LILLIAN AXE hope to release their new album, ‘Water’s Rising’ in Feb/Mar next year via Metro City Records.

HEAVEN & HELL, ie the DIO fronted BLACK SABBATH are now down for headlining next year’s Monster of Rock festival.

Escape Music are pleased to announce Code's much anticipated album title The Enemy Within. Code featuring the multi talented musician and producer Anders Rydholm on bass, guitars, and keyboards (ex-Grand Illusion); on lead vocals Sherwood Ball (Jay Graydon, Gumbo, Guitar god tours/gigs with Albert Lee, Steve Morse,Steve Lukather & Edward Van Halen) ; guitars Ola af Trampe (ex-Grand Illusion), with very special guest on the drums, none other than Gregg Bissonette (David Lee Roth, Steve Vai, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Toto, Gino Vannelli, Counting Crows).
The album release date will be January 21, 2007.
And here is an exclusive track to melodicrock.com - Download: Sign Up For Love.
Track Listing: The Enemy Within . Sign Up For Love . Home Away From Home . In The Shadows . How Do We Stay In Love . My Time . Lucky Town . Alive . Uninvited Guest . Change The World . Flying High . Sworn To Silence.

VAUGHN release ‘Traveller’ on Feb 17th via Frontiers.

Bassist Chuck Wright (ex-HOUSE OF LORDS/QUIET RIOT) has been replaced by Robbie Crane (ex-RATT) in the line-up of Saints Of The Underground, the band featuring Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper) on guitar, Bobby Blotzer (Ratt) on drums and Jani Lane (ex-WARRANT) on vocals. The band's debut was recently mixed by Andy Johns. No release date as yet.

PRESS RELEASES

GLYDER, Ireland's hottest hard rock band, open for Thunder on three dates of their forthcoming tour in November,Manchester 24th, Newcastle 25th and Sheffield 26th.
They won a text voting competition to get this opportunity which was a huge achievement for a foreign band considering that only UK mobiles were valid!
Their critically acclaimed debut album released independently earlier this year has established the name in the world of heavy rock.
Glyder are proving that they have what it takes to be a world class rock band with regular airplay on Bruce Dickinsons BB6 rock show. The track "PUP" was playlisted on most UK rock shows and tracks have been played on Norwegian, Swedish and Irish national radio as well as countless independent radio stations all over the world.
A recent 5K Kerrang live review and a 4K album review as well as reviews and coverage in nearly every rock magazine in Europe have firmly established Glyder as the hottest unsigned rock band from Ireland.
Glyder return to the studio in January with legendary producer Chris Tsangarides to record demos for their second album and are looking for labels to get involved.
www.myspace.com/glyder www.glydermusic.com


Thunder are releasing a new single “The Devil Made Me Do It” in a melee of different formats on the 4th December. The track is taken from their splendid new album Robert Johnson’s Tombstone. All formats include previously unreleased tracks (marked *), which were recorded at the same time as the album, but didn’t make it onto the final LP. They are exclusively available as listed below:

CD1 (Radio edit + 1 exclusive extra track)
The Devil Made Me Do It – Radio Edit
The Girl Is Alright *

CD2 (Album version + 2 exclusive extra tracks)
The Devil Made Me Do It – album version
I'm In Heaven *
Don't Worry About Forever *

Limited Edition 7” Vinyl (radio edit + 1 exclusive extra track)
STC2006-7
The Devil Made Me Do It – Radio Edit
The Outsider *

All tracks above are available from i-tunes and napster.
Download Version (The Big Remix)
STC2006-8
The Devil Made Me Do It – Big Remix 6 minute long version
Please note this download version is exclusive to Townsend Records/7Digital, and not available from any other digital stores, it is at a special price of 79p and can be pre-ordered now.
Of course, being Thunder a news story wouldn’t work without a competition announcement. Fans can win an iPod Nano, courtesy of Townsend Records. The download version (The Big Remix) of “The Devil Made Me Do It” contains a ‘demonic’ message hidden away and to win the ipod fans should check the website www.thunderonline for full details.

GIG NEWS

ANGRA + POWER QUEST + FIREWIND
16.02.07 Fri FR Nancy / Pagney @ Chez Paulette
17.02.07 Sat FR Strasbourg @ La Laiterie
18.02.07 Sun FR Reims @ La Cartonnerie
22.02.07 Thu FR Lyon @ Ninkasi Kao
23.02.07 Fri FR Paris @ Elysee Montmartre
24.02.07 Sat FR Bordeaux @ Barbey Theatre
25.02.07 Sun FR Toulouse @ Havana Café

JOHN YOUNG
3 Dec 2006 8:00 Limelight Theatre (JY Solo) Aylesbury, Bucks
17 Dec 2006 20:00 Riff's Bar (JYB) Swindon
19 Dec 2006 20:00 Rock Cafe 2000 (JYB) Stourbridge
19 Jan 2007 20:00 Offenbach (Bonnie Tyler) Offenbach
11 Feb 2007 20:00 Moscow (Bonnie Tyler) Moscow
12 Feb 2007 20:00 Samara (Bonnie Tyler) Samara
13 Feb 2007 20:00 Ufa (Bonnie Tyler) Ufa
15 Feb 2007 20:00 Ekaterinburg (Bonnie Tyler) Ekaterinburg
17 Feb 2007 20:00 Riga (Bonnie Tyler private show) Riga
22 Feb 2007 20:00 Half Moon (JYB) London

KARNATAKA
24th Feb - FLOWERPOT DERBY 01332 834438 tbc
27th Feb - THE STABLES MILTON KEYNES 01908 280800
28th Feb - ROBIN 2 BILSTON 01902 401211
1st March - THE BROOK SOUTHAMPTON (023) 8055 5366
2nd March - THE BORDERLINE LONDON 0207 534 6970
8th March - LIMELIGHT CREWE 01270 251929
9th March - CLUB RIGA SOUTHEND 01702 348 020
11th March - MR KYPS POOLE 01202 748945
15th March - THE FLEECE BRISTOL 0117 929 9008
24th March - CLASSIC ROCK SOCIETY HERRINGTHORPE LEISURE CENTRE
ROTHERHAM 01709 702575
30th March - Y THEATRE LEICESTER 0116 255 7066

BLACKFIELD
16th February : UK, London, Mean Fiddler
17th February : Holland, Helmond, Plato
18th February : Belgium, Vosselaar, Biebob
20th February : Germany, Hamburg, Knust
21st February : Germany, Berlin, Kato
22nd February : Poland, Warsaw, Proxima Club
24th February : Switzerland, Pratteln, Z7
25th February : Italy, Milan, Alcatraz
26th February : Germany, Bochum, Matrix
27th February : France, Paris, Café de la Danse
28th February : Holland, Zoetermeyer, Boerderij
3rd March : Greece, Athens, Fuzz Club
4th March : Greece, Salonica, Mylos Club

LANDMARQ return to Rotherham's Classic Rock Society to headline a show on Saturday 20th January 2007. Also on the bill will be 'Headspace', the new band formed by Adam Wakeman which includes ex-Landmarq vocalist Damian Wilson.

LEAVES´EYES + KAMELOT
29.03.2007 NL - Zoetermeer / Boerderij
30.03.2007 NL - Plato / Helmond
31.03.2007 UK - Cheltenham / PROGPOWER UK-Festival
03.04.2007 D - Bochum / Zeche
05.04.2007 F - Paris / Elysee Monmatre
06.04.2007 B - Antwerpen / Hof Ter Loh
07.04.2007 CH - Pratteln / Z7
08.04.2007 D - Offenbach / Capitol
10.04.2007 D - Nürnberg / Hirsch
12.04.2007 CZ - Zlin / Masters Of Rock Cafe
13.04.2007 HUN - Budapest / Wigwham
14.04.2007 SER - Belgrade / SEC

REVIEWS

CAPDOWN ‘Keeping Up Appearances’ Fierce Panda (2006 CDS) www.capdown.net

Capdown’s new single is a mix of their traditional ska sound mixed with hard rock riffs and it doesn’t sound to bad either! Very fast and catchy tune that should win the band new fans especially from the rock end of music. The other song on here ‘Serious Is Not A Sin’ is not quite so good but still worthy of a listen.

***1/2
Jason Ritchie

COSMO ‘Alien’ Frontiers (2006) www.frontiers.it

Formed around the brothers Fran (vocals) and Antonio Cosmo (guitar/vocals/bass/keys/sampling), Fran Cosmo appeared back in the 80’s on the excellent Orion the Hunter album that featured Boston guitarist Barry Goudreau. Fast forward to the last Boston album ‘Corporate America’ and both the brothers were involved in this album, along with this album’s bass player Bill Carman. Given the band’s past association you’d expect some Boston influences and they are here, especially in the guitars – just listen to the epic rock of ‘Don’t Tell Me Your Lies’ (also done in acoustic mode at the end of the album). A superb song which just highlights what a voice Fran Cosmo has! Opener ‘Communication’ brings to mind Led Zep on the Plant approved chorus wails and Zebra – a cracking rocker to start the album of. Like many of their tracks on here in the background you can hear sampling, sometimes even rapping! This does add greatly to the overall sound, ‘No Surprise’ for instance could gain fans with lovers of nu metal. ‘Helicopter’ brings the tempo down, not unlike a Boston ballad and a great tune. ‘Creep’ and the title track provide more classy hard rock, the guitars really shine out and the production is clear and unlike a few recent Frontiers albums the drums have no ‘tinny’ edge.
A heavy metal Boston? This maybe the nearest comparison but I’d urge any fans of hard rock to check this out as it is a very enjoyable album and hopefully this won’t be a ‘one-off’ project.

****
Jason Ritchie

The Who “Live at The Isle of Wight Festival 1970” DVD Eagle Vision

The Who’s legendary performance from the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival has been re-released with restored pictures and remixed surround sound, and I have to say that they have made a great job of this. The bands 85 minute set includes classics like “I Can’t Explain”, “My Generation” and “Magic Bus” along with 14 tracks from their rock opera “Tommy”, including “Pinball Wizard” and “I’m Free”- during “Tommy Can You Feel Me” there is an on screen tribute to late drummer Keith Moon.
Included in the bonus features are the tracks “Substitute” and “Naked Eye”, and an exclusive new 40-minute interview with Pete Townshend in which he talks openly about his time with the band and even goes so far as to say that he never really wanted to be in the group and felt uncomfortable and trapped by it.
All in all a great document to The Who’s legend and a must have for fans of the band.

Nikk Gunns 4 out of 5.

The Black Crowes “Who Killed That Bird Out On Your Windowsill…The Movie” DVDAmerican

Originally released in 1992 when the band were at their peak, this DVD includes live and backstage footage, exclusive interviews with the band and previously unreleased video material. It also captures some of singer Chris Robinson’s infamous ranting, and gives a real insight into The Black Crowes.
Highlights of this 83-minute film include “Jealous Again”, “Twice As Hard” and “Stare It Cold” live from Moscow- there is also a great rendition of John Lennon’s “Jealous Guy” live from Atlanta. Fans of the band can’t go wrong with this DVD as all the great songs from the bands first two albums are on here.

Nikk Gunns 4 out of 5.

The Sinisters “Terminal Volume” Fading Ways Music (Cat No FWM045)

Toronto’s The Sinisters have a sound somewhere between The Stooges and The Backyard Babies and new album “Terminal Volume” contains 10 tracks of high-energy rock n roll that had me hooked from the opening track “Mr Disaster”. The band has been touring with the likes of The Ramones, Backyard Babies and Nashville Pussy. Outstanding tracks include “Hometown Hell”, “Just Got Bored” and “Speedthrill Overkill”.

Tracks to burn? “Mr Disaster”, “Hometown Hell”, “Just Got Bored”
Why Buy? Fans of The Backyard Babies style rock n roll will love this album.

Nikk Gunns 4 out of 5.

Hardcore Superstar “Hardcore Superstar” Candlelight Records

This self-titled album is the bands fourth and, in my opinion, best record. Having taken a break, which fans had feared would spell the end of the band, they have come back better than ever- “Hardcore Superstar” has been Grammy nominated, reached number 1 in the Swedish rock charts and 4 of the tracks have been released as singles in Scandinavia. Jocke Berg’s unmistakeable vocals and Silver’s stunning guitar work, combined with their knack of writing great rock n roll songs, means this CD is packed with 12 highlights- including “Kick On The Upperclass”, “Wild Boys”, “Simple Man” and the ballad like “Standing On The Verge”. This is definitely one of my favourite albums of 2006.

Tracks to Burn? “Wild Boys”, “Simple Man” and “Standing On The Verge”
Why Buy? Fans of good, catchy rock n roll will enjoy this CD.

Nikk Gunns 5 out of 5

INXS “Switch” Universal Music

When Michael Hutchence died in 1997, few people would have imagined that 9 years later INXS would have a great new CD to promote and would play to over half a million people in doing so.
Following the world-wide search for a new singer, as followed in the hit TV show Rockstar: INXS, the band found JD Fortune- a man that is more than capable of filling the void left by one of rocks most enigmatic front men.
Fortune’s vocals suit the band well and it is not dissimilar to that of Hutchence, and the band have not lost any of the trademark INXS sound. The highlights on this 11-track album include “Devil’s Party”, the beautiful “Afterglow”, “Perfect Strangers” and forthcoming single “Pretty Vegas”.
This is a revitalised INXS and one which should be around for good while yet. The band are playing in the UK again next June.

Tracks to burn? “Devil’s Party”, “Afterglow”, “Hot Girls” and “Perfect Strangers”.
Why Buy? Long-time and new fans of the band will not be disappointed with “Switch”.

Nikk Gunns 5 out of 5.

Paul Simon, Wembley Arena 10.11.06

This was my first visit to Wembley Arena since it’s major refurb last year- and both the acoustics and the seating have been vastly improved.
Paul Simon is a quietly spoken and unassuming man who obviously enjoys what he does, he led his 8 piece band through 2 hours of hit record after hit record and several times the audience made their way to the front to dance.
Simon’s in between song comments had everyone in the room laughing when he announced that London felt like his hometown there was a few cheers- which he followed up with “I love me too- 30% of the time”.
The band were tight and several of the musicians were multi instrumentalists, which added to the layers of many of songs played. Highlights included “Mrs Robison”, “Cecilia”, “Slip Slidin’ Away”, “Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard”- one of the best received songs of the night, “Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes”, “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” and “You Can Call Me Al”.
All in all a highly enjoyable show from a truly legendary songwriter.

Nikk Gunns