JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS – THE MEGA 148-PAGE FIREWORKS MAGAZINE WINTER ISSUE #81
The new issue of Fireworks Magazine is out NOW for online orders (in shops Thursday Dec 14).
Our cover feature sees Joey Tempest discuss the new Europe album and why the band have left their 80s sound far behind. Also on our cover is the work of artist Mark Wilkinson, who in a fantastic six-page feature tells us how landed the Marillion cover artist job, which then led to other amazing projects including Judas Priest and Judge Dredd!
Elsewhere in this issue we talk to Magnum main-man Tony Clarkin discussing the band’s return to form with their new album, as well as detailed chats with Mick Fleetwood, Jeff Scott Soto, LA Guns, Fozzy, Rick Springfield, Joe Satriani, Sons of Apollo, Shakre, The Dark Element, Autograph, Von Hertzen Brothers, Elvenking and fantastic newcomers Midnite City. Little Steven tells us about his long and varied career in music and movies, while ex Battle Beast guitarist Anton Kabanen tells us all about his new band, Beast In Black. Add to that further interviews with Pink Cream 69, Dante Fox, Revolution Saints, Vice, Adrian Vandenberg, Delain, 10 Years, Almanac, Leave’s Eyes and many, many more!
On the features front, Dave Reynolds takes a look back to 1976, the magic year that saw the release of Rainbow ‘Rising’, Rush ‘2112’ and, KISS ‘Destroyer’ alongside stunning debuts from Boston and Starz!
With Sisters In Rock we take a look at the long careers of Doro Pesch, Ann Wilson, Ann Boleyn and Joyce Kennedy, while Bands That Time Forgot covers The Reggie Knighton Band and TKO.
In the final part of his look back at the fanzine scene of the late 80s/early 90s, Rob Evans lovingly remembers the likes of Boulevard, AOR Basement and AOR Classics, chatting with those who were there, sweating blood and tears for the fans.
So what else can you fit into 148 pages? Oh yes – over 50 pages of the best, most detailed CD, DVD and book reviews you can find in the Rock scene, as well as TWO free pdfs totalling 108 pages (so 256 pages in TOTAL this issue!!) and 87 FREE mp3 songs!
Absolutely THE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY ROCK MAGAZINE IN EXISTENCE!!
WALK THE EARTH Album Now Available for Pre-Order (See Links Below)
Release Date: October 20, 2017
Hell & Back Recordings (Silver Lining Music)
September 21, 2017 –- EUROPE is pleased to announce the release of their title track and first single “Walk The Earth” from their up and coming new studio album WALK THE EARTH out October 20th.
WALK THE EARTH is now available for pre-order from the links below:
If EUROPE’s 2015 album WAR OF KINGS was the album that made the rock world realise what a formidable act EUROPE had become then WALK THE EARTH is the album that is set to establish the band as one of the most exciting contemporary rock acts of current times.
“We're simply a different band today,” says lead singer Joey Tempest. “Ever since we started up again in 2004, we have constantly explored our limits and new parts of our musical universe. After around 1,000 shows, we feel comfortable just improvising, jamming and pushing our lyrics and songwriting with much more ease. We have now been together recording and making albums longer than the early period of the band. Five albums in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Now six records with WALK THE EARTH. When we started up again in 2004 we all agreed to think ‘long-term,’ to take the long road and build up a new relationship with listeners and media. We all agreed on writing together, owning our music, and license it out to labels that really care and support us in the long run.
“We also agreed to not look back! And never stop looking for that deeper expression. We don't have much in common with our contemporaries from back then. We have taken a different path, making sure we are constantly moving forward. We have little regard for outside influences and opinions. In order to enjoy this new journey and feel creative, it needed to be completely on our terms.
“In a EUROPE live show, there is of course some room for nostalgia, but in the studio there is none. Every album is a reaction to the one before, a new journey a new adventure. The music of a rock band needs to constantly move, challenge, upheave, evolve or the band will automatically become a nostalgia act. We are proud of our past and previous albums, but we simply can't identify, recapture, emulate any of it. We simply can't write like that even if we wanted to. We are a new act with a different expression.
“Over the years, we have learned how important recording techniques and recording equipment is by trying to search and research which producers, engineers and recording studios that can actually inspire and keep us wanting to be adventurous and daring. It has now taken us six albums to get here.”
The new album WALK THE EARTH will feature original artwork by famed Los Angeles artist Mike Sportes of Filth Mart.
“We were in the studio a few days into recording and Dave (Cobb, Producer) comes in wearing this very cool T-Shirt with one of Mike's designs on it. Immediately we knew we had to check Mike's other work and have him come up with an exclusive design for us based on the vibe of the album. We are very proud to have his amazing artwork as the WALK THE EARTH album cover!' - Joey Tempest on the appointment of Mike Sportes to do the cover.
WALK THE EARTH tracklisting:
1. Walk The Earth
2. The Siege
3. Kingdom United
4. Pictures
5. Election Day
6. Wolves
7. GTO
8. Haze
9. Whenever You’re Ready
10. Turn To Dust
From the anthemic sound of the opening track “Walk The Earth” to the heavy vibe that is “Haze,” from the instant melody of “Election Day” to the lyrical content of “Kingdom United,” WALK THE EARTH is the album that should see EUROPE rightly acclaimed as a band at the height of their powers. The wonderful melodies and depth of Joey Tempest’s vocals along with a powerhouse rhythm section and the guitar playing of John Norum, one of the great underrated guitarists. Norum’s guitar playing shines across the record. This is an album that is big in its scope and sound. Much like previous album “War Of Kings,” WALK THE EARTH is an album that has instant appeal but is also an album that needs to be lived with, in order to uncover it’s depth. The album was recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios in London with Grammy@ winning producer Dave Cobb (Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton).
Late 2016 saw EUROPE perform a series of “The Final Countdown Anniversary Shows” across Europe – culminating in a show at The Roundhouse in London. The show has been immortalised in a July 2017 DVD release The Final Countdown 30th Anniversary Show - Live at the Roundhouse.
Preceding the landmark event, fans were also treated to a live performance of EUROPE’s last album, 2015’s WAR OF KINGS, a release which re-established them as one of the top rock bands in the world.
Since forming in 1979 EUROPE have sold over 25 million albums, toured across the world and become one of the greats of modern rock music. The bands all conquering THE FINAL COUNTDOWN album has alone sold over 15 million copies worldwide and the single of the same name was #1 in 25 countries.
We are VERY pleased to announce the release of our new studio album “Walk The Earth” on the 20th October 2017 via our own Hell & Back label through Silver Lining Music.
The album cover (shown below) features original artwork by famed Los Angeles artist Mike Sportes of Filth Mart
Joey: “We were in the studio a few days into recording and Dave (Cobb, Producer) comes in wearing this very cool T-Shirt with one of Mike's designs on it. Immediately we knew we had to check Mike's other work and have him come up with an exclusive design for us based on the vibe of the album. We are very proud to have his amazing artwork as the Walk The Earth album cover!'
The track listing for the album will be:
1. Walk The Earth
2. The Siege
3. Kingdom United
4. Pictures
5. Election Day
6. Wolves
7. GTO
8. Haze
9. Whenever You’re Ready
10. Turn To Dust
The album was recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios in London with Grammy winning producer Dave Cobb (Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton) who as most of you know, also produced War Of Kings.
We are back on the road in the UK with Deep Purple later this year and this will of course be the first time you will hear tracks from 'Walk The Earth' Live.
UK Dates are below
Fri 17th Nov 2017 Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham UK
European Tour Dates for November and December to be announced imminently together with more posts with information and cool insights leading up the album's release - so keep watching this space!
October 20th everyone....pre-order links for the album will be posted soon!!
Singer JOEY TEMPEST of EUROPE joins Mitch for episode 177 of One On One With Mitch Lafon. Joey discusses the band's new deluxe edition of their fabulous War Of Kings album which now includes a bonus track and a LIVE IN WACKEN 2015 (DVD/BluRay). He also talks about DEEP PURPLE's induction into the Rock N Rock Hall Of Fame, the band's upcoming US tour, the possibility of a new solo album and getting back into the studio in September (2016) with producer Dave Cobb to start work on the follow-up to War Of Kings, his voice, the Final Countdown 30th anniversary celebrations and the Final Countdown GEICO commercial.
Quotes from the interview:
On the sound of War Of Kings: "We talked a lot about how to create an atmosphere and a vibe. We were getting slightly tired of synthesizers."
On Deep Purple & the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame: "It's Made In Japan that made us want to become musicians. It made us want to dream and hope."
"Made In Europe was another live album; that's where we got our name from. Deep Purple was very rooted... I had all the albums. That's how it started and we have that foundation, so Deep Purple definitely deserves it - 100%""
The sound of the next album: "It's moving organically and we're excited about it. What we want to do is find a deeper expression and maybe mix in blues and soul a little bit."
His voice: "I'm lucky. It's holding up. It's maybe a bit huskier, a bit rounder, a bit grittier, but it still carries the tone."
Follow Mitch Lafon on Twitter: @mitchlafon
One on One With Mitch Lafon's Official Twitter is: @1On1WithMitch
And Official Facebook page is: http://www.facebook.com/OneOnOneMitchLafon
War Of Kings Special Edition Out November 27, 2015
Includes bonus disc of Europe’s Live Performance at Wacken Open Air Festival 2015
EUROPE’s place as a legendary hard rock band was platinum-stamped early in their career. Having enjoyed an explosive period of worldwide success in the ‘80s
2015’s War of Kings has seen them take full advantage of the global groundwork EUROPE have keenly re-established over the last few years.
Recently, it was decided that EUROPE’s momentous live appearance at Wacken 2015 should not only be filmed and recorded, but released as a DVD & BluRay! EUROPE’s War of Kings Special Editionwill include the original War of Kings CD plus said Wacken 2015 DVD & BluRay, and willhit stores on November 27 via Hell & Back Recordings / UDR Music and Warner Music Australia
The set will come in three formats (2-disc Ecolbook CD+DVD, 2-disc Ecolbook BluRay+CD, Limited Edition Deluxe Package with War of Kings CD + DVD + BluRay and Photobook),
and an audio-only edition of the Wacken 2015 performance will also be available via digital format.
“Very proud to have the War of Kings Special Edition coming out with our Wacken performance as bonus disc and of course our new video for the live version of 'Nothin' to Ya'. Joey Tempest:
CD Track Listings:
1. WAR OF KINGS
2. HOLE IN MY POCKET
3. THE SECOND DAY
4. PRAISE YOU
5. NOTHIN’ TO YA
6. CALIFORNIA 405
7. DAYS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
8. CHILDREN OF THE MIND
9. RAINBOW BRIDGE
10. ANGELS (WITH BROKEN HEARTS)
11. LIGHT IT UP
12. VASASTAN (Instrumental)
DVD & BluRay Track Listings:
1. WAR OF KINGS
2. HOLE IN MY POCKET
3. SUPERSTITIOUS
4. SCREAM OF ANGER
5. LAST LOOK AT EDEN
6. SECOND DAY
7. FIREBOX
8. SIGN OF THE TIMES
9. PRAISE YOU
10. THE BEAST
11. READY OR NOT
12. GIRL FROM LEBANON
13. NOTHIN’ TO YA
14. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROCK
15. ROCK THE NIGHT
16. DAYS OF ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
17. THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
Since making a comeback a decade back, Europe have trodden a similar path – a more organic sound, heavier and more modern sound and production, but above all, the albums have been delivered with a sense of confidence and definite purpose.
Fans have generally been very warm to the band’s updated sound and I must say that despite a few fillers on each album, their recorded output has been very consistent and stays on brand.
Now onto album number 5 since 2004, War Of Kings takes up where Bag Of Bones left off, just taking it to the next level. And leaving behind the Kevin Shirley production that many are not fans of.
This is a record heavily derived from a classic rock 70s sound, with a modern production acting as a balancing force.
I’ve found each of the last 4 albums to feature some career highlights, without at any stage absolutely nailing a classic album.
This time though, the guys might just have done it. Surprisingly the album appeals more to me than any other despite an obvious lack of pacing throughout.
This is a really slow paced album, whether it is the hard hitters or a couple of more sentimental tunes. But pacing aside, the songs are just enthralling.
Highlights are plentiful. From the opening slow thunder of War Of Kings to the rare frenetic pace of Hole In My Pocket to the Zeppelinesque classic rock of The Second Day with its surging chorus to the almost gospel feel of the heavy, ultra-slow Praise You, featuring an extraordinary vocal from Joey Tempest.
You might think the intensity of the album might let up a bit, but no; it only gets more intense with the mid-tempo bombastic hard rock of Nothin’ To Ya, a truly powerful track with an organ drenched chorus.
California 405 does relax the vibe slightly before the raucous (and obvious single) Days Of Rock N Roll sees the peddle put to the metal with the most instantly likeable riff on the album.
Children Of The Mind and Rainbow Bridge are both very credible classic rockers with their own style and Light it Up has a groove more akin to Extreme than Europe.
The highlight of the second half and of the album as a whole is the simply beautiful Angels (With Broken Hearts). What a classic slow ballad.
The band’s best album in my mind since reforming because it is track for track more consistent than the other (also good) albums.
I’ve heard mixed fan reviews for this, but I think those mainly come from those waiting for Prisoners In Paradise 2. It ain’t going to happen folks.
Crank the tempo a little more and have another tune or two like Days Of Rock N Roll and a classic is born.
Rich Davenport's Rock Show this week features interviews with legendary guitar hero Michael Schenker, Europe's Joey Tempest, Ricky Warwick (The Almighty, Black Star Riders) and Western Sand, and is now available for streaming at this link:
In the first hour, Michael Schenker discusses the new Temple of Rock album, 'Spirit on a Mission', and selects 3 tracks which reflect the record's diversity. Michael also talks about the band's touring plans for 2015, and confirms that he would like Temple of Rock to be seen as a band in its own right, like UFO or the Scorpions.
Also in the first hour, rising UK rockers Western Sand, who supported Michael Schenker's Temple of Rock on their UK tour last December, talk about their new EP 'Cut You Down To Size', their touring plans, and their Southern Rock influences.
Part 2 kicks off with Europe's Joey Tempest, who looks at the writing and recording of their new release 'War of Kings', which the band have described as the album they always wanted to make. Joey also chooses 2 songs from 'War of Kings'
And The Almighty / Black Star Riders frontman Ricky Warwick shares his memories of the first two Almighty albums, 'Blood Fire & Love' and 'Soul Destruction', both newly reissued in remastered form with bonus discs by Spinefarm Records. Ricky also chooses a pair of tracks from each album.
There's also new music from Whitesnake and Black Star Riders, tribute songs for Bruce Crump (Molly Hatchet, China Sky, White Rhino), AJ Pero (Twisted Sister, Adrenaline Mob) and Andy Fraser (Free), and tracks from Black Star Riders and The Amorettes.
You can also listen on Tuesday 24th March12:00-14:00 and Thursday 26th March 07:00-09:00 on www.totalrock.com
EUROPE TO RELEASE WAR OF KINGS ON UDR RECORDS IN MARCH 2015
Swedish rock legends will also embark on UK tour with Black Star Riders to celebrate their 10th studio album
Swedish rock legends Europe will release their 10th album, "War of Kings", in March 2015 on UDR Records. Recorded at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) and engineered by John Netti, War of Kings sees the classic rocking quintet confidently creating 11 monsterously melodic, yet hard-hitting, classic rock’n’roll standouts for their fervent global audience. War of Kings will be available in multiple formats, as a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and in digital download format. The album will be released in the UK on March 2nd, Japan on March 4th (via JVC), the EU on March 6th and the US on March 10th.
Joey Tempest: “War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath.
And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!”
Europe’s place as a legendary classic rock band was platinum-stamped early in their career, having enjoyed an explosive period of worldwide success in the ‘80s, under-pinned by their hit album and single The Final Countdown, before going on hiatus between 1992 and 2003. They re-united and quickly settled into a period of re-establishment which has seen them re-enforce their reputation worldwide as one of the premier purveyors of blues-tinged classic rock with an edge and some kick. Their last album, 2012’s Bag of Bones, saw Europe hit the UK top 40 rock album charts and debut at #2 on the Swedish national charts, and War of Kings is set to take full advantage of the global groundwork Europe have put in over the last few years.
Joey adds “Hey! We took the long road! but we wanted to re-establish Europe the proper way. It’s taken 10 years and countless tours since the re-union, but we’re finally getting there! And we’ve done it our way!”
Europe will commence their roadwork supporting War of Kings with a UK/Ireland tour in Dublin on March 2nd (their first visit to Ireland in 25 years) before continuing in the UK with Black Star Riders.
Joey - “Looking forward to ‘tons’ of touring in 2015!
It’s getting harder and harder to be modest and humble about this band! It doesn’t get much better than this!”
Europe are –
Joey Tempest – lead vocals
John Norum – guitars
John Leven – bass
Mic Michaeli – keyboards
Ian Haugland – drums
War of Kings tracklisting is as follows –
01. War Of Kings
02. Hole In My Pocket
03. Second Day
04. Praise You
05. Nothin’ To Ya
06. California 405
07. Days Of Rock n Roll
08. Children Of The Mind
09. Rainbow Bridge
10. Angels (With Broken Hearts)
11. Light It Up
12. Bonus: Vasastan (Instrumental) - Digi & Japan releases only
Europe/Black Star Riders UK/Ireland Tour dates are as follows –
02/03/2015 Dublin – Olympia Theatre
03/03/2015 Belfast – Ulster Hall
05/03/2015 Glasgow - O2 ABC
06/03/2015 Glasgow - O2 ABC
07/03/2015 Newcastle-Upon-Tyne - O2 Academy
08/03/2015 Leeds - O2 Academy
10/03/2015 Nottingham - Rock City
11/03/2015 Cambridge - Corn Exchange
13/03/2015 Manchester - Academy
14/03/2015 Wolverhampton - Civic Hall
15/03/2015 Exeter – University
16/03/2015 Bristol - O2 Academy
18/03/2015 Bournemouth - O2 Academy
19/03/2015 Norwich – UEA
20/03/2015 London - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
21/03/2015 London - O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Europe have completed recording of their next studio album, due early 2015. Singer Joey Tempest posted this update earlier today:
"Hi Friends
Well, you always hear it here first. We have finished the recording of our 10th album! Twelve songs were recorded at the the brand new PanGaia studios in Stockholm where we were the very first artist to record. We loved it! The studio is absolutely top of the range and the staff was incredibly helpful. Of course we packed the place full of vintage microphones and "gear" to create an atmosphere on this record and to warm the sound up. Dave Cobb, our producer, really brought something amazing to this album and made us play from heart and soul. He will now mix it in his studio in the US. This record sounds truly enigmatic! what a great vibe! As always we're on a new journey with every record we make and this time we have really gone for it. We can't wait for you guys to hear it! We did film some stuff during the recording and will put something together for you guys in a little while."
Last month the band announced a new record deal with label UDR:
EUROPE SIGNS WITH UDR RECORDS
German-based label delighted to announce signing of Swedish rock legends
Swedish rock group Europe have signed with UDR Records for the release of their as-yet-untitled forthcoming album in early March 2015. The recording commences this month in Stockholm.
Europe’s front man Joey Tempest “We’re really excited to be working with the people at UDR. A very credible label and I am impressed with their work building a future and a solid foundation for their Artists”
UDR President/owner Ulrike Rudolph expressed her delight in capturing the band for the label.
“We are always looking to expand the label’s stable of bands with quality, not quantity, and Europe represent the finest in supremely written hard rock music,” said Rudolph. “They are a group who refuse to rest on their past and continue to grow as artists and musicians, so we are absolutely delighted they have come to us.”
Production on the new material will be handled by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons).
“He is one of few producers out there who is saving rock ‘n’ roll,” said Joey Tempest, “when we first heard Pressure and Time by Rival Sons, we just went ‘who the hell produced this stuff? It’s got tons of heart and soul, it’s cocky, it’s got that swagger, it’s alive and real.’ That’s the journey we’re on with Europe, trying to dig deeper to find more soulful expressions and play straight from the core! So we’re extremely excited to bring this guy into our team.”
The multi-platinum, 20-million-plus selling quintet, recorded 1986’s smash-hit The Final Countdown and toured the World playing sold-out concerts while cementing their place as one of the biggest rock bands of the ‘80s.
After re-grouping in 2004 with the ‘classic’ line-up, the band continued their success into the 21st century with Classic Rock Magazine stating upon the release of their last album in 2012, ‘Europe are one of the greatest rock bands on the planet right now.’
In 2015, Europe will once again take to the road as they begin a UK/Ireland tour in Dublin on March 2nd (their first visit to Ireland in 25 years). More dates to co-incide with the albums cycle will be announced shortly including territories the band has not visited in some time.
Europe are
Joey Tempest – Vocals
John Norum – Guitars
John Leven – Bass
Mic Michaeli – Keyboards
Ian Haugland – Drums
