CONTENTS04 Cal i forn ia Breed

06 Tes la

07 Timo Tolkk i ’s Avalon

08 Out loud

09 Perfect V iew10 Shakra12 Reviews

15 Sabaton

16 Mother Road

17 Neal Schon

19 Night Ranger

20 Uriah Heep

21 Sonic Station

Melodic Rock FanzineThe official Frontiers Records magazine

Year #10 - Nr. 3 / Issue #62

Editor-in-chief: Elio Bordi

Concept, Graphics & Design: Elio Bordi

Writers: Bruce E.J. Atkinson, Duncan Jamieson, BarryMcMinn, Vitale Nocerino, Rob “Ezy” Bone, Primo Bonali.

Headquarters and general contacts:Frontiers Records - Via Gonzaga 1880125, Napoli - ItalyTel: +39.081.2399340/7753Fax: +39.081.2399794E-mail: elio@frontiers.itWebsite: www.frontiers.itFacebook: facebook.com/frontiersrecordsofficialTwitter: twitter.com/frontiersrecEditor and publisher: Frontiers Records s.r.l.

Copyright©2014 Frontiers Records. All rightsreserved. Reproduction in whole or in part

without permission is prohibited.Printed in Italy.

4 | MRF

band. california breedalbum. california breed’

Interview with:. g.hughes - a.wattinterviewed by:. d.jamieson

Focus on: CALIFORNIA BREED - California Breed (Frontiers Records)

No sooner had Black Country Communion dissolved, when Glenn Hughes rallied and rein-vented himself once again with the beast that is California Breed. There are similarities toBCC, of course, as there couldn’t not be with Hughes trademark elastic vocals and JasonBonham’s unmistakable drum sound locking into the groove with Hughes’ bass but new gui-tarist, 23 year old Andrew Watt is no Bonamassa clone. He brings his youthful interpreta-tion to the hard rock of the late 60s and 70s and much of the bluesy, classic rock sound ofBBC is ejected and replaced by a rawer, psychedelic groove. Hughes lyrics appear darkerand he wants to vent and get things off his chest on this one. ‘The Way’, the psychedelic‘Breathe’ which incorporates a Led Zep stomp too, ‘Sweet Tea’ also Zep like in its rock inten-sity and the honest sounding ‘Scars’ show that Hughes and the band aren’t safely re-tread-ing what’s worked in past but instead remain artistically alive. It sounds almost live in thestudio and might require more patience initially than BBC but demonstrates Hughes,Bonham and Watt are a power trio well worth investigating. Duncan Jamieson (90/100)

MRF | 5

Duncan Jamieson: It ’s a

vital, energetic album. How

would describe the music of

California Breed ?

Andrew Watt: Pure, in tam-

pered with Rock n Roll. From

three real musicians who actu-

ally played live til l we got it

right!

DJ: Can you please explain

how did you become the CB

guitarist and what is the

story behind the band?

AW: It was all very seemless

and natural there was no

"becoming" anything.

California Breed was born the

day I stepped into Glenn's

house and we wrote two things

on the spot. It was unlike any-

thing the two of us had done

before...

Glenn Hughes: Black Country

Communion broke up in

September 2012 but we didn’t

tell the press until March 2013.

So cut to the chase, February

11, my dear fr iend Jul ian

Lennon was having a party in

LA to celebrate his fantastic

photographs. And at that

party, the night before the

Grammys, Julian wanted me to

meet this kid, you know, this

guy Andrew Watt. So I met this

young man and he was very,

very articulate and very intelli-

gent and spoke of music, spoke

to me and I really kind of went,

this is kind of interesting. So I

went, “Do you have any music

I could listen to?” And he sent

me some music a few days

later. I loved it. He came to my

home the week after from New

York and in one afternoon we

wrote two songs: “Chemical

Rain” and “Solo.” The next day

I called Jason Bonham up, who

is actually in LA. We went in

the studio in Burbank and I

said, “Let’s just see what hap-

pens.” And we came out with

these two songs. And that was

the start of the band. But we

kept it very, very quiet.

DJ: Did you already know

Glenn and Jason?

AW: I was introduced to Glenn

by Julian Lennon and to Jason

by Glenn.

DJ: What is your opinion

about Glenn?

AW: He is the greatest male

singer alive currently...

DJ: What is your opinion

about Jason?

AW: He is the most dynamic

and powerful drummer I have

ever personally witnessed.

DJ: Can you please talk

about the incredible and

powerful s ingle “Sweet

Tea” ?

GH: Crazy thing about that.

That song was probably one of

the first songs I wrote and I

started to sing [begins singing

the chorus] as I’m playing it on

the acoust ic guitar. Then

Andrew asked me if he could

finish the lyric for me and I

said, “Go ahead. You’re young

so go for it.” But that song kind

of wrote itself. I wrote like

three or four songs in a day. I

think I wrote “Breathe” and

“The Grey” as well in like one

afternoon. But I think “Sweet

Tea” might have been the first

song I came up with. No song

on this album was recorded for

any other band other than

California Breed. There were

no old songs from bands or

solo things. Everything was

written speci f ical ly for this

project. It’s been very, very

real.

DJ: Can you please let me

know what is your music

background and what are

your favorite bands and

guitarists?

AW: I am a multi instrumental-

ist and grew up on Zeppelin

and Pearl Jam

DJ: How do you feel playing

in a power trio?

AW: I love the space that

comes with it. There is room to

move and shake...

DJ: Is this your favorite

kind of band dynamic?

AW: Absolutely!!

DJ: How much input did you

put on the material for

California Breed?

AW: We al l wrote for this

album. It was a true collabora-

tion between the three genera-

tions of rock.

DJ: Songs like “Scars” and

“All Fal ls Down” have a

dark edge. What’s the story

behind those songs?

AW: Both of those were based

around guitar riffs I had with

hook ideas. Then Glenn did his

thing with them and made

them personal to him and his

story. Funny you pair those

two together as they are

amongst my favorites on the

album.

DJ: What’s next for

California Breed? Will you

play just California Breed

songs live?

AW: We are going to be touring

extensively through the fal l

and winter into next summer.

Through all of that we will be

writ ing the next album...

Something tells me we may

return to Nashville to record...

GH: No, honestly, if we had

two albums out, like if we were

on the second album on the

second tour, we’d probably be

playing pretty much all new

songs. But I say this to you,

we’re probably going to play

probably all of this album. And

we’ll play, obviously, a couple

of selective songs from our

pasts, which people will know.

But for me, it’s the first time

ever, I can announce, that it

looks like we’ll be playing pret-

ty much most of this album.

And I think my fanbase has

always wanted me to kind of

play new music. There was a

time maybe when it wasn’t so.

But now, I’m sort of more obvi-

ously wiser as I ’ve gotten

older. I think that the past is

the past. Everybody knows

what I’ve done in the past and

it’s been well written, but I’m

so proud of these new songs

with these two fellas I’m work-

ing with, and I’m the oldest

guy, but we’re such a fresh

energet ic young band;

although I am sixty-two. Trust

me, I don’t feel it. I belong in a

rock & roll band singing rock

songs to a rock audience.

Whether i t ’s in Brazi l or

whether it’s in Baltimore. It’s

the way I was raised.

Focus on: TESLA - Simplicity (Front iers Records)

They are back! Tesla are giving us the simple goods! “Simplicity” is all new and itis a no nonsense slice of Hard Rock from this musical force! Yes, guitar dominantstill, the Tesla sound is just as hard and just as full of unique signatures as theywere from the beginning. Melody? This quintet pulls melody out of the air and layit all down effortlessly. Listening to “Simplicity” one could be forgiven for mistak-enly thinking that this five piece must be brand new Rock Heroes and not the thir-ty year veterans that Tesla is. That is the energy level you are about to experience.Each and every track is a musical statement in of itself, no matter what Jeff issinging about or what musical emotion is being played out. Dave, Troy, Frank, andBrian just keep giving it and the combination is amazing! Each song builds in to thenext, combining to give us one heck of a wild ride! Stand-out tracks? Well, all ofthem in fact, however a few of my favourites? “Cross My Heart”, MP3”, “Life Is ARiver” and “Flip Side”. Tesla: simply enjoy! Bruce Atkinson (91/100)

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Question: “Simplicity” will takeus back to the Tesla roots.Anything else you want to sayabout it?Dave Rude: Man, I really thinkTesla fans are gonna like it. I thinkrock fans are gonna like this recordbecause it’ s different than whathas been coming up lately frommost bands. We really didn’ t payattention to the radio or anythingthan any other band were doing.We are trying to be contemporaryand compete with anybody. We justwanted to make a sound we werereally happy with, and that’ s diffi-cult to do for an established bandthese days. There’ s a lot of influ-ences and pressures on you whenyou make an album and this timewe just said “fuck it”... We do whatwe wanna do!” Hopefully Tesla fanswill buy it, and I think we definitelysucceeded at that. We spent a lot oftime writing the record before wewent in the studio, and then wewent in the studio and spent a lot oftime making songs to getting themto where we were happy with them,

but we didn’ t like over producing,it’ s still pretty live for the mostpart, most of the music was all cutlive, and we didn’ t add a lot of stuffto it because it’ s pretty old school.Q: “Simplicity” is the name ofyour new album… Is there amessage there?Brian Wheat: Yes, the title of thealbum came from the lyrics of thefirst track MP3. The song wasinspired by all of the technology oftoday, and TESLA is a simple bandso we thought Simplicity was agood title.Q: What we hear are brand newmusical journeys from you—when did you actually go to thestudio to record this new effort?BW: End of 2013 we went toVirginia for pre production at TomZutaut’s farm. We then recordedthe record in Brian Wheat’s studioin our home town of Sacramento.Q: Did you produce the record-ings yourself?BW: No, Tom Zutaut co-produced itwith the band.Q: I take it that this is your first

for Frontiers, is that right?BW: No, we’ve also released“Forevermore” and the live album.Q: “Going back to “Simplicity”,there seems to be a feel of ‘backto your roots’…is this a correctimpression?BW: Absolutely. Q: In the recording process didyou embrace the analogue waymore so than the digital methodof recording?BW: We actually embraced the ana-logue vibe as we always do, but werecorded it with the digital method.Q: Tesla has been on the roadfor most of last year, are youplanning to tour this year aswell… And where so far?BW: Yes we are, everywhere andanywhere that wants us.Q: Thanks for this brief conver-sation, Brian… Good luck onyour European tour, and thank-you for this fantasticalbum…please leave our read-ers with some final thoughts…BW: Let’s kick some ass and enjoythe music!

band. teslaalbum. simplicityInterview with. d.rude - b wheatinterviewed by:. b.atkinson

MRF | 7

Question: Let's talk about yournew album, the magnificent"Angels of The Apocalypse",which - if I'm right - is the sec-ond part of the "Avalon" MetalOpera concept, after the suc-cessful "The Land of New Hope",released last year. This newalbum sounds even more sym-phonic, majestic and epic thanthe first chapter. What do youthink about it? Can you presentit to the MRF readers?A: My aim was from the beginning tocreate much more symphonic albumthan the previous one. So I used lotchoir and classical instruments. Thebasic are though, good songs. I feelthat the songs represent theApocalyptic atmosphere of thealbum. It is much darker album feel-ing wise than the previous one.Q: Do you think that the lyricalthemes of the album inspiredalso your music and pushed it toa somehow different songwrit-ing approach, maybe a darkerdirection?A: In a way yes. Of course I had thestoryline to follow, so I based thesong titles and lyrics to those.Q: What was the inspiration for

the story behind this album andbehind the whole "Avalon" con-cept?A: It’s really Serafino’s idea. He gotin touch with me about this. I amvery happy that he did because Ibelieve these are unique albums.On "Angels Of The Apocalyspe"you finally managed to reunitethe legendary STRATOVARIUS"Dreamspace" line-up, withAntti Ikonen and Tuomo Lassilato play keyboards and drums.How did that happen? When didyou decide to ask them to joinyou on this and have all of youbeen in touch for all these years?A: We have been hanging togetherfor a few years and played togethera few and seen how it gels together.It felt very natural to invite them todo the record. And we had so muchfun in making this record.Q: How have you chosen the all -stars vocal - cast appearing onthe album and, this time, includ-ing Floor Jansen (Nightwish),Simone Simons (EPICA), FabioLione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE),David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE),Zachary Stevens (ex SAVATAGE,CIRCLE II CIRCLE) and Elize Ryd

(AMARANTHE)? Have you writ-ten all the songs with thesesingers already in your mind?A: I wrote all the songs in AthensGreece in last October 2013. Thistime I was lucky to know all thesingers beforehand, so I could writedirectly to them.Q: Please tell us somethingabout the recording process.Where the songs have beenrecorded and where have beenmixed? Who has been in chargeof this work?A: Some of it was recorded at EastSound Studio in Helsinki. Mostparts,mixing and the mastering hasbeen done in my own studioStudiotolkki. The process was verysmooth, just like with the previousone. Both albums have good energyin them.Q: Which are your plans for thenext months? Some live gigs orwill you start working on thenew album?A: It seems we cannot do a tour dueto the commitments of Elize Ryd andFloor Jansen but I am confident thatat some point we will do a tour. NowI’m just resting and makings someplans.

artist.t.tolkki’s avalonalbum. angels of the apolypseInterview with. t. tolkki

interviewed by. primo bonali

Second part of the “Avalon” Metal Opera concept, “Angels of The Apocalypse” featuresthe legendary STRATOVARIUS “Dreamspace” line-up, finally reunited with Antti Ikonenand Tuomo Lassila busy playing keyboards and drums. Along with them, and, obviously,the Finnish guitarist and composer, here we have a long list of top-vocalists includingFloor Jansen (Nightwish), Simone Simons (EPICA), Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE),David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Zachary Stevens (ex SAVATAGE, CIRCLE II CIRCLE) andElize Ryd (AMARANTHE). The album sounds even more symphonic, majestic and epicthan the first chapter, and the the first prove comes immediatey, with the opener"Jerusalem Is Falling" performed by the one and only Fabio Lione. Someone call it "bom-bastic Symphonic Power Metal", someone else labels this sound simply as Melodic Metal;regardless the name you can put on these 10 songs, the music you can hear on "AngelsOf Apocalypse" is dangerously catchy, wisely composed and arranged, perfectly played.Timo can't wait to show anybody his huge talent. Primo Bonali (90/100)

Focus on: TIMO TOLKKI’S AVALON - Angels of the Apocalypse (Front iers Records)

8 | MRF

This is the third album now for the Greek hard rock band, fronted by the golden tonsils ofAmerican Chandler Mogel. Their debut was one of my favourites in 2009 with its mix ofEuropean rock power and 80s good time hair metal and AOR tunes. The follow up, I felt,their mojo had deserted them somewhat so I came to this one hopeful but cautious. Stillnot a match for the debut, it does however have some cracking tunes that suggests Outloudare back on track. The thundering “Death Rock!”, “One More Time”, the melodic rock of ‘IWas So Blind’ and “Like A Dream” have all the Outloud trademarks; an upbeat rhythm sec-tion with new drummer Kostas Milonas laying siege to his drumkit impressively, melodic yetscything guitars and big hooks courtesy of Mogel. The acoustic “It Doesn’t Really Matter”offers a delightful soft AOR touch while “Toy Soldier” sees them move in a heavier directionthan before. It doesn’t end so well though with an instrumental and a rather strange choiceof cover in OMD’s “Enola Gay” which sees the guitars rocking up the original keyboard parts.Not flawless but when it is good, it’s great. Duncan Jamieson (80/100)

Question: It’s your third albumas a band. Did you approachthis one any differently thanthe previous two?Bob Katsionis: Yes,this time it wasme the main songwriter so I hadcompletely different stuff in mind,and more versatility to movemusically. I was directly workingwith Chandler in the States via e-mails and we we working reallysmoothly. I think that this gave usthe opportunity to experiment anddo different stuff that we couldn’tor we wouldn't do in the past,likethe ultra speed drumming onDeath Rock, the "power-metal-ish"part of "Bury The Knife" or eventhe intstrumental "Let's GetSerious" itself.Q: “Toy Soldiers” is probablyyour heaviest song to date.You’ve got Mike Orlando ofAdrenaline Mob guesting onguitar on that track. How didthat come about and what wasit like working with him?

Chandler Mogel: Mike has been afriend of mine since about 2006. Iwas working on some tracks withhim and AJ Pero from TwistedSister on and off. They unfortu-nately got put on hold when thewhole Adrenaline Mob thing hap-pened. Bob was a fan of the bandand asked me if I thought I couldget him to do a solo on the album.So I asked him and he sent me thesong back in one night. He is afantastic player and I’m so happyhe’s getting the attention hedeserves.Q: There’s a cover of the OMDtrack Enola Gay. An usual songfor a hard rock to cover. Whydid you choose that song?BK: "Enola Gay" is a very famoussong in Greece, not because of gaypeople (since there's no connec-tion with that term) but because ofthe extreme airplay it had back inthe 80's. Actually it was one of thefirst songs I can recall liking on theradio ever! During a period that I

was looking for the perfect cover, Iheard that on the radio and justdid it! All the band loves thissong,and we might play it live aswell.Q: How do the band’s othermusic work commitmentsaffect what Outloud does?CM: Until Gus calls. Haha! NoBob’s right, scheduling has beenan issue, also add to the fact thatI’m in USA and the guys are inGreece, it’s a difficult thing. Butwe do what we can. We are nowworking on more live stuff at onetime than ever. So there is a lot ofinterest in our camp and out thereas well for us to play.Q: Do you have any live com-mitments to promote therecord?BK: For the first time, live propos-als have started coming withoutany move from us! We were pro-posed a tour in Spain a festival inSweden and we are working on aGreek tour as usual.

band. outloudalbum. Let’s Get Serious

Interview with. b.katsionis -c. mogtelinterviewed by:. duncan jamieson

Focus on: OUTLOUD - Let ’s Get Ser ious (AOR Heaven)

Barry McMinn: “Red Moon Rising”is the band’s second album andcomes nearly four years since thedebut “Hold Your Dreams”, so whyso long between albums?Francesco Cataldo: First of all we hada line-up change. Cristian Guerzoni,the bass player on the debut album,decided to leave the band for personalreasons at the beginning of 2012,about one year and half after therelease of "Hold Your Dreams"(October 2010). We were luckyenough to find another bass player ina short time, but at the end of May2012 a big earthquake that struck ourarea caused us great problems. Forabout six months all the activities ofthe band were frozen. When the situa-tion returned to normality we workedvery hard on the new songs. We are

perfectionists somaybe it takes alittle longer thannormal to finishour songs...Anyway werecorded thenew albumbetween Mayand November2013, then ittooks about amonth to com-plete the art-work. After thatwe sent all thematerial to thelabel (Avenue OfAllies) and therelease was

scheduled for May, so... Here we are! BM: How would you describe themusical direction of the new songscompared to the debut album?FC: We think that the music in the newalbum is more focused. It's definitelyan album that has some musical diver-sity but it maintains a clearer stylisticidentity compared to "Hold YourDreams". Also we think that "RedMoon Rising" is better produced,mixed, arranged, written, played... Webelieve that it's the "logical evolution"of the previous album from all points ofview and we believe that it's a signifi-cant leap forward from "Hold YourDreams".BW: I love your songs, your newalbum is awesome. The songs arevery infectious and feature some

amazing melodies. Who usuallywrites them and where do they gettheir inspiration?FC: Oh, thanks a lot Barry! Each songis created in our rehearsal room, start-ing from an idea of one of us (some-times the song structure it's almostcomplete, sometimes it could be only ariff). We work in the old way, jammin'all together until a song is finished andsatisfies all of us. Obviously instru-ments like guitar or keyboard are morefunctional to bring a new idea but eachof us is free to give suggestions at anystage of the creative process.Furthermore none of us requiressomeone else to play a specific part onhis instruments. For these reasonseach song contains significant contri-bution of each of the musicians. Thishelps to have more musical diversity...And I think it's worth! Personally Idraw inspiration from everything thatsurrounds me and that touch my heartin some way. There's not a generalrule.BM: The album include a cover inToto’s ‘Home Of The Brave’ so whythat particular song? FC: Because we all love Toto and theyare one of our main influences. Wethought that this song could be a trib-ute to one of our favorite bands. Whenwe decided to put one Toto's song inour album we wanted to have an epicsong. The choice was essentiallybetween two songs: "Home Of TheBrave" and "Kingdom Of Desire". Atthe end we opted for "Home Of TheBrave".

Question: Sorry to hear thatJohn has decided to leave thegroup—however how is thesearch going for a newsinger?Answer: To be honest, I’m notvery motivated right now. ButThom just started to check outsome possible guys, right nowI’m not yet involved in thisprocess. I’m a bit tired of allthis, I guess I need a longerbreak…Q: Some other good newsthough — a new releasewhich not only is a “Best Of”,but a couple new songs aswell… Please talk about whatyou have done with this newrelease…A: Well, it is mainly a “Best-Of”.There are 30 classic SHAKRAtracks on 2 CD’s. With all threesingers we had in the band sofar. And all the songs are in achronological order, the newermaterial first and the older stuffafterwards. And then we have 3brandnew songs on the album.

“Live For Today” is a straightrocker. Cool song. Then there isa kind of ballad called “For TheRest Of My Days” and finally asong called “The Beacon”. Thisone is almost 7 minutes long. It’sa bit progressive for SHAKRA-cir-cumstances, but I really lovethat one!Q: Not only three new songs,but you have re-mixed a fewmore…A: Two songs on the album areremixed versions: “Chains OfTemptation” and “Take Me Now”.Both from the “Fall”-album. Wereleased that one in 2005. Itsounded a little bit special… Iwas never really happy with theproduction, so I asked Thom(our lead-guitarist and producer)if he’s in the mood to remixthese two tracks. So well, he didit!Q: It is good to see that youare not giving up! Of course itdepends on when you accepta new singer—but have youplans for recording more new

material?A: No, not at the moment. It’snot easy to make some plans ifyou don’t have a singer any-more…Q: As a music fan, whichartist/band would you saythat has influenced you most-ly?A: AC/DC. My first AC/DC albumwas “Let There Be Rock”. My par-ents bought me an acoustic gui-tar with nylon strings. I had afew lessons at the local musicschool. I had to play this finger-picking classical stuff. Then Istarted to play “Bad Boy Boogie”,“Whole Lotta Rosie” and all theother songs from the album!That was much more fun for meto play! So that album showedme what Rock 'n' Roll means!Q: Well, gents thanks somuch in answering thesequestions—all the best, andlooking forward to your newrecord!A: Well, we’ll see what happensin the future!

This veteran Swiss group are about to close another chapter in their long and storied career.Yet, they are also readying for a brand new, exciting chapter to be added! “33 The Best Of”Shakra is a very ambitious release. Yes, this one is thirty-three tracks on two cd’s and con-tains three brand new heavenly pieces of Hard Rock! Unfortunately, just last month, JohnPrakesh announced that he was leaving the band-however Thom, Thomas and Roger andDominik are pushing forward. But, we shouldn’t worry-as “33…” shows us that “Shakra” arenot ready to throw in the towel! All stand out tracks, with thirty of them taken from thegroup’s nine albums… When you come upon the three brand new tracks, don’t be surprisedthat their next full-length album will hit that magic spot as well! “33 The Best Of” shows offevery great piece of Hard Rock this five piece have created. Their attention to melody, dra-matic lyrics and constant high energy is overflowing here. There are some rare pieces onthis release as well… So, this scribes advice? Embrace this release… Treasure it, as “33...”is full of gems from this top drawer Hard Rock five piece! Bruce Atkinson (90/100)

Focus on: SHAKRA - 33 The Best Of (AFM Records)

band. shakraalbum. 33 The Best OfInterview with. Thomas Musterinterviewed by:. b. atkinson

10 | MRF

12 | MRF

CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD - Before Plastic (Dead End Exit Records)

Coming off of a critically acclaimed debut, “Captain Black Beard”’s second effort

“Before Plastic” should cement all those accolades rendered by music journalists the

world over! There is definitely some solid Rock happening on this effort. Melodies that

will linger a long time, Rock passages that will make you sit up and take notice! Each

track is full of energy, great vocals from Sakaria and Robert, Victor and Christian just

keep laying down the vibe! Hailing from Sweden, “Captain Black Beard” have been a

staple in that country’s live scene since 2009. You certainly can hear it, this band is so

tight, and a controlled discipline that does not wane the energy levels. Each song has

the “chops”. “Before Plastic” should put the group up to the next level, opening up

more live opportunities and raising their profile globally! Bruce Atkinson (82/100)

BLUES PILLS - Blues Pills (Nuclear Blast)

This album is a real trip, a journey in time and space that will bring you back in the '70s

and far beyond (60’s). Led by the charismatic and emotional voice of the band's blonde

archangel Elin Larsson, and with the idea to take Soul Music and combining it with Blues

and Rock, Blues Pills recreates very faithfully the unique, intense and emotional atmos-

phere that bands like Cream, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix used to forge,

back in the day. Recorded in Gothenburg with infamous producer Don Alsterberg (GRAVE-

YARD), the band's self-titled debut album contains 10 songs of Blues driven Heavy Rock

with a Psychedelic wave that will put a smile on the face of all the fans of the above men-

tioned bands (and you can add to the list Janis Joplin and Fleetwood Mac). Woodstock in

2014? Yes. here it is. Primo Bonali (85/100)

ELVENKING - The Pagan Manifesto (AFM Records)Nobody does this kind of overblown metal as well as the Italians. Next to their moreclassic sounding counterparts Rhapsody (Of Fire), Elvenking are masters at what theydo. Folk Power Metal is a precarious mix but Elvenking get the balance right. A strongproduction sound, although it would be nice to hear it a bit more organic, lets the mate-rial unfurl its widescreen vision. It’s the perfect soundtrack for any movie set in the mid-dle-ages. If you are happy to suspend belief then Elvenking will take you by the handthrough fields of folksy whimsy and up cliff faces of jagged metal to a land far, far awayin the distant past. Other bands who attempt to blend genres often do it clunkily butElvenking make power metal and folk seem like the most obvious of bedfellows. Eightalbums in, this offers up perfect escapism for those who wish the world was more dun-geons and dragons than taxes and bills. Duncan Jamieson (90/100)

RIK PRIEM - Rik Priem’s Prime (Avenue of Allies)For this young guitarist “Prime” is a very ambitious debut. Helped by musical mate Carsten Schulzof “Frozen Rain”, Rik’s dreams of a guitar-driven musical soundscape has been realised. Bringing insome of Europe’s finest musical craftsmen has also helped. Of course there is Carsten on vocals,Greet Margodt on keyboards, with Ramy Ali providing the pounding rhythms, with Vincent De Laatkeeping pace on the bass and all four producing such solid material that Rik can soar from! “Prime”of course is a guitar album, and a guitar lover’s album! Rik’s talents on the fret board is just unbe-lievable! Displaying a wide spectrum of style and influences, his skill blossoms, as does each othermember of the band. A collection of thirteen tracks that offer up a variety and depth that willastound. Upon one listen it is hard to believe that this is Rik’s debut. Rik Priem is a rising star and“Prime” is his rocket, the line-up on this record are set to bring these tasteful explorations of sonicbrilliance to the stage… So get ready for a rocket ride this Summer!! Bruce Atkinson (89/100)

SONIC STATION - Next Stop (Avenue of Allies)“Next Stop” is the much-anticipated second album from Alexander Kronbink’s AOR outfit SonicStation, bringing that 80’s West Coast AOR to the masses. Things get underway with the single“Amelia” that instantly brings that 80’s West Coast vibe back in spades. Bodings wonderful vocalstake us back to a simpler time, when this style of rock ruled the airwaves and was the soundtrackof the day. But the album isn’t a nostalgia trip, this is AOR for the now and a great example of thisis the excellent “Catch Me If You Can”. Boding leads the way on this one before we are given ourfirst taste of the wonderful vocals of Willstedt, who’s majestic tone takes things to a whole differ-ent level. The two vocalists used on the album have two very different qualities that make “NextStop” such a great multi-faceted release. This is a wonderful release and if you weren’t aroundwhen West Coast AOR was at its highest, then check out this album because this is an album thatshows it’s not dead and buried, but very much alive and kicking. Barry McMinn (92/100)

ACACIA AVENUE - Cold (AOR Heaven)This is the second album from Danish guitarist Torben Enevoldsen’s Acacia Avenue project.Enevoldsen goes for a far more AOR approach here than he does on his Fatal Force records,Evidence One and even the Fate records. Like the first album, he’s recruited a number ofgreat AOR singers for the songs, the only pre-requisite is being able to sing high enough tomake these melodies soar. There are a number of terrific vocal performances from well-known names such as Steve Newman on “Time” and soon to be Brad Pitt favourite“Angelina”, Rob Moratti (Final Frontier and Saga) on “Love Will Survive” and “Signs OfLove”. Best of all is perhaps the lesser known Albin Ljungqvist on the AOR perfection of “It’sOver” who had me thinking he was the great Jim Jidhead from Alien at first, so good was hisvocal performance. If you’re a fan of AOR projects such as AOR, Lionville or Shining Linethen this has some equally European AOR songs on it. Duncan Jamieson (79/100)

MRF | 13

RAGE - The Soundchaser Archives (Nuclear Blast)“The Soundchaser Archives” is “Rage’s celebration of thirty years of molten metal. The double CD pack-age begins with a new song before the group takes the road back through their catalogue. “AnybodyHome” opens everything up, and should ensure fans that these guys have a solid future ahead of them-selves. Now, this isn’t just a re-cap of thirty music making years from Rage, “The Soundchaser Archives”feature unreleased tracks, demos, and varying versions of some tried and true numbers! The group asit stands in 2014 is Victor Smolski; guitars and keys, Andre Hilgers on skins, and of course Peavy Wagneron bass and vocals. Take this trip back with these three, and re-live all of their glories, plus some hid-den gems! Go figure! “The Soundchaser Archives” contain thirty tracks on two CD’s and there is not onedud in the collection. This anniversary release will be just what the hard core fan wants, and if you don’tknow much about “Rage”, then this is the perfect way to get to know this Metal icon from Germany! ToRage… A great compilation and thank-you for the last thirty years!! Bruce Atkinson (86/100)

DEAD END HEROES - Roadkill (AOR Heaven)Born as a solo-album of Swiss drummer Daniel Voegeli, DEAD END HEROES developed intoa proper band with the inclusion of guitarist and producer Rolf Munkes (EMPIRE, TONYMARTIN, MAJESTY) first, and extraordinary German vocalist Carsten Lizard Schulz (EVI-DENCE ONE, DOMAIN, LAVALLE) then, both immediately impressed by Voegeli's drummingand songwriting. On Schulz's recommendation, the line-up was finally completed withScottish bassist Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE, DOOGIE WHITE, LAVALLE) and HammondOrganist Holger Seeger. The result is a Classic Hard Rock album, with good hooks andpowerful guitar parts, not too far from the music style of bands like Whitesnake, MSG andRainbow. The stars here are the singer Carsten Schulz who delivers an highly impressiveperformance, and guitarist Rolf Munkes, technically superb, still emotional and melodic. Atalented band for a good album. Primo Bonali (85/100)

PERFECT VIEW – Red Moon Rising (Avenue of Allies)“Red Moon Rising” is the second album from Italian Melodic Rockers Perfect View, and onceagain the quintet have produced an album that will ignite the hearts of many a fan of the genre.From the opener “Where the Wind Blows”, there is a stylish mix of classic melody rich rockinterwoven with a modern edge that makes for a refreshing listen. The album continues to mixthings up as it continues with AOR infused “By My Side”, then switches to a more hard-edgedguitar sound for “Room 14” and the excellent “Slave to the Empire”. For the more traditionalistMelodic Rock fans there is the haunting tones of “I Will Remember”, but its rockier side of thingsthat really makes this album stand out from the crowd, with the excellent “In The Name of TheFather” and “Dead End Street” just two of my favourite tracks off the album. The band alsosqueeze in superb cover of Toto’s “Home Of The Brave” to round off the album in style. The sunmay rise in the East but the moon rises a red glow over Italy. Barry McMinn (90/100)

UDO – Steelhammer-Live From Moscow (AFM Records)Only a couple of years since UDO’s ‘Live In Sofia’ album, this record may at first sight seem unneces-sary but the band has changed its line-up since then and there’s a heavy emphasis on the last albumSteelhammer, with six tracks from that record here and UDO has included a number of songs thatdon’t normally get an airing so in fact this proves to be a record that will appease fans of the man’smusic. There’s only room for one Accept song (‘Metal Heart’), the rest is his own band’s material. Hisunmistakable, gargling razor blades voice, has influenced a generation of metal singers and his solomaterial has the metal bite of Accept but adds a surprisingly melodic, radio friendly element which canexplain why UDO is still such a draw on the live circuit today. Live here his vocals don’t stray far fromhis signature growl, less diverse than what he does in the studio, but the band around him add inci-sive riffs, played with flair. ‘Steelhammer’,’Azreal’ and ‘Holy’ are just some of the highlights on a recordthat fans will appreciate for its coverage of new and rarer material. Duncan Jamieson (82/100)

KADAVAR – Live In Antwerp (Nuclear Blast)

With their distinctive and heavily 70s-influenced sound, Berlin trio Kadavar releases its

first live album, after only two studio albums. In the own band's words, with over 250

shows played, they have always considered themselves as an absolute live band, so - fol-

lowing the success of last year's "Abra Kadavar" - the band decided to put on Cd and

Double LP the full live concert recorded in Antwerp and show the world how their power-

ful and epic sound becomes if brought into a live-dimension. No doubts that the band can

play and their Heavy Doom Rock, clearly influenced by Black Sabbath and Hawkind, ben-

efits of the band's creativity and jamming ability. If you're a fan of the genre and of the

band, you'll not be disappointed; maybe the casual listener should check the band out,

starting from their previous studio album. Primo Bonali (82/100)

21 OCTAYNE – Into the Open (AFM Records)When it comes to believing in your product. you don’t have to look any further than 21Octayne’s“Into the Open”, an album that was toted around various cities around the world at various lis-tening parties, with the ultimate goal of the band to secure a label deal. The result of whichwas Germany’s AFM Records finally bringing Marco Wriedt (guitars), Alex Landenburg (drums)Andrew Lauer (bass) and Hagen Grohe (vocals) dream to light. The album boasts some greatrock tracks from the opener “She’s Killing Me”, a towering anthem to the gritty modern rocker“Turn the World”, the heavy thumping tones of “My Teddy Bear”, to the single roaring rock ofthe single “The Heart (Save Me)”. These are just a few of my favourite tracks from what is arefreshing slab of monstrous rock. This album might have been a long time coming but it waswell worth the wait. One of the finest rock albums you’ll hear this year. If they stick to this for-mula then the world is 21Octayne’s oyster. Barry McMinn (95/100)

Question: Hello guys! How areyou doing? I know you're actual-ly on tour in USA with Iced Earth.How's the tour going? How is theUS market for Sabaton?Answer: We just returned from USAand started the festival summer inEurope. Sabaton is a smaller band inUSA than in Europe but every timewe go there more and more fansshow up so its increasing!Q: Your new album "Heroes" hasbeen released a few days ago.That's your 7th Work but thefirst with the new line-up (gui-tarists Chris Rörland and ThobbeEnglund and drummer Hannesvan Dahl). How do you feel aboutit? What are the biggest differ-ences on this album if comparedto your previous ones?A: Well, since Joakim is the mainsongwriter of the band and me andJoakim wrote all lyrics and conceptsin the past not so much changedthere. But it was great to record. Thenew guys really proved why theywere reqruited when it came to thestudio and the recording was thesmoothest and most perfect in ourentire career so far. Absolutelygreat.

Q: Have the new members in theband helped you in the songwrit-ing process?A: Yes a little. Actually Thobbehelped on two songs and Hannes onone. Chris wrote several songs whichwe have saved for the future and wewill see. It’s exciting that the guyswrite songs!Q: What's the lyrical concept ormain theme of the album? Why atitle like "Heroes"?A: The theme of the Album is basedaround World War II where we want-ed to write about individuals insteadof bigger battles. We had the basicidea that we should be singing aboutsingle of few people who wentbeyond the call of duty, risked theirlives. All for others.Q: I read that "Heroes" will bereleased with two differentcover-artworks. Can you explainthis decision?A: One is basically for the limitededition. I personally love whenbands put some extra effort intodoing cool editions and this is defi-nitelly a step on that way. We hadtwo artworks for Carolus Rex too.Q: During 2013 you played manyshows as supporting-act for Iron

Maiden. How was that experi-ence? Any particular stories totell us about this huge tour?A: Iron Maiden has always been oneof my greatest inspirations and aftertouring with them I must say that itsnow even more than ever. To seethem go on the stage with so muchpassion after all these years is inspi-rational. I will work hard to be in thatshape at their age. We never metthem, but I understand that. Theycannot hang out with all bands theytour with.Q: How was to work with PeterTagtgren, who produced, record-ed and mixed "Heroes" in hisown own "Abyss Studios"? Howdid he help you in studio?A: This was the second album donetogether with Peter. He has beenthere somewhere helping with basi-cally every album but since “CarolusRex” he is now fully producing ouralbums. He lives close to us and weare great friends so, it’s very simpleto work together. We have fun andwe can relax in his studio. Now Peteralso knows how we in Sabaton workand what we are capable of and not.It’s a great relationship that hasevolved over 14 years now!

band. sabatonalbum. heroes

interview with:. Svara Vidaresand interviewed by:. primo bonali

Focus on: SABATON - Heroes (Nuclear Blast)

Following the big success of their previous and platinum-selling studio-album"Carolus Rex" (the sixth in their career), and the release of the massive"Swedish Empire Live" CD/DVD, Sabaton is now considered as one of the mostimportant Heavy-Power Metal bands in the international scene. The newalbum, “Heroes”, marks a brand new chapter in Sabaton-history as it's thefirst with the new line-up with guitarists Chris Rörland and Thobbe Englundand drummer Hannes van Dahl. Luckily, the result in both departments, song-writing and musicianship, is still top-notch, with vocalist Joakim Broden andbassist Par Sundstrom (the only survivors off the original line-up) taking themain roles in the band. Their aggressive still very catchy, epic, majestic andmelodic Metal approach is still there, and the production of Peter Tägtgren, inhis own “Abyss Studios”, take Sabaton music to the next level - as usual.Power Metal fans will love it. Primo Bonali (88/100)

MRF | 15

A quick pop quiz – What do you get if you bring together Keith Slack (Steelhouse Lane,MSG) and Chris Lyne (Soul Doctor)? The answer - Instant rock chemistry. Throw into themix Alessandro Del Vechio, Zack Tsoukas and Frank Binke, the result is Mother Road, theband with its heart firmly in the 70’s keyboard infused hard rock. The album starts off withone a deceptive path with the opener “The Sun Will Shine Again”, which starts off with alittle Southern acoustic guitar but soon builds into a track of hard rocking might. Thealbum continues with Bad Companyesque “Feather in Your Hat”, with Del Vecchio lendingthat Hammond organ edge to proceedings, before Lyne brings back that bluesy guitar forhe stomping rocker “Drive Me Crazy”. The album continues along the 70’s highway bring-ing in more Hammond organ on likes of “Dirty Little Secret”, even jazzing things up witha little funk on “Still Raining”, before bringing back the blues with the excellent ballad andalbum closer “On My Way”. If you’re looking for that Classic Rock sound without diggingout your old vinyl then this is the album for you. Barry McMinn (82/100)

Focus on: MOTHER ROAD - Dr ive (Aor Heaven)

Question: So give us a brief histo-ry of the band, how did MotherRoad come together?Answer: Chris was looking for avocalist to put a new band togetherafter he left Soul Doctor. and I hap-pened to be available at the time.Birgitt Schwanke (our Manager) con-tacted me and asked if I would beinterested. Chris and I colaborated ona few songs in the following weeksand realized that we had great songwriting chemistry. Plus we are botheasy going Leo’s. Which is very rare.Q: How long has it taken to putthe new album together?A: Well, the actual writing andrecording didn’t really take long atall. The only thing that took a littletime was putting all of the piecestogether in the proper order. Wewanted to do things right this timeand get the right players, the rightdistribution, the right artwork etc…We didn’t want to settle for anythingless than excellent.Q: Did you have a vision of howyou wanted the band to sound orwas it just an organic process?A:We didn’t go into this with any pre-conceived notions. We merely wantedto create great roots rock with all ofthe ingredients that we all love andgrew up with. I have been waiting mywhole life to be able to make a record

with a real B3 organ on it. When Aleplays that thing, it brings a tear toyour eyes! All of the guys are mon-ster players! I am very fortunate tobe a part of it all.Q: There are definitely some 70’svibes on some tracks on thealbum, are your influenced bythat era or is it just how thealbum took shape?A: I should have clarified from theprevious question that we didn’t gointo this trying to be something thatwe are not. However, we did grow upheavily influenced by the late 60’ and70’s. My first records growing upwere groups like Jeff Beck, PeterFrampton, Sly and the Family Stons,Elton John, Deep Purple etc… So Ihave always felt comfortable withthat era of music.Q: The album is released on yourown Road Songs label, was it eas-ier to find a distributor than alabel?A: We had a lot of label offers.However, the few that we were inter-ested in were tied up re-signing oldartist of yesteryear. You know… theyhave to guarantee their bank roll. Soto answer your question; it’s not thatit was easier, it’s that it was the rightthing for us to do. We worked ourasses off for this record. We sacrificedour time and our bank roll for our

passion and dream. Why in hell wouldwe want to just give it away to somesuits that wants to give out a measly10 grand or so and keep all of therights. You can’t be naïve in this busi-ness anymore and survive. Grantedwe are not trying to get rich. We justwant to be able to do what we loveand come home and have the lightswitches still work. So a distributiondeal made the most sense for us atthe time. Q: With the band members basedin the four corners of the rockworld is Mother Road going to bea touring band or just a studioproject?A: Mother Road is definitely NOT justa studio band or some projectdreamed up by guys in suits! This ISa rock band with guys who passion-ately play the shit out of their instru-ments, and whom can’t wait to get onstage and play every single night!Q: Have you thought about a fol-low up album yet or it just to soonto think about the next record?A: We’ve already started on it. In thisbusiness you can’t wait around forshit to happen. You have to stay busyand work your ass off or the bus willleave you standing on the side of theroad. We understand that very well,and are grateful, hungry and readyfor any and all opportunities.

band. Mother Roadalbum. driveinterview with:. k. slackinterviewed by:. b.mcminn

16 | MRF

Focus on: NEAL SCHON - So U (Frontiers Records)

MRF | 17

Question: Can you please letpur readers know how thisproject is born and the storybehind it?Answer: It was near the end of“The Calling” record that I wasdoing with Steve Smith and Igorand Jan. I was having a great timein the studio. I hadn’t been over toFantasy Studios in a while inBerkeley, which is kind of like ourold stomping ground. I got verycomfortable in there. It’s a greatsounding studio and I didn’t wantto leave. When the record wasdone, I wanted to do somethingelse, so I called to see if Deen andMarco were available and theywere. I just stayed in the studioand they came in and we just kindof winged it. Nothing was plannedout at all, I just didn’t feel likeleaving the studio when I wasdone with the other record.Q: You wrote some songs withthe incredible Jack Blades of

Night Ranger. How is writewith him and how this cooper-ation is born?A: I started writing with Jack and Ihad some ideas. I went up to hisranch and we had worked on acouple of songs off this record thatwere pre-written before I wentinto the studio. Jack and I alwayskind of kick it around when we’rehome and our own touring com-mitments lighten up. We alwayscome out with something. If I gettogether with him for a day, it’s asure thing that we’ll come out witha pretty decent tune afterwards. Iwas basically taking advantage ofthe time that we had off togeth-er.We pre-wrote a couple of songsand then I went into the studioand I didn’t really know I wasgoing to cut a record for thosesongs at the time. I was just writ-ing with him and then when Marcoand Deen were available to comein, I just thought, “What a great

opportunity to do those songs withthese guys playing.” At that point,after we had made up the rest ofthe songs [by] pretty much justimprovising on the spot in the stu-dio, like I did with ‘The Calling,’ Icalled Jack in. So as we wererecording and overdubbing, Istarted writing lyrical ideas andthen we went back and forth onlyrics and wrote lyrics together,and it’s sort of how we were ableto finish up very quickly.Q: In your opinion, what arethe best songs of the album?At lest the songs you prefere inthis moment and you think willbest feedback from the fans...A: You know what? I’ve been awayfrom it so long that I don’t evenknow. I’m going to have to waitand see what people react to. LikeI said, the record musically is kindof all over the map. For the mostpart it is a fusion rock record witha lot of different flavors.

Let me just say “So U” is bloody amazing! Just think of it, the lead guitarist of one of theworld’s most active groups, “Journey” Neal Schon still finds the time to create such a master-ful statement such as this! Neal has teamed up with heavyweights Marco Mendoza and DeenCastronovo, bringing us a true Power Trio. The level of creativity on this album blows thescales! All three players are deeply involved in the superb grooves we hear. Neal has also col-laborated with legendary “Night Ranger”, Jack Blades on the songwriting side. Neal has beena masterful and timeless guitarist ever since he picked up a six string when he was a teen andwent to cut his teeth with Santana, and this record shows us all of that and more! Now, team-ing up with the likes of Marco and Deen seems to have allowed all three to enter the innersanctum of Rock’s soul, and produce a sea of music that flows in all directions. What we hearon “So U” is an extremely heady, trippy slice of musical super consciousness! One can’t justtalk about one-two-or three songs, one must immerse in the whole. “So U” is a “Magical-Mystery” Musical ride of the year, and don’t hesitate to get on it! Bruce Atkinson (93/100)

band. Mother Roadalbum. driveinterview with:. k. slackinterviewed by:. b.mcminn

Question: The band have returnedto the studio for your new album‘High Road’, how long has thisalbum been in the works?Answer: We started In March or April of2013. Then we went on tour andthroughout the year we kept comingback to record and write more songs.Then we would go back on the road. It went like that for 9 months until wegot off the road and finished it in April ofthis year.Q: Some say this new album takesup where “Somewhere InCalifornia” left off and others say it’sa return to the sound of “MidnightMadness”, where do you think thisalbum falls?A: It's another great Rock in Roll record.I have a hard time looking at things thatway because every album is different.It's a different decade and we just get inthere and play and write without think-ing that we are going to repeat our-selves. We just go after the best musicthat comes out of us. Never looking at itlike we want to try and make a recordlike Midnight Madness or Dawn Patrol.Q: Some of my favorite tracks off

the album have to be “XGeneration” and “St Bartholomew”,but are there any particular tracksthat you feel particularly proud of?A: I think that we hit on a few tracks thatwere emotionally charged. Like I thinkthe 2 slow songs "That Man Don't LiveHere Anymore", "Only For You Only"and the lyric in "Brothers" that Jackwrote were really great. I love the way"Rollin On" takes off in the solo. I jump out of my seat every time thatsolo goes to double time.Q: After 30+ years do you find thesongwriting process easier as youhave more life experience to reflecton, or does it get harder get the cre-ative juices flowing?A: It's a bit harder but I have JackBlades and Brad Gillis to work with. Thatmakes things a lot more interesting.Without those great lyric ideas from Jackand the big guitar riffs from Brad itwould be like pulling teeth! Eric came upwith "Only For You Only" and Joel cameup with the guitar hook for "I'm ComingHome" that kit that song into high gear.Q: With the band having such greatvocalists in it’s ranks, do you feel

this has given the band a greaterspectrum of possibilities, when itcomes to songwriting over theyears?A: Oh I think you're right, 2 vocalistsmake the canvas bigger and broader topaint on. We like coming up with back-ground vocal parts that move aroundthe the song adding texture and contentlyrically.Q: The album has actually been pro-duced by the band themselves, doyou feel this gave you greater con-trol into producing the album youwanted?A: With this band we all have so manyideas on any given song, that we mighthave a hard time with a producer bring-ing in his ideas and what he or she mybring to the songs. Someone might gethurt! I'm kidding of course. We can have total freedom to expressour ideas and throw them out or exper-iment how we want. I do sometimes wish a producer wasthere once in a while to give us a break.It would take 2 years then because wewould have take time out to try the pro-ducer's ideas!

MRF | 19

When it comes to iconic Arena Rock acts, they don’t come any bigger than Night Ranger. Nowin 2014, the band releases their 11th studio album, the excellent “High Road”. The album kicksoff in emphatic style with the title track ‘High Road’ and from the off “High Road” takes upwhere the band previous album “Growing Up In California” left off, proving the band are still arelevant force in today’s Hard Rock world and still are able to produce high quality albums. Thealbum is pure Night Ranger as it continues to impress with the anthemic “Knock Knock NeverStop”. The band still have an edge as they bring the heat with “Rollin On” and the excellent “XGeneration”. What has always been the staple of any Night Ranger album is the ballads and ithas a couple of corkers in “Don’t Live Here Anymore”, the first track to feature the vocals ofKelly Keagy. Also the stunning “Only For You Only”, that will have the die-hard fans in rapturesfor sure. The band show that even after all these years, they can still produce songs that pullat the heart strings. Another nice touch is the fact that the cover art for the album incorpo-rates elements of the artwork from the band’s previous releases. Barry McMinn (98/100)

Focus on: NIGHT RANGER - High Road (Frontiers Records)

band. night rangeralbum. high road

interview with:. k. keagyinterviewed by:. b.mcminn

20 | MRF

Focus on: URIAH HEEP - Outsider (Frontiers Records)

After 45 years in the business, you’d expect the Heep to know exactly what they’re doing.Long ago the Heep decided to stick to what they do best so this record is awash with swirlingHammond organ, large harmonies and Mick Box’s trademark guitar, the only constant mem-ber since their inception. It’s the first record since the sad passing of bass player TrevorBoulder. New man Davey Rimmer equips himself well. Hitting the same quality as their otherrecent Frontiers Records “Into The Wild” and “Wake The Sleeper”, the record succeeds in beinga well-balanced record with enough peaks to bring you back for multiple listens and also pro-vides enough good tunes to hope these tracks push their way into Heep’s live set amongst theold classics. OK, it might not replace the albums “Demon and Wizards” or “Abominog” in youraffections but it’s still a classy record. The well-arranged “Speed Of Sound”, the sing-alongpotential of “One Minute”, the rock power of the jammy “Looking at You” and hummability of“Can’t Take That Away” and “Jessie” all make this an assured, worthwhile collection thatproves they’re still ‘eavy and still ‘umble after all these years. Duncan Jamieson (92/100)

band. uriah heepalbum. outsider

interview with:. m.box - R.Gilbrook interviewed by:. d. jamieson

MRF | 21

Quest ion: Welcome back

with your 24th album! Why

“Outsider”?

Russel l Gi lbrook: We choseOutsider because we thought itwas the best name for thealbum title, that's all...Q:How do you feel about

Outsider? The album draws

many parallels to some of

the most legendary stuff

you did…

RG: I t 's very much a rockalbum employing inspirat ionfrom the past and the present.I feel it as another fresh startfor Ur iah Heep. Having co-written the album I have con-centrated heavily on the powerof melody and lyric.Q: For the kids... Can you

please tak about the band

and how was born?

Mick Box: Basically we were afour piece. We were actuallycalled Spice, so we were theSpice Boys before the SpiceGirls. Unfortunately, that storyis true. We went into the stu-dio and started recording thesongs we had as a four pieceand I was always a big Vanil laFudge fan, so I loved theHammond organ. A Hammondorgan is a real ly versat i leinstrument; it could be moody,it has all the dynamics in it. Itcan be beautiful, and I thoughtit really suited the music wewere writing at the time. So,we kind of recorded much ofthe album and started messingwith the keyboards, and westarted thinking, “This is thesound the band’s gonna have.”We thought we’d give it a newmoniker because Spice was alittle too tarty. We managed atthe time, actually it was in1970, which was the 100thbirthday of Charles Dickens. Ofcourse, in England there werea lot of books everywhere, andbook clubs and fi lm clubs andtvs and stuff l ike that and ourmanager, Gerry Biron, took histwo boys to see the fi lm DavidCopperfield where he saw theDickensian Uriah Heep charac-ter, and he came back andsuggested the name to us.We thought, “That ’s rathermoody,” and in fact it lookedgood in print at the time. In those days you got every-thing from your music tradepapers. There was Deep Purple

and Black Sabbath, and wethought, that stands out goodfor us.”Q: How did the sad passing

of Trevor Boulder affect the

band on this record?

RG: Well we were all so sadabout Trevor, but he wouldhave wanted us to continueand keep all of his hard workand ours going throughout theworld... We had an album todo and although Trevor wasgreatly missed Dave did anoutstanding job which Trevorwould have been proud of I'msure...Q: What has Dave Rimmer

brought to the band?

RG: Well Dave is a great guyand a great player. He under-stands that old school Rockthing and fits very well withthe rest of us... The chemistryhas to be right in a band, andwhen he jo ined i t workedstraight away... He adds ener-gy and is a nice guy to be inthe road with, as that's alsoimportant for us that we cantour so much and a l l getalong...Q: To my ears, this is one of

the best a lbum of 2014:

great product ion, great

lyrics and a torrent of cre-

ativity. What’s the secret

behind your inspiration?

RG: The famous quest ion:there is no secret, we look atl ife and there it is, everything!Q: Which songs from the

new record do you think

will make it to your live

set?

RG: Well we have not decidedyet which songs as we need torehearse them and place themwith the classics... We want tofind the right songs that workwithin the set, to make the setflow...Q: A lot of classic hard rock

bands tour but don’t

release new albums these

days. Why do you feel it’s

important to st i l l create

studio records?

RG: I think it 's very importantto cont inue to wr i te greatmusic and release it as analbum, your always being cre-at ive and so therefore newmusic is waiting to be recordedall the time. Also we like the fans to realizethat we are moving forward in

the music business and notgett ing stale... It 's a greatpromo tool for promotors andkeeps the band in the press.It 's healthy for the recordcompanies as well as for us...Long live the album...Q: How have you remained

so very ‘eavy and so very

‘umble for over 40 years?

RG: For us as a band it's a l ifething... We are so passionateabout music and playing l iveetc that the years just f lypast... We all l ive to play andenjoy the response from ourfans so much that we can'thelp but cont inue to p lay,write and record...Q: What advice would you

give to bands with the same

old as Uriah Heep?

RG: Keep playing! There’s nopoint in giving up! Keep enjoy-ing it! I think the most impor-tant thing is to enjoy it. If youare a musician you enjoy play-ing, and you should never for-get that, why you wanted to bea musician, and what madeyou start to be a musician.Actually, I go back to when Iwas a kid, when I first startedplaying, and I was enthusias-tic, and I wanted to be in theBeat les, or the Stones, orwhatever. I remember that Iwanted to be in a big band,and how great it was to go outand play in l itt le pubs, andclubs… And now, I’ve been allaround the world and playedall the biggest venues you canplay, and stuff, but the mostimportant thing is wanting toplay, wanting to be a musician,no matter where you are play-ing. Just go out there and real-ly enjoy playing…Q: You’re gigging all over

the world with the release

of this album. How has the

touring experience changed

for you over the years?

RG: The touring has not reallychanged too much really... We st i l l wait in a irportlounges, s i t on tour buses,walk around shopping centersand play from 1000 seaterRock club to 100,000 people ata Festival... You have to be a certain typeof person to keep touring theway we do, but hey, it 's agreat l ife if you love it l ike wedo...

Barry McMinn:“Next Stop” is the much anticipated fol-low up to your self titled debut album, so how longafter the first album did you start work on ‘Next Stop’?Alexander Kronbrink: I had a two months break from song-writing after I finished the first album. That means I startedwriting for the second album before the first was released.But then it was a pretty long period of just writing and mak-ing demos before we started to record in the studio. Whichwe did in February 2013. (The first album was releasedFebruary 2012).BM: The band has been described as the Toto for thenew millennium, but how do you see Sonic Station?AK: That is of course very flattering. Obviously Toto is a hugeinspiration for me. Sonic Station is following the tradition ofAOR, soft rock, Westcoast or what you prefer to call it. Thenew album is definitely a “retro album”, put together with theingredients that I personally connect with my favorite bandsof the 80’s. We play a lot live in the studio and with a fullband, and get the dynamics and energy that a lot of modernAOR-bands are missing, I think. But at the same time I wouldlike to believe that we are taking the genre a bit forward. Thesong “Catch me if you can” is a mixture of rock ‘n roll, AORand also some 90’s grunge inspiration from bands likeSoundgarden. A blend of styles that is probably the result ofme being influenced by grunge, since that was a huge thingwhen I was a kid and started to get into music. Bands likeSoundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana definitely had a hugeimpact on me. With “Stopped beating” we are flirting withmore modern synthesizer sounds trying to give the old AORa different touch even here.BM: You’ve proven that Sonic Station is more than justa project by playing live, but do you have any datesline-up in the not too distant future?AK: We are working on it. We have a release concert inStockholm 12th of June. But we sure hope to come out andplay more after this album.BM: So where does Sonic Station go from here, anythoughts about album number three, or are there anyother projects you’re involved in we should knowabout?AK: Of course there are thoughts about an album numberthree. I have already started writing songs and putting downideas. We’ll see when and what it leads to. But I won’t stopwriting and producing music. For the moment I’m also writ-ing material for an instrumental band I have together withmy long time music bestie (and Sonic Station keyboard play-er) Jonathan Fritzén. This project, called “Moonlight Sailors”,also includes bass player Henrik Linder and drummer AronMellergårdh from the band Dirty Loops, and has a more pop-jazzy touch than Sonic Station has.