Palace of Rock: July 2012

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

No Americana - Washed out summer

U.K rockers No Americana´s new single "Washed out summer" is available on Amazon now. They rock!
www.facebook.com/NoAmericana

Fight Another Day - Rub some dirt on it

Florida based rock/metal band Fight Another Day releases their new EP "Rub some dirt on it" on Aug 24th.
www.facebook.com/fightanotherdayband

Kamikaze Kings - The law

The German glam metalheads Kamikaze Kings releases their new album "The law" on Aug 31st.
www.facebook.com/Kamikazekings

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1986

1986 was a damn fine year of progressive rock music, with amazing albums like Genesis-Invisible touch, Emerson Lake and Powell and Twelfth Night-XII.
But the unquestionable top 5 are superb!
1.It Bites-Big lad in the windmill 2.GTR-GTR 3.Peter Gabriel-So 4.Kansas-Power 5.Pallas-The wedge

Aria - We are all prisoners

The Canadian modern rock band Aria´s new album "We are all prisoners" is now available on Amazon. Check out the video of the new single "Purgatory", great song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwpchrLpdUk

Platinum Blonde - Now and never

The Canadian cult band Platinum Blonde is back, their comeback album "Now and never" drops on Aug 21st. It´s their first album in over 2 decades.

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1985

1985 wasn´t such a great year of progressive rock, many of the big bands didn´t release anything this year but we had the luck of seeing strong albums from these......
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1985.
1.Rush-Power windows 2.Marillion-Misplaced childhood 3.Asia-Astra 4.Kerry Livgren A.D-Art of the state 5.Pendragon-The jewel

No Doubt - Push and shove

The reunited No Doubt releases their new album "Push and shove" on Sept 25th.

The Dollyrots - The Dollyrots

The rock/pop/punk band The Dollyrots releases their new self titled album on Sept 18th.

The Script - #3

Here is the artwork for Irish pop/rock band The Script´s new album #3, that comes out on Sept 10th.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Pride of Lions - Immortal

AOR band Pride of Lions featuring Jim Peterik (Survivor) and Toby Hitchcock, releases their new album "Immortal" on Sept 21st.

The Killers - Battleborn

Here is the artwork for The Killers new album "Battleborn", out on Sept 14th.

Siamese Fighting Fish - Crap is the new black

This is a cool band from Denmark, alternative artrock........well. They´re Siamese Fighting Fish with the new song "Crap is the new black", from their forthcoming album.

Hillbilly Herald - Yellow Belly

Some good ol classic rocknroll, Hillbilly Herald´s new single "Yellow belly". Sounds like a southern rock version of ACDC meets GunsNRoses.

Ape BC - Change agent

Aussie rockers Ape BC´s new single "Change agent", from their new EP "Pre Mortem". Thanks to Philippe for the tip.

Eclipse - Bleed and scream

Swedish melodic rock band Eclipse´s new single "Bleed and scream", from their new album "Bleed and scream", out on Aug 28th.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Pete Townshend - Who I am

Legendary guitar player Pete Townshend of The Who has written the autobiography "Who I am", it comes out on Oct 11th. Awesome!

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1984

1984 was a good year of progressive rock music, not one of the greatest but still really pleasing with albums like Twelfth Night-Art and illusion, Planet P Project-Pink World and King Crimson-Three of a perfect pair.
The ones that stood out are:
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1984.
1.Rush-Grace under pressure 2.Pallas-The sentinel 3.Eloy-Metromania 4.Marillion-Fugazi 5.Kerry Livgren A.D-Timeline

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1983

The longer we headed into the 80´s, the more AOR-ish the progrock music got if you look at Yes and Kansas for example. 1983 was the year of releases like IQ-Tales from the lush attic, Pink Floyd-The final cut and Asia-Alpha.
And here are my top 5 albums.
1.Yes-90125 2.Saga-Heads or tales 3.Genesis-Genesis 4.Kansas-Drastic measures 5.Marillion-Script for a jester´s tear

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1982

Progrock in the 80´s meant shorter songs and less technical musical pieces but the music was still very progressive with albums like Kansas-Vinyl confessions, Twelfth Night-Fact and fiction, Eloy-Time to turn, Alan Parsons Project-Eye in the sky and Camel-The single factor.
And here´s my Top 5.
1.Rush-Signals 2.Asia-Asia 3.Peter Gabriel-Fourth album 4.Jethro Tull-Broadsword 5.King Crimson-Beat

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1981

Although 1981 wasn´t such a big year within progressive music, this was the year of Rush´s best album and the comeback of King Crimson. Not to mention the start of the British neo-prog era where many new bands were formed like Pendragon, Twelfth Night, Pallas, IQ and Marillion.
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1981.
1.Rush-Moving pictures 2.Saga-World´s apart 3.King Crimson-Disciple 4.Genesis-Abacab 5.Camel-Nude

Syqem - Fabric of my mind

Progressive alternative modern rock on the menue, yeah this song rocks! Syqem´s new song "Fabric of my mind", from their new album "Reflections of elephants". Thanks to Fred for the tip.

Interview with Diamante

Hello there, I must start by asking if Diamante is your real first name?

-Yeah! It’s Italian and Spanish and it means diamond.

Congratulations on winning 4 awards at the Indie Music Channel Awards in Los Angeles, that must have been a great feeling?
-It was incredible! I was not expecting to win four, I had never been big on school awards, so winning four in one night for my music was the best feeling.

This is certainly a great year for you as a part of the Warped Tour along with bands like The Used, We The Kings and Mayday Parade. How did the audience treat you?
-Yes, it was such an honor to play alongside those bands, because I grew up listening to their music, and being able to perform at the same venue was such a dream. The audience was great, which made me so happy because when I perform I completely feed from the audience’s energy. The entire experience was just unreal.

Since you have only released 3 singles, what songs do you fill your setlist with?

-I fill the rest of the setlist with covers that really compliment and go along with the singles. I do a re-make of Stevie Nick’s “Edge of Seventeen” which a lot of people really seem to like, and I also do a cover of “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett which is super fun to perform on stage because everyone goes crazy. We are also introducing some of the new original music on live shows, next week I will be singing one of the new singles live for the first time!

The first single "Just for one day" is a pop song while the latest two, "Impossible" and "Panic" are rockers. Are you headed into a more rocking direction?
-Yes, definitely. Defining myself as an artist at such a young age was a process, but I always knew I wanted to be rock.

When will you start working on an album?
-I’m actually working on it right now. I’ve been really busy creating, writing, and recording new songs, and I can’t wait until the album is finally released this fall.

Some music critics have compared you to Pat Benatar and Alanis Morissette, what artists are your biggest influences?

-It is such an honor. My music has a lot of influence from the women’s rock in the 80’s, when rock was something that women were scarcely accepted to do. I love artists like Joan Jett, Pat Benatar, and Stevie Nicks.

What are your 3 favorite websites you visit everyday?
-I go on Tumblr all the time because it’s a place I can express myself and how I’m feeling, Facebook is the obvious second because that’s where I mostly interact with the fans, and I’m always on YouTube looking up new music or live shows or anything I can get inspiration from.

What would you choose between a starring role in a big budget film or a record deal with a major label?
-Definitely the record deal because that has been my dream ever since I was 5 years old. I love acting too, but having my music heard all around the world and touring everywhere with stadiums of people would be amazing.

And what would you choose between being an opening act for Olivia Newton John (one show only) or your own tour in Europe?

-My own tour in Europe because I love Europe! I’m half European and I’ve traveled there so much, and even lived in Italy for a period of time, but it would be so cool to see all the UK, Nordic Countries, and other European fans come out to see me in the most beautiful places in the world.

What things put you in a bad mood?
-Ignorance and arrogance; those two really put me in a bad mood.

I am of course curious, since I´m from Sweden, what do you know about my country?
-I’ve have always been drawn to Nordic Tales, but now a days what found most compelling from your courntry is the modern architecture . I would also love to play the music festival in Gothenburg, have heard the crowd is amazing!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diamante-Bovelli/221578390195

Friday, July 27, 2012

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1980

Progrock music most certainly survived the punk rock explosion in the late 70´s and continued being strong with releases like Saga-Silent knight, Steve Hackett-Detector, Jethro Tull-A, Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-Chance and Alan Parsons Project-Turn of a friendly card in 1980. But there is no question in what the Top 5 are:
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1980.
1.Rush-Permanent waves 2.Yes-Drama 3.Kansas-Audio visions 4.Peter Gabriel-3rd album (Melt) 5.Genesis-Duke

News

Finnish goth rock band The 69 Eyes releases their new album "X" on Sept 28th.
Nonpoint´s new self titled album will be out on Sept 18th.
Danish electro rock band Carpark North is currently working on their new studio album.
Former TNT singer Tony Harnell is working on a new solo album called "En Memoria Carinosa", a release is expected in late 2012.
German melodic rock band Fair Warning will release their new untitled studio album on Nov 26th.
Richie Sambora´s (Bon Jovi) new solo album "Aftermath of the lowdown" will be out on Sept 18th.

All The Right Moves - Choke

Pop/rock band All The Right Moves new single "Choke", from their upcoming album "When the compass breaks", out on Sept 21st.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

500,000

This night my blog reached 500,000 hits which is beyond belief, if you had asked me a few years ago when I started this blog as a cool extra hobby, I would´ve been grateful with 10% of all you readers. I know some of you has followed my writing from my time at melodic.net, but I have also noticed many new readers have come to visit palace of rock recently and that is just awesome. Thank you!
Here comes a retrospective look at my musical career, first out the party rocker "Let´s Rock" that I recorded back in 1992 with my band A-Team. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF44RIRhSFY
Secondly, I am very proud of the Van Halen-like song "5248" that we did with Clown Eraser in 2007. Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDtc1gj8nMw
The very same year, I also had the chance to do some background vocals on the Skid Row cover "Youth gone wild" on Hammerfall´s 2007 album "Masterpieces", listen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDZ7diiZwj0
In, 2010 we released the debut album "Evolution" with Human Cometh and that was a great experience where the first track is "Aiming high". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkHQnPtdNPg
The next year in 2011, the 2nd Human Cometh album "HCII" came out and I think "Love games" turned out to be one of the best tracks I have been a part of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlX6G8i7eiY
And real soon, you will get to hear my new band Blue Cow Kent and our debut single "Ready to bite". We´re only talking days now from release..........

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1979

The 70´s ended with a bang when it comes to magnificent progrock albums, this was the year of Saga-Images at twilight, Camel-I can see your house from here, Styx-Cornerstone, Sky-Sky, Alan Parsons Project-Eve and Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-Angel station.
But the also excellent Top 5 Albums of Progressive Rock 1979.
1.U.K-Danger money 2.Pink Floyd-The wall 3.Kansas-Monolith 4.Supertramp-Breakfast in America 5.Jethro Tull-Stormwatch

Papa Roach - Still swingin

Papa Roach´s new single "Still swingin", from their upcoming album "The Connection", out on Oct 2nd.

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1978

Is 1978 a heavy weight year of Progrock music or what? During this year, we had releases like Saga-Saga, Yes-Tormato, Alan Parsons Project-Pyramid, Steve Hackett-Please don´t touch, Gentle Giant-Giant for a day, Camel-Breathless, Jethro Tull-Heavy horses and Styx-Pieces of eight.
But the Top 5 are without doubt.
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1978.
1.Rush-Hemispheres 2.U.K-U.K 3.Genesis-And then there were three 4.Peter Gabriel-2nd Album (Scratch) 5.Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-Watch

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

I Am War - Outlive you all

I Am War features members of Atreyu and Bleeding Through, their debut album "Outlive you all" will be out on Aug 28th.

Melanie C - Stages

Melanie C´s new album "Stages" is a collection of songs from the theatre, the first single "I don´t know how to love him" is available on iTunes now. The album is out on Sept 10th.

Ian Hunter - When I´m President

Here is the artwork for Ian Hunter and The Rant Band´s new album "When I´m president", out on Sept 3rd.

The Pineapple Thief - All the wars

Progrock band The Pineapple Thief releases their new album "All the wars" on Sept 3rd.

Dispatch - Circles around the sun

Alternative rock band Dispatch´s new album "Circles around the sun" will be out on Aug 21st!

Chappo - Come home

Indie rock band Chappo´s new album "Moonwater" is out now, check out the video of the first single "Come home".

Band of Horses - Knock Knock

Band of Horses new single "Knock knock", from their upcoming album "Mirage Rock", out in Sept.

Monday, July 23, 2012

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1977

How about 1977 in progressive rock music? Woohooo, I feel like a kid on christmas eve while looking at these classic album covers. But remember that great albums like Emerson Lake and Palmer-Works, Supertramp-Even in the quietest moments and Yes-Going for the one aren´t featured on my toplist.
Here are my Top 5 Albums of Progressive Rock 1977.
1.Rush-A farewell to kings 2.Kansas-Point of know return 3.Pink Floyd-Animals 4.Peter Gabriel-Peter Gabriel 5.Styx-Grand illusion

Well Hung Heart - Devil

Well Hung Heart´s new single "Devil", from their debut album "Young enough to know it all".

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1976

1976 is a tough year to pick out the 5 greatest progrock records, phew! I had to leave out albums like Alan Parsons Project-Tales of mystery and imagination Edgar Allan Poe, Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-The roaring silence, Gentle Giant-Interview and Camel-Moonmadness. Just because the Top 5 are so stunning!
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1976.
1.Kansas-Leftoverture 2.Rush-2112 3.Genesis-Wind and wuthering 4.Genesis-A Trick of the tail 5.Styx-Crystal ball

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1975

Progressive rock in 1975 was huge, massive, just phenomenal. I mean when brilliant albums like Kansas-Song for America, Jethro Tull-Minstrel in the gallery, Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-Nightingales and bombers, Styx-Equinox, Supertramp-Crisis what crisis? and Gentle Giant-Free hand doesn´t make it on my Top 5 list. YOU KNOW THAT 1975 IS MAGIC!
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1975.
1.Rush-Fly by night 2.Pink Floyd-Wish you were here 3.Kansas-Masque 4.Rush-Caress of steel 5.Journey-Journey

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1974

What a fine year 1974 was with excellent progrock albums like Rick Wakeman-Journey to the centre of the earth, Camel-Mirage and King Crimson-Starless and bible black that are just outside my Top 5 list.
Here are the Top 5 Albums of Progressive Rock 1974.
1.Genesis-The lamb lies down on Broadway 2.King Crimson-Red 3.Supertramp-Crime of the century 4.Kansas-Kansas 5.Yes-Relayer

Scouting For Girls - The light between us

The mighty popular Britpop band Scouting For Girls releases their new album "The light between us" on Sept 3rd.

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1973

The year of 1973 is epic when it comes to progrock, great albums like Camel-Camel, Styx-II, Gentle Giant-In a glasshouse and Yes-Tales of Topographic oceans didn´t make it on my top 5 list.
Here are the Top 5 Albums of Progressive Rock 1973.
1.Pink Floyd-Dark side of the moon 2.Genesis-Selling England by the pound 3.Manfred Mann´s Earth Band-Messin´ 4.Emerson Lake and Palmer-Brain salad surgery 5.King Crimson-Larks tongues in aspic

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1972

The early 70´s is dominated by Genesis, Yes and Emerson Lake and Palmer but the further we go in the mid 70´s, other bands will pop up on my list.
Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1972.
1.Genesis-Foxtrot 2.Yes-Close to the edge 3.Gentle Giant-Octopus 4.Emerson Lake and Palmer-Trilogy 5.Jethro Tull-Thick as a brick

Top 5 Albums Progressive Rock 1971

And here are the Top 5 Progressive rock albums of 1971.
1.Yes-Fragile 2.Genesis-Nursery cryme 3.Yes-The Yes album 4.Emerson Lake and Palmer-Tarkus 5.King Crimson-Islands

Top 5 albums Progressive Rock 1970

I assume you have checked out my page of toplists above where I have listed all the best albums in different genres from pop punk to AOR, hard rock to funk, jazzrock to NWOBHM, new wave to synthpop etc.
It´s time to pick out the Top 5 albums of Progressive rock each year starting with 1970.

1.Genesis-Trespass 2.Yes-Time and a word 3.Pink Floyd-Atom heart mother 4.Emerson Lake and Palmer-ELP 5.King Crimson-In the wake of Poseidon

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Predictions for 2013 in music

Geoff Tate is at war with Queensryche who fired Tate from the band, Tate takes the fight like a man and surprise with the new supergroup Warning! that features Geoff Tate-Vocals, Kevin Moore-Keyboards (Dream Theater, Fates Warning), Chris DeGarmo-Guitar (Queensryche), Virgil Donati-Drums (Planet X, Soul SirkUS) and Tony Levin-Bass (King Crimson).
Warning! will perform songs from Queensryche´s "Warning", Dream Theater´s "Images and words" and their debut album "Planetarium".

The reunited Black Sabbath without original drummer Bill Ward, plan to release their comeback album 2013 but just like the Blizzard of Ozz albums, the new album is promoted by the label as Black Sabbath featuring Ozzy Osbourne and the band split up even before the release of the album.

After the issues with the contract with BS, Bill Ward hits back with his new solo album ReWard where he managed to get Ritchie Blackmore to play on the album, which is the first time Ritchie play rock oriented music in 2 decades. The album is a success!

Bon Jovi celebrate their 30 year anniversary and perform the first two albums from start to finish, the crowd look like UFO´s when they hear the band play songs from 7800 Fahrenheit. -Are these covers? Is a common comment from fans.

Van Halen head into studio to record yet another studio album but the lack of new great material, forces Eddie Van Halen to return to the even older Mammoth era digging up old demos from 1972. But a lawsuit from original bassist Mark Stone puts a stop in the recording process, where Stone claims he wants Royalty from the old songs.

Alcatrazz feat Graham Bonnet releases their first studio album since Dangerous games from 1986, the new album features only re-recordings of previously released songs from from Bonnet´s former bands Rainbow, The Marbles, MSG and the fiasco is a fact. The new versions are shadows of the original recordings.

Dave Matthews Band - Away from the world

Here is the artwork for Dave Matthews Band´s new album "Away from the world" that drops on Sept 11th.

KoRn - Live at the Hollywood Palladium

KoRn´s new live CD/DVD "Live at the Hollywood Palladium" will be out on Sept 4th, it was recorded in December 2011.

Axewound - Post apocalyptic party

Axewound features members of Bullet For My Valentine, Rise To Remain and Glamour Of The Kill. The song "Post apocalyptic party" is taken from their upcoming album "Vultures".