After 5 years, Greek Power Metal machine Firewind is back with a new album, Immortals (Century Media). In that time guitarist Gus G has been touring with Ozzy Osbourne, and the band has gone through another line-up change, with Henning Basse now admirably fulfilling the role of vocalist.Continue reading
Firewind will be releasing Immortals on January 20th, 2017 via Century Media Records in Europe and AFM Records in North America. Continue reading
Metal Allegiance will be assembling early next year to pay tribute to our fallen heroes with a special show at City National Grove of Anaheim. Continue reading
It’s a big day for the incredible Gus G. The Firewind and Ozzy Osbourne guitarist just uploaded his video for ‘The Quest,’ and will be kicking off this solo headlining tour tonight in New York City.Continue reading
Guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Firewind, etc) is releasing his new solo album Brand New Revolution in the US on July 24, 2015 via Dismanic/eOne Music. The album was produced by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour) and mixed by Mike Fraser (Metallica, AC/DC). Joining Gus in the studio were drummer Jo Nunez (Firewind) and bassist Marty O’Brien (Lita Ford, ex-Methods Of Mayhem, etc).
01: The Quest
02: Brand New Revolution (feat. Jacob Bunton)
03: Burn (feat. Jacob Bunton)
04: We Are One (feat. Jacob Bunton)
05: What Lies Below (feat. Elize Ryd)
06: Behind Those Eyes (feat. Jacob Bunton)
07: Gone To Stay (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
08: One More Try (feat. Jacob Bunton)
09: Come Hell Or High Water (feat. Mats Levén)
10: If It Ends Today (feat. Mats Levén)
11: Generation G (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
12: The Demon Inside (feat. Mats Levén)
He has upcoming live dates confirmed which are posted below.
Jun 09: Substage (with Hellyeah)– Karlsruhe (DE)
Jun 10: Logo (with Hellyeah)– Hamburg (DE)
Jun 11: Tivoli De HELLING (with Hellyeah) – Utrecht (NL)
Jul 10: Masters of Rock Festival – Vizovice (CZ)
Jul 12: Naturact Festival – Drama (GR)
Jul 14: Rockin Arta 2015 – Arta (GR)
Jul 18: Chania Rock Festival – Canea (GR)
Jul 22: Ardas Festival – Kastanies (GR)
Jul 24: Colorado Club – Rhodes (GR)
Jul 29: Fezen Festival – Székesfehérvár (HU)
Sep 19: Customer Festival – Alicante (ES)
The Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute, a tribute album of cover tracks recorded to memorialize Randy Rhoads, the one time lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot, is out now via UDR Music, and is streaming the record in full here.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Rhythm Gtr: Bob Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
A lover of classical music, Rhoads had taken initial steps into rock’n’roll as a 16 year old when he formed a band, that soon became Quiet Riot. Rhoads was vaulted to the limelight in 1979 when Ozzy Osbourne chose the relatively unknown guitarist to help shape a new future for him via his band, Blizzard of Oz. The result saw Rhoads co-script two of the most famous albums in hard rock history, Blizzard Of Oz and Diary of A Madman, and rapidly ascended the stairway of fame and recognition for his virtuoso playing and writing. Famed for the way he fused classical flavors with technically-excellent hard rock, Rhoads became one of the most influential lead guitarists in rock.
When he tragically passed away on March 19, 1982 in a plane accident, Rhoads was only 25 years old, but thankfully, the legend of his work, ethos and their continuing influence on a whole new generation of guitarists, has never dimmed.
Celebrate the life and legend of Randy Rhoads with Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute.
UDR Music will release Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute and its accompanying bonus DVD (with digipack edition) on March 3, 2015. This highly-anticipated compilation of cover tracks – which feature an incredible gathering of renowned heavy metal and hard rock musicians – honors Randy Rhoads, who will forever be revered as the legendary lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot.
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute includes a searing cover of the heavy-hitting Ozzy Osbourne track “Mr. Crowley”, which features a line-up of all-star performers: Chuck Billy (Testament), Alexi Laiho (Children of Bodom), Kelle Rhoads (brother of Randy Rhoads), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot/Ozzy Osbourne) and Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio). Stream “Mr. Crowley”, featuring Chuck Billy of Testament on vocals here.
Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will be available in double vinyl gatefold, digipack and digital formats. In the digipack version, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will contain a bonus DVD along with the album, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, CA, set up by the Rhoads family.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
A tribute album for the late Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot guitarist Randy Rhoads called Immortal Randy Rhoads – the Ultimate Tribute will be released on March 3, 2015 via UDR Music. The album was produced and compiled by the Grammy-award winning guitarist and producer Bob Kulick.
Along with the album, Immortal Randy Rhoads – The Ultimate Tribute will also contain a bonus DVD available in the digipack version, including interesting interviews with some of the involved artists, hosted by Bob Kulick and a feature on the Musonia School of Music, a teaching school on North Hollywood, California, set up by Randy’s mother and run by his brother Kelle Rhoads.
Full track listing with performers:
1. Crazy Train
Vocals: Serj Tankian
Gtrs: Tom Morello
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
2. Over the Mountain
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Jon Donais
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
3. Mr Crowley
Vocals: Chuck Billy
Gtrs: Alexi Laiho
Keyboards: Kelle Rhoads
Bass Rudy: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
4. Believer
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Doug Aldrich
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
5. Back To The Coast (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Kelle Rhoads
Gtrs: Bruce Kulick
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Frankie Banali
6. I Don’t Know
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: George Lynch
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
7. S A T 0
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Rhythm guitars: Bob Kulick
Lead guitar: Dweezil Zappa
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Vinny Appice
8. Killer Girls (Quiet Riot)
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Joel Hoekstra
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
9. Goodbye to Romance
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Gus G.
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
10. Suicide Solution
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Brad Gillis
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
11. Flying High Again
Vocals: Tim “Ripper” Owens
Gtrs: Bernie Torme
Bass: Rudy Sarzo
Drums: Brett Chassen
Jeff Scott Soto’s SOTO will be releasing their debut album Inside The Vertigo on January 30, 2015 via earMUSIC. Watch the lyric video for “The Fall” here.
SOTO is comprised of Jeff’s most current solo band: Jorge Salan (lead guitar), BJ (keyboards, guitars), David Z (bass) and Edu Cominato (drums).
Produced by Jeff Scott Soto, Inside The Vertigo features tracks co-written with his bandmates as well as a of his famous friends/colleagues. Collaborators include guitarists Gus G. (FIREWIND, OZZY OSBOURNE), Jason Bieler (SAIGON KICK), Mike Orlando (ADRENALINE MOB) and Joel Hoekstra (NIGHT RANGER, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA), all of whom perform on their penned tracks for the album. Others appearing as guests/co-writers are Casey Grillo (KAMELOT), Connor Engstrom, Tony Dickinson, Leo Mancini, Hugo Mariutti and Gary Schutt.
Inside The Vertigo was recorded during the latter months of 2013 and mixed/mastered in Boston by Soto’s longtime engineer and friend John Ellis.
Inside The Vertigo track listing:
01. Final Say
02. The Fall
03. Wrath
04. Break
05. Narcissistically Yours
06. End of Days
07. Inside The Vertigo
08. When I’m Older
09. Trance
10. Jealousy
11. Karma’s Kiss
12. Fall To Pieces
The early-90’s saw a sea change in the world of rock and metal, and a slew of great albums adorned the mainstream. These weren’t frilly-shirted or leather-trousered types, these were check-shirted and ripped jeans types, bringing some incredible music. Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden shaped the soundscape. Yes, it meant “metal” had to go and lick its wounds, but it never went away. Indeed, Pantera, White Zombie and Metallica will tell you, it certainly didn’t stop good metal bands being successful or releasing great albums (OK, Metallica’s last great album was pre-grunge, but you get my point, and besides Garage Inc was bloody good).
But while metal burrowed underground and into mainland Europe, “Rock” was mortally wounded. Manowar’s black arrow of death sent straight to the heart of all those who played false metal was actually fired by bands that didn’t play metal at all (though Dirt, for one, is one heavy motherfucker). But, do you know what? That wasn’t a bad thing at all, as it meant the end of hundreds of unimaginative, middle of the road plod rock bands.
As well played as it is, Gus G.’s I Am The Fire (Century Media) is the exact sort of album that it was great that grunge killed. A guitar “virtuoso” proving that he can shred, widdle, and solo with the best of them, but without the distinctiveness or feel of the great (I’d take a Slash or Adrian Smith or Ritchie Blackmore solo over one of Gus’s any day, maybe technically not as proficient but guys who make their leads sing) but has no imagination beyond stock chords for “riffs” and obvious, underwhelming vocal lines when songwriting. It’s like Gus is saying “this album isn’t about how great I am on guitar, it’s about songs”. Yes Gus. Boring ones’
Joined by a cast of proficient if unexciting B-list vocalists, the two best tracks on here are the two instrumentals; ‘Vengeance’ featuring Dave Ellefson, a spiky track that could have been the music under a track off Rust In Peace and ‘Terrified’ featuring Billy Sheehan, a riffier, thrashier number.
4 / 10
STEVE TOVEY