Author: Dawn Irwin

Norway’s Prog sensation is back with new name ABOVE SYMMETRY

Post author By Dawn Irwin
Post date March 15, 2011

Press Release 04.03.2011

Norway’s Prog sensation is back with new name ABOVE SYMMETRY

Over one year ago, five young musicians from Skien, Norway, made a very impressive entrance into the Metal World with their debut album “Ripples”, released under the band name ‘Aspera’ by no one less than Progressive top label InsideOutMusic. Media across the globe replied positively with numerous excellent reviews for “Ripples” throughout 2010 and the band built up a great following, not only in their home country. Unfortunately the promotion activities and consequently also the coming live plans had to take a break, when it turned out that the band was in need to change its name due to unforeseen technical reasons. Anyhow, the transition is done: They will be now known as ABOVE SYMMETRY and we can now finally present you the launch of the re-release version of the acclaimed “Ripples” album (including 3 special additional audio tracks and a video clip enhancement as bonus), out on April 25th, 2011 all over Europe.

Tags ABOVE SYMMETRY

Rock News

Tygers of Pan Tang celebrate 30th anniversary with special EP

Post author By Dawn Irwin
Post date February 1, 2011
1 Comment on Tygers of Pan Tang celebrate 30th anniversary with special EP

Press Release

February 19th 2011 will see Tygers of Pan Tang release a special 6 Track CD EP `The Spellbound Sessions` to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of their Iconic 1981 release `Spellbound.’ Following on from last year`s celebration of the Wildcat Album and after receiving fantastic feedback from the fans the band decided to continue with this concept of celebrating the past.

Robb Weir (Guitarist & Founder) says” I am very proud of the bands history as well as the current line up of the band. This EP as did `The Wildcat Sessions` gives an opportunity to celebrate and record some of my favourite songs and to remember the past through the current line up. We should never forget the Tygers History and I hope this shows the band will always recognise the early days of the band. `Spellbound` was a new era for the band in 1981 and after the success of `Wildcat` we had to follow on with something special which I think we did. There are a lot of bands that want to modernise their sound or image and forget what made them great in the beginning” I am not one of them.

The CD is a limited edition of 1000 copies and will be made available to the Tyger Force fan club from the 10^th February.

The CD will be available for general sale from the website shop from the 19^th February 2011, www.tygersofpantang.com priced at £5.00 + posting.

The Track Listing will be:-

Gangland

Take it

Minotaur/Hellbound

Mirror

Tyger Bay

Don`t Stop By

All songs have been re-recorded and re-mixed by Tygers of Pan Tang 2011.

The bands full live set during 2011 will include all songs from `The Spellbound Sessions`

Tags Tygers of Pan Tang

Artists and Bands

Unruly Child reunites for “Worlds Collide” and Marcie Free talks new album, puts the call out to show promoters and more

Post author By Dawn Irwin
Post date November 16, 2010

Since their 1992 self-titled debut, now a cult classic, all the members of Unruly Child have had successful careers in the music industry. Following the release of his critically acclaimed solo effort, “Long Way From Love,” in 1993, Mark Free, who had had Gender Identity Disorder all his life, made the decision to undergo surgery, coming out to the world as Marcie Free in November 1993. This was followed by a period of disillusionment and feeling shunned by the music business and in 1995 she retired, relocating to Michigan in the process. Fans were left with the music, but with a feeling that it had all ended too soon. The band carried on with two further albums, each featuring a different vocalist, but neither of these got anywhere close to the magic of the debut. Sixteen years on, all five original members have reunited to deliver a brand new album, “Worlds Collide,” which on the first listen created those unforgettable goose bump moments that only a classic melodic rock album can provide. After wrestling with headsets, microphones and sound issues, my interview with Marcie finally got under way…

Q: It’s been sixteen years since you were last together, can you tell us how the reunion came about?

Continue reading “Unruly Child reunites for “Worlds Collide” and Marcie Free talks new album, puts the call out to show promoters and more”

Tags marcie free, motown, unruly child

Artists and Bands

Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck and Jimmie Vaughan perform at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010

Post author By Dawn Irwin
Post date September 23, 2010
1 Comment on Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck and Jimmie Vaughan perform at Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010

Report and photographs by Dawn Irwin/Video by Eddie Eustace

The Festival of Speed at Goodwood is renowned as the world’s largest celebration of motoring culture. With its idyllic setting in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, deep within the Sussex countryside, its exclusive Members Club, picnic hampers and champagne, it is also the most quintessentially British event on the motorsport calendar. For 2010, the theme was Viva Veloce! – The Passion for Speed, with two significant motor sport and automotive anniversaries also being commemorated. Namely, Alfa Romeo’s centenary and Formula 1’s 60^th birthday with a momentous gathering of cars and drivers that have shaped the history of motor sport’s most glamorous series. Reigning World Champion Jenson Button, 2008 Champion Lewis Hamilton, and title contender and epitome of “Aussie Grit” Mark Webber demonstrated their skills and thrilled the crowd on the challenging white-knuckle 1.16 mile Hill Climb.

Tags aerosmith, billy gibbons, Bruce Springsteen, fender, james hetfield, jeffbeck, jimmie vaughan, little red corvette, metallica, mustang sally, pink cadillac, prince, Wilson Pickett, Yardbirds, zz top

Features

CD Review and Interview: Masterplan “Time to Be King”

Post author By Dawn Irwin
Post date July 5, 2010

Masterplan “Time to Be King” playback

Friday 5^th March

The Intrepid Fox, London

Interview and photos by Dawn Irwin

3B0V2633 — The last night of the European tour … Slovakia, 2007

After a successful tour as support for Saxon in the summer of 2007, it seemed that Masterplan was on the rise again, with powerhouse Mike Terrana (Malmsteen, Axel Rudi Pell, Rage) on drums, and new vocalist Mike DiMeo (Riot, The Lizards) joining in 2006 to replace Jorn Lande. Rather disappointingly the flames of euphoria seemed to dwindle after the tour as the hype deteriorated into complete silence. During some exchanges of correspondence with Roland Grapow, it became apparent to me that he had other things on his mind, namely finishing his studio in Slovakia in order to get on with the business of recording and producing many other bands and artists. However, it was during once of these exchanges mid-2009 that Roland mentioned that he was laying down tracks for with Jorn for a new Masterplan album. As there hadn’t been an official announcement at that point I was beside myself with excitement. I confess to being devastated when I heard of the initial split with Jorn and whilst there is no doubt that Mike DiMeo has a powerful set of pipes, from a live point of view there was something that didn’t quite gel, and of the four live shows I witnessed I distinctly recall being quite miffed at certain timing issues and missed cues in some of the songs I love so well. Ever the cynic, though, as far as the return of Jorn was concerned, I resorted to my motto of “I’ll believe it when I see it”, and when the official announcement finally materialised, followed swiftly by new single “Far From the End of the World” I knew there was absolutely no doubt. Jorn was back … Masterplan was resurrected!

Tags Masterplan, Roland Grapow