Just Posted: Rod Morgenstein on this weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 293 - Rod Morgenstein

This week our guest is drummer Rod Morgenstein. Rod is primarily known for his work with Winger however he’s active in several other bands including The Jelly Jam with Ty Tabor And John Myung. They just released their fourth disc “Profit” and are heading out on tour in support of it. 

Rob’s site is at RodMorgenstein.com The Jelly Jam can be found at TheJellyJam.com while you’re there check out their “Profit” bundles.

Track of the week is from AFM artist Paradox. It's the band's 30th year on the metal scene and they just released their 7th disc "Pangea"

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

CHAINS OVER RAZORS CONFIRM THREE AUGUST PERFORMANCES WITH METAL ALLEGIANCE AND THE APPICE BROTHERS

Few bands have come out straight out of the gate as heavy and hard-hitting as Chains Over Razors has on their debut album, 'Crown the Villain.' And it's even more impressive to learn that the group creates such a mammoth sound as a three-piece, who will be hitting the stage three times in August - on the 10^th in Elmhurst, NY (at Blackthorn 51), the 11^th in Brooklyn, NY (at Saint Vitus), and the 12^th in Liverpool, NY (at Sharkey’s Summer Stage). “Destructive and intense,” is how the band describes their live show. “No mercy, no forgiveness.”

Comprised of singer Franco "V" Roc, guitarist Mikey Vujasin, and drummer Andy Vujasin (the Vapor Brothers), the twelve track album was produced by rock legend Carmine Appice, released via Sweden Music Group. And the band has honed their live show by opening up for such renowned acts as Metal Allegiance, of which Franco said, “With a lineup of iconic musicians and being a huge fan of these guys growing up, it has been an honor.”

Listen to "Devil's Eyes" by Chains Over Razors off of their new album "Crown the Villain" out now on iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/jgcqhl6 and on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/h8v85c4 

And despite two of its members being based in Chicago and one in Montreal, all are fully committed to the band, and will not let a little distance get in their way of success. And they certainly have the tunes to accomplish this, as heard by such ragers as "The Center Line of a Lie," "Devil's Eyes," and "Damnation." 

"An assault of pure madness," is how Franco describes COR's sound. "This record is a heavy hitting face smasher," adds Mikey. "I can't wait to get this record into the world's hands and perform these songs live." And lastly, Andy describes 'Crown the Villain' as "An adrenaline, frenzied, melodic hard rock album. The unexpected twists within the compositions progressively moves the songs forward to tell the story."

“We love playing New York,” adds Mikey about the upcoming shows. “We feed off of the energy the crowds give and we give back, they get rowdy! New York is very supportive to the rock/metal community. We look forward to our next run of shows on the east coast.”

Ever since the album’s recent release, metalheads worldwide have fallen under the spell of the brutal yet melodic sounds of Chains Over Razors. 

Upcoming Chains Over Razors Tour Dates:  

August 10th: 

Chains Over Razors headline engagement.

Blackthorn 51 

Elmhurst, NY

August 11th:  

Metal Allegiance direct support engagement.

Saint Vitus 

Brooklyn, NY 

August 12th:  

Opening for The Appice Brothers.

Sharkey’s Summer Stage

Liverpool, NY  

Chains Over Razors "Crown The Villain" Track Listing:

1. Center Line of A Lie

2. 2020 (Silence of the Moonlight)

3. Damnation

4. Devil’s Eyes

5. Subtle Words

6. Live it Loud

7. Letters of Twelve

8. Promises of War

9. The Run

10. Monster

11. 7 Years

12. Only God Can Judge Me

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/chainsoverrazors/?fref=ts

Website:  http://chainsoverrazors.com/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/chainsrazors 

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNm2TBapJ4QNpnJD7N1aD_A

Just posted: Doug Aldrich on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 292 - The Dead Daisies

We caught up with guitarist Doug Aldrich just days before he was heading out with The Dead Daisies touring Europe in support of their new one “Make Some Noise” due August 5th. We talk about the making of the new album, catch up on Burning Rain, talk Les Pauls, and generally catch up from the last time we talked.

Head to The Dead Daisies Site for tour dates and other info and point your browser to DougAldrich.com for news and merch from Doug.

Here's the first single from "Make Some Noise"

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

Just posted: Mike Portnoy on This Weeks Focus on Metal

Episode 291 - Mike Portnoy

After several missed connections we FINALLY were able to get an interview with the always busy Mike Portnoy.The guys currently in six bands so we gotta cut him some slack.

The best place to keep up with all things Portnoy is at mikeportnoy.com/

Here's some Hello Kitty action from Mike

And here's Mike with some usual bit of kit

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

METAL ALLEGIANCE - announce new EP scheduled for August 12th!

METAL ALLEGIANCE have announced they will release a special EP, entitled »Fallen Heroes«, on August 12, 2016. The band united to pay homage to the 3 legends -Lemmy Kilmister, David Bowie, and Glenn Frey - who impacted not just their lives but the world as well. 

"The end of 2015 and most of 2016 has been a brutal year with many of our heroes passing," comments Mark Menghi. "When Portnoy called me in January to alert me that Glenn Frey had passed, I literally broke down. That night after having a few Tequila Sunrises in Glenn's honor, a lightbulb went off... We're going to record a few tunes to honor our fallen heroes. I called back Mike that evening and asked him what he thought and the next day we were in the studio recording. By weeks end, all guitars, drums and bass were complete. I can't begin to explain the influence that Glenn Frey, Lemmy, and David Bowie had on me. Each of their music has helped me immensely during some real dark periods of my life and not to mention their influence on me as a musician and songwriter. Lemmy is God, Glenn is King and David is the Architect."

Alex Skolnick comments: "These brilliant artists have an extensive catalogue that is sometimes on the softer side (with the exception of MOTÖRHEAD, of course). So when it came to THE EAGLES & BOWIE, we specifically chose tunes of theirs that are riff-based and translatable to high energy arrangements. For Lemmy, we immediately crossed out 'Ace Of Spades' (great tune but the last thing the world needs is yet another cover version) and chose 'Iron Fist,' which we already had a good handle on from playing live and to us is every bit as much a signature MOTÖRHEAD tune."

"I'm really excited to be a part of the »Fallen Heroes« EP," comments Alissa White-Gluz. "I think we have all felt the weight of losing so many great musicians this year. I think these songs are a cool way to pay tribute to a few people who contributed so much to the world of music and showcase a different side of ourselves."

Recorded at Conclave Studios in New York City, »Fallen Heroes« was produced by Mark Menghi and Alex Skolnick. The album was mixed by Jay Ruston in Los Angeles, CA and mastered at Sterling Sound New York City by Ted Jensen. The initial sketch of the artwork was created by Mark Menghi and Stephen Thompson (ANTHRAX) and was later finalized by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER).

Track list for »Fallen Heroes«:

01. Iron Fist (feat. Troy Sanders)
02. Suffragette City (feat. Mark Osegueda)
03. Life In The Fast Lane (feat. Alissa White-Gluz)

Guitars: Alex Skolnick
Bass: Mark Menghi
Drums: Mike Portnoy

METAL ALLEGIANCE took the news of Lemmy's passing very hard as the bands very first gig was on MOTÖRHEAD's first Motörboat Cruise. It was on that boat where the idea to write a record together and carry the MA flag as a brand/band rather than a sporadic, special event show... all of us in MA are humbly grateful for the opportunity that team MOTÖRHEAD gave us.

In late 2015, the band scheduled a West Coast string of intimate club dates with a stop as the world-famousWhisky A Go-Go. The year concluded with the band heartbroken saying goodbye to their beloved friend. They later found out that his funeral and memorial services would be held the day of their performance. The band was asked by their tour agent who is also MOTÖRHEAD's agent, Lemmy's management, close friends of his, and the owner of the Rainbow and Whisky to incorporate a tribute which of course, they obliged. The day of their performance, Sunset Blvd. was shut down and their bus was parked on a street filled with tears, madness, partiers and a sea of mourning metal heads. They said goodbye to their friend that evening with help from MOTÖRHEAD drummer Mikkey Dee amongst a ton of other special guests.

The next day they played their final show at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco. Mid-set they were informed that David Bowie had passed. Mark Menghi comments: "I remember coming off stage to trade bass duties with David Ellefson (we would rotate songs) and he stopped me, looked me and Osegueda in the eyes and said "Dude, Bowie just passed away." Literally in mid-set we got that news. I looked at Mark and he was in tears. Not even a minute later, he was on stage telling the Bay Area crowd of the news he just learned. I turned to the side and looked over at Mike Portnoy and he just had his head down with his hands over his head trying to comprehend what Mark was saying. The next few songs was our Lemmy tribute and tears rolled off all of our eyes while paying tribute to one while learning of the passing of another."

METAL ALLEGIANCE live:
11.08. USA Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
14.08. UK Derby - Bloodstock Open Air

Order METAL ALLEGIANCE's self-titled debut here: http://nblast.de/MetalAllegiance

RPR set to release Michael Sweet (Stryper) "One Sided War"

In what promises to be Stryper front-man Michael Sweet’s most intense solo release to date, “One Sided War” showcases a full plate of hard rock & classic metal riffs from start to finish. One Sided War marks Michael’s 7^th studio solo album and it clearly proves that he is still at the very top of his game! “I’ll tell you about it”, says Michael, “Musically it’s my heaviest solo album. It’s not thrash metal but there are definitely some songs on there that will pop out at you. There are some songs that have a bit of the Iron Maiden / Dio feel to them, as well as some songs that have a little bit of a Van Halen influence to them. It’s a very guitar-oriented, hard rock/metal album with lots of melodies and hooks!”

Surrounding himself in the studio with Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra, Evanescence drummer Will Hunt, bassist John O’Boyle and East Coast shred-master Ethan Brosh, Michael began creating what would soon be known as “One Sided War”. Michael states “Originally I planned on showcasing my own guitar playing; I was going to do it all myself, but once I brought Joel & Ethan into the picture, things began to take a new direction and I am very happy with what we have accomplished”. Says Ethan Brosh about working with Michael, "He's one of those guys who have always been at the top of their game and has just never lost it and for me to be a part of this is very special". Joel Hoekstra comments "Michael and I actually go back to my time in Night Ranger when we opened for him when he was playing with Boston. Ever since then we've just been kind of collaborating and this is sort of a natural evolution getting to play on a few songs on his solo album".

The fast and furious opener “Bizarre” ignites the album’s pace with it's lightning fast riffage, soaring vocals and blazing guitar solos. Tracks like “Can’t Take This Life”, “One Sided War”, "Golden Age", “I Am” and “Comfort Zone” keep the metal fires ablaze, while tracks like “Radio”, “One Way” and “You Make Me Wanna” bring the hard rock vibe to the forefront . “One Sided War” features only one ballad, “Who Am I?”, a heartfelt, passionate song that reminds us of the softer side of Michael’s talents. Closing out the disc is a bonus track; it’s a different version of the song “Can’t Take This Life”, a duet with Michael and 16 year old up-and-coming female vocalist Moriah Formica. If you are a fan of Michael Sweet / Stryper or a fan of classic Hard Rock & Metal in general “One Sided War” is an absolute must have, you won’t be disappointed! Official release date is August 26, 2016

The CD was tracked at Spirithouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts.

TRACK LISTING:

Bizarre

One Sided War

Can't Take This Life

Radio

Golden Age

Only You

I Am

Who Am I

You Make Me Wanna

Comfort Zone

One Way Up

Can't Take This Life (*bonus track* featuring  Moriah Formica)

Just Posted: WIdow guitarist Chris Bennett returns to Focus on Metal

Episode 290 - Carved in Stone

Widow just released their fifth full length entitled “Carved in Stone” via Pure Steel Records and that means it’s time for Chris Bennett to do another guest host stint on Focus on Metal. So that’s what’s on tap this week as Chris and I discuss the new release as well as a ton of other metal topics. Including a great story about Lemmy. Settle in cuz as usual when Chris and I get talking this one’s a long one.

Get the this episode from the Focus on Metal Site, The Focus on Metal RSS feed, or on iTunes.

You can hear us On Demand everyday on Platinum Rock Radio by going to this link

You can hear us every Wednesday on these great stations:
Pure Rock Radio & Metal World Radio

Visit http://focusonmetal.net/ for information on all the past episodes and to find the links to all our other social media sites.

And as always Focus On Metal…Everything Else is Insignificant.

NEW SCORPIONS BOOK TELLS THE STORY OF INFLUENTIAL ERA OF THE BAND

Few rock bands were as successful as the Scorpions by the mid '80s - headlining arenas/stadiums worldwide, scoring two mega-selling albums (the platinum-certified 'Blackout' and the triple-platinum certified 'Love at First Sting') and two hit singles/videos ("No One Like You" and "Rock You Like a Hurricane"). But what quite a few newcomers to the band didn't realize was that the Scorpions had been regularly recording music since 1972, and that throughout the remainder of the decade, featured two guitarists (Michael Schenker and Uli Jon Roth) at separate points that are considered legendary amongst the heavy metal masses. And while such albums as 'Lonesome Crow,' 'Fly to the Rainbow,' 'In Trance,' 'Virgin Killer,' 'Taken by Force,' 'Tokyo Tapes,' and 'Lovedrive' did not come close to obtaining the commercial success of the aforementioned '80s era efforts, they inspired and influenced countless renowned musicians. 'German Metal Machine: Scorpions in the '70s' is the first-ever book to focus solely on this period of the band. Interviews include such former members as Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth, Francis Buchholz, and Herman Rarebell, longtime Scorpions producer Dieter Dierks, plus members of other bands that are major admirers, including KK Downing (Judas Priest), Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Joe Satriani, Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), David Ellefson (Megadeth), Alex Skolnick (Testament), and Eddie Trunk ('That Metal Show'), among many others, while Kirk Hammett (Metallica) provides a foreword.  Greg Prato is a Long Island, New York-based journalist, who has written for Rolling Stone, Songfacts, and Vintage Guitar, and has authored such books as 'Survival of the Fittest: Heavy Metal in the 1990's,' 'Iron Maiden: '80 '81,' 'The Eric Carr Story,' and 'Touched by Magic: The Tommy Bolin Story.' 'German Metal Machine' is his 19th book overall. 'German Metal Machine: Scorpions in the '70s' is available as a paperback version [222 pages, $16.99], a Kindle download [$9.99], a Nook download [$9.99], and an iBook download [$9.99]. Read excerpts here: http://www.guitarworld.com/artist-news-interviews/scorpions-seventies-new-book-dissects-german-metal-machine-excerpt/29374 http://www.alternativenation.net/billy-corgan-talks-scorpions-in-new-book/ Ordering info here: Paperback and Kindle:  https://amzn.com/1519491670 Nook:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/german-metal-machine-greg-prato/1123995477 iBook:  https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/german-metal-machine-scorpions/id1128078363?mt=11