Special: Interview with Thomas Schwarzkopf @ "Rock Discussions"

Hey folks,

I just wanted to share the following link with you:

http://rockdiscussions.blogspot.it/2013/07/mr-thomas-schwarzkopf-rock-metal-4-you.html

It's an Interview with me about this Blog, my work for MyGlobalMind and my opinion about music business.
It was much fun to do this, because usually I'm asking the questions. So if you want to know a bit more about R&M4U and the man behind it - take a look! :)

Thanks to "Zorro" (the mastermind behind the Melodic Rock projects Shining Line and Charming Grace) for doing this interview with me and the idea of supporting webzines and music journalists. Pretty cool thing!

CD-Review: Charming Grace - "Charming Grace"

Hey folks, here we go again with another review of an AOR project. Yeah, I know what you may think now: "AOR again?". This is not just an AOR blog, but at the moment there are so much of this releases in the pipeline and I get lots of requests from bands of this genre to review them. Same with Charming Grace - a new project from Pierpaolo "Zorro 11" Monti (drums – Shining Line, Lionville), Davide "Dave Rox" Barbieri (lead vocals & keyboards – Wheels Of Fire) and Amos Monti (bass - Shining Line, Lionville). You see we deal with very experienced musicians here and I loved the Shining Line record in 2010, let's see what this indirect follow-up has to offer.

Special: Sabinas Rex - A Rock Opera

Some days ago I received a promo package from Vlado Kormos, the mastermind behind Sabinas Rex, which is supposed to be a Rock Opera. The special thing is that this album isn't available yet. You can't buy it, for now it's just a promo release to get attention from new sponsors or investors. So this isn't a typical review this time and I won't give a rating here, because it isn't the final product. Please keep that in mind. I'll tell you what is good about it and what should be improved till the final release. I think this is a fair deal.

Exclusive Interview with ROBIN BECK

After listening to her new fabulous album "Underneath" I just had to ask her some questions: the legendary Robin Beck! She is an icon in the melodic rock scene with a fantastic voice, but most of all she seems to be a very, very kind, helpful and open-minded person. Check out what she had to say about her new album, her relationship to husband James Christian and her thoughts about the early success with the hit single "First Time" in a very personal interview.

CD-Review: BlackRain - "It Begins"

Did you ever heard from the French Glam/Sleaze rock band BlackRain? I wasn't familiar with these guys. Ok, I knew the cover artwork from their debut "License To Thrill", but I never gave them much attention - which was a big mistake! With their third album "It Begins" they really want to show the world what they are made of ... and I was really surprised - in a positive way.

CD-Review: Newman - "Siren"

In the last few days we've to deal with a real flood of AOR releases. For sure, this is no wonder, because those records fit very well to the summertime with their feel good vibes. After James Christian and Robin Beck we have another very consistent AOR musician in the line: Steve Newman. Since 1997 this guy produces one album after another, so with "Siren" he finally offers his 11th piece of work. Let's see if we find any innovations.

Guitar player Dave Dalone leaves H.E.A.T.!

Some minutes ago the melodic rockers of H.E.A.T. announced that their guitarist Dave Dalone quit the band to pursue new musical challenges. It's the second leave of an original band member. Singer Kenny Leckremo left the band in 2010 already.
For now,  H.E.A.T. will continue as a five man band. The situation won't affect upcoming shows nor the upcoming recording of the fourth album, which is due to release in early 2014. Read the full statement from Dave below:

"I've always been a great fan of melodic rock. For me, H.E.A.T started out as the passion project of my dreams, and turned into the great and strong melodic rock band that it is today.

I want to thank each and everyone involved and all of the great fans that made this journey possible for me. I have been to places, met so many nice people, experienced great moments that will stay in my heart forever.

I leave this band because, I have always believed in the fact that you should always stay true to your heart and follow your dreams, no matter what! I still have great faith in H.E.A.T and nothing but love for all of the members in the band, they will always be my brothers

Thank you everyone and Keep on Dreaming".
- Dave Dalone

CD-Review: Robin Beck - "Underneath"

Most of you will still remember the Coca Cola advertisement with Robins song "First Time", which was a huge success for the American singer. In the last 25 years Robin Beck released another 6 albums, but sadly she couldn't repeat the success she had with her Nr.1 hit from 1988. Now she is back and yes, Robin did lots of things right this time. I'll tell you why!

CD-Review: James Christian - "Lay It All On Me"

Every lover of melodic rock/AOR should know his name: James Christian is a highly respected singer in the genre. Since his start in 1988 he released some albums with his band House Of Lords, which became classics to many fans out there (just think of "Sahara" from 1990). He also released two solo albums yet. Now it's time for his third solo effort. So expectations are high, can he fulfill them?

CD-Review: Pat Travers - "Can Do"

Frontiers Records is about to release the new album by guitarist Pat Travers on July 5th, 2013. One moment ... Pat Travers? Never heared of him before. A look at the promo sheet tells me he is active since 1976 and he released something around 30 releases with his band until now. So this is pretty much and I'm really happy I haven't listened to those 30 albums before - otherwise I may have heared most of the stuff on "Can Do" before, I think.

Live-Report: BON JOVI (Berlin - Waldbühne, 18.06.2013)

During their "Because We Can" world tour, the stadium rockers BON JOVI visited also Berlin on June 18th, 2013. They played for the first time after 13 years in the capital of Germany. In 2000 the "Waldbühne" was also choosen as the event-location, but this time there were different circumstances.

CD-Review: Magnus Karlsson - "Free Fall"

If you like Melodic Metal you should be familiar with the name Magnus Karlsson. This guy is the mastermind behind the Allen/Lande project as well as The Codex, Kiske/Somerville or Last Tribe ... and of course don't forget his full-time job as the guitar player of the power metal band Primal Fear. With all these activities you might think his timetable is full enough, but Magnus seems to bubbling over with creativity. He released his first solo album "Free Fall" a few days ago and even this is a solo record Magnus invited lots of guest singers on this one.

Exclusive Interview with ELIZE RYD (Amaranthe)

If you currently search for one of the hottest acts in Metal, then you don't get away from Amaranthe. This band is a little phenomenon, because they don't fit in a special sub-genre, but nevertheless they are one of the most successful metal bands at the moment. With their latest release "The Nexus" Amaranthe seem to be unstoppable and are currently touring in the whole world. So I was really happy about the chance of having a little chat with the female vocalist of this band - the lovely Elize Ryd!

Exclusive Interview with HELGE ENGELKE (Fair Warning, Dreamtide)

The German cult-band Fair Warning released their incredible new album "Sundancer" some days ago. This should be reason enough to ask guitar-player Helge Engelke some questions about Fair Warnings new activities. Be ready for a very detailed interview with one of the finest guitarists from Germany.

CD-Review: Dark Moor - "Ars Musica"

Symphonic Metal fans have a reason to celebrate: the Spanish Symphonic Power Metalers of Dark Moor are about to release their 9th album in two weeks and I must confess that I've never heard of this band before ... but the beautiful cover artwork of their new record "Ars Musica" aroused my interest, as well as the many positive reactions to their new material. So, I didn't really know what to expect, but often this is a good sign, because I often experience great surprises if I can listen to something without any expectations.

Crowdfunding in music industry - a Blessing or a Curse?

Hey folks,

today I want to discuss something, which is far away from reviews, interviews and all that stuff. Due to recent events I want to talk about Crowdfunding. This subject is highly topical at the moment, especially in the last few weeks where well-known bands like Crashdiet or ReVamp made use of it.

For those of you, who haven't heard about "Crowdfunding" yet: it's nothing more than a money collection campaign. Artists ask you for your money to finance one of their projects and in return you'll receive some goodies like a special T-shirt, autographed poster or something like that. It's your choice which things you want to have and how much money you like to spend, but each goodie has a fixed price. This concept is used everywhere, whether if it comes to music, movie or game industry. "Kickstarter" and "Indiegogo" are typical platforms for this.

Exclusive Interview with MAGNUS KARLSSON (Primal Fear, Allen/Lande, ...)

If you like Melodic Metal, I'm very sure you are familiar with this guy: the Swedish Axeman of the Power Metal band Primal Fear was involved in so many projects like Allen/Lande, Last Tribe, Starbreaker, The Codex, Kiske/Somerville (by the way: it's official - a second part is coming!), .... and at least one of those albums definitely found its way in your CD collection!
Finally, Magnus produced his first solo album "Free Fall", which will be released in June via Frontiers Records. So he took the time to talk to me about all his activities. Check it out!

CD-Review: Delain - "Interlude"

It seems like the Dutch Symphonic Metal band DELAIN is unstoppable. In the last years they got more and more attention from all over the world. Beside Europe and Japan they will tour together with Kamelot in the USA in September! You see, they are very busy and maybe this is the reason why they haven't the time to record their fourth regular album. In order to shorting the waiting time to their new studio album they released "Interlude" - a collection of cover songs, new versions of older Delain songs and of course live material.

CD-Review: Cream Pie - "Unsigned 2.0"

Nowadays we really get flooded with sleaze metal bands from all over the world. Since the "new wave of sleaze metal" many bands tried to find their place in this genre. The Italian band Cream Pie also wants its piece of cake (what a play on words, haha) and release their new album EP  "Unsigned 2.0" on June 20th, 2013.
Are they pretenders for the sleaze throne?

Live-Report: FREEDOM CALL (Nuremberg, 11.05.2013)

After the release of their first Best Of, the German power metal band Freedom Call wants to celebrate their 15th anniversary with the fans around the globe. So during their "Ages Of Light" tour I had the chance to see Chris Bay & Co. live in Nuremberg - their hometown. So it was some kind of a home game and I can tell you one thing: it was a fantastic "Happy Metal party"!

Live-Report: VOODOO CIRCLE / SHAKRA (Burglengenfeld, 08.05.2013)

Hey folks, here is something special for you: the first guest article on R&M4U! Huge thanks to Jessy for writing it. You are the best! :)
Only a bit more than two months have passed since the release of the new Voodoo Circle CD "More Than One Way Home". Now we all have the chance to listen to their songs live, because the band is currently touring through Germany, the Netherlands and Austria. The kick-off show of this small tour took place in Burglengenfeld. I was so happy to have the chance to be there! 

CD-Review: Timo Tolkki's AVALON - "The Land Of New Hope"

Timo Tolkki - do I have to say something about this guy? I think lots of metalheads know him as the former guitar player of the power metal band Stratovarius. Over the years he has become some kind of cult-figure in the metal genre, so many people were excited when they heard of his new project Avalon, which is supposed to be a metal opera. Timo Tolkki gathered lots of guest musicians around him to take you on a journey into the land of new hope, but lots of things have a bitter aftertaste and I'll tell you why.