on December 5th entitled “In The Present – Live from Lyon”. The band also starts a European tour on 3rd November and includes a Midlands date at Birmingham Symphony Hall on the 11th November.

I’ve heard that British AOR’sters Serpentine are planning some live dates for next spring, although nothing can be confirmed just yet, I presume the tour is still in the planning stages as they finish of the busy festival circuit this autumn. Got my fingers crossed for a decent Midlands date!

Newman has openly said he is going to do his best to get his band out on the road during 2012! The band have played Firefest two years on the trot now so hopefully have built up a little bit of a fan base to organise a few worthwhile live dates for next year with Big Life set to support. I’m sure both bands will be looking at the Festival circuit too. I have heard a very reliable rumour, you know the kind it’s direct from the band’s roadie’s bookie’s girlfriend’s nephew’s ex best mate’s cat’s mouth! The words “On Your Door Step” were used so to prevent myself from hyperventilating at the prospect of seeing both these bands live I remind myself that the Midlands is a big place! Damn you Nottingham!

 

I’m very excited about the new live album from Newman. It’s called “One Step Closer” and features the bands set from Firefest 2010 and also has three bonus acoustic tracks recorded as part of a session for radio station ARFM. I’m a massive fan of the band so getting my hands on this live album is high on my must buy list! You can get your copy via http://www.newmansound.com/

Popular Cult Melodic Rockers Beggars & Thieves have finally completed their comeback album “We Are the Broken Hearted”. The album is due out on Frontiers Records on December 5th!

Paul Sabu is currently hard at work on his new studio album titled “Bloody Hell” and should be released to coincide with his performance at Z Rock 2012 at The Robin in Bilston on the Z Records label.

Heartland front man Chris Ousey will release his debut solo album “Rhyme & Reason” via Escape Music on the 11th November!

Legion are back in the studio recording their third album “Nemesis” due to drop next March on Z Records.

Amanda Sommerville fans should keep an eye out for her new band Trillium and their new album “Alloy” which is out on November 7th via Frontiers Records.

American melodic rockers Talon return with their third album “III” which is due for release on November 25th via Escape Music. I think these guys eat their singers as this is their third singer in as many albums! This time we get Shawn Pelata who some may know from Line of Fire, and I’m extremely curious to hear how this album has turned out.

Sacred Heart will be playing a special show for the Help the Heroes charity at the Slug & Lettuce in Worcester on Sunday November 27th. This will be the last live performance from the current line up of the band and the stars of the band’s recent videos will be in attendance! You can check out their new video for “Propaganda part 2” here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-b5F_JDS20

Royal Hunt return with their 11th studio album “Show Me How To Live” set for release on December 5th via Frontiers Records.

Here’s a few video’s for you to check out from Kimball/Jamison & Issa who both have albums OUT NOW via Frontiers Records.

Kimball/Jamison – Can’t Wait For Love



Kimball/ Jamison – Worth Fighting For

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_XVZQ6GfDk

Issa – Looking For Love

http://youtu.be/7YrY-Nk3wqo

You can check out a few videos from Rob Mancini here, “Edge Of A Broken Heart” www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhJOLAgAOKg & "Every Time You Cry" www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASb1P9XpYWs . Rob’s new album “Rock N Roll Circus” is out soon!

 

MR Ed: Just as we wrote this month’s round-up, we heard of the sad death of Steve Harris, guitarist with Midlands’ melodic stalwarts, SHY. Our sincere condolences go out to his family and friends. Steve battled a long-term illness with great courage and tenacity. He will be greatly missed. R.I.P. Steve – no more pain fella.