This Blog is for all of you, who enjoy Rock and Metal music like I do (especially the more melodic side with all its subgenres). Check it out for the latest CD-Reviews, Live-Reports, Interviews and much more if you are interested in Melodic Rock/Metal!
It's all about having fun here, so please feel free to comment and share my stuff. Thank you!

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Special: Forthcoming Rock & Metal Releases in 2015!

Hey folks,

for all of you, who can't wait to see what the new year has to offer I created this list of bands who are currently working on a new album that is supposed to be released in 2015. These are just the records I'm looking forward to. It's not that much like last year, but that was to be expected because many of my favorite bands released their albums this year. But hey, so in 2015 there is more room for some surprises, right? :) Which album is your most wanted record in 2015?


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Album Of The Year 2014: # 05 - 01

Hey folks,

we finally made it: these are my personal top five albums of the year and I can tell you one thing: it was very, very hard for me to put these 5 records in a ranking order, because every single one of them impressed me so much this year. In the end every record could have been on number one. Now take a look and don't forget to tell me which 5 albums belong to your favorites! Feel free to write it in the comments below!

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Album Of The Year 2014: # 10 - 06

Here we go again, folks! It's Christmas Eve - at least here in Germany. And for all of you, who still need a Christmas gift this album of the year ranking is a true blessing. Today I reveal # 10 to 06 of my personal best albums of the year!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Album Of The Year 2014: # 15 - 11

Hello my friends,

2014 was an incredible year for our beloved genre. So many fantastic records hit the stores, you just can't count them and I think not one single "best-of list" does justice to the huge flood of Rock and Metal releases. Every single ranking list just captures a little glimpse, depending on various musical tastes - and so it is with my album of the year top 15 list. This ranking is a very subjective one, those records are the ones that found their way back into my CD-player over and over again and so I don't care about the scores I've given those albums. All records in this list have at least a final rating with 8 out of 10 points, but that's it. This list comes just straight from the heart.

And now let me give a huge THANK YOU to you people out there! Yes YOU, the readers of my blog and the ones, who supported "Rock & Metal 4 You" since the very beginning. You are the reason why I can do what I love to do. How much worth is a webzine without its readers? So thanks for stopping by from time to time and reading my stuff. Very special thanks go also to Denys Jaime from MyGlobalmind Webzine and to all the great musicians I had the pleasure to work with in 2014! The list is pretty long, so I can't thank everyone individually, but you know who you are! :)

I can't wait for the things to come next year with all of you guys! With that said I wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hopefully some great records found their way under your Christmas tree. ;)
And now let's start with the first part of my album of the year ranking!


Monday, December 22, 2014

Exclusive Interview with Åge Sten Nilsen (ex-Wig Wam, Ammunition, Nordic Beast)



"It's hard to be a Rock'n'Roller" told us singer Åge Sten Nilsen with his former band Wig Wam already over a decade ago. Being in a band is a tough business sometimes - even so tough that it becomes a heavy load, so there is nothing left but to end the whole thing. Åge Sten Nilsen has experienced it himself: finishing with Wig Wam and starting from the beginning with two new bands: Nordic Beast and Ammunition. The latter released an excellent album this year, so it was time for me to talk with Åge about the new record as well as Glam Rock in general and of course about the end of Wig Wam. What happened behind the curtain? Find out what he had to say in this very honest in-depth interview. You'll be very surprised!

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Special: TOP 15 Songs Of The Year 2014!

Hey folks,

various websites and magazines are publishing their "best of 2014" lists these days, so I'd like to jump on that train too and today I'll reveal the 15 best songs of 2014. For sure this is my personal taste, so maybe you guys have other favorites. Would be nice if you could put your top 5 songs of the year into the comments under this post. I'm very interested in what you think! All in all I must say that 2014 offered tons of great songs, but there are particular tracks that really stuck in my head the whole year. Those are the ones that are worth to be mentioned here.

Monday, December 8, 2014

CD-Review: Harem Scarem - "Thirteen"



So, folks here it is: my final review for this year. Canadian Rockers Harem Scarem did a little comeback last year when they released a re-recording of their highly acclaimed second album "Mood Swings". This one offered also three new tracks that were so enjoyable, so it was clear that an album with completely new material has to follow and now I'm holding this piece of work, called "Thirteen", in my hands.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Special: The biggest disappointments in 2014!

Hey folks,

it's December, that means in the next few weeks you'll be flooded with ranking lists from various blogs and magazines and altough there are four weeks left til the new year kicks in I'd like to start with my first list. That's simply because I haven't so much time at the moment and there will be six more posts about my top 15 songs/albums of the year. So, to ensure that you'll get all these posts till the end of December I have to start now. Yeah and as always I'd like to start with the biggest disappointments of this year. Please keep in mind that this is a very personal and subjective ranking. If you'd like to read something that is objective as hell, then you have to read something different :) And now let's go!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

CD-Review: Neonfly - "Strangers In Paradise"




Are you ready for some more feel-good Power Metal? Then here it is: the UK-Rockers of Neonfly released their second album "Strangers In Paradise" yesterday and I must confess I didn't had this on my radar. I knew that the recordings for this album were already finished months ago, but the band had problems to find a record label. Now finally here it is. Was it worth the wait?


Sunday, November 16, 2014

CD-Review: Åge Sten Nilsen's Ammunition - "Shanghaied"

Since the Norwegian Glam Rockers of Wig Wam went seperate ways every band memeber is bussy with different stuff. Guitarist Trond Holder joined the band around Jorn Lande and he also formed a new project called "Dracula" with the ex-Masterplan singer. You see, Trond distances himself from his roots. Former Wig Wam vocalist Åge Sten Nilsen is doing things in a more traditional way and formed the band Ammunition. The debut album "Shanghaied" is out now. Can it keep up with the glorious Wig Wam stuff?

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Live-Report: GOTTHARD - "Bang!"-Tour 2014 (Berlin, November 3rd 2014)



It's been two years now since I saw the Swiss Hard Rockers of Gotthard live again and I was really excited to see them this year, especially Nic Maeder and his development within the group. So during their "Bang!"-Tour Gotthard visited Berlin on November 3rd and together with their support act Hardcore Superstar they proved once more why they are one of the best live acts in the world.



Saturday, November 1, 2014

CD-Review: Dalton - "Pit Stop"

Surprise, surprise! The new wave of 80's Melodic Rock is still rollin' and another band of the "old generation" tries to find a place in the Rock scene again. You've seen that a lot in recent years, while new, young bands like H.e.a.t, Reckless Love, Vega and so on celebrate the good old times with their feel-good music, some 80's chapels see their chance to go with this trend and start a comeback. Sadly many of them can't stand against those bands I mentioned above and I always ask myself: "If a band was laid to rest 25 years ago, what sense does it make to bring them back now?" So here is the next one in line: Swedish Glam Rockers of Dalton disappeared in 1989 and now they are back with a new record called "Pit Stop". Is this album a winner?

Sunday, October 26, 2014

CD-Review: Sonata Arctica - "Ecliptica-Revisited: 15th Anniversary Edition"



2014 is going to be THE year for the Finnish Melodic Metal heroes of Sonata Arctica. In March a fantastic new album ("Pariah's Child") was released, a world tour followed and now a re-recorded version of the bands first LP "Ecliptica" hit the stores. I don't know where they have taken the time to record this album, but it is set to be a celebration of the 15th anniversary of their debut.


Monday, October 20, 2014

Special: Blu-Ray Review - ALICE COOPER Raise The Dead - Live From Wacken



I think there are countless Alice Cooper compilations and live-records out there, but just a few of them do justice to the master. The most impressive live document to date is the "Theater Of Death" - show from Hammersmith. Since Alice lets us wait for a new studio album for three years now another live record hit the stores these days: Alice live from Wacken during his Raise The Dead Tour in 2013.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

CD-Review: Allen/Lande - "The Great Divide"

In 2005 Frontiers Records united Symphony X singer Russell Allen and ex-Masterplan fronter Jorn Lande for a project that should  become their most important effort on the Metal market: Allen/Lande. Under the leading hand of mastermind Magnus Karlsson they created with "The Battle" one of the best Melodic Metal albums in the last decade and two more strong records followed. Fans demanded a fourth album and they had to wait four long years. Finally "The Great Divide" hit the stores these days and it makes some things very different.

Saturday, October 18, 2014

CD-Review: Vega - "Stereo Messiah"



When I first heard of Vega back in 2010 I thought this is just another Frontiers AOR project, but look what they have become: a very good Melodic Rock act, that gave us some amazing songs on two albums and a band that is known for their continuity. You can count on these guys and so it is no wonder that the third effort "Stereo Messiah" has again a bunch of hits to offer.


Friday, October 17, 2014

CD-Review: Billy Idol - "Kings & Queens Of The Underground"

How time flies by - nine years ago Punk legend Billy Idol released his latest record "Devil's Playground" - a fantastic piece of Rock'n'Roll. This record took my heart by storm with its dirty and rough attitude and I couldn't wait for a follow-up, but in all those years my hopes faded away. So you can imagine how excited I was when I heard of a new Billy Idol record and finally "Kings & Queens Of The Underground" found its way into my CD-player. Was it worth the wait?

Thursday, September 25, 2014

R&M4U-Classics: Bad City - "Welcome To The Wasteland" (2010)


Today I'd like to show you another album that belongs to my absolute favorites in Rock, which means it is a real classic to me (although it isn't that old). In 2010 a band from Chicago, called Bad City, released their debut "Welcome To The Wasteland" and it is a winner by any means. With their fresh attitude and their pretty cool mixture of 70's, 80's, 90's and modern Rock they created an album that belongs to the best records in the last decade.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Exclusive Interview with LENNA KUURMAA (Moonland, Lenna, ex-Vanilla Ninja)

I think many Rock fans were surprised when Frontiers Records announced a new project, called MOONLAND featuring Lenna Kuurmaa. That girl from the Estonian girl-group Vanilla Ninja? It may sound strange to some Rockers, but if you take a closer look at Vanilla Ninja's music Frontiers decision is not far-fetched. The band was always a very melodic mixture between Pop and Rock and so an AOR record fits Lenna very well. People outside of Europe may not know this charismatic woman. To those of you I just can say: listen and enjoy her beautiful voice without any prejudices. To introduce Lenna to the Melodic Rock / AOR community I did an interview with her. Check out what she had to say about the Moonland record, her carreer in Estonia and of course about Vanilla Ninja!

Sunday, September 14, 2014

Exclusive Interview with DION BAYMAN



The list of independent musicians is long. In the last few years many artists went over to produce and promote their music all alone. One of them is Dion Bayman from Down Under and to be honest nobody else impressed me that much in 2013. With his album "Smoke & Mirrors" Dion showed that a big budget is not necessary to produce a great album. On September 23rd his follow-up "Afterburn" will be released and this one is also an impressive album, which shows that passion is much more important than anything else. With that in mind I talked to Dion to learn how he makes his music sound that good, why he wants to be a solo artist and what it's all about being an independent musician. Find out more in this interview.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

CD-Review: Moonland feat. Lenna Kuurmaa - "Moonland"

Does anybody of you guys remember VANILLA NINJA? The four girls form Estonia ruled the radio stations and music tv from 2003 to 2006 in Europe with their pop/rock and in 2005 they were also part of the Eurovision Song Contest. One of these girls was Lenna Kuurmaa. Since 2007 you hardly hear or see something new from her outside Estonia, but now Frontiers Records starts a new project called Moonland with Lenna on vocals. Is her international comback album a winner?

Saturday, August 30, 2014

CD-Review: Dion Bayman - "Afterburn"



The Pop/Rock sensation from Down Under is back: Dion Bayman came out of nowhere in 2013 with his album "Smoke & Mirrors", which surprised and impressed me very much back then, so it was easy for Dion to end up in my top list of the best albums last year. Just one year later Mr. Bayman reaches for the stars again with his new record "Afterburn" on September 23rd.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

CD-Review: Kissin' Dynamite - "Megalomania"



When it comes to German Metal/Hard Rock acts, Kissin' Dynamite are handled as the big hope in this genre since their very first album, so it's unbelievable that these guys release already their fourth album in September. "Megalomania" is the follow-up to the great "Money, Sex & Power" and has big shoes to fill. The title promises a monster of an album, but what has it really to offer?

Friday, August 1, 2014

CD-Review: Unisonic - "Light Of Dawn"

It's really strange how fast time passes by. It's been two years now since the German "supergroup" Unisonic released their selftitled debut album and to me it doesn't feel like such a long time. Speaking about this one Unisonic had to deal with very mixed reactions from the fanbase and critics. After the single "Unisonic" fans expected singer Michael Kiske to return to his Helloween-roots and at the end of the day this album sounded more like a mixture of Hard Rock and AOR instead of Power Metal. But what about the new album "Light Of Dawn"?

Sunday, July 20, 2014

CD-Review: Miss Behaviour - "Double Agent"



Sweden is always good for a surprise. I didn't had the Swedish Melodic Rockers Miss Behaviour on my radar this year. I know their previous record "Last Woman Standing" and had very mixed feelings about it. On the one hand well crafted melodic rock tunes and on the other one just standard fare off the shelf. And now these five guys come along with their new record "Double Agent" on August 29th and one thing is for sure: this album is essential!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

CD-Review: NIVA - "Incremental IV"



When it comes to quality AOR music, NIVA was a huge surprise to me in 2013. "Magnitude" was an all-inclusive package for each Melodic Rock fan and just one year later singer and songwriter Tony Niva presents us his follow-up "Incremental IV" on August 29th. You know, I'm always a bit skeptical if music is released in such a short period of time ( take a look at the new Avalaon) and so I didn't know what I should think about the new effort.


Sunday, July 6, 2014

CD-Review: Night By Night - "NxN"


The newcomers Night By Night from London are around since 2008 and since that time they were busy with touring (in support of Jettblack, Heaven’s Basement, Alannah Myles, Acey Slade, The Quireboys and so on). So I was wondering why we had to wait so long for the debut album "NxN", because touring without a record is a bit difficult I think. But you know "Good things come to those who wait" and so "NxN" will hit the stores on July 14th. 

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

R&M4U-Classics: Hardline - "Double Eclipse" (1992)

I think it is time for another "classic": Hardline - "Double Eclipse". In the last two weeks this album rotated very often in my CD-Player again. Hardline are one of those bands, who never got the success they deserved, although well-known musicians were involved in making the debut album. Journey's guitar-player Neal Schon and drummer Deen Castronovo as well as singer Johnny Gioeli (who became the vocalist of Axel Rudi Pell) are responsible for this masterpiece.


Monday, June 23, 2014

Live-Report: RICHIE SAMBORA feat. ORIANTHI live @ Huxley's, Berlin (June 22nd, 2014)

It was around two years ago when I wrote my first live-report to Richie Sambora's "Aftermath Of The Lowdown" show in Berlin. It was the same venue, same people (I've seen lots of people, who attended the show in 2012) and also most of the musicians were the same. So what was different at this evening? First of all of course the appearence of the Australian Rock chick Orianthi, a new setlist and the fact that Richie reached a point in his life where he is absolutely satisfied with himself and with those things he wanted to reach two years ago when he decided to be a solo artist again.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Live-Report: AEROSMITH - The Global Warming Tour (O2 World Berlin, 09.06.2014)

It seems like all those big rock legends love Berlin these days. It's stunning how many great bands played in the capitol of Germany a few days ago. Everything started with Black Sabbath (June 8th). Yesterday (June 10th) the Rolling Stones played their asses off and in just two weeks Bon Jovi guitar-hero Richie Sambora visits the city, too (Live-Report will follow). Yeah and another legend came to town: the "bad boys from Boston", Aersomith, visited Berlin during their Global Warming tour on June 9th, 2014! It was my first Aerosmith show and I waited a very long time to see them live ... up to 12 years.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

CD-Review: Night Ranger - "High Road"

Another institution in Rock is about to release a new album these days: the new effort from the American arena-rockers Night Ranger is called "High Road" and singer Jack Blades describes it as the perfect summer feel-good record. Their last album "Somewhere In California" was released three years ago and had everything a Night Ranger fan could ask for.


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

R&M4U-Classics: Johnny Lima - "Version 1.2" (2005)

In my last Classic-post I told you, that I was looking for some more stuff in the vein of older Bon Jovi after I've listened to their suberb album "New Jersey". To my luck I found lots of great bands and musicians with a similar style, but nobody else could blew my mind like JOHNNY LIMA did. I just can say it again and again: Lima is one of the most underrated musicians in the Melodic Rock scene. He deserves so much more. He is an excellent songwriter, a pretty good singer and producer, who has much more to offer than the well-known "top-acts" of the scene nowadays. If you need a proof just listen to his album "Version 1.2" from 2005!

Friday, May 16, 2014

R&M4U-Classics: Bon Jovi - "New Jersey" (1988)

Today I reveal another classic for you: Bon Jovi's "New Jersey" from 1988. I've already mentioned that album in my last post and I thought it's time to discuss this album, because Bon Jovi was the most important influence in my youth and their older records still define my taste of music today. With this band everything started. I was 12 years old when I listened to "It's My Life" for the very first time. I loved that song so much, so I got their album "Crush" in 2000. That was my first rock record and with that one I started to discover the whole Bon Jovi discography. But it's not about "Crush" here, because this one is by far not the best album Bon Jovi did.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

R&M4U-Classics: Kane Roberts - "Saints and Sinners" (1991)

Hey folks,

with this post I'd like to introduce you to a new series of posts, called "Rock & Metal 4 You - Classics". I think the name says it all: with this series I'll discuss some records, that have stood the test of time to me and which affected my life in many different ways. 
I always wanted to give this blog a more personal note and with all that review and interview stuff this idea got a little bit lost, so I'm very happy to use this new format as a platform where I can tell you something about those records and mix it up with things that happend in my life. 
You know, so many memories of mine are captured in many records and to me it is true magic when music can bring back those feelings you had a long time ago. It doesn't work with every album, but those who can do it are true classics to me! Those records won't get a rating here, because they are all amazing. 
I'm sure there will be many albums you already know, because they are belong to the "big ones", but there will be also some LP's you've probably never heard of. So, you are able to discover new music for you or at least you'll re-discover some older stuff you may have forgotten in all those years. 

Today I'd like to start with an album that isn't very well known: "Saints and Sinners" by Kane Roberts!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

CD-Review: Elvenking - "The Pagan Manifesto"

When I read that the guys of Elvenking recorded a new album I was really excited. Some years ago I discovered this band, that combines Power Metal with folk music and anthemic stadium-sized choruses, topped by a pretty good singer, who has much of dirt and attitude in his voice. It was this mixture that made Elvenking so interesting and always special to me. "Red Silent Tides" is still one of my all-time-favorites and also the follow-up "Era" was packed with amazing songs. It seems like nothing could go wrong with the new effort "The Pagan Manifesto" ... or not?

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Live-Report: H.E.A.T - Touring Down The Walls European Tour (Berlin, 06.05.2014)

After a great show from Reckless Love on Sunday, another fantastic Melodic Rock group from the North visited Berlin: H.E.A.T! Every fan of the genre should be familiar with this name. They always deliver quality work - you can count on these guys, so I was excited for the show. The concert was a premiere in many ways: it was the kick-off-show to their European tour, the first time that the guys were playing in Berlin and it was the first time that H.e.a.t came to Germany as a headliner.

Monday, May 5, 2014

Live-Report: RECKLESS LOVE - Live in Berlin (04.05.2014)



With "Spirit" the Finnish Glam Rockers of Reckless Love released one of the best party rock records in 2013. During their European Tour the band visited Berlin for the very first time and it was also my first chance to see these guys live on stage. Read here if this ride was worth the money or not.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

CD-Review: Darkhorse - "Let It Ride"

These days the debut album from newcomers Darkhorse hit the stores. Ok, "newcomer" seems not to be the right word, because if you take a closer look at the band line-up you'll see that no other than former Danger Danger vocalist Paul Laine founded this band and that makes everything more interesting. Laine was absent for 9 years. At least I haven't heard something new from him for so long and now he is back in the Rock circus with a group that is supposed to be a country rock band. If you are shocked now, then you can skip this review, but open-minded people and fans of the genre may find an insider tip here.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

CD-Review: Brother Firetribe - "Diamond In The Firepit"

What a surprise - the Finnish AOR rockers Brother Firetribe are back! Their last album was released back in 2008 and over the years I lost sight of them. Two weeks ago I didn't know that a new album is coming. I didn't expect something new from these guys and now here it is - out of nowhere - the third effort "Diamond In The Firepit". In those six years of silence the band should have had enough time to collect a bunch of great songs.


Friday, May 2, 2014

CD-Review: Timo Tolkki's Avalon - "Angels Of The Apocalypse"

Metal operas and allstar-projects are all the rage in recent years - everyone knows that. In 2013 former Stratovarious guitarist Timo Tolkki jumped on that train and founded a metal opera project called "Avalon". I had mixed feelings about this one: on the one hand it copied a lot from Avantasia, but on the other hand you've found some pretty good earworms and great singers on it. Now, only one year later, Timo Tolkki presents us his second part. I was wondering if the quality of the songs suffers from this short period of time.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

CD-Review: Stamina - "Perseverance"

I love the unexpected. Why I'm telling you that? What I mean is it's always exciting to get promo-material from bands you've never heard of before and sometimes you are so surprised that you weren't familiar with a band that delivers this kind of quality music. Same with the Italian Melodic Metal band STAMINA. Founded in 2006 by guitarplayer and songwriter Luca Sellitto the band has released two records so far and I think many of you didn't recognize this. In February their third effort "Perseverance" hit the stores. Let me tell you what you can expect from this one.

Monday, April 21, 2014

CD-Review: Sebastian Bach - "Give 'Em Hell"

Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row), the man with tha largest flap in Rock, released a few days ago his new album "Give 'Em Hell". Bach takes every opportunity to tell everybody how great he is and of course he said this from his new effort as well. If megalomania is a disease, Sebastian Bach suffers from it. But what lies behind these big words? Let's find out!



Live-Report: SONATA ARCTICA - Pariah's Child World Tour (Leipzig, 18.04.2014)


First of all I hope everyone of you had a great Easter weekend. For me it started with my first Sonata Arctica show ever. During their "Pariah's Child World Tour" the Finnish Melodic Metal heroes visited Leipzig, Germany on April 18th, 2014. When I arrived at the location ("Hellraiser") I didn't know what to expect from a Sonata Arctica show. I didn't watch any live-videos, I just wanted to be surprised this time.

Friday, April 11, 2014

CD-Review: H.e.a.t. - "Tearing Down The Walls"

H.e.a.t. - the melodic rock icones (yes I would call them like that because they never failed so far) from Sweden came out of nowhere in 2007 and with their first two albums they really set a sign in the melodic rock world. At this time no other band was able to transport this 80's mood in such a fantastic way. Then the big shock: singer Kenny left the band, but luckily the band found in Erik Grönwall another gifted vocalist and the third album "Adress The Nation" was another highlight and their best album so far. Now the new record "Tearing Down The Walls" is out and it has big shoes to fill.

Thursday, April 10, 2014

CD-Review: Confess - "JAIL"

The "New Wave of Sleaze Metal" gained a huge fanbase over the last ten years and especially Sweden is the stronghold of Sleaze. Year after year new bands try to find their place in the scene. Some days ago the new Sleaze Metal band CONFESS released their debut album "JAIL". Let's see if they can keep up with the rest of the scene.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

CD-Review: Edguy - "Space Police: Defenders Of The Crown"

Here it is - "the best and heaviest Edguy album ever" and by the way "the best Heavy Metal album of all time". At least it was announced like that by mastermind Tobias Sammet. It is well known that Tobi is a little megalomaniac and you shouldn't take everything too serious, but last year he said his new Avantasia record would be the best one and he was damn right. It was my album of the year. So if Mr. Sammet says "here is the best Edguy album ever" expectations are high and what you can read in the press sounds also very promising. So, can this new record do justice to its big hype?

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Live-Report: Rock Meets Classic 2014 (Leipzig, 30.03.2014)


Mat Sinner is a genius. Point. Beside his acivities with Primal Fear and Voodoo Circle he made a name for himself with "Rock Meets Classic" in recent time. Year after year he presents us Rock Legends, such as Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), Robin Beck, Bonnie Tyler or Steve Augeri (Journey) together with his Mat Sinner band and the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague. You see, the guestlist is pretty long. This "Rock Meets Classic" celebrated its 5th Anniversary and it was a blast. With Alice Cooper (feat. Orianthi), Mick Box & Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Kim Wilde and Midge Ure (Ultravox) Rock Meets Classic featured the best line-up ever. But let's start at the beginning.

Exclusive Interview with TONY KAKKO (Sonata Arctica)



If there is a band that went through many musical changes in the last ten years it has to be the Finnish Melodic Metal band SONATA ARCTICA. When metalheads hear this name they are happy or getting angry. The band is known for Power Metal classics like "Ecleptica" or "Silence", but those records went hand in hand with more progressive albums like "Unia" and "Days Of Grays". The fanbase is split. Now Sonata Arctica come along with a new album, called "Pariah's Child" and it has the difficult task to please old and new fans. Singer and songwriter Tony Kakko took the time to talk with me about the new album, musical development, critics ... and wolves. Here is what he had to say.

Friday, March 28, 2014

CD-Review: Steel Panther - "All You Can Eat"

If you are into 80's Hair Metal, you can't ignore the American cock-Rockers of Steel Panther. In a very short time they've gained a huge fanbase and most of all this is due to their image. Steel Panther are the worst nightmare for feminists, intellectuals,believers and many more. Especially the latter won't be happy when they see the cover artwork to the new album "All You Can Eat". Steel Panther stands for Rock'n'Roll, drugs and sexism like no other band, so the concept is clear. The question is: will this work a third time or is the whole thing worn off?

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Exclusive Interview with NILS MOLIN (Dynazty)




Without a doubt Swedish Rockers DYNAZTY are one of the most promising groups in Metal right now. With each album the young band got stronger and stronger and also the forthcoming album "Renatus" is no exception, although Dynazty sound more different this time. The Hard Rock outfit turned into Power Metal, so it was time to ask vocalist Nils Molin some questions about this decision, the departure of Joel Fox Apelgren, Melodifestivalen and much more.