CONTENTS 04_Primal Fear 05_Clif Magness 07_Graham Bonnet Band 08_Destinia 10_3.2 (Robert Berry) 11 _ Tw o o f a K i n d 12_Reviews 15_Airrace 1 7 _ E n u ff Z ’ N u ff 18_King Company 23_Gioeli / Castronovo Melodic Rock Fanzine The official Frontiers Music s.r.l. magazine Year #14 - Nr. 4 / Issue #87
URIAH HEEP “Living the Dream” (CD / CD+DVD / BOX / LP / Dig.)
DREAM CHILD “Until Death Do We Meet Again” (CD / 2LP / Dig.)
TREAT “Tunguska” (CD / LP / Dig.)
GROUNDBREAKER “S/t” (CD / LP / Dig.)
SNAKES IN PARADISE “Step into the Light” (CD / Dig.)
Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi Concept, Graphics & Design: Elio Bordi Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Duncan Jamieson, Barry McMinn, Fabiana Spinelli. Headquarters and general contacts: Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 18 80125, Napoli - Italy
Tel: +39.081.2399340/7753 Fax: +39.081.2399794 E-mail: elio@frontiers.it Website: www.frontiers.it
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Editor and publisher: Frontiers Records s.r.l. Copyright©2018 Frontiers Records s.r.l. - All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in Italy.
NAZARETH “Tattoed On My Brain” - CD / LP / Dig. SEVENTH WONDER “Tiara” - CD / LP / Dig. IMPELLITTERI “The Nature of the Beast” - CD / LP / Dig. CITY OF THIEVES “Beat Reality” - CD / LP / Dig. CREYE “S/t” - CD / Dig. CRAZY LIXX Reissues: “Riot Avenue” - CD / Colored 2LP / Dig. “New Religion” - CD / Colored LP / Dig. Loud Minority - CD Colored 2LP / Dig.
Barry McMinn: The new album “Apocalypse” is a reflection on today’s world, was the album intense to write as it sounds? Mat Sinner: We’ve started at point Zero, collected ideas, came up with 25 cool riff and melodies. We were really excited about the song writing and the pressure to match such a cool album as Rulebreaker was gone early. We’ve reduced to 20 basic ideas, discussed and again reduced to 14 songs and then started an extended pre-production. First came the music, second the lyrics. Overall it was a very creative and peaceful progress. BM: The band have been around for twenty years and are probably the most consistent Metal band over that time, what is your secret? MS: During the last years we could work with a solid line-up, toured every continent. The vibe in the band is fabulous and everybody in the band is excited to write music and perform on tours and festivals. We’ve never toured as much as during the last 6 years and experienced a kind of growing brotherhood. Primal Fear is a mean, bad, well oiled machine. BM: How long have you been working on ‘Apocalypse’? MS: From the start of collecting ideas to the final mastering around 12 months. BM: What about the recording session? MS: We’ve recorded most of the album in Denmark at Hansen Studios, some guitar parts in Sweden,. France & Germany. Vocals were recorded in Germany @ Ralf’s studio. Mix and mastering again @ Hansen Studios in Denmark. Mat Sinner produced the album, no changes. We were very happy with the production & sound of Rulebreaker. We’ve
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just wanted to produce a big sounding metal album with all Primal Fear trademarks and interesting details. Think we could deliver! BM: The album is what I’d like to call pure “heads-down metal”, how did the subject matter lead to the album being the bombastic metal explosion that it is? MS: My job was to come up with a different album than Rulebreaker and still delivering the same quality level. It doesn’t make sense to change any musical approach after such an album. The focus was more on the details, different guitar sounds, different arrangements, different vocal melodies and in the end the final result is very satisfying and now the fans have to decide if this is the best Primal Fear album ever. BM: The band have already appeared at a few festivals this year, have you played any of the new album on these shows? If so how did they go down with the fans? MS: Our strategy is to tease one song starting in July than add one more on the festivals in August and present the new album on the first part of the tour in September to December in a very prominent way. So it’s too early to report about the fans reaction on the current festivals, but on the net it’s really overwhelming. King Of Madness received more than 100.000 views in one week on Youtube. Everybody at Frontiers is doing a great job and it could complete in a really good result for us! BM: If I could reflect on one track off the album the mighty ‘Eye of the Storm’, can you tell a little about the track and its importance to the whole concept of the album itself? MS: We will stay very ambitioned musicians and a new Primal Fear album will not only
include 10 straight metal tracks. We need the freedom to write a musical extravaganza with a lot of different parts, atmospheres, speed changes, include symphonic parts in one or two songs on an album. We did it again with “Eye Of The Storm” to show a different side of our band as we did with symphonic approach on “Supernova”. This is very important for us and we hope the fans will like it. BM: Although the album reflects a world in turmoil, Heavy Metal tends to lend itself well to this subject matter. However, If the world was a more peaceful place would Heavy Metal be around? MS: Of course, Heavy Metal is a lifestyle with all the different colourful or b/w genres. There are very happy metal albums and super dark scary albums. I’ve just received a wonderful e-mail from a guy in the US who thanked the band that a very special Primal Fear song gave him a lot of power to survive his darkest days and beat the cancer for now. Metal Is Forever! BM: The band has always been a hard touring band will you be taking to the road either at the end of 2018 or early 2019 to promote the album? MS: Yes, we’re playing summer shows and festivals until the end of August, then start our huge European Tour at the end of September with 26 shows in 13 countries. Next we will tour Japan and Australia in November until we will return to Germany and play one last concert for 2018 on a huge festival in December. For 2019 we’re currently talking to South America and the US & Canada. Lets see what we can realize. Even a second part of the European tour can happen.
Duncan Jamieson: This is a great return as a solo artist. What’s taken you so long to follow up 1994’s ‘Solo’ album? Clif Magness: Thank you. Since my 1994 Solo album, I was been fortunate to write and produce for other artists such as Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson, Joe Bonamassa, The Urge, Lisa Marie Presley, The Veronicas, Tyler Hilton and Vanessa Amorosi to name a few. DJ: How long have you been working on ‘Lucky Dog’? CM: I started “Lucky Dog” with writing “Ain’t No Way” in February 2017. I contacted Robin Beck in April 2017 to write and record a duet which turned out to be “Love Needs A Heart”. Robin asked me if I had any songs in my catalog that might be appropriate for hew new album. She recorded nine of my songs and I mixed them all so that process put “Lucky Dog” on hold for a few months. Recording “Lucky Dog” resumed in July 2017 and it was delivered in October 2017. DJ: You like to collaborate. Who have you written songs with on this record and what were those writing partnerships like? CM: The first writer I contacted was Mark Mueller. Mark and I wrote “If We Can’t Do It”, “It’s Only Love” and “What’s A Heart To Do” on the Solo album. Mark has a gift for writing positive and powerful rock songs. “Maybe” was written with Kara DioGuardi. It’s always gratifying working with Kara. Steve Kipner wrote “All Over My Mind” with myself and Ashley Angel. Steve and I have had a great collaboration always. DJ: What songs are you particularly proud of on this album? CM: I’m particularly proud of “Unbroken” for a few reasons. The lyric is about overcoming adversity and I think all of us encounter adversity at some point in our lives. I wanted
to write a song that hopefully would inspire the listeners. Also, I wanted to record something that was reminiscent of Planet 3 and Solo, but not sound dated. The production on this track was more immediate and modern. “Ain’t No Way” is also a favorite simply for the aggressive nature of the guitars and the pumping attitude rich lyric. DJ: You recently wrote songs for Robin Beck’s ‘Love Is Coming’ album. Did any of the songs on this album come out of those sessions? CM: “Love Needs A Heart” definitely did. DJ: Have you changed the way you write and record over the years? CM: I’m proud to say that the techniques I use for songwriting haven’t changed much over the years. A well written song can be accompanied by simply an acoustic guitar. The production techniques have changed radically since the 80s. Large format 24 track 2” tape machines have been replaced with computers. Protools has enabled producers like myself the ability to perform, program, record and mix with the click of a mouse. DJ: What inspires your lyrics and are there any that come out of your personal experience? CM: The lyrics for the songs on “Lucky Dog” are mostly from personal experience. As I mentioned earlier, we all, as human beings, face adversity and have to develop tools to overcome it. So, “Ain’t No Way”, “Unbroken”, “Rain”, and “Nobody But You” address that emotion. Then there are the more light hearted songs about love. “Like You”, “Maybe”, Don’t Look Now” and “Shout”. Because again, we all feel love on many levels in our lives. DJ: You wrote material for Avril Lavigne’s debut ‘Let Go’. Did you have a sense of how big she and that record would
become? CM: When I worked with Avril, she was a sweet 16 year old from a small town in Ontario, Canada. She was concerned that she had been signed to her label as a Faith Hill style of artist. I asked her what kind of artist she wanted to be and what some of her influences were and based on that, we wrote “Unwanted”, which was a powerful rock song. That song set the tome and direction for the rest of the “Let Go” album. I have to admit that I had no idea she would become a huge rock star. You just have to do your best work and hope for a positive outcome. DJ: You’ve written for a lot of people such as Steve Perry but you seem to have an affinity with female artists of singers such as Kelly Clarkson. Why do you think you’re sought out by so many female stars? CM: The short answer is because of the success of Avril’s album. In addition to that, in the studio, I am a good coach and listener. I’m also very patient, so vocalists feel comfortable and are able to relax and do their best work. DJ: Can we hope for more material from you as a solo artist in the near future or have you got other plans ahead? CM: My next project will be the follow up to “Lucky Dog”. I’m loving the feedback I’m receiving and I will use that information to formulate the next batch of material. DJ: Clif, are you a lucky dog? CM: I am indeed a lucky dog! When I was 3 years old I received a Roy Rogers guitar and from that moment I was focused to be a musician. Through music I’ve traveled the world, been a studio rat, sung commercials and met and worked with some of my life long admired artists. Additionally, I feel an obligation to my loyal fans to give them the feeling that they had listening to Solo and Planet 3.
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Barry McMinn: Firstly let me congratulate you on an excellent new album ‘Meanwhile Back at the Garage’. Graham Bonnet: Thank you, the response has been great so far! Hopefully everyone has bought a copy and I will sign it for you at a show! BM: This is the second album under the Graham Bonnet Band moniker, how do you compare this album to ‘The Book’? GB: Hopefully to too much different , maybe a little heavier or progressive which is what some have said , but we aimed to continue the musical theme started on “The Book”. BM: We see a change on the guitar front with Kurt James now taking up the guitar role from Conrado Pesinato, what does Kurt bring to the band? GB: Kurt brings a huge amount of talent as a guitar player and I am sure as a songwriter, we will soon start the next album with him I hope , and we will see what develops. BM: And secondly how did Kurt become a member of the Graham Bonnet Band family? BG: He was recommended to us as we were looking for a suitable replacement. BM: I see Joey Tafolla played lead and rhythm guitars on the album, did Kurt have any input on the album? GB: Yes he played on the song “Livin In Suspicion” , but he did come in quite late in the recording process. BM: Back to the album, again a stunning
slice of great Hard Rock but how long have you been working on the album? GB: It took about 6 months , I was working with Michael Schenker at the same time so it was a bit stressful , but the end result is one we are all very happy with. BM: You’re taking to the road once again to promote the new album, with the decline of CD sales how important is it to you to keep touring, to promote not just the album but also the band? GB: It is essential these days… albums promote a tour these days , not the other way around. BM: Can you please talk a little bit about the DVD coming with the CD release? GB: It was a show we did at the Daryl Hall venue, a great place with great people, it was a live stream over the internet, and the footage was so good we wanted to release it, a few touch ups here and there but it's nearly 100% as it was that night. BM: What about the album title? I mean, what behind the choice of call this release “Meanwhile, Back in the Garage”? GB: It's where we recorded alot of the album, obviously not the drums or guitars but vocals and some other stuff we did at my place, in the garage - the song also talks about a band starting in a garage, it's where most start , and it's where we recorded some of this album! BM: You’ve been in this business for a few years now, do you think today’s new
generation fully understand what bands do to bring their music to the masses? GB: I think they feel it is easier than it really is, it has always been hard, this isn’t an easy job. BM: We’ve seen the Michael Schenker Fest grow into a mighty beast, how does it feel to perform the classic MSG songs again with Axe Man himself? GB: It’s very nice to be able to have put the past behind and create a new chapter with Michael. BM: We also seen the release of the E Zoo album that you did with Mario Mollo. Why has it taken so long for this album to see the light of day? GB: Because we weren’t working on it constantly , just every now and then over about a decade. BM: Looking back over you immense career, would who have done anything differently (we won’t mention MSG at Sheffield!). GB: I wish Alcatrazz had stayed together longer in the 80’s as I thought we had massive potential. BM: Do you have any goals that you’d like to fulfil before you hang up the mike for good? GB: Another 5 or so albums or more haha! BM: Are you going to do live dates? GB: Yes, we will be touring all over the planet! UK and USA are our next tours coming up, after that we will play anywhere and everywhere.
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Bruce Atkinson: We should begin with the fact that “Metal Souls” is your third effort, with your debut being in 2014 and your second in 2015. Nozomu, in that time period, did you have any inkling that you would find yourself in this position, of working with such Artists as Ronnie Romero and Marco and Tommy. Nozomu Wakai: All of my previous albums were kind of “domestic” albums, which mean that the albums were written for Japanese listeners. However this time, my goal was to release an album worldwide, so I had a completely different perspective and vision on this new album even before writing music. At first, when I decided to debut worldwide I knew I had to make the best decision to get closer to my goal, so I would not regret it. At first I made an offer to Ronnie Romero, and he agreed right away, so I was so happy about that! About Marco and Tommy, originally I did not know if we were going to do all the songs together or not. However, they listened to the demos and liked my works, so they accepted to do all the songs. Also they praised my songs very much, so it was an honor for me. BA: Tell us how this all came about? NW: As I said before, I was looking for a vocalist for my new album. I saw Ronnie Romero at the Rainbow reunion concert. After that, Ronnie came to Japan to perform as Lords Of Black, and I had the chance to talk to him. Ronnie was confirmed as the vocalist, and we started to make the songs. At that time, we decided the concept of the album, which is “Classic Modern”. I wanted to combine the straight/strong melodies of 80-90s Heavy Metal with modern sound. It’s like DIO making a new album in Scandinavia (where Fredrik Nordström and Jens Bogren mixed and mastered this album). Then I decided the rhythm section based on the concept. In order to make the concept stronger, the rhythm section had to be with legendary musicians who
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are still working on the music scene. It came to my mind of Tommy Aldridge and Marco Mendoza. Tommy and Marco came with John Sykes to Japan 14-15 years ago. I saw that show, and it was really impressive. Unfortunately I didn’t know how to get in touch with Tommy Aldridge, so I had a Japanese Agent contact him at first. As I kept working with them, I knew it would be the best work ever. I realized that I am honored to be supported by this member. All the ideas they proposed me for each track were great. Also, I went to Sweden and I stayed at Fredrik Nordström’s studio for the mix, and lastly I had Jens Bogren for the mastering process, which is something impressive. BA: Your guitar playing is so forceful, yet elegant! Who are your influences? NW: Thank you! It makes me happy to hear that. First, I was influenced by Ritchie Blackmore. It all started with him. I knew that the guitar had magical powers. Also, Michael Schenker gave me a huge impact. I think that his guitar it’s life itself, kind of a “living thing”. I also work as a designer for his merchandise, and every time I can see him playing close, I strongly feel it. Therefore it is very important for me to have my own passion and emotions towards to my work and play. Recently there are many people who tend to play like a non-stop machine. The 80s-90s guitar heroes that I like are more aggressive and full of energy, and they look very good with their guitar. I have big respect for such pioneers, sincerely. In order to become like them, I need to make a lot of experiences so I can deliver to my fans a deeper and wonderful guitar play. BA: As we look forward to Frontiers’ release of this new album, is it your first international release? NW: Exactly, this is my first worldwide release. This time some record companies showed their interest, but it was decided to be
Frontiers. I am honored to be in a record company that works with many respectable musicians. In Japan, a company called Ward Records is now supporting me. They also work with LOUDNESS. They have done things that could not be done by any other Japanese record companies, and they are the first record company who understood my ideas, so I am very satisfied now. Thanks to that, I can now share my album with heavy metal fans from all over the world. BA: Coming from Japan may for some be surprising, however Japan has a very solid music scene, please let us in on how things are in your home country… NW: Japanese music scene is quite closed. It’s like there is a chain that cannot be seen. As a Japanese music business style aims at domestic marketing, most record companies and also bands do not have knowledge or understanding on how to business outside Japan. There is a big wall between domestic and worldwide business. In entering the overseas business, I know only a few bands that incorporate the Japanese culture or the modern style of music are slowly going outside Japan, making worldwide debut. As far as I know, LOUDNESS is the only Japanese heavy metal band who had a record deal and put out the studio albums overseas. No other heavy metal bands have gone to overseas in last 30 years, and it is very surprising for me. Now in Japan HR/HM is gradually accepted and spreading through anime and video games, however straight/pure HR/HM is not mainstream music. In general people feel it is a bit strange music. Even so, this is a pleased fact that there are enthusiastic HR/HM fans who still buy physical CD and support us. It certainly is not easy for Japanese musicians to go out to the world like this from Japan. Like the cover of “METAL SOULS”, I feel like I broke the ground and passed through the sea of fire.
Duncan Jamieson: It’s 30 years since the 3 album. Why was now the time to resurrect the band? Robert Berry: There was one very important event that made it possible for a Keith and I to start working on a new 3 album. In 2015 a company wanted to release 2 live 3 albums that were recorded on our tour back in 1988. The first one called 3 Live in Boston was well received. But the greatest reception was from a guy named Keith Emerson. You see, Keith had been soured on 3 by fan criticism and the fans wish to have he and Carl back with Greg. All of a sudden one night I got this call. “Robert it’s Keith. Hi Keith.” He continued excitedly “Robert, we were a really good band. No I mean-a REALLY good band. I just listened to the live 3 in Boston and it is really good”. Well there it was, the opening I had waited for nearly 28 years. I quietly said “what would you think about doing a follow up?” I was so excited that he was excited and that there was a possibility that my wildest dream might come true. DJ: After Keith Emerson’s death was there a point when you thought this material might not see the light of day? RB: Yes. A few weeks after Keith’s death I wrote a song I felt reflected what we all were feeling. It was overwhelming for me but I saw in social media that fans were really feeling the loss and needed something. I called the song Our Bond and the fans “the Emerson Army”. A group of people that bonded together over the loss of a one of a kind guy. After that I felt there was not a good reason to honestly finish the album. The music was a place in time that only Keith and I knew. There was no way to inject someone else into what we had in 1987, 88’, what we had shared musically over the 28 years, and what we had planned to make 3.2. Then I had an idea that Keith’s son Aaron might want to record it with me. I sent him a song and he said it was his dad’s style and really hard. In hindsight I should have made the first song he heard a little easier one. He said he didn’t think it would work for him. But that exchange got the spark in me ignited and I decided I had resurfaced enough to give it a try. It was not an easy decision or was it an easy task. DJ: The recording process must have involved a lot of work to patchwork Keith’s parts within the songs. RB: I like to say that the ProTools screen looked like a
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Halloween Pumpkin. All these missing teeth. We had discussed so much and had lots of parts worked up but not the “song itself. Intros, connecting bits, solo chord sections. But it was up to me to write lyrics, melodies, and tie it all together. I spent a year working on that. DJ: The lead-off single is the great ‘Powerful Man’. Tell us about the sentiment in the song. RB: In my life I have realized the power of music but recently realized the power in the hands of the great artists that I have played with. Even as it’s passed down to their sons. Steve Howe, Sammy Hagar, Greg Kihn,and the reason I finished it up, Keith’s son Aaron. They’ve all been raise by powerful men with love. Can you imagine what it must feel like to be in the crib under the stage and then year by year grow up as close to being on that stage anybody can ever get? It must be a force to be reconed with. DJ: What songs on 3.2 came from songs or ideas you wrote back in 1988? RB: What You’re Dreaming Now was mostly done musically in 1987. Mainly the words and melody are new. There are a few other link sections pulled from an old cassette tape. DJ: What compositions did Keith contribute to and which songs did you write after his passing? RB: “One by One”, “What You’re Dreaming Now”, “Somebodies Watching”, “Your Mark On The World and a bonus track on the Japanese release. I was writing THIS LETTER right before Keith left us. It was partly inspired by his love for his grandkids and my love of my wife. I was just ready to play it for him. OUR BOND I have spoken about already a bit. Keith and I had spoken about the “Talkin Bout” for this album but I hadn’t started writing POWERFUL MAN yet. One of the last songs I wrote was THE RULES HAVE CHANGED. It is actually based on the fact that my good friend and fellow musician Trent Gardner from the band Magellan had lost his life to the same fate as Keith. It was so hard for me to believe only 6 months apart. DJ: ’Our Bond’ I assume is a new composition. RB: Yes. As I said I felt strong enough to write how we were all feeling and I hoped that Keith’s family, friends, and fans would find some peace within our bonding together. DJ: What do you remember of Keith Emerson as a
musician? RB: I remember his dedication to being the best. Total laser focus, total commitment to his art. All the while being the kindest, most real person with his standing in the world of music that you could ever meet. DJ: And what do remember of Keith as a man? RB: Exactly the same. Music defined him. He defined music! DJ: How did you get together with Keith Emerson and Carl Palmer originally back in 1988? RB: I was playing in GTR with Steve Howe and I had decided it wasn’t the right fit for me. My manager at the time, Brian Lane called and told me Keith Emerson would like to have lunch. You think I should have said no thanks? LOL Of course I was excited to meet him. DJ: Was it intimidating being the newbie with those two? RB: Keith and Carl always encouraged me to be me. They treated me like an equal and I felt their support. After playing with Steve I think I was prepared for what was to come. DJ: Why did 3 split so soon after the debut album in 1988? RB: Keith received a lot of criticism from fans for playing “songs”. The fans wanted all 20 minute pieces and to be honest they wanted Greg Lake. We wanted to start a NEW band and the push back on Keith was brutal. It affected him in a way that made him think that 3 wasn’t a good thing for him. Luckily the 3 Live in Boston came along to remind him how good it really was. 3 Just needed a second album to show the world what we had learned after a year of playing together. DJ: You made a record with All41 last year. Do you anticipate making anymore music together? RB: Great group of guys. I would love to but to be honest I plan on being busy all next year supporting 3.2 with a tour. There won’t be much time. DJ: I love your Alliance material too. Any chance of another Alliance record? RB: I may finish the next Alliance album when December People gets together to do our end of year charity concerts. Gary Pihl and David Lauser will be in town for that so who knows. DJ: What’s next for you Robert? RB: Tour, Tour, Tour 3.2
Barry McMinn: It’s been some ten years since the band debut release, why so long between that and the new album ‘Rise’? Fred Hendrix: Well that’s simple, I couldn’t come to an agreement back then with Frontiers and I was busy doing other things. Sometimes it needs is a little time. BM: For people not familiar with Two of a Kind, how did the whole thing come together in the first place? FH: The idea was launched by Serafino Perugino of Frontiers records. He asked me if I could find two famale vocalists for this project. I new Anita already and I asked Hans in‘t Zandt (drummer) if he knew someone for this project. He came up with Esther. After a little demoing it was clear to me that it was going to be a perfect match. BM: Did you intentionally always have an idea of two vocalists for the band, or did it just evolve that way? FH: No, the idea was launched by Serafino to have two female vocalists for this project which makes it also quite unique. It can all be done but at times it is challenging. Both singers have a different sound collar and pitch. Esther is smooth and high. Anita is lower and more rough sounding. Both are amazing singers with a beautifull voice. In spite that they have a different voice they blend perfectly together when they do the backing vocals for the choirs as you can hear on the album. Another challenge is to write songs that suits their voices. But I have to say that when I start writing a song most of the time I know right away who’s going to sing it. But sometimes it can go both ways. Then I simply so how many songs each sing and assign it the one who hast he least songs at that point. But mostly I know from the start who’s going to sing the song. BM: It’s been 10 year since the debut, but
how long have you actually been working on the new album? FH: It was a delight for me working with the members of Two Of A Kind again. After all it had been quite a while to work with Esther, Anita and Hans. With my brother Ron and Gesuino I recorded a new Terra Nova Album. The first Two Of A Kind album was released in 2007 of which I’m very proud of. I hope this new album will be received as well as the first album by our fans. I started writing the songs for the new Two Of A Kind album ´ Rise‘ at the end of 2015 and worked true out 2016 on the album which was a delight to do. In november 2016 the album was finished. We recorded two videos for the Album. First one was the video for the song ‘Naked‘ which was shot out doors and second video was for the song ‘Here Is The Now‘ which was shot in an old train station in Tilburg, Holland. BM: A lot of changes have happened on the music industry over the past ten years, did you approach this album differently than the debut as a result? FH: No, I just did what I felt was right. People change over the years and so does their music approach I guess. You learn more about the music process and try those things in new projects. And I am very happy with the result. BM: The two female vocalists will always bring the Wilson sister of Heart reference, but what makes Esther and Anita stand out from crowd when it comes to Two of a Kind? FH: I guess that would be their vocal performance. They are great singers when they sing solo but also blend perfectly in their backing harmonies. Esther has a smooth high pitched voice as were Anita has a lower more rough sounding voice. BM: Apart from yourself and Esther and Anita, who else was involved on the
album? FH: We recorded the album with the same crew as on the debut album of 2007 which was a delight to work with again. The line up was once again: Esther Brouns – vocal, Anita Creanmehr – vocal, Gesuino Derosas – guitar, Hans in ‘t Zandt – drums, Ron Hendrix – keyboards, Fred Hendrix – bass guitar. I don’t have the space in my studio to record drums, at least not the way I want it, so I always record them at the ArtSound Studio in Belgium. They have a great acoustic in their room which I truly love. The rest is recorded at my own little studio at home. BM: There are some quite stunning songs on the album, but are there any songs that you’re particularly proud of, if so which ones and why? FH: I am proud of all my songs and I think it has turned out to be a great album. I have chosen to do less modulations in the songs on this album with the exception for Run Girl. It’s a great song with a great well performed melody with nice modulations which makes it extra interesting to listen to. But I have to say I love the entire album. BM: Do you see Two of a Kind as just a studio project or will you be taking the band on the road to promote the new album, or even doing some festival shows? I’m thinking Frontiers Fest? FH: The Frontiers festival would be great to do definitely but that is not up to us. There are plans of doing a small tour in combination with Terra Nova who will release their new album “Raise Your Voice” at the end of the year. BM: Where does Two of a Kind go from here? Hopefully we won’t have to wait another ten years for the next album? FH: If it is up to us we will start working on a new album right away!
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New releases available on www.frontiers.shop - The official Frontiers Music s.r.l. shop!
PRIMAL FEAR “Apocalypse” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
GIOELI / CASTRONOVO “Set the World on Fire” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
MR. BIG “Live From Milan” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
Since their incarnation back in 1997 Matt Sinner’s Primal Fear have become one of the most consistent and most relevant Heavy Metal bands to come out of Germany. With no end in sight, this phenomenal Metal band return with their 12th studio release ‘Apocalypse’. The album is a full blown metal assault on the senses as it reflects the turbulent world of today as seen by the band. In the words of Matt Sinner … “At The Moment, It Is Not The Right Time To Write 11 Love Songs”. The album kicks into top gear after the title intro with ‘New Rise’ and from here on in, the band put the Heavy into Metal, with Scheepers at his vocal best. It’s hard to believe he was turned down for the Judas Priest gig to replace Rob Halford, but what is Priest’s loss is Primal Fear’s gain. With songs such as ‘Blood Sweat and Fear’, the epic ‘Supernova’ and the excellent ‘Eye of the Storm’, the man from Esslingen is surely one of the finest heavy metal vocalists of the modern era. Not forgetting of course the rest of the band of Sinner and Francesco Jovino, a powerhouse rhythm section along with the keyboards of Magnus Karlsson and who can forget the twin guitar assault of Tom Naumann and Alex Beyrodt. This talented lineup is a real tour-de-force and long may it continue. As long as the Apocalypse itself doesn’t arrive, Primal Fear will continue to rule the Heavy Metal world. Barry McMinn (95/100)
This project puts together Hardline/Axel Rudi Pell singer Johnnie Gioelli and his old Hardline band mate Dean Castronovo, best known as the ex-Journey drummer. Castronovo must have been taking notes behind his drum kit in Journey as he’s a dead ringer for Steve Auguri and Arnel Pineda. Gioelli is no slouch either and both men’s soaring voices complement each other. The songs here could easily grace any latter day Journey album. Mario Percudani supplies lashings of melodic guitar and Alex Del Vecchio twiddles the knobs and adds his keyboards and writing talent. While you might be able to predict when the chord changes or the big choruses are coming, they still manage to almost always hit the sweet spot. The title track, ‘Through’, ‘Who I Am’, ‘Fall like An Angel’, ‘Run For Your Life’ and the Jim Peterik penned ‘Ride Of Your Life’ are aor catnip. While some of the songs you can imagine appearing just as easily on other Frontier projects, the pair’s infectious energy lifts the songs and more often than not will have you punching the air in delight. Duncan Jamieson (94/100)
A multi format release, the latest from Mr. Big is a double cd / dvd package as well as a three vinyl lp set! A high spirited capturing of what this band does and have done for decades…a rollicking live performance! “Live From Milan” is a snapshot of these rockers taken from their worldwide tour of 2017, in which they were celebrating their excellent “Defying Gravity” release of the same year. Always visually exciting, sonically brilliant and full of surprises, a Mr. Big show is one of pure musicianship. After all these years, the guys keep firing on all eighteen cylinders! Sadly though, during 2017 it became apparent that a key member of the group, Pat Torpey was dealing with a deadly disease, but this didn’t stop him from participating in the group’s global journey of giving thousands a real taste of pure rock n’ roll! You can see Pat singing and performing on select numbers throughout Mr. Big’s set! “Live From Milan” captures a band at their height! They hold the audience in the palms of their collective hands, thrilling each and everyone. Mr. Big, “Live From Milan”, true soldiers of rock, and a special document as it is also a farewell to one who has fallen. Sadly, Pat Torpey lost his battle early in 2018, but he will be remembered for his strength and dedication to a band that was quite properly named “Mr. Big”. Bruce Atkinson (92/100)
ENUFF Z’ NUFF “Diamond Boy” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
AIRRACE “Untold Stories” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
TWO OF A KIND “Rise” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
Chip Z’nuff is a son of the Eighties, but riding the Nineties he has arrived at the new millennium in great shape, shining with this brand new “Diamond Boy”. Enuff Z’nuff are alive and well, with an album full of surprises, colors and fun, plenty of remnants of The Beatles, Van Halen and Cinderella. From the glittered titletrack to the classy “Fire&Ice”, this band seems to breathe fresh life and play better than ever. You’ll find their typical radiofriendly attitude in these eleven catchy songs, but a great amount of hard rock can’t be missing, so better buckle up for “Metalheart”! Chip knows how to hook your heart with melody, that’s why it’s so easy to fall in love with “Love Is On The Line” and the velvet touch of “Where Did You Go”. A special mention should also be given to Tony Fennell and Tory Stoffregen for their amazing job with the guiters. “Diamond Boy” is a little, delicate gem in Enuff Z’nuff discography and it’s going to be a milestone for long term fans, but an enjoyable discovery if you’re looking for clever rock and roll! Fabiana Spinelli (97/100)
Opening with “Running Out Of Time”, we immediately take note that ‘Airrace’s brand new album is something different and something special. “Untold Stories” is apt to set new standards in what is known the world over as AOR music. An energy and freshness that continues throughout “Untold Stories”. Yes, this collection of music and song is special… as Airrace shows us different sides to the band and its members. Adam Payne’s vocals seem to lift each musical work and the swirls of the ivories from the hands of Linda Kelsey Foster embrace each note sung and each string strummed! The intricate guitar work of Laurie is reinforced by the tapestry of sound set by drummer Dhani Mansworth and the pulsating bass lines of one Mr. Newton. The music on “Untold Stories” runs deep and runs rich. Heavier in places, but still retaining an atmosphere of melody, and soulful sounds that embrace that eighties signature that was most prevalent in an “Airrace” creation. “Untold Stories” lets us see a band that is varied, filled with ageless signatures, expanding their music spheres and rocking to the n’th degree! “Untold Stories”, a varied collection of musical stories that will be told over and over again! Bruce Atkinson (90/100)
After a ten year hiatus, Fred Hendrix (Terra Nova) has reignited the flame under his Two of a Kind project for their long overdue sophomore release ‘Rise’. Once again Hendrix unites with vocalists Esther Brouns and Anita Craenmehr, along with cohorts from the debut Gesuino Derosas (Guitar), Hans in´t Zandt (Drums) and brother Ron Hendrix (Keyboards) for what is a stunning slice of Melodic Rock. The album kicks off with ‘Here and Now’ and quickly the ten years between albums seen just a moment away, as this new album smoothly takes up where the debut left off. The melodic splendor continues with the groove filled anthem ‘Rock Your World’, before rocking things up a notch with ‘Wheel of Life’. The album touches on the blues side of things with the excellent ‘Naked’, before rocking back up with the title track ‘Rise’ and ‘Touch the Roof’. It’s easy to link the band with Heart because of the twin female vocals, but Two of a Kind are much more than that. This is the band Heart could have been. This band is more a reflection of todays Melodic Rock scene and definitely runs rings around the Wilson Sisters. Let’s also hope there are some live dates because this album is crying out to be played live. Barry McMinn (98/100)
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GRAHAM BONNET BAND “Meanwhile Back in the Garage” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
‘Meanwhile Back in the Garage’ is the follow up to the excellent ‘The Book’ album and takes up where that album left off. This new opus showcases perfectly why the man from Skegness has remained on of the finest rock vocalist around. With a young band around him, Bonnet shows no signs of ending his vast career with what is a superb release. Things get underway with the title track, a great old school rocker that has touches of classic Purple as well as some touches of Rainbow to it, with its flaying keyboards and bluesy rock guitars. The album switches gears almost straight away as we bring some modern hard rocking with ‘The Hotel’ and the excellent ‘Livin’ in Suspicion’, before things turn up a gear or two with ‘Incest Outcest U.S.A.’ and the storming ‘Long Island Tea’, before the all guns blazing splendour of ‘Man On the Corner’. At 70 years old Bonnet still has the chops, where other vocalists less than half his age are falling by the wayside, his still continues to rock and shows no sign of faulting. If you have any doubt then check out the bonus live DVD that was captured at a Live From Daryl’s House (yes, THAT Daryl of Hall & Oates). Barry McMinn (90/100)
DESTINIA “Metal Souls” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
From the land of the rising sun we are introduced to a rising guitar hero of the first order! A hero that the world of Heavy Metal has been longing for! Nozomu Wakai is his name, one that will be remembered! His talents being recognized by stellar musicians the world over. Three of those musicians are Tommy Aldridge, Marco Mendoza, and Ronnie Romero. The three have teamed up with Nozomu for his first international release on Frontiers, “Metal Soul”. An album of classically inspired Metal from start to finish. From the vocal styling’s of Ronnie to the bombastic rhythms and beats laid asunder by Tommy and Marco! The four sound like they have just been ‘uncaged’! Energy-yes to the limit! Molten guitar-certainly is! vocals that blister and soar at the same time-hold it! let me catch my breath, yes! “Metal Souls” reaches new heights, and not only showcasing the brilliant performances of all, but also the composition and production artistry of Nozomu himself. Melodic, hard n’ heavy, an album of power and certainty. Created by, dare I say, a musical genius? “Destinia”, ‘Metal Souls’, immerse yourselves in the next generation of Heavy Metal. Bruce Atkinson (91/100)
3.2 “The Rules Have Changed” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
Robert Berry reprises the sound of the melodic prog rock group 3, the band that he, Keth Emerson and Carl Palmer put together in the 80s and resulted in a solitary album. Emerson was keen to collaborate with Berry again and the pair had been making music before Emerson sadly passed away. Undeterred, Berry soldiered on and has a created an album that features Emerson’s distinctive playing and songs that make this a worthy follow up in terms of both songs and musicianship. Berry’s ear for melodic rock, melded with the bombast and show off musicianship of ELP works surprisingly well. Standout track ‘Powerful Man’ marries a strong aor hook with pulsating, pomp keyboard stabs while ‘One By One’ allows Emerson the space to demonstrate his ability to play rock and classical music in the same breath. ‘This Letter’ has a cheeky Russian circus sound that works well within this progressive framework. Berry has a warm melodic voice as on ‘Our Bond’, a fond tribute to Emerson. Too aor for some prog types and too prog for some aor types but if you enjoy both genres then it’s a welcome return and further proof of the late Keith Emerson’s talent. Duncan Jamieson (92/100)
KING COMPANY “Queen of Hearts” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
dream of drummer The Mirka “Leka” Rantanen (Raskasta joulua, Warmen, ex - Thunderstone, ex - Kotipelto) is slowly coming true: a new hard rock band with all the good stuff in the right place. King Company, after an interesting debut album in 2016 (“One for the Road”), are coming back with amazing energy and a new great singer, italian-argentinian Leonard F. Guillan, who did here a very nice job. “Queen Of Hearts” has a peculiarity, it grows song by song, listen after listen, until you’ll find yourself relentlessly hooked. During the first three songs you’ll hear the party mood of the band, but with “Living In A Hurricane” they turn up the heat, starting to mix melodic rock to an upstanding hard rock. An explosive mixture that highlights the quality of this sound, with guitarist Antti Wirman (Warmen) to run the place with songs like “Living The Dream” and “Berlin”. “Queen Of Hearts” will conquer your soul bit by bit and King Company are ready to make the great leap, be ready! Fabiana Spinelli (95/100)
CLIF MAGNESS “Lucky Dog” (Frontiers Music s.r.l.)
Cult aor artist Magness returns with only his second solo album in 24 years, to show he’s still got it. Indeed, this may trump his first offering because it rocks harder in places. I have to say I was initially apprehensive as his return to aor last year as main contributor to Robin Beck’s ‘Love Is Comng’ album, despite being a fan of both artists, left me somewhat underwhelmed. It appears he may have saved his best songs for himself. The music here mirrors the albums cover and is full of good time summer vibes. The first half of the record doesn’t put a foot wrong; the two breezy rockers ‘Aint No Way’ and the Jeff Paris like ‘Don’t Look Now’ are a great start. The big ballad ‘Unbroken’ has a genuine Chicago vibe with big harmonies. ‘Like You’ taps into the pop rock of Cheap Trick and a duet with Robin Beck ‘Love Needs A Heart’ has huge aor hook. The second half has its moments, not least the corking rocker ‘Shout’, but some songs have a more laidback westcoast feel and aren’t quite so compelling. There are lovely arrangements throughout though that show why Magness has had songs covered by so many artists. This will transport you to the Californian sun without the need for an airfare. Duncan Jamieson (92/100)
Bruce Atkinson: I would like to begin with the title, “Untold Stories”, is there a message behind this? Laurie Mansworth: Yes there are messages in these songs. Some are personal stories about my life and some are about our abuse of the planet and if we are not very careful we will destroy this beautiful earth of ours. They all have connections to my life. I prefer to write about things that have meaning to me. I don’t really write songs about fictional situations. BA: They all have connections to my life. If I may, it seems like you have taken the style of “Airrace” to a different level, would this be correct? LM: I would like to think so. I have gained a lot more experience over the years. I have been constantly writing and recording and I have just tried to improve on the bands original formula. There has been some amazing feedback from this album so far so I guess it must be working. I really enjoyed recording this album, I used a lot of vintage equipment, which I think sounds better than a lot of the new stuff that’s around. I find the old equipment has a different vibe that suits the songs I’m writing these days. BA: Laurie, let us talk about your present band mates, and also do you all contribute to the writing and composing of the music? LM: I write alone as I personally feel I get better results. I finish the songs first and then I play them to the band. The new line-up has worked out really well. Adam has a killer voice and my son Dhani (drums), who also plays in his own band The Treatment, is my favourite
rock drummer. He is as solid as a rock and can be technical when he needs to be. Rocky Newton (bass) has played with everybody; such as Schenker for many years, and also with Lionheart along with Dennis Stratton and Steve Man. He is a killer bass player, and he and Dhani work great together. They are a dream rhythm section. Linda adds the glamour, she is also a great keys lady. I first saw her play in a band called Dogwatch, when I was 14; now many years later we are in the same band. BA: Going back to a previous question, “Untold Stories” seems to explore your own influences over the years…is this so? LM: Yes it is. I have many different influences; Led Zep/ ELO/10CC /Foreigner/Supertramp. I think you can hear these influences on this album. I wanted to make a 70s style album with a bit more depth to the music rather than trying to write 12 singles. I prefer albums that take you on a journey. I have always loved rock and pop music and I think this album has a bit of both. BA: As you prepared for this record, did you purposely do things differently-what with the recording and production? LM: I just took my time on this one and tried to make sure that all the performances during the recording of the album were the best they could be. If the performance and songs meet in the right place you end up with a great record. I tried some different recording techniques on the guitar, which worked very well. I tried to give the album a live feel and I think we captured that. We mixed the album at
Steve Harris’s studio; my good friend Tony Newton did a great job mixing it. BA: At times, Laurie, it seems that “Untold Stories” is a bit heavier than other “Airrace” efforts… LM: Yes it is, I’m very pleased with that. I really didn’t enjoy recording the bands first album Shaft Of Light. I thought it was too guitar light. I clashed big time with Beau Hill over this. He was a keyboard player and put way more keys on the record than it needed. I had a chance rectify that on this album. The songs on Shaft of Light sound very different live, much heavier. My roots have always been in hard rock and I like it best when the songs sound heavier. BA: There is so much musicality on this record… you should be suitably proud and happy about the finished Work!!… And are you planning on taking this out on the road? LM: I am very happy with this album and I have been blown away with the reviews. It has been top marks pretty much right across the board and I’m very proud of that. I think these are some of the best songs I have written and there is a nice variation of styles. I am very much looking forward to playing these new songs live. We are on the road in September as part of a double bill with my sons band, The Treatment. It will be great fun. The band has a new lease of life and I am very happy about that. I also hope that we can play some European shows next year that would be amazing.
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Fa bia na S pine lli: H i C hip, y ou’r e v e r y we lc om e t o M R F! Fr om 1 9 8 4 , y ou’r e a t r ue “ D ia m ond B oy ” of t he r oc k a nd r oll s c e ne , c a n y ou ple a s e t e ll us how do y ou f e e l be ing in 2 0 1 8 wit h a ne w a lbum ? C h i p Z’ N u ff: Fe e l i n g p r e tty p o s i ti v e . It’s a n e w c h a p te r i n E n u ff Z’ N u ff. N e w r e c o r d d e a l , n e w s o n g s , n e w a l b u m , n e w to u r, a n o th e r w o n d e r fu l o p p o r tu n i ty. Yo u c o u l d call it a miracle. FS : “ D ia m ond B oy ” s e e m s t o t a k e a look t o t he r oot s of r oc k a nd r oll, wit h s im ple a nd m e a ningf ul m e lody t ha t r e m ind m e a bout The B e a t le s … D id y ou f ind a n ins pir a t ion f r om t he pa s t ? C ZN : Th e p a s t, th e fu tu r e , l i p s ti c k o n a g l a s s , a j o i n t b u r n i n g i n a n a s h tr a y th e r e ’s i n s p i r a ti o n e v e r y w h e r e I l o o k . It’s u p to u s m u s i c i a n s to fi n d g o o d s o n g s a n d b r i n g th e m d o w n to y o u . FS : C a n I a s k y ou s om e t hing m or e a bout t his br illia nt line - up? H ow did y ou k now t he y we r e t he r ight c hoic e f or E nuf f Z’nuf f ? C ZN : We l l To r y h a s b e e n w i th m e fo r a b o u t te n y e a r s . To n y Fe n n e l l i s th e fo r m e r l e a d s i n g e r o f U l tr a Vo x , s o n o t o n l y does he have pipes, but he can play his a s s o ff a n d w r i te . A n d D a n i e l B e n j a m i n H i l l i s a m o d e r n - d a y B a m B a m ( fr o m th e Fl i n s to n e s ) . Th e b a n d r e s p e c ts th e l e g a c y o f E n u ff Z’ N u ff, a n d th e y l o v e g e tti n g i n t h e O s ca r Mayer Wei ne r w a gon and t our -
i n g a r o u n d th e w o r l d . FS : I’m t ot a lly f a s c ina t e d by s ongs lik e “ Im a gina r y M a n” a nd “ Fir e & Ic e ” , I f ound t he m de lic a t e a nd de e p. C a n y ou ple a s e t e ll us s om e t hing m or e a bout ly r ic s a nd m e a nings of t he s e s ongs a nd a ll t he ot he r s ? C ZN : We l l th a t w o u l d b e a g a i n s t a l l m y b e l i e fs . I te n d to fe e l th e s o n g s c o u l d b e fo r a n y b o d y. A n d a l o t o f ti m e s w h e n I’ m w r i ti n g th e s o n g s a r e a b o u t o th e r p e o p l e and not necessarily myself or my experie n c e s . I g u e s s I te n d to p i c k o ff th e b o n e s o f s o m e o f m y fa v o r i te b a n d s i n th e world. Because if you show me a band th a t d o e s n ’ t h a v e i n fl u e n c e s , I’ l l s h o w y o u a b a n d th a t h a s n ’ t w r i tte n o n e n o te . I w i l l te l l y o u th i s , th o u g h , “ Im a g i n a r y M a n ” a n d “ Fi r e & Ic e ” a r e a b o u t s o m e b o d y e l s e . L e t’s l e a v e i t u p to th e m u s i c l o v e r s to fi g u r e i t o u t. FS : You ha v e s e e n f ir s t ha nd t he Golde n A ge of m e lodic r oc k a nd s e e m s t ha t a lot of pe ople is f e e ling nos t a lgic a bout it . Why do y ou t hink we ’r e t r y ing t o r e liv e t ha t ? D o y ou t hink is t he r e s om e t hing m is s ing t oda y ? C ZN : To q u o te th e g r e a t m u s i c m a n C l i v e D a v i s , “ If i t’s 2 0 - y e a r s - o l d , i t’s n e w a g a i n .” L o o k w h a t’s h a p p e n i n g i n m u s i c r i g h t n o w. S o m e o f th e b i g g e s t r o c k b a n d s , GN R , M e ta l l i c a , Th e S to n e s , Fo o Fi g h te r s , e tc . - th e y ’ r e a l l fa n s o f th e Go l d e n A g e , a n d th e y w e a r th a t p r o u d l y
o n th e i r s l e e v e s . We ’ r e s i m p l y d i s c i p l e s . FS : R a dio a nd t e le v is ion we r e r e a lly im por t a nt f or E nuf f Z’nuf f c a r e e r, do y ou t hink t ha t s oc ia l m e dia t oda y a r e giv ing t he s a m e pos s ibilit ie s t o a r t is t s a nd m us ic ia ns or t he y ’r e ov e r loa ding t he m us ic bus ine s s ? C ZN : We l l y o u c a n e x c l u d e r a d i o a n d te l e v i s i o n , e x c e p t fo r S i r i u s X M , a s th e i r p l a y l i s t i s s m a l l a n d th e y d o n ’ t g i v e a n y b r e a k s to n e w a r ti s ts . A n d w h e n i t c o m e s to s o c i a l m e d i a , w e ’ r e a t a ti m e w h e r e th e r e i s to o m u c h p r o d u c t a n d n o t e n o u g h demand. Everybody is making a record in th e i r fr o n t r o o m . Th e c o m p e ti ti o n i s fi e r c e . I b e l i e v e th a t b a n d s n e e d to g o o u t a n d p l a y, e v e r y w h e r e , a n d fi n d a n a u d i e n c e . Of c o u r s e th e o p p o r tu n i ty to g e t y o u r s o n g s i n a m o v i e , o r a s o u n d tr a c k , o r TV s h o w, o r c o m m e r c i a l , w o u l d c e r ta i n l y h e l p e l e v a te y o u r p e r c e p ti o n . If y o u w a n t to s e e s o m e s u c c e s s , y o u g o tta w a n t i t 2 4 h o u r s d a y, a n d th a t ta k e s a l o t o f w o r k a n d d e d i c a ti o n . It’s m o r e c h a l l e n g i n g n o w th a n i t h a s e v e r b e e n . Fo r any band. FS : Would y ou lik e t o s a y s om e t hing m or e a bout E Z’N f ut ur e pla ns ? C ZN : Ou r n e w r e c o r d D i a m o n d B o y c o m e s o u t i n A u g u s t, fo l l o w e d b y a L i v e N a ti o n S i r i u s X M H a i r N a ti o n to u r s ta r ti n g i n S e p te m b e r th r o u g h N o v e m b e r. Th e n E u r o p e i n 2 0 1 9 . S e e y o u a t th e s h o w s ! Th a n k y o u v e r y m u c h . I w i s h y o u w e l l .
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Fabiana Spinelli: “Queen Of Hearts” is King Company’ second album but a lot of things are changed in these two years. Maybe we can start our chat from your new singer, Leonard F. Guillan. What can you tell us about him and about Pasi’s health and decisions about the future? Mirka Rantanen: Things happened pretty fast last summer. Pasi had been some major problems with his throat when we did couple of shows here in Finland. Also he still tried to record some demo vocals for the second album what we`re doing at the same time, but he wasn’t be able to do that. Also our tour in Spain was starting pretty soon. Pasi said that he can`t leave for this tour cause simple he can`t sing at the moment at all. Of course we didn’t want to cancel the tour, cause our Spanish promoter did a big job to arrange it. So we decided that maybe we can do it with fill-in singer then. Problem was where to find a singer? First we checked all possible singers in Finland, but didn’t find anybody who was suitable. Then I opened the YouTube and started to find some candidate there and wrote some keywords to search field like “ Whitesnake tribute band, Europe tribute band etc. Then I found Leonard there singing in some Whitesnake tribute band, found him also on Facebook, dropped him a message and the rest is history. FS: After “One For The Road”, the band did an intense tour and then immediately started the recording of the new album. What was the really first step or idea for “Queen Of Hearts”? MR: Yes we started writing songs for the second album pretty soon after the first album was released and everybody has a many good song ideas for it. If I remember right “One day of your life” was a very first song which Antti shows us in a rehearsal place. Also title song “Queen of hearts” was one of the first ones, and that song
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we tested and played in our last shows with Pasi. Then Time ( bassplayer) shows us a song called “Berlin” and we got an idea that he could sing his own song also on a record, cause it`s his own lyrics and story behind that, and so he did it. And it sounds really good. FS: The debut album got plenty of great reviews: is there any suggestions, advise or also a constructive criticism that help you out recording the new album? MR: I could say no, but of course we were happy that we got so much positive feedback in these reviews and it make sure that we are on right way. Naturally there is some new fresh sounds on a album and this kind of small things, but basically the musical line is a pretty same. Also we wrote almost all songs after first album, so it`s a bit difference if you compare songs between first and second album. On the first album we had some really old songs also. Maybe it sounds more updated now... FS: I found two veins in “Queen Of Hearts”, a melodic rock one especially in the first songs, and then a solid hard rock one. What are your sources of inspiration and how you tie it all together with King Company’ soul? MR: I think our source of inspiration comes from the music what we have listened and loved all these years, Whitesnake, Deep Purple, Dio, Mr Big, etc. We just wanna make the music what we love and we don`t care if somebody says that “I have heard this and this before” and “too much cliches on a songs” or whatever. But don`t understand me wrong now, I mean of course we try to write different kind of songs and absolutely don`t wanna copy anyone. But every kind of rock music has been done many times before and you can`t create so much new anymore. Mostly important thing is, and our main target is that we just wanna keep this kind of music alive forever, so called
melodic hard rock. Also we wanna keep fun, play shows for the fans, tour the world, and we do it with our own style and we really love what we do. And we know theres still many people in a world who really wants to belive this. I can say it`s a King Company`s soul! FS: “King For Tonight” is my favourite track of the album, so I’m curious to know something more about this song, about lyrics and its writing process! MR: We were in our rehearsalplace and Jari played this pianotheme what you can hear on this song and I asked what is this? Jari said “it`s nothing, I`m just play something” Then I said that you have to write song for this piano theme. It really sounds good. And he wrote then. Then he gave me words “King for tonight” and said “this is the name of the song and I have to make lyrics for it”. And I did. Story about the lyrics, well…hahahaha….if you read them you understand, how I can say that carefully. Simple there`s man and woman making love… eheh? But overall in my opinion this song is mixture of epic, heavy, melodic and rock song! It includes all of these elements. FS: Are you planning a tour to support the new album? IS there a band with whom you’ve always wanted to share the stage? MR: Yes, we have just talked with some promoters and after album launch we will do a few shows in Finland in August-September, and then we will do a tour in Germany on March 2019 and after that we gonna tour in Spain again. Also I think this is just a start, we are discussing more all the time and our world wide booking agency Truck Me Hard works hardly booking more shows for us. And I hope and believe that there will be more shows coming with this album. Of course theres a lot of bands with whom we wanted to share the stage, Whitesnake, Mr Big, too many to mention.
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Duncan Jamieson: How did the idea of pairing you up for this record ‘Set The World On Fire’ come about? Johnny Gioeli: It started with a call I received from Deen. He heard an interview gave where the journalist was sort of attempting to bash Deen… I of course supported Deen because I’ve known him for 25+ years… I know his heart, we all have out problems and its time to fix and move on… Deen called me so happy and said let’s do a solo album together… Frontiers supported it, and here we are… Bam! DJ: Working with Alesandro Del Vecchio, who is also an official member of Hardline these days, was it tempting just to create a new Hardline album? JG: Ahah, no, it wasn’t. We knew exactly the type of album we wanted to make. We knew we needed to have that essence and taste of Double Eclipse without it being so damn obvious. We made a “new” yet “classic” sounding album I think. DJ: Who wrote the songs on the album? JG: We used many writers on this one. We wanted outside creativity to absorb our past and present it back to us in song. I love making albums like that…I also love to write them too! But, this was a very cool process. How much input did you have and how did you choose who sang what? JG: I started out wanting to sing EVERYTHING! Ahah! Just kidding. We had one phone call and said…. “How about I take this, you take that, we do this and we do that”; and it was done and decided in 5 mins. Really. That easy. DJ: You’re busy guys. I assume the vocals
weren’t recorded together in the studio. JG: Yes we are, but I did go to Italy to work as well as using our own studios. I’ve been doing this since I’m 11 years old. I really don’t need anyone telling me “try it again”, or “lets sing it this way”. We all knew what our jobs were and how to get it done! It was fast and FUN. DJ: Any songs you particularly enjoyed singing? JG: I’m a sucker for a good slow song, hahahahaha! I REALLY love “Mother”. Makes me think of my amazing mother. And also “Through” as both Deen and I have certainly been through A LOT both in the music business and personally. DJ: You, of course, played in Hardline together. What are your fondest memories of your time together in that band? JG: I would have to say that every day in Hardline with Deen and the others was a dream. It was like a newborn child for me. I worked since a young kid to fulfil that dream. I loved just being with everyone, learning from Neal, playing live, travelling together and just “being a band”. There’s an amazing feeling that I cant describe when getting off a bus at a truck stop or restaurant as “a band”. Its cool and its powerful. I like turning heads… Eh eh! DJ: You’re both still friends with Neal Schon. What are the odds of him getting him to do some new Hardline material or live shows with you? JG: All I can say is you never know what the future can hold. I would love to team up again but I also love Hardline as it is today. But as a classic reunion, it would certainly be fun. DJ: There’s been talk of a new Johnny Gioeli
solo record. Is that still on the cards? JG: Oh HELL YEA! Comes out Dec 7th on Frontiers and it is a life changing album for me. I wrote the entire album along with an extremely talented guitar player Eric Gadrix. The tunes are uplifting, postive, ass kicking and feel good. I can’t WAIT for this release. We have strong major morning TV interest, and I am preparing for a serious lift in my career… not that I need to be any busier. hahahaha Let me tell you, I am extremely grateful to be able to create this album and share my thoughts. The album is called “One Voice”. I am supporting Spinal Cord Injuries by taking amazingly generous fans and through Pledge music, let them into my world of making this album. A young man in my town became paralyzed and I HAD to do something and the fans also wanted to help. Amazing. This is my way of giving back. The background of the album artwork is thousands and thousands of fans that participated. What a freakin’ awesome way to help and create music at the same time. DJ: Between Axel Rudi Pell, Hardline, Crush40 and you’re solo album, got a lot going on. What’s next on the horizon? JG: Sleep? One night of 8 hours would be cool! Combine that with watching grass grow and that should be the next thing I do! On a serious note, I’m preparing a 2019 tour which will contain Axel shows, Hardline, Solo, other projects plus pole dancing. Ok… No pole dancing this year. Hahaha And, I may bed the pole. Thanks so much for chatting with me, for your support and thank you to all the readers for keeping music alive and well. Hugs all…
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