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Release date: 20th January 2012 All Lead & Background Vocals – Lee Small Guests Musicians: Track List: Jamaica Inn / The Captain's Quarters / Black Bess / Walk the Plank / Shine A Light / Dead Man Walking / Voyager / I am the sea / Smuggler's Blues / Waiting for the Hangman / End of the road / The Renegade Accordion Player Lee Small hails from the West Midlands in the U.K, a place that has brought a wealth of talent in rock music & heavy metal gentry, such as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Robert Plant, Magnum, John Bonham, Slade, Mel & Tom Galley & the voice of rock, Glenn Hughes to name just a few. Lee started out originally as a bass player in bands at just the age of 14 years and was playing the midlands pub scene at 15. He took up guitar in 1986 and became a vocalist fronting a band for the first time 3 years later, then, quite by accident as the band he was playing in at the time kept losing the vocalist, they all decided to have a go at singing and he ended up getting the job!! Since then, Lee has been quietly climbing the ladder to success. In the 1990's Lee fronted UK Melodic Rockers "Pride" and had the opportunity to tour with up and coming bands at the time such as Winger, Skin and Thunder. In the late 90's he formed Native Cain with ex-Pride members and released the album "Primitive Soul" with them in 1998. During 2000 he has been involved with Rock legends "Budgie" and Eric Bell's "Thin Lizzy". It was not long before Escape Music recognized his vocal talent and Lee features on Escape Music releases Surveillance ("Angelstation" ESM132) and Cloven Hoof ("Eye of the Sun" ESM133), not forgetting Tom Galley's Psychofantasy project ESM125 where Lee sang alongside such people as Tony Martin, Keith Murrell and Glenn Hughes. More recently Lee took to the mike stand for legendary UK melodic rockers SHY (ESM232), and has helped create a marvellous piece of music which has received reviews of epic proportions. Lee Small is a name at the forefront of the rock scene at present and what a time to unleash his very own solo outing, an album which is full of surprises. Lee has given us a bluesy rock album that features contributions from Martin Kronlund (Gypsy Rose), Imre Daun (Don Patrol, Gypsy Rose) and Paul Bradder (Saracen). This is Lee at his finest, and this solo outing will see him take his talent to new heights.
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Release Date: 25November 2011 Track List: The Band: *Guest Musicians: Jeff Scott Soto: Lead and Backing Vocals on “Take You All The Way” Produced by Ty Sims / Co-Produced by John Parker and Kory Voxen An American band and based in California, TALON was born from the ashes of VOXEN – a band that achieved international success with their release “Sacrifice”, which included a track that was used in the major motion picture “Outbreak” starring Dustin Hoffman. Soon after, a new vision was brought forward with the recruitment of Michael O’Mara (Joshua Perahia, EFX) and demos were soon recorded and then the band signed on with Now and Then/Frontiers Records which culminated with the release of their self-titled debut. The CD was produced by Mikey Davis (KISS, W.A.S.P., Slaughter). Upon release, the CD was wildly praised and was on countless top-10 lists for the year. Soon followed major live shows, including The Gods Festival in the U.K. Talon also had the privilege of being Stan Bush’s backing band at The Gods Festival and the subsequent DVD release. After a break of working on individual projects, Talon recorded new demos and ultimately signed with Kivel Records and then recorded their next release “Fallen Angels”. With a closer vibe to an AOR feel, New York native Chandler Mogel was brought on board and more live shows – including Firefest 5 – were performed. “Fallen Angels” was a huge success and brought Talon into the forefront of the Melodic Rock field. Upon mutual agreement, Chandler Mogel went on to front the Greece outfit Outloud and with a new group of songs, Talon were on a quest to create the ultimate album and added some serious quality to the band – Shawn Pelata (Line of Fire) and Eric Ragno (China Blue, Takara, etc.). Now – the band have just signed to Escape Music for the release of this classic slab of Melodic Rock – “III” – which is scheduled for release in November, 2011! Talon “III” recently completed mixing at The Recovery Room by Ty Sims (Far Cry, Tango Down) and is full of classic hard rock songs and ballads that the band describes as “really a return to the sound, vibe and energy of our debut S/T release”. “This latest CD was a total labour of love and we all feel this will be our strongest release to date! We pulled out all the stops and really think the results speak for themselves and is an excellent follow-up to our recent ‘Fallen Angels’ release”. In addition, premiere vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Talisman, JSS) has a guest appearance on the album with some amazing lead vocals on the hard-driving track “Take You All The Way”! The best musicians contributed their best talents to help create an outstanding release !
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Release date: 11 November, 2011 Track List: 1- Mother of Invention All songs written by Chris Ousey and Tommy Denander The Band: On backing vocals: Billy Trudel and Kristoffer Lagerström Produced and Mixed by: Mike
Slamer Chris Ousey’s career goes from strength to strength. His first main achievement was with Polygram recording artists "Monroe" with guitarist Gary Sharpe, but Chris never made it to the album as he was snatched in the pre-production stages by John Bonham's son, Jason, for his new band of the moment, Virginia Wolf. The band notched up 250,000 album sales between two records in the form of their self titled debut (produced by Queen's Roger Taylor) and "Push" (produced by Keith Olsen). Most will associate Chris with the band “Heartland” which was actually formed by Chris with Gary Sharpe and their self titled debut on A & M Records in the early nineties was produced by James "Jimbo" Barton. Since then Chris has notched up 10 releases with Heartland, and recently “Best of (ESM221) is a great reminder of the work he has done over the years. Nicknamed by the press as “The Man with the Golden Tonsils” Chris has always been loved by the rock audience, simply because of his amazing voice and his uncanny vocal range. So, for the first time we have a solo album from the man himself, and are we all in for a treat. Produced by none other than the famous Mike Slamer, “Rhyme and Reason” is a superb slice of melodic hard rock that will have you singing every chorus after the first spin. Songs Like “Mother of Invention” (available as a Digital download on 5th October) and “The Reason Why” are two great examples of songs from the album, but there is not one single weak track here. Chris has a knack of writing great lyrics and with Tommy Denander writing the music then it is a match made in heaven….and just wait till you hear the collaboration of two great guitarists Mike Slamer and Tommy Denander and the combination is just pure magical!! Rhyme and Reason is a great album and highlights just how Chris has matured over the last two decades.
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Release date: 21
October 2011 Songs: 1- Baghdad Produced by: Michael Voss GARY BARDEN belongs to THE voice of British hard rock. The first time BARDEN appeared in the scene was as part of the newly formed MSG (Michael Schenker Group) founded by the former SCORPIONS guitarist of the same name. Their first collaboration resulted in the highly acclaimed album “The Michael Schenker Group” which was released in 1980. Besides the great songs and the great guitar output BARDEN’s voice was one of the reasons why this album became a huge success and allowed the band to hit the road in Europe, Japan and the USA. Their second album “MSG” saw the light of day in 1981 and followed an even more melodic direction than its predecessor. After the following world tour BARDEN was informed that he was no longer part of the band and replacement was found soon in ex-RAINBOW singer Graham Bonnet. Chrysalis, however, released a live disc recorded in Japan by the original MSG entitled “One Night At Budokan”. Searching for a new band, BARDEN started to write some songs with the late THIN LIZZY guitarist GARY MOORE which later on ended up on MOORE’s “Corridor of Power” release. Their working period was short and so was the collaboration between Bonnet and Schenker. Bonnet sang on the 1982 record “Assault Attack” but BARDEN was back with MSG for some live appearances including Reading Festival in the same year and the 1983 record “Built to Destroy”. The label’s pressure to steer more into a commercial direction made the band quit business in 1984. BARDEN moved on and found a new home in the business together with ex-THIN LIZZY six-string Brian Robertson and the band STATETROOPER, who put out their highly acclaimed self-titled debut album in 1987 and played a couple of live shows in the following months. Statetrooper was reissued on CD by Escape Music (ESM095). After a long break BARDEN returned to the scene with PRAYING MANTIS’ “The Power of Ten” and the live album “Captured Alive in Tokyo City” (1996). In 2000, BARDEN hit the road again for a couple of live shows with COMPANY OF SNAKES and founded the band SILVER together with Michael Voss (CASANOVA) and Bernie Tormé (IAN GILLAN). STATETROOPER finally re-united in 2004 and put out the classy new record “The Calling”. The Escape Music album “Past & Present” (ESM106) marked the first solo album by GARY BARDEN and offered a very personal collection of new, exciting interpretations of some all-time MSG classics, a selection of songs that both suited GARY BARDEN and MSG fans! With his long time pal ´Michael Voss´(Casanova, Bonfire) and a couple of friends he went back to the roots to perform his bluesy smoky songs that will touch your soul and are exemplified on the release “Agony and the Xtasy” (ESM128). In 2007 the more rockier “Love and War” (ESM161) was released by Escape Music and it has been a long anticipated wait for the next chapter. Gary now presents us with “Eleventh Hour” which features 11 tracks of hard rock brilliance. These new songs are fresh and exciting and Gary has poured his heart and soul into them. Once again Michael Voss is ever present and the end result is just perfect. This is a hard hitting rock album that highlights what a great singer Gary is, his contribution to the British rock scene is just legendary. Discography: Past and Present (ESM106) 2004 / Agony and Xtasy (ESM128) 2006 / Love and War (ESM161) 2007 Eleventh Hour (ESM231) 2011
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Release date:
7th October
2011 Track listing: 1- Land of a
Thousand Lies Band: Lee Small – Vocals
Produced By Shy and
Andy Faulkner Shy have been a mainstay in the melodic rock scene right back to the mid 1980s. But one fundamental difference separates Shy and the rest, they have stood the test of time and come shining through time and time again. Crowned by the success of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Europe, the 80s were the golden era of AOR and for a while every record company craved its own poodle-haired, tight-trousered offspring. Shy made albums for two different major labels and for a while seemed in with a genuine shot at glory, but like all the above ended up biting the dust. Before adopting the name of Shy, their roots lay in the altogether heavier, twin-guitar metal of Trojan. However, even in 1982 they sensed the decade’s wind of change and set out to leave pub-metal behind. They received an offer to make an album for Hull-based independent Ebony Records on the day after a helium-voiced ball of energy called Tony Mills was sacked by his own ex-band. Their debut album Once Bitten… Twice Shy was described by Kerrang! as perhaps the greatest English pomp rock album of all time”. Already having gigged with UFO, Magnum, Twisted Sister and Pallas, the band then added high profile supports with Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf and Gary Moore. Before undertaking their all-important third album, 1987’s Excess All Areas, RCA relocated Shy to Los Angeles to soak up the Californian hard rock radio vibe. Such was the quality of Excess All Areas that just like FM’s Tough It Out and Native Sons by Strangeways, its inability to make stars of its creators now seems almost unfeasible. “In any genre, there will only ever be a couple of winners,” reflects Steve Harris. “But it’s surprising how many people talk of that album in hushed tones and don’t actually own a copy – or only bought the reissue.” In the following years a lot of changes occurred and Shy went through many changes. A settled line-up completed by keyboard player Joe Basketts and drummer Bob Richards more recently played one of the sets of the day at the second Firefest show in Nottingham alongside the likes of House Of Lords, Danger Danger and Harem Scarem. The event’s packed attendance confirmed that AOR still has a fiercely devoted niche following in Britain, though strangely Shy claim to still be discovered by new followers. Frontman Tony Mills has left the band for Norwegians TNT, and Lee Small (Phenomena / Surveillance) has taken the mike stand. Shy have lost none of their appeal and this new CD is a burst of fresh air, they sound at their very best and this self titled release is a crowning achievement that will set the standard for all others. 1983 Once Bitten...Twice... / 1985 Brave the Storm / 1987 Excess All Areas / 1989 Misspent Youth / 1994 Welcome to the Madhouse / 1999 Regeneration / 1999 Let the Hammer Fall / 1999 Live in Europe / 2001 Breakaway (EP) / 2002 Unfinished Business / 2005 Sunset and Vine / 2006 Reflections: The Anthology 1983-2005/ October 2011 Shy
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Release Date: 23 September
2011 Tracks: The Girl: Norma Jean / The Orphan: Whither the Wind Blows / The Dreamer: Hold On (Issa) / The Model: Make This Body Work (Robin Beck), / The Actress: Who Am I (Beck & Overland), ? / The Wife: Love Like A Razorblade / The Patient: Break the Spell / The Mistress: Not For Sure (Robin Beck), / The Forsaken: Feel Like Going Home (Robin Beck), / The Witness: Unfinished Life / The Woman: Marilyn (Robin Beck), Steve Bettney – vocals / Paul Bradder – keyboards / Richard Bendelow – bass, vocals / Paul Gibson – drums / Rob Bendelow – guitar / Snake Davis Saxophone Words & music: Rob Bendelow. Produced By: Rob Bendelow Mixed and Mastered By: Martin Kronlund Special guests: Robin Beck, Steve Overland, and Issa Life long pals Richard Lowe and Rob Bendelow formed their first band “Lammergier” during the mid 70’s together with folk guitarist turned rock bassist Barry Yates. The name changed to “SARACEN” in the early 80’s, but the music remained the same; an ever growing repertoire of powerful guitar orientated rock, laced with lush keyboards and evocative vocals. Escape Music have already presented you with the double CD Red Sky / Heroes, Saints and Fools (ESM124) which covers the band’s early years. The conceptual CD “Vox in Excelso” (ESM135) was released in 2006 to great acclaim and has earned the band more and more respect. It’s 2011, and this latest release from Saracen is another concept album, carefully crafted around the life and times of that ultimate Hollywood icon – Marilyn Monroe. This opus charts her rollercoaster life, from young orphan to worldwide superstar…..and beyond. As with Saracen’s previous album (‘Vox In Excelso’) the storyline does not shy away from the darker recesses of history; in this case Marilyn’s problematic life…and untimely death. No less than five tracks on the album tell their story in Marilyn’s own words…..brought to life by the very special guest appearance of American songstress Robin Beck. Robin’s unique vocal style adds a dramatic new dimension to this rich collection of interwoven compositions. Saracen’s symphonic-rock instrumentation has also been augmented for ‘Marilyn’ with the inclusion of saxophone impresario Snake Davis. His evocative, soaring solos add greatly to the album’s emotional journey. The layered vocal harmonies on ‘Marilyn’ come courtesy of Saracen bass man Richard Bendelow and classical-turned-rock newcomer Karensa Kerr. The fusion of symphonic rock with choral-style vocal arrangements has produced an intoxicating mix. Two more vocalists make outstanding guest appearances on this album – namely Norwegian rock sensation Issa and ‘FM’ frontman Steve Overland. Issa handles the lead vocals on ‘Hold On’, whilst Steve & Robin intertwine beautifully on ‘Who Am I?’. Marilyn is a beautiful recording, full of finely honed rock music, powerful ballads and passionate vocals, each song perfectly represents the stages in her life. In short: a masterpiece.
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Release Date: 26th August, 2011 Mike DiMeo - vocals (ex Riot / ex
Masterplan) Mixed and mastered by Martin Kronlund
Tracks: 1-Kinaesthesia 2- Littoria 3- Grey Stains the Rainbow 4- The Immortality Gene 5- Ephemeral 6- Genetic Memory 7-Hostile Sky 8- Fevered Tongue 9- Neanderthal Within 10- Ghosts In Flesh 11- Irrinja Ilium is a melodic power metal band from Newcastle, Australia with strong roots in the classic heavy metal sound as purveyed by the likes of Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. The band has already released four albums and is currently poised to release their fifth album 'Genetic Memory' on Escape Music. Guitarist Jason Hodges and original vocalist Mark Snedden formed the band as Iliad in 1998 having previously played together in Oracle in the early 1990s. This embryonic version of the band also included former Oracle guitarist Kris Arendse and the final Oracle bassist Michael Noonan, as well as drummer David Pearson. With the introduction of Adam Smith (also formerly of Oracle) on guitar, the band changed its name to Ilium, with Kris leaving the band after a brief stint with three guitarists. In 2002 the band commenced work on their eponymous debut EP produced by Lord Tim, but Michael Noonan played on only two tracks before leaving the band, with Adam Smith completing the bass duties and yet another former Oracle member Matthew Woodland joining the band shortly before it's release. The EP, which included a cover of the Fleetwood Mac/ Judas Priest classic 'The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)', gained the attention of several notable labels, including Sentinel Steel boss Denis Gulbey, with Italian label Adrenaline's metal label Steelheart signing the band for the release of their debut. Ilium then began recording the debut album Sirens of the Styx with Dungeon's Lord Tim producing and Steve Moore playing drums. The album was released on 18 December 2003. It contained the track "Incipience: Beowulf Defeats Grendel", part one of a trilogy centred around the Beowulf legend. (Parts 2 and 3 are included on "Vespertilion".) Permian Dusk was released in November 2005. The album won a particularly strong review from German metal magazine Rock Hard!, which gave it a score of 9.5/10 and led to reviewer Wolfram Kueper claiming it to be the best power metal album of 2005 The band's third release 'Vespertilion' was released in Dec 2007 and again has been given very favourable reviews by Rock Hard! and other publications. This album was the last to feature vocalist Lord Tim, Ilium recorded their 4th album, entitled 'Ageless Decay' (ESM191) with vocalist Mike DiMeo, a legend in metal circles being the longest serving vocalist for New York legends Riot before succeeding Jorn Lande as the lead vocalist for Roland Grapow's post-Helloween project Masterplan. The album was mixed and mastered by the Danish power metal legend Tommy Hansen, who practically wrote the book on power metal production with the godfathers of the genre, Helloween. Ageless Decay was a breath of fresh air for the band, with Mike DiMeo fitting into the lead vocal slot in an effortless manner. The music is more dynamic than before and flows along with magnificent guitar leads and bold keyboards. This is Power metal like you have never heard before, totally professional and so infectious, the hooks will leave you spellbound from the start. It’s now 2011 and Ilium have recorded 11 brand new songs, which are so infectious they will have you hooked from the start. That powerful metal tone is still there with bags of melody to back it up. This time Swedish mixer extraordinaire Martin Kronlund is twiddling the knobs, making this fifth outing more special than ever…. Ilium is maturing fast into a formidable power metal band that will leave you drooling for more. This new CD is their finest hour.
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