A lyric video for "The Chance", a track taken from MASTERPLAN's upcoming release "PumpKings" (out July 28th), is available now.
MASTERPLAN’s upcoming release will be a special one for band leader Roland Grapow, because it shows the man revisiting his Helloween past. "PumpKings" includes 11 songs which Roland contributed to Helloween's rich legacy during his time in the band. These songs have been re-recorded by Masterplan's current line-up recently. "PumpKings" will be released on July 28th as Digipak and colored (of course orange) double Vinyl in gatefold sleeve.
“The idea for this project was born more than three years ago”, Grapow recalls. “I’m proud of the songs, but these days I’d do certain things a bit different. So it was an easy decision to re-record them with Masterplan now. It took quite a while to come up with the album because I was busy with other productions in my studio and in addition we had just released our “Keep Your Dream aLive” DVD with Masterplan in the Fall of 2015, so there was no reason to rush things.”
The 11 tracks featured on “PumpKings” were written by Roland from 1990 - 2000 and can be found on Helloween’s albums “Pink Bubbles Go Ape”, “Chameleon”, “Master Of The Rings”, “The Time Of The Oath” and “The Dark Ride” in their original versions. Some of them were even released as singles and rank among Helloween fan favorites.
“Our new versions of the songs are heavier definitely”, Roland says. “It would have been pointless to just reproduce the tracks exactly as they were back then. But I feel that with our new take on it, the different vocals and overall more rough attitude, “PumpKings” could be an interesting thing for both Masterplan- and Helloween fans. However, it was great fun to revisit this very important phase of my career – like meeting old friends.”
If you attract the attention of Richie Blackmore and subsequently get the gig to front Rainbow in 2016, you must be something pretty special right?
Vocalist Ronnie Romero has done just that. But before hitting the road with the Purple One, his band Lords Of Black must first deal with their business at hand…. The release of their furious, fast and flashy metal opus “II”.
Lords Of Black are a metal band with a modern approach – “catchy, melodic and progressive” in their words. Pretty accurate too. There’s no end of double kick drum here, screaming vocals and truly over the top guitar acrobatics.
But there’s also piano, synth and orchestral passages as well as some softer moments where the true timbre of Ronnie’s voice shines.
But mostly – it’s fast, really fast or overdrive fast as the metal comes in your face and threatens to disintegrate your ears. Did I mention these guys are Spanish? Can’t really tell to be honest….this is old school commercial metal all the way.
All very consistent - as long as your ears can keep up - and one to crank when in need of a shot of adrenaline.
Once again co-produced, mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow, this album has the power of a nuclear reactor and the performances of 3 guys with their lives on the line.
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of the highly anticipated second album from the Melodic Progressive Metal masters LORDS OF BLACK on March 18, 2016.
LORDS OF BLACK is the band formed by world class singer Ronnie Romero, renowned guitarist Tony Hernando and monster drummer Andy C.
Their vision was to form a Metal band with a modern approach blended with catchy, melodic and progressive elements. After months of intense and hard work on the songs, the band independently released their acclaimed Self-Titled debut which was co-produced by Roland Grapow. Metal Hammer Spain deemed it “The Best Metal album released in Spain this year.”
The band supported the release with a series of very successful live shows, some of them as “very special guest” for high profile international acts. Then the news of Ronnie Romero joining the new incarnation of RAINBOW broke out. This brought the band to the attention of the international media and in particular the words from Ritchie Blackmore, describing Romero’s voice like “a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury” piqued the curiosity of rock journalists and fans alike.
However, now LORDS OF BLACK are ready to conquer the world with “II”, an album which will blow the minds of fans of Modern Melodic Metal. Once again co-produced, mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN), “II” is not only the follow up to their outstanding and acclaimed debut album, but is an album with superbly crafted songs that will instantly become absolute Metal classics. “The new album, being the follow up to a first record that was so greatly received, had to get to a higher place.“ says Tony Hernando. “After an intense year of writing and producing, along with the live performances, we came up with songs that are still deep and complicated in some arrangements, but have been written with the live performance in mind… The quest was to come up with something that artistically was meaningful for us as musicians and at the same time could catch the attention of the listeners. We really hope you enjoy this new album and come with us for a great ride!”
Tracks like “Merciless”, “Everything You’re Not”, “Insane”, “New World’s Coming” and “Shadows of War” showcase the heavy and complex yet very melodic style of the band. The song “The Art of Illusions Part III: The Wasteland” is the conclusion to the trilogy that commenced on the debut album, while the song “Cry No More” is inspired and dedicated to the late, great, Phil Lynott.
This is a band destined for stardom: get on board now and enjoy the music!
“II” Tracklisting - Malevolently Beautiful (Intro); Merciless; Only One Life Away; Everything You’re Not; New World’s Comin’; Cry No More; Tears I Will Be; Insane; Live by the Lie, Die by the Truth; Ghost of You; The Art of Illusions Part III: The Wasteland; Shadows of War; Lady of the Lake (Rainbow cover, bonus track cd edition) / Innuendo (Queen cover, bonus track digital edition).
Enjoy the new album trailer here:
LORDS OF BLACK:
Ronnie Romero - Vocals
Tony Hernando - Guitars
Andy C. - Drums
Bass played on the album by Tony Hernando – Javi Garcia is the new bass player who has just joined the band.
All Piano and synths played by Andy C.
Additional Pianos and Synths by Tony Hernando and Víctor Díez.
Produced by Tony Hernando and Roland Grapow
Mixed and Mastered by Roland Grapow at Grapow's Studios, Slovakia
BLACK MAJESTY TO CELEBRATE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF SILENT COMPANY
Australian melodic metal band Black Majesty will celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of their Silent Company album with a special one off hometown show on Saturday 14th March 2015 by playing the entire album from start to finish at Musicland in Melbourne, Australia (see flyer below for Pre Sale ticket information). Silent Company is highly regarded as a fan favourite with songs like the title track and the Jon English cover of Six Ribbons gaining worldwide recognition. Black Majesty is currently putting the finishing touches on their sixth album which is being mixed by Masterplan's Roland Grapow. The new album will be released next year.
Drummer Randy Black and Keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio
Frontiers Music Srl, is pleased to announce another impactful release to kick 2015 off with a (heavy metal) bang: LEVEL 10’s debut album, “Chapter One”. Set for release in the EU on January 23rd and in North America on January 27th, the album features 12 songs performed in a true Metal style, with a distinctly contemporary edge.
LEVEL 10 was born out of a collaboration between American powerhouse singer Russell Allen (SYMPHONY X, ADRENALINE MOB, ALLEN LANDE) and the iconic German producer/bassist Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER). The pair met a few times during the years and swore to each other to find the time to work together. That occasion finally came about when Frontiers President, Serafino Perugino managed to connect with the two and get them committed to the creation of a new Metal album which could meld the more contemporary and aggro sound of Adrenaline Mob with the more traditional European Power Metal assault of Primal Fear.
Sinner quickly put together a killer lineup for the album, including his Primal Fear cohorts Randy Black (on drums) and Alex Beyrodt (on guitar) and called Roland Grapow (ex-Helloween) and Alessandro Del Vecchio (Hardline, Voodoo Circle) to complete the lineup on lead guitar and keyboards respectively. On the songwriting side – besides the band members – the album also sees contributions from Magnus Karlsson, Carsten Schulz, Sander Gommans and Amanda Somerville.
While the actual recording took a long time due to the “day job” commitments from the various musicians involved in this release, the result is an outstanding and super heavy – yet infectiously melodic - album! With Allen’s over-the-top vocals and a powerful lineup second to none, the resulting album is – from start to finish a true delight for all heavy metal fans!
“The target was to write and record a traditional and powerful heavy rock album with some of the best players in this genre” says Sinner. “The result is just amazing. Russell’s voice is in a fantastic shape, kick ass songs and I’m really proud of the album!”.
Russell Allen concludes: “When Mat and I met many moons ago we became fast friends. He's a great talent and a great guy. We had talked about working together in some way and it took shape in the form of level 10. I'm very excited for the world to finally hear this great record!”
Track listing: Cry No More; Soul Of A Warrior; When The Nighttime Comes; One Way Street; Blasphemy; Last Man On Earth; In For The Kill; Voice Of The Wilderness; All Hope Is Gone; Demonized; The Soul Is Eternal; Forevermore.
LEVEL 10:
Russell Allen – Lead & Backing Vocals
Mat Sinner – Bass & Backing Vocals
Roland Grapow – Guitars
Alex Beyrodt – Guitars
Randy Black – Drums & Percussion
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards
SERIOUS BLACK to release debut album on January 16
A new band - 6 members, 6 friends - all with huge experience and knowledge from many years in the business and being part of the most successful melodic metal bands: this is SERIOUS BLACK!
The line-up consists of Roland Grapow (Masterplan, ex-Helloween), Thomen Stauch (ex-Blind Guardian), Mario Lochert (ex-Visions Of Atlantis), Dominik Sebastian (Edenbridge), Jan Vacik (ex-Dreamscape) and (last but not least) the golden voice of Urban breed (ex-Tad Morose). SERIOUS BLACK is different to many of the so-called “allstar” bands, because in fact, they are a real band.
A band that crafted their incredible debut album “As Daylight Breaks” together, with every member involved into songwriting and recordings, a band that can’t wait to enter the stages. “As Daylight Breaks” is a real teamwork effort, a melodic metal jewel displaying conviction, amazing musicianship and outstanding songwriting. Fans who embrace classic melodic metal in the vein of Avantasia or Masterplan have found a new favorite band now: SERIOUS BLACK! On European tour with HammerFall in January/February 2015! A first trailer is available here now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SBxu6SAXHQ
“As Daylight Breaks” will be released on January 16th, 2015.16th, 2015.
