Important Announcement - June 2016

Hey folks,

I know, I know, plenty of time passed by since the latest update on this blog and I can only apologize for that. I think you guys noticed that since last year the regularity of updates on this blog decreased sharply. This is due to new responsibilities I took in my day job. There are lots of things going on right now - not just in my job, also in my private life. So there is simply not enough time to focus on this blog - and to be honest I'm also not in the mood to sit down in front of my computer right after work where I sit the whole day in the office in front of another computer. It is much more important to me to spend the free time I have with family and friends right now. I just got to that point where I had to set priorities ... and yeah, that's the honest truth: I can't ensure writing countless reviews and other stuff in the (complex) way I did before. It's a lot of work and it takes a lot of time writing this stuff. Please keep in mind that I'm running this site on my own. There is nobody who is helping me out here. With that said I also want to say sorry to the many bands out there, who write me E-Mails with requests for doing reviews on their albums. I have to select very carefully what fits to my own taste in music. It wouldn't be fair to criticise bands and music styles I'm normally not listening to.

I know that sounds worse, but I also don't want to shut the whole thing down. So I decided to do some more little updates from time to time. First I'll start with "Quick-Reviews", which means I collect some albums over a certain period of time and I'll give you my opinion on them, but in a very short, very focused way without talking so much about unnecessary things. Maybe this also fits perfectly to the zeitgeist nowadays. I mean, who of you still reads long texts? For sure, maybe I'll do one or two longer reviews on very special albums again, but not in the nearer future.
Furthermore I'll try to continue doing interviews, since that doesn't happen that often I'll take the chance to do it if I have the opportunity. When it comes to live-reports I'll concentrate on shows/musicians I have not covered yet.

So these are the consequences that I have drawn to keep "Rock & Metal 4 You" still running and I hope you understand my points. THANK YOU!

All the best to you guys and keep on rockin'!!!

Thomas

Special: Forthcoming Rock/Metal albums in 2016!

Hey folks,

today I'd like to take a look into the future. As I mentioned in a previous post, 2015 was a very slow year for me, because many of my favorite bands released their stuff already in 2014, so there was not much left for 2015, beside some surprises. But this means also 2016 will be one hell of a year! Have a look at the following list. It contains the forthcoming records I'm/I was most excited about and has no order or ranking. I just collected some bands here where I know they are currently working on a new album.

But before we start I want to take the time to THANK YOU guys for reading this blog and keep the whole thing rolling. Over 181.000 views show me that this site is still relevant for you and I have to apologize, that I didn't wrote so much stuff in 2015. Beside the lack of favorite releases it was still a matter of time. As you know, I'm running this site on my own and I have a day job. Things can become stressful very quickly. Also 2016 will be very busy for me and there will be months when you don't get to read any new stuff here. So, I want to thank you for your understanding. I'll try to upload new reviews as often as possible. Another thank you goes out to my colleagues at MYGLOBALMIND, who publish my stuff on their website, too. Those guys are doing a fantastic job as well. And last but not least I'd like to thank the musicians and their promoters, for giving me the chance to do all these reviews and interviews (although there was just one this year). Have a happy new year everybody! We'll hear from each other in 2016!

Special: Top 10 Album Of The Year 2015!

Hey Rockers,

I hope you guys had a great Christmas Eve! Today I'd like to reveal my top 10 albums of the year 2015. Maybe you found some of them under your Christmas tree???

Please remember: this is a very subjective ranking and a choice from the heart. Ratings are not important. The only thing that matters is the fact that those albums still find a place in my player.
Let me know which albums impressed you in 2015!

Special: TOP 10 Songs Of The Year 2015!

Hey folks,

after my list of the biggest disappointments in 2015 I'd like to reveal my TOP 10 songs of the year 2015 today. The following ten songs stood the test of time. Those are the ones that touched me somehow. I can't stop listening to these tunes, so if you don't know some of these tracks check them out. I tried to add a Youtube-Videoif possible.
Now let me know your top songs in 2015! I'm very excited which songs made YOUR year even more enjoyable. :)

Special: The biggest disappointments in 2015!

Hello folks,

it's December and the end of the year is near, which means it's time to look back once more. What can I say about 2015? I think for many of you it was a good year for Rock'n'Roll, but to me it was not. All my favorite bands released their stuff in 2014 and so not much was left for 2015. I also attended just one concert this year, which is very disappointing. But I'm really looking forward to 2016 when we will see new releases of Avantasia, Shakra, Axel Rudi Pell, Gotthard, Dynazty, Reckless Love, Richie Sambora (hopefully), Pretty Maids and many more. This will be a great year! But of course 2015 had also some good albums and songs to offer, which I will present you in the next few weeks. For now I'd like to start with the three biggest disappointments in 2015. Please keep in mind that this is a very subjective list and view on things, maybe you see it differently. Let me know what you guys think in the comments below!

Special: Blu-Ray Review - SCORPIONS "Forever And A Day"

It's been quite a while when I did my latest Blu-Ray review, so I thought it would be cool to do another one. Yesterday I watched the documentary "Forever And A Day", which deals mostly with the farewell tour from Germanys biggest Hard Rock export the Scorpions. The movie was shown in some cinemas in addition to the release of the new album "Return To Forever". If this was a smart move I'll discuss in this review.

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?

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.

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!

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.

Special: Best Of 2013 - Your Results!

Hello folks,

two weeks ago I asked you about your favorite albums, bands, etc. in 2013. First of all I want to thank everyone, who joined the survey.
When I take a look at the results I'm very happy, because it seems most of you have the same musical taste like me and that shows me that I'm not alone with my opinions.

Special: Best Of 2013 - Reader's Choice!

Hey folks,

I hope all of you had a great New Year's Eve!
After I showed you my album/song of the year lists it's YOUR turn. I'd like to know what you think about the Rock/Metal year 2013. Please fill out the form below. I'll collect the answers and will do another post with YOUR results in a few days. So please be part of it and spread the word! Thank you! :)

Special: The biggest disappointments in 2013!

Hey folks,

it's December, that means it's time to look back at this year. What had 2013 to offer? I would say: many amazing records. But before I give you my album/song of the year countdown I want to start with the disappointments this year. Luckily that aren't so many. Feel free to comment and discuss my list. What do you think? What was your fail in 2013?

Special: Forthcoming Rock & Metal Releases in 2014!

Hey Rock & Metal community,

as I promised, here is my short overview of bands, which are working on new albums right now. Please note that this list is about the bands I'm very excited about. For sure, there will be much more stuff in 2014 from other bands. So, let's get started because it is a LOT ;)

Special: One Year Rock & Metal 4 You!

Hey folks,

don't wonder why there aren't many updates on this Blog at the moment. The thing is, these days there aren't so many releases I'm excited about. To me, all the big ones have been released so far.
Speaking about this year ... yeah it's exactly one year ago when I founded this Blog. Some incredible things happend in that time. This year was packed with tons of amazing music, interesting interviews and fantastic live shows. I already said it in my 100th blog post, but I just can repeat myself: I thank each and every one of you readers, who support Rock & Metal 4 You and keep this site rollin'. I also want to thank all the musicians I worked with and last but not least Denys Jaime from MyGlobalMind for giving me the opportunity to move forward with my hobby.
My question to you all is: what do you like to see on Rock & Metal 4 You? Is there something you hardly miss? Feel free to comment or send me a message via the contact box.

Now I want to take the time to tell you exclusively what's coming up next on R&M4U:
In the next few weeks I will give you a short overview of all important bands, who are working on new albums right now and of course there will be another countdown of my personal "Album Of The Year" and "Song Of The Year" - list, as well as the biggest disappointments in 2013.
Oh and get ready for new live reports of Steel Panther, Freedom Call, Rock Meets Classic (feat. Alice Cooper, Joe Lynn Turner, ...) and Aerosmith! These are the ones I've got my tickets already. This will be fun!

You see, there's much interesting new stuff coming up, so stay tuned and spread the word. Thank you! :)

Special: Blu-Ray Review - EUROPE live at Sweden Rock / 30th Anniversary Show

In 1983 a young band from Sweden got out to conquer the world. Only three years later they should write one of the biggest rock classics of all time: with "The Final Countdown" Europe were at the top of their game. After the big break in 1992 they did the comeback of the year in 2004. But the sound had changed. Today Europe are a more harder rockin' band with lots of bluesy elements (especially on their latest album "Bag Of Bones"). So, this year the guys celebrated and recorded their 30th Anniversary show at one of the biggest Rock festivals: Sweden Rock! A concert, 30 years in the making - let's see if it's so bombastic like it sounds.

Special: JOHNNY LIMA starts Crowdfunding campaign to finance his new album "My Revolution"!

Singer/Songwriter/Producer JOHNNY LIMA is about to release his new album next year and he needs your help: As you might know he is an Independent artist and has to finance every record and every gig on his own. It is no wonder that Johnny chooses the crowfunding path now, although I'm a bit suspicious when it comes to this topic. But this campaign makes sense: it's just some kind of pre-payment here. You get a Limited Edition of the forthcoming album with 15 tracks on it (instead of 10 - 11 songs). Read Johnny's message here and don't forget to support him. If you like Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe and Bon Jovi, you can contribute this one blindly!

Message from Johnny:

"Hey everyone!! I'm trying to raise some money to help finance the new album so I started a campaign on Indie GoGo. This will be your only chance to get a Limited Edition 15 song CD and may be the only way to get the new album on CD if I can't get a licensing deal with a record company. The official release will only have 10-11 songs on it. So this one is going to be really exclusive and limited and only available through the campaign. Please spread the word!"

http://igg.me/at/johnnylima/x/4944946 

Special: Hands Off!

Hey folks,

due to recent events, I just want to clarify something: if you see one of my reviews on other websites except R&M4U and MyGlobalMind, then it has nothing to do with me! I just write for these two websites. Actually I saw one of my reviews on another site - and it's not the first time. I wasn't asked for my permission. The worst thing this time is that this review was placed under an illegal download. This can't be. First of all it's not fair to steal my writing and the second thing is I could get a lot of trouble when my stuff is published on illegal sites. But it also happened already on a "normal" webzine. So, please do me a favor and report stolen reviews to me. Thanks!

And to you guys, who want to steal my stuff: DARE YOU!!! How stupid are you?! Do you really think nobody would recognize this? Don't you have your own ideas? Even if you change three sentences and put your name under the post, it is still my writing and my style! I can prove it! Everybody, who put my stuff on another website without my permission will get a LOT of trouble, I promise you that - and don't think I wouldn't notice it! So, HANDS OFF!!!!!!!!

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!

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.