All the news thats fit to print.
2004 Archived News
December 30, 2004
NWOBHM legends Diamond Head have been confirmed as the support act for Megadeth on their upcoming European headlining tour. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Feb. 01 - Dublin, Ireland @ Ambassador
Feb. 02 - Belfast, Ireland @ Ulster Hall
Feb. 03 - Glasgow, Scotland @ Academy
Feb. 04 - Birmingham, UK @ Academy
Feb. 05 - Nottingham, UK @ Rock City
Feb. 07 - Manchester, UK @ Academy
Feb. 08 - London, UK @ Astoria
Feb. 09 - London, UK @ Astoria
Feb. 10 - Antwerp, Belgium @ Hof ter Lo
Feb. 11 - Tilburg, Holland @ 013
Feb. 13 - Copenhagen, @ Denmark Vega
Feb. 14 - Oslo, Norway @ Rockefeller
Feb. 15 - Stockholm, Sweden @ Arenan
Feb. 17 - Hardenberg, Holland @ Podium
Feb. 18 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Den Atelier
Feb. 19 - Koln, Germany @ LMH
Feb. 20 - Munich, Germany @ Elserhalle
Feb. 21 - Milan, Italy @ Alcatrazz
Feb. 23 - Barcelona, Spain @ Razzmatazz
Feb. 24 - Bergara, Spain @ Jam
Feb. 25 - Madrid, Spain @ Macumba
Feb. 26 - Granada, Spain @ Festival
Recently Diamond Head took to the stage at a low-key, invitation-only
gig on Dec. 1 to show off new singer Nick Tart and rhythm guitarist Adrian
Mills, and to air new material from their recently completed album. The band's
current lineup is completed by Brian Tatler (guitar), Karl Wilcox (drums)
and Eddie Moohan (bass).
December 21, 2004
NWoBHM trio Raven are all set for a return with a brand new album in 2005, their first new product since 1999's "One For All". The band was forced out of action in 2001 when guitarist Mark Gallagher suffered serious injuries. Garry Sharpe-Young of Rockdetector.com spoke to bassist/vocalist John Gallagher about the new record.
Rockdetector.com: Obvious one first — the new album. What kind of material can fans expect — "classic" Raven, experimental or something new entirely?
John Gallagher: "Er..hopefully all three! We have a large
amount of material for this record and have had some time to fiddle about
with it, which is unusual for us. What happens more often than not is we write
and record really fast and then repent at leisure! So, due to the famous 'circumstances
beyond our control' we've been able to live with a lot of this material and
fine tune it. Of course, we'll go in the studio and all that 'finely-tuned'
stuff will go out the window! I'm only half kidding — something spontaneous
happens on every song to change it for the better. I can't wait to get this
stuff recorded and get it out. It's been too damn long!"
You can read the entire interview here.
Ex-Tygers Of Pan Tang singer Richie Wicks has hit back at his former bandmates over their suggestion that his "unprofessionalism" led to his departure from the group.
In a recent press release announcing the addition of Wicks' replacement, Jacopo Meille, to the band's ranks, Tygers Of Pan Tang guitarist Robb Weir stated, "We are over the moon to have found such a great vocalist. This is something we should have done three years ago, gone for a totally professional singer. He fits more into the Jon Deverill way of doing things and that suits me just fine."
In a posting to the Blabbermouth.net comment board, Wicks responded to Weir's remarks, stating, "Well, if it's PROFESSIONAL you want, Robb, might I remind you that the 'TYGERS' consists of FOUR SHOPFITTERS AND A GNR RAILWAY TROLLY PUSHER WITH A FAILED CD SALESMAN AS A MANAGER! Hardly the pros you think you are! You really should attempt to stop dragging your ex-members' names publicly through the dirt, 'cos you need all the friends you can get. I refer you to the story you used to tell me of Mr. Deverill splitting the band up and reforming it again later just TO GET RID OF YOU!! So if you still 'like Jon's way of doing things,' I suggest you lay off the wine a bit, 'cos it's clouding your judgment.
"I enjoyed my time with the band AT the time but it pains
me to have to defend myself like this. I WILL NOT be judged by anyone from
the TYGERS and will certainly not be labelled unprofessional by people no
more pro than me!
"My new project is progressing nicely and will be announced when the time is right. There will be no REHASHED Eighties riffs and NO second-rate guitarists involved. We are writing power metal for the masses and I am in singer heaven with the material which is much more suited to my voice than old-school rock. Power metal in the vein of EDGUY/PRIMAL FEAR is on the uprise again, and I am delighted to be a part of it.
"As for the TYGERS, you all need to talk to each other
because I KNOW you are not the tight knit all-together team you think you
are. Stop lying to the handful of fans you have left. New album? You couldn't
even promote the last one! If it's a war of words you want, you can have one.
YOU WILL NOT WIN! I do wish you good luck with what you do and all that but
I suggest you keep your dirty laundry well out of sight and proof the crap
your manager writes."
December 19, 2004
Bitches Sin announce that their "Sharalee / The First Temptation" t-shirts are now available from the bands website. Cost of the shirt is 12.99 GPB.
December 15, 2004
Tygers of Pan Tang have announced the addition
of Italian vocalist Jacopo Meille (Mantra) to the groups ranks. Commented
guitarist Robb Weir: "We are over the moon to have found such a great
vocalist. This is something we should have done three years ago, gone for
a totally professional singer. He fits more into the Jon Deverill way of doing
things and that suits me just fine. We already have three new tunes done with
Jack which just came out of an end of rehearsal jam which we are really happy
with. We will be going into the studio with John Mitchell (Arena) to record
the new CD and I cannot wait."
December 10, 2004
Statetrooper, the reunited British hard rock outfit fronted by singer Gary Barden, have posted live videos of the tracks "Casablanca" and "I'm Alive" at their official web site. The songs, which were recorded on May 15, 2004 at The Underworld in Camden Town, London, can be downloaded here.
Flashpoint are in the studio 2nd January to record the single 'All My Love' with Guy Forrester at the desk again. This will feature on the new Flashpoint release later in January 2005.
Many of your favorite NWoBHM albums can now be ordered and bought over on our sister website Old School Records. We have updated our catalogue and recently added over 60 albums so there is definately something there for any fan.
In somewhat NWoBHM related news....Task Brasil Xmas Party (supported by the likes of Jimmy Page and Iron Maiden) is at the Borderline on Monday 13th December. There’re three bands – Monster Ragin’ Boogie Party, Paddy goes to Holyhead and Dollshouse (ex-Voice of the Beehive).Paddy goes to Holyhead feature: Danny Hynes (ex-Weapon), Tino and Chris Troy (both Praying Mantis), Andy Burgess (Rhode Island Red) and Simon Jeffrey (Bernie Torme) they also have Debbie Bonham and Andy Scott of the Sweet getting up for a couple of songs. In between sets there will be music courtesy of Brasilian DJ Rodolfo and a raffle/auction hosted by Linda Barker! Prizes include signed Led Zeppelin memorabilia and BA flights to Brazil.
Tickets are £10.00 from Charlotte at Task Brazil on 020 77355545
November 24, 2004
From the record label Obscure NWoBHM Releases the following news: The cds of the obscure band Charlie Ungry - The Chester Road album, and the mighty Goldsmith - Life Is Killing Me are available in a limited 1000 copies. Available soon will be the new cd from Overdrive, entitled "On Wizard Ridge" which will feature some of their older songs.
Bitches Sin announces that "Sharalee - The First Temptation" t-shirts are available for sale for £15.00 and this includes shipping to the USA as well. Please send your inquiries to Ian from Bitches Sin.
November 19, 2004
Statetrooper, the reunited British hard rock outfit fronted by former MSG (Michael Schenker Group) singer Gary Barden, will embark on their first tour in 18 years during January. Confirmed dates so far are as follows:
Jan. 15 – The Queens Tap – Swindon, UK *
Jan. 21 – The Cartoon - Croydon, South London, UK *
Jan. 22 – Stripes Bar - Brentford, West London, UK *
Jan. 30 – The Boardwalk - Sheffield, UK
* With Lionsheart
Statetrooper boast a membership rich in NWOBHM tradition, citing credits with acts such as Weapon, Wildfire and Heritage. The band recently made an impressive return with their Michael Voss-produced sophomore album, "The Calling" (available via the band's own CIC Records).
November 12, 2004
Reunited British heavy metal legends Satan, along with Ageny Steel and Torch are among the bands confirmed for Keep It True IV festival, set to be held April 2, 2005 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Koenigshofen, Germany. The compelte list of acts currently scheduled to appear at the festival is as follows:
Agent Steel(USA)
Satan (UK)
Deadly Blessing (USA)
Majesty (GER)
Overlorde (USA)
Torch (SWE)
Thunder Rider(CAN)
Paragon (GER)
Vortex (NL)
A warm-up show featuring the Ducth metal act Martyr will take place on April 1.
Tickets for Keep It True IV can already be ordered at bestellung@keep-it-true.de for 15 euros plus postage. You can also get them at www.hellionrecords.de and www.elses-metal-mail-order.com. For the same price you can also get DVDs of Keep It True I and II, each containing four hours of "pure metal." According to our man Fred, Satan will be headlining this show.
******
Budgie will be reissuing their first two albums, "Budgie" (1971) and "Squawk" (1972), as part of a remaster series. The albums have been digitally remastered from the original master tapes and will include 12-page booklets containing quotes from recent interviews with Burke Shelley (bass/vocals), Tony Bourge (guitar) and Ray Phillips (drums). In addition to the original albums the following bonus tracks have been added:
"Budgie" LP (1971):
01. "Crash Course In Brain Surgery": Originally issued as a single in 1971 but not included on the album. This is a previously unreleased alternative mix to the version that appears on "In For The Kill".
02. "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman": The single edited version that appeared as the B-side to "Crash Course In Brain Surgery".
03. "Guts, Nude Disintgrating Parachutist Woman": Recorded in late summer 2003 by Burke Shelley, Steve Williams and Simon Lees with a mobile studio during rehearsals for the 2003 Autumn Tour.
"Squawk" LP (1972):
01. "Whiskey River": Single edit
02. "Stranded": Alternate mix
03. "Whiskey River": Recorded in late summer 2003
by Burke Shelley, Steve Williams and Simon Lees with a mobile studio during
rehearsals for the 2003 Autumn Tour.
04. "Rolling Home Again": Recorded by Burke Shelley
and Tony Bourge in 2004.
Plans exist for Budgie's entire back catalogue to be reissued
in a remaster series. Each CD will have notes from interviews with the band
about their recollections of the albums and will have bonus tracks of previously
unreleased versions of songs and some single edits. In addition to the first
five LPs, a CD called "The Last Stage" is set to be released that
contains 16 tracks of material that is mainly taken from the 1983-84 period
when the band were working on ideas for what would have been the third album
for RCA. The album was never released and many of the tracks were never finished
but they give an insight into the period and the band working on ideas in
the studio. All CDs will be available direct from the Budgie web
site prior to general release.
November 8, 2004
British heavy metal legends Saxon will embark on the "25th Anniversary of NWoBHM" tour of Germany beginning in early March 2005. To celebrate the anniversary of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, the band will only play songs they recorded during the 1980s. Before and after the show, editors from Rock Hard magazine will work as DJs and will also present songs from this period.
SAXON's "25th Anniversary Of NWOBHM Tour 2005"
Mar. 04 - Hamburg, GER @ Markthalle
Mar. 05 - Berlin, GER @ Columbia Club
Mar. 06 - Bochum, GER @ Zeche
Mar. 10 - Ludwigsburg, GER @ Rockfabrik
Mar. 11 - Saarbrücken, GER @ Garage
Mar. 12 - Münster / Darmstadt, GER @ Live Arena
Mar. 13 - Augsburg, GER @ Rockfabrik
In other news, Saxon have confirmed the following South/North American dates as part of their "Lionheart Worldtour 2004/2005":
Apr. 15 - Rio De Janerio, BRA @ Circo Volador
Apr. 16 - Sao Paulo, BRA @ Direct Music Hall
Apr. 17 - Buenos Aires, ARG @ Republica Cro-Magnon
Apr. 19 - Santiago, CHL @ Teatro Providencia
Apr. 21 - San Jose, CR @ Planet Mall
Apr. 23 - Mexico City, MEX @ Circo Volador
U.S. dates will be announced soon.
November 6, 2004
Girlschool have lined up the following dates during November/December:
Nov. 17 - Los Angeles, CA @ Knitting Factory
Nov. 18 - San Diego, CA @ Casbah
Nov. 19 - San Francisco, CA @ Cafe du Nord
Nov. 20 - Portland, OR Dante's
Nov. 21 – Seattle, WA @ Graceland
Dec. 05 – Manchester, UK @ The Witchwood, Ashton,
Dec. 08 – London, UK @ The Garage
As previously reported, Girlschool have set "Girlschool
Live at the Garage" as the tentative title of their forthcoming live
DVD, which will be shot on December 8 at The Garage in London.
The band's video for the track "Come On Up" has been posted online at the group's official web site. Check it out in Windows Media format at this location.
"Come On Up" comes off the band's most recent album, "Believe", available now on Communique Records. The CD was produced by produced by Tim Hamill and Girlschool. Girlschool's official website is here.
*****
News from Ian from Bitches Sin...
The second Flashpoint CD 'Laser Love' will be released soon and features all previously unreleased tracks plus live 'Lookin' For Answers' and 'Grand Prix'.
Bitches Sin t-shirts featuring the bands logo and Sharalee available in 2 weeks time.
Bitches Sin expect to commence recording their new album April/May
2005 and writing should be complete by Christmas. You can get more info on
their website here.
November 1, 2004
Seesh, nearly a month between band news updates? I gota do better. I will....promise!
Predatür has a new album out. Samples of the album can be heard over at this location. A very cool interface on this site to allow you to hear the samples of the songs. It sounds damn good to me. The title of their new album is "Mean". You can get more on the band on their official website here.
October 5, 2004
The new studio release from legendary British heavy metal band Saxon, "Lionheart", has entered the national album charts in the following countries:
No. 44: Germany
No. 57: Sweden
No. 62: Switzerland
No. 103: France
The follow-up to 2001's "Killing Ground", "Lionheart" was completed at Gems24 studio near Boston, Lincolnshire, England with producer Charlie Bauerfeind and features artwork by Paul R. Gregory, who had previously worked with the group on the now classic "Crusader" album.
Former Tygers of Pan Tang singer Richie Wicks has confirmed his departure from the group. In an e-mail to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Wicks writes, "It seems it is true, I am free of the TYGERS microphone, but you really don't want to hear the REAL reason I'm out. I think it's hilarious that Blabbermouth knows this news already! Someone couldn't wait to let this one out — it's pathetic. I haven't even got around to telling my closest friends yet! It CERTAINLY has nothing to do with 'work commitments'. More like the over-inflated ego of a self-elevated 'manager' who seems to have a passion for attempting to making himself famous by splitting up an excellent rock band.
"I shall be announcing the line up of my new band VERY soon, a band which will see me return to my power metal roots in the vein of PRIMAL FEAR/STRATOVARIUS. A band which will be free of the political bullshit I've had to endure over the last few years.
"I pass love and gratitude to my friends within the TYGERS camp and hope they find the direction they are looking for now I leave my post. I do so willingly and with not-so-heavy-heart. Good luck guys, I really enjoyed working with you. (Band MEMBERS that is)."
October 2, 2004
NWoBHM legends Tygers of Pan Tang have parted ways with singer Richie Wicks due to "his ongoing work commitments," according to an official statement.
Tygers of Pan Tang hope to announce a replacement singer shortly. The group are currently preparing to begin recording the follow-up to the critically acclaimed "Noises From the Cathouse" CD, tentatively due sometime next year.
September 24, 2004
Tony "Demolition" Dolan announces his departure from Mantas....
It is with great dissapointment that I have to announce that I am no longer with the MANTAS band. After short deliberation, I have been forced to walk away from MANTAS owing to the decision from the label ,DEMOLITION RECORDS,to hinder and obsruct the debut album,'ZERO TOLERANCE' if I remain as part of the band!
With only 2,500 copies of the album being pressed, no American distribution, no P.R. company in place, no pre advertising, and now the threat of the album effectivley being buried alive if I remain in place, I have decided to leave the band as Jeff (Mantas) is my friend and doesn't deserve this kind of treatment ,nor do the rest of MANTAS nor the album!
This has all arose because of my bands anthology album, ATOMKRAFT, TOTAL METAL, the NEAT anthology, released August 26th 2004 though Sanctuary. The label owner of DEMOLITION RECORDS used to be my drummer in ATOMKRAFT and he felt he had been left out of the equation as Sanctuary asked myself and Malcolm Dome only to contribute sleeve notes. He thought he should have been consulted! He wasn't. How this incident reflects on what Mantas was or is doing is beyond me ,or anyone, but there you have it. The label feels they no longer want to work with me so Jeff and his band and album are having to pay the cost. Fair? NO! Childish? YES! In my opinion.It is therefore I have no opition but try to save my friends album and the rest of the band by departing!
I believe that the band should have stuck together and departed from Demolition as anyone reading this would probably be saying now! However owing to the particular situation DEMOLITION RECORDS are placing all involved in with regard to the album, this is not possible and they know that!! The album should have been out on the 27th of September but the label is now retracting this release date making a total of 3 postponed delays due to the label not paying for the return of the master recordings and now due to the release of the ATOMKRAFT anthology!
This is all unbeliveable and ridiculous but unresolvable by either the label owner or the label manager,one Eric Cook(EX-Venom manager).Maybe you've heard of him? I wish my friend the best of luck and hope a real label take the band up soon.
Tony Dolan
September 22, 2004
STATETROOPER, the reunited British hard rock outfit fronted by former MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) singer Gary Barden, have drafted Tony O'Hora on bass guitar, a man better known for his roles as frontman for outfits such as thrashers ONSLAUGHT, NWOBHM veterans PRAYING MANTIS, '80s rockers HIGHWIRE, his own HORA-KANE project, AOR band TORINO and even '70s glam titans SWEET.
STATETROOPER boast a membership rich in NWOBHM tradition, citing
credits with acts such as WEAPON, WILDFIRE and HERITAGE. The band recently
made an impressive return with their Michael Voss-produced sophomore album,
"The Calling" (available via the band's own CIC Records).
September 4, 2004
Predatür are playing on Saturday 11th September at The Roebuck Hotel, Oxford Road, Tilehurst, Reading. Tel: 0118 9427517. This will be a chance to "let off steam" as final mixing for the new CD is completed. New song will be given a run-out and one in particular that hasn't been heard by anyone outside the band.
For those of you who are unaware, this is also a warm-up for the gig on Friday 24th September with Top UK Quo Tribute Band State Of Quo . It will be at the 500 seat, Heywood Civic Centre, Wood Street, Heywood, Lancashire.
Tickets are only £5.00 from: Heywood Civic Centre, Box Office, Church Street, Heywood, Lancashire OL10 1LW. Tel: 01706 624104
And finally.........
The 24th September also sees the release of the new CD which will be on sale at the Heywood gig. T-Shirts will also be available. If you want to reserve yourself a copy, please contact us and we will put one aside for you.
Unfortunately, until we set up mail order/distribution, the CD will only be available at gigs.
There are 10 tracks including 'new' recordings of the highly
collectable rare single of Take A Walk/Seen You Here. So you won't have to
shell out £50-£150 to own a copy of these songs, unless you are
a vinyl freak of course
August 22, 2004
www.metal-rules.com has published an interview with Tony Dolan (Atomkraft, Venom, Mantas) and can be found here and is a great read. Read some of the history of the madman himself! More info on Tony can be found at his website.
August 10, 2004
Brett Robertson of the band Desolation Angels (drummer) announces that he will be selling a personally autographed vinyl album by the band. This is their self titled full length album an original English pressing. Its very rare (the only signed copy by him in existance), Thames TRR 111 in very good condition. It will be on sale on Ebay in the next day or so. This is indeed a rare find and a great item for any collector of NWoBHM music. I can personally vouche that if you have never heard this album, you owe it to yourself to do so. It is one of my favorite albums to play on the Old School Metal Show.
August 7, 2004
A bunch of photos from legendary NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band SATAN's one-off reunion show Friday (August 6) at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have been posted online at this location (courtesy of Germany's Bright-Eyes.de).
SATAN's classic "Court In The Act" lineup (including BLITZKRIEG singer Brian Ross and SKYCLAD's Graeme English and Steve Ramsey) performed together at Wacken for the first time since 1984. A live recording from the group's early days, entitled "Live in the Act", is tentatively scheduled to be released later in the year.
In related news, BLIND FURY's only album, "Out of Reach"
(1985), was re-released by Majestic Rock in early June. BLIND FURY was essentially
SATAN with a different singer (Lou Taylor - vocals, Steve Ramsey - guitar,
Russ Tippins - guitar, Graeme English - bass, Sean Taylor - drums). ~ Taken
from Blabbermouth
August 6, 2004
Atomkraft is releasing a new album, "Total Metal, The Neat Anthology" on Sanctuary Records on August 26, 2004. More info on their website and according to Tony Dolan, "Here's it comes at last onto CD. 2 disc set with some bonus stuff. Neat never got the material properly distributed and as such we suffered as a band! Never got label support etc,etc.moan,moan.
July 22, 2004
Bitches Sin are releasing their first ever demo tape 'Twelve
Pounds and No Kinks' plus the 'BBC Friday Rock Show Session' on Majestic 26th
July 2004.
All tracks have been digitally remastered by Guy Forrester who produced 'Invaders'
and the Flashpoint album.
News and info on this at Bitches Sin's website and at Majestic Rock's website .
July 14, 2004
Soldier's long awaited album HEAVY METAL FORCE is now out on Hellion Records (about bloody time) at Hellion Records.
This has the complete Live Forces material along with some other tracks from way back in the 80's.
Hopfully you will be able to buy copies via our website too soon. ~ Garry Phillips of Soldier
July 13, 2004
Shy's homemade DVD filmed of the band throughout the 80's and 90's is now available at their website.
Chris Watson of Black Rose has a new website to check out and get updated info on Black Rose and other items of interest that Chris is up too. In case you did not know, Chris co-wrote and plays the opening theme music to the Old School Metal Show!
July 10, 2004
Bitches Sin's latest album info can be viewed here as well as ordering information.
June 28, 2004
Hi All,
Just before recording finally begins on the new CD, Predatür are playing The Roebuck Hotel, Oxford Road, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 6TG . Tel: 0118 9427517.
Apart from the usual Predatür favourites, the 'new' songs will get a sneak preview. Those of you who got to The Lion Rally, will have already heard a couple of them. ~ From Predatür. Visit their website for more info.
June 24, 2004
The new BITCHES SIN release 'The First Temptation' will be available
towards the end of July 2004.
The CD will feature the digitally remastered first demo tape by the band '£12
and No Kinks' plus the 'BBC1 Friday Rock Show Session'. This 11 track CD will
be released on Majestic Rock Records. ~ Ian of Bitches Sin
June 16, 2004
Bitches Sin have just signed with a major portal and will now be able to sell their cd's online at their website so look for that to start somewhere near the 20th of June. Also the BBC are supposed to have their Friday Rock Show session in their hands soon and look for that to be released in July. ~ Ian of Bitches Sin
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