Exclusive Interview with Mark Fox (Shakra)

When vocalist John Prakesh left Swiss Hard Rockers SHAKRA two years ago, nobody thaught that former singer Mark Fox would return to the band, but as you see: mircales happen all the time and Shakra present us one of their strongest releases with Mark Fox on vocals. With that in mind it was time to talk to Mark about his return, reunions in general, his solo activities and of course the new album "High Noon".  Check out what he had to say below.

Exclusive Interview with Amanda Somerville (Kiske/Somerville, Avantasia, Trillium)

She has one of the finest female voices in Rock & Metal: Amanda Somerville. The Michigan singer/songwriter/vocal coach is a real workhorse. In the last 15 years she was part of countless projects and background singer on many Metal records from Kamelot, Epica, Avantasia and the list goes on and on. At the moment she is on tour with Rock Meets Classic. That was the perfect time for me to meet her and ask her some questions about the new Kiske/Somerville album, the Metal community, talent shows, Rock Meets Classic and much more. Check out this interview and get a closer look at this talented woman.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

Exclusive Interview with NIC MAEDER (GOTTHARD)

If there is a man, who was not to be envied in 2011 it has to be GOTTHARD vocalist NIC MAEDER. After the tragic death of Steve Lee he had big shoes to fill - and he succeeded.
Now in 2014 he is an integrated band member, that gives the Swiss superstars a more fresh and younger note. The forthcoming record "Bang!" proves it (Review is coming soon). So it was time for me to talk with this very charismatic guy about the new album, the pressure of being the new Gotthard singer and his past. Here is what he had to say. 

Exclusive Interview with JOHNNY LIMA

He is one of the most underrated musicians in the whole Rock circus, although he produces hits on the assembly line: JOHNNY LIMA. After five long years the Californian Melodic Rocker is about to release his new album "My Revolution" on March 1st. The contributers of his crowdfunding campaign already had the pleasure of listening to his album (in a Limited Edition) first. Find out what he had to say about the possibilities of crowdfunding, fraudulent fans as well as what it's like to be an independant artist and much more in my interview with this very charismatic and talented musician. 

Exclusive Interview with AXEL RUDI PELL (ARP, Ex-Steeler)

He is a true veteran in the Metal and Hard Rock scene: the German Axeman Axel Rudi Pell celebrates his 25th anniversary together with his band. To get the party started he blessed his fans with a great present: his 15th studio album "Into The Storm" was released a few days ago and a big tour including a special anniversary show is coming up next. Reason enough for me to talk to the guitar-maestro about his new record, the Heavy Metal scene and the reason why a band is named after their guitarist.

Exclusive Interview with Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween, Place Vendome, Avantasia, ...)

When you ask people about the most iconic and most popular singers in Rock & Metal, you'll definitely get to hear his name very often: Michael Kiske! Back in the 80's he coined the genre of Power Metal with his band Helloween. The two Keeper-Records are still classics to many Heavy Metal fans out there and the teenager at the microphone has become a serious singer and songwriter in many ways these days. In promotion of the new Place Vendome album I had the opportunity to talk with Michael about his current activities with this AOR project, his new band Unisonic, the forthcoming Kiske/Somerville album, Avantasia and of course about his very exciting past. Michael Kiske tells his story. Check out what he had to say!

Exclusive Interview with Mark Sweeney (Wolfpakk)

Just a few days ago the new Wolfpakk album "Cry Wolf" was released. That was reason enough for me to talk to one of the "alpha wolves": Mark Sweeney. Although he is very busy in collecting ideas for the third Wolfpakk album, the Swiss singer/songwriter/producer talks about the new record, his solo activities, critics and much more. Check out what he had to say!

Exclusive Interview with MAT SINNER (Sinner/Primal Fear/Voodoo Circle)

Mat Sinner is a true workaholic: he just finished the tour with Voodoo Circle, a new Sinner album will hit the stores in the end of August, more stuff from Primal Fear is also on the way and if this wasn't enough, recently a new "Rock Meets Classic" tour was announced, which comes along with a stunning line-up next year. So, I had many, many reasons to talk to Mat about all his activities and most of all about the fortcoming "Rock Meets Classic" tour. One thing is  sure: we will hear a lot of this guy in the next few months. Check out what he had to reveal!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Exclusive Interview with JULIAN ANGEL (Beautiful Beast)

If you are one of those people, who think Hair Metal is dead, I'd like to introduce you to this guy: Singer Julian Angel is a very busy vocalist and businessman. Beside his band activities with BEAUTIFUL BEAST he also organized his own music conference, called MusicBiz Madness, in the last few months. 
Nevertheless Julian took the time to talk about this event, his forthcoming Beautiful Beast album and Hair Metal in general, so check this out!

Exclusive Interview with KEE MARCELLO (ex-Europe, ex-Easy Action)

 I think many of you remember the legendary guitar solo on Europe's classic "Superstitious" and the famous man behind it: KEE MARCELLO. After breaking up with Europe lots of things have changed and during to the release of his new solo album "Judas Kiss" I had the pleasure to interview this living legend.
Kee talked about his new record as well as his appearence in the musical "Rock Of Ages", but also about some very personal things he experienced in all these years of musicbusiness. Check out this very detailed interview with one of the finest guitar players of all time!