5 years after an acclaimed debut, the team behind Kise/Somerville regroups for a sequel. The resultant album – City Of Angels – is everything the debut offered and more.
All the key players return – German metal singer Michael Kiske and American symphonic metal vocalist Amanda Somerville, along with producer and bassist Mat Sinner, who once again wrote the bulk of the album with guitarist/keyboardist Magnus Karlsson.
There is no major disruption to the formula of the debut or the same formula used by Karlsson on his Allen/Lande releases – that is dueling powerhouse vocals over a bed of swirling keyboards and ear crunching riffs and an in-your-face rhythm section (featuring drummer Veronika Lukesova).
Mixed and mastered by the best guy in the business, Jacob Hansen, this album has an even greater sonic impact than the debut and is another great example of Karlsson’s much loved bombastic style.
Song wise, we’re in safe hands and Sinner/Karlsson turn in some memorable melodic metal songs, with an even mix of power and pomp.
The opening title track is a wide choice to kick off the album while Walk On Water is an easy choice as single, being the most commercial track on the album.
Salvation is a free flowing anthemic metal track (written by Somerville)
Lights Out has an instantly likeable hook and is a great foot thumper.
And so it continues through the album in very consistent fashion. The tempo is kept up apart from the dreamy ballad Ocean Of Tears and the more impactful After The Night Is Over.
The feisty Open Your Eyes stands out, as does second from last Run With A Dream.
One thing I did notice quite clearly is that the star of this album is Amanda Somerville. She’s all over these songs and Kiske is definitely the minor player here.
Another easy purchase for fans of the debut and both singers. There’s no change in the formula and what is expected is delivered.
The production quality does seem to have jumped a notch or two and the clear mix makes for an easy listen.
Available Today Along With title-track When You Pre Order 'City of Heroes' New Studio Album Out In Europe 17/4b and North America on 21/4
Frontiers Music Srl has announced an April 17 release date for KISKE SOMERVILLE new album 'City of Heroes' in Europe, with North America to follow on April 21. The Album will hit retail globally, with specific dates for territories in Asia, South America and others to follow. Fans can now listen to the second track to debut from the album which is: 'Walk On Water.' The song is available now along with the title track as an Instant Gratification Track beginning today on iTunes worldwide when you pre-order : http://geni.us/CityoHeroesiTunes
The video can be enjoyed here: https://youtu.be/8zOl3kg2lAE
Configurations for the album will also include CD, with a deluxe edition available featuring a "making of" documentary on DVD and two videos in digipak. Additionally Kiske Somerville will be available as a 2LP vinyl set.
Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter from Flint, Michigan whose catalogue of projects, guest appearances and live shows garnered to date is an impressive body of work. Since 1999, she has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands. She co-wrote the metal opera "AINA," and has also been a vocalist, songwriter, producer and / or vocal coach for many bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT, giving her more credibility in metal circles than she ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include working with renowned artists Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE) and many others.
Hamburg-born singer Michael Kiske is best known as the former lead vocalist for the German Metal Gods Helloween. After his departure from the band, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Place Vendome and he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist. In late 2009, he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Unisonic, together with his former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and began touring again after 17 years.
Five years of waiting for KISKE / SOMERVILLE new masterpiece album “City of Heroes” to be released worldwide in April on Frontiers
Frontiers Music Srl is excited to announce the release of the anticipated new album from KISKE / SOMERVILLE entitled "City of Heroes" on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America.
KISKE / SOMERVILLE is the musical collaboration between vocalists Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Unisonic, Place Vendome) and Amanda Somerville (Trillium, Avantasia) and this new recording is certainly going to be one of the highlights of the season in Rock music. Kiske’s soaring overtones seem to blend perfectly with the ethereal quality and diverse range of Amanda's voice and this time the results are truly over the top.
This brilliant new album sees Mat Sinner (Primal Fear, Sinner) and Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Primal Fear) handling most of the songwriting (with a song contribution “Breaking Neptune” from Sander Gommans formerly of After Forever and Amanda Somerville herself) and with Sinner overseeing the production in various recording studios in Europe. Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Primal Fear, Pretty Maids, Doro etc.) then took care of the mix of the album ensuring a sonic quality second to none.
The first KISKE / SOMERVILLE self-titled album instantly aroused enthusiasm in the rock and metal community. The two videos off the album -“If I Had a Wish” and “Silence” – amassed a total of approximately 3,000,000 plays to date, which means that these songs can legitimately be considered as nowadays Rock classics!
Considered a Metal Diva in the European symphonic metal scene, Amanda Somerville is an American singer-songwriter from Flint, Michigan whose catalogue of projects, guest appearances and live shows garnered to date is an impressive body of work. Since 1999, she has divided her time between the US and Europe, primarily Germany and the Netherlands. She co-wrote the metal opera "AINA," and has also been a vocalist, songwriter, producer and / or vocal coach for many bands like AVANTASIA, EPICA and KAMELOT, giving her more credibility in metal circles than she ever bargained for. Some of her most recent endeavors include working with renowned artists Alice Cooper, Bonnie Tyler, Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE) and many others.
Hamburg-born singer Michael Kiske is best known as the former lead vocalist for the German Metal Gods Helloween. After his departure from the band, Kiske recorded four solo albums, participated on various metal and rock related projects, such as Place Vendome and he also performed with numerous bands as a guest vocalist. In late 2009, he formed the hard rock/heavy metal band Unisonic, together with his former Helloween bandmate Kai Hansen and began touring again after 17 years.
“City of Heroes” will be released in CD, Deluxe edition with a bonus DVD and 2Lp vinyl gatefold sleeve. Tracklisting includes: City of Heroes; Walk on Water; Rising Up; Salvation; Lights Out; Breaking Neptune; Ocean of Tears; Open Your Eyes; Last Goodbye; After The Night Is Over; Run With a Dream; Right Now.
DVD includes: City of Heroes (video); Walk on Water (video); “Making of” documentary
An album trailer can be enjoyed here:
Musicians:
Lead & Backing Vocals by Michael Kiske & Amanda Somerville
