The Rock Zone Blog

Rock Roundup: 1 Jun 12

Keyboard king Rick Wakeman has announced the release of a live album which was recorded in 2003 during his tour to promote the then current studio album ‘Out There’. Rick performed with the “New English Rock Ensemble” which featured Rick alongside Ashley Holt, Tony Fernandez and Ant Glynne and Lee Pomeroy.

Former Yes frontman, Jon Anderson will be playing a show at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre on 8 August with the Slovakian Chamber Orchestra. Jon is also working on a variety of recording projects, including the follow-up to 2011’s 21 minute piece of music, Open. The new piece will be called Ever. There is also a follow-up due soon to Jon’s 1976 album, Olias Of Sunhillow. The new album will be called Zamran and it’s currently in its planning stages.

Marillion have a new studio album coming out in September. Sounds That Can’t Be Made will be released through their own Racket label. It is their 17th studio album. The band are heading to North America for their first tour there for eight years, and they’ll journey to the UK in September.

AC/DC guitarist, Malcolm Young has confirmed the band is currently hammering out a follow-up to their 2008 album Black Ice. But he also warned that we could be in for a bit of a wait.

Foreigner’s keyboard player, Michael Bluestein has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. He has had to take a leave of absence from the band for a significant period. The good news is that it was caught early enough so that it is treatable with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery and he should return to a normal life after it’s over - rocking with Foreigner.

And finally, this week, Iron Maiden’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast has come out top in a poll for the best British album of the past 60 years - scoring higher than the Beatles, Pink Floyd, Beatles and Queen. The poll was carried out by HMV to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee - and Maiden’s loyal followers came out in droves, securing more than nine percent of the entire vote. Around 55,000 people made their choice from 60 albums online. Here’s the top ten:

1. Iron Maiden: The Number of the Beast (9.2%)
2. Depeche Mode: Violator (6.3%)
3. The Beatles: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (5.7%)
4. The Beatles: Abbey Road (5.6%)
5. Pink Floyd: The Dark Side of the Moon (5.2%)
6. The Beatles: Revolver (4.0%)
7. Queen: A Night at the Opera (3.9%)
8. Oasis: (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (3.9%)
9. Adele: 21 (3.1%)
10. The Beatles: White Album (2.6%)

New Album: Crucified Barbara - The Midnight Chase

Released: 06/08/12

The hard-rocking metal maidens, Crucified Barbara, are looking forward to the release of their third album in August. “The Midnight Chase” opens with “The Crucifer”, which is laden with the band’s trademark trashy, punk-edged rock ‘n’roll, Mia’s smoky, gravel-voiced vocal and infectious choruses. They are proud of the new songs, saying the sound is better than ever - better than anything they’ve done before.

Crucified Barbara earned their rock ‘n’roll stripes the old fashioned way - on the road. From playing clubs in their native Scandinavia the girls went on to tour with the likes of Motörhead, In Flames, Sepultura, Backyard Babies and Doro.

The anthemic track “Into the Fire” seems destined to become a live favorite, while “Rules & Bones (are made to be broken)” is raw and haunting.

Their debut album “In Distortion We Trust” received critical acclaim including a single in the Swedish Top 10. The follow-up “Til Death Do Us Party” benefitted from the bands now international gigging experience and an all-round tighter sound saw the record surpass the success of their debut.

Crucified Barbara sound like rock stars and look like rock stars… The Midnight Chase will ensure they are rock stars.

Video: Richard Marx - Wouldn’t Let Me Love You

Here’s an official video to the song “Wouldn’t Let Me Love You” from Richard Marx’s album “Inside My Head” which comes out on 1st June.

New Album: The Chant - A Healing Place

Atmospheric and cinematic rock from Finland

On their third album “A Healing Place”, the Helsinki-based septet “The Chant” takes a stand as one of Finland´s most important Progressive Rockbands. Based on a deeply atmospheric, almost cinematic sound the six guys and the lady take the listener into a place where one has to fumble in grey mist before being able to see all the shades of colour. The agonizing sides of life have to be faced before being able to clean oneself from them. The seemingly positive exterior of the album hides bitter and woesome moods. Yet deep down there´s still always balance, beauty and a glimpse of hope - carried out through dreamy guitar melodies, spheric piano playing and Ilpo Paasela´s remarkable voice.

This album full of Soundscape-driven, ambitious Rock music should please fans of Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Anathema and A Perfect Circle.

Video: Hardline - Fever Dreams

On 18th May, Hardline released their new album called Danger Zone. Here’s the official video to the song “Fever Dreams”

Video: Slash - You’re A Lie

Slash had a new album out on 21st May called Apocalyptic Love. Here’s a video of the track “You’re a Lie” which features Myles Kennedy.

Tour News: Joanne Shaw Taylor

Following her critically acclaimed UK tour in November 2011, due to popular demand, blues rock guitarist and singer, Joanne Shaw Taylor returns to the UK to undertake a 13-date tour, kicking off at Bristol Tunnels Club on Thursday October 11th.

The tour dovetails the highly anticipated release of Joanne’s third studio album “Almost Always Never” – released by Ruf Records on Monday September 17th, 2012.

Thurs 11 October - Bristol Tunnels
Fri 12 October - Tavistock Wharf
Sat 13 October - Falmouth Pavilion
Sun 14 October - Poole Mr Kyps
Tue 16 October - London Leicester Square Theatre
Fri 19 October - Brighton The Haunt
Sat 20 October - Norwich Arts Centre
Sun 21 October - Sale Waterside
Tue 23 October - York Duchess
Wed 24 October - Newcastle Cluny
Fri 26 October - Glasgow Abc
Sat 27 October - Stockton Arc
Sun 28 October - Nottingham Rescue Rooms