Chickenfoot - New Album "III"

One of our favourite bands - Chickenfoot, featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani, frontman Sammy Hagar, former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and world renowned drummer Chad Smith, have confirmed multiple UK release dates and formats for their highly anticipated, but bizarrely named second album: Chickenfoot III, the follow-up to 2009’s award-winning eponymous debut album.


The album will initially be released in the UK as an exclusive Limited Edition Fan Pack, and will coincide with the international album release date of Tuesday September 27th. Produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, Metallica), the album will come in specially designed 3D packaging.


The Fan Pack includes two exclusive bonus tracks - Down The Drain (Live in Phoenix) and Oh Yeah! (Live in Phoenix) - and a 132-page magazine dedicated to the band. 100% Chickenfoot-approved, the fan pack magazine contains exclusive interviews with Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Chad Smith, talking about the new album and their respective careers.
The Fan Pack details the making of the band's new video, how they created the 3D album cover, an overview of their solo careers and the story behindeach song on the new album. The magazine is also packed with rare photos of the band, an exclusive muso section, a Guitar Pick Pack, 3D glasses, and a 3D CD digital book pack with postcards.

On Monday October 24th, Chickenfoot III will be released in the UK on CD, Deluxe Edition CD & DVD, and 12" vinyl. The Deluxe Edition CD & DVD will include a Chickenfoot III EPK, Big Foot promotional video, Turning Left (live in Phoenix) and the Sexy Little Thing promotional video.


Today, Chickenfoot posted the official promotional video for the Big Foot single on YouTube (watch it below). Details of the band’s September 27th worldwide web simulcast concert, will be announced shortly.

New album from The Union - "Siren's Song"

Luke & Pete from The Union would like to say a few words..... We're delighted to announce the release of 'SIREN'S SONG' the brand new album by THE UNION. Recording took place between touring activities at various times this year at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales. We'd love you to visit our brand new website at www.theuniononline.com where you can listen to the whole album, tell us what you think and even place your pre-order now! As well as the standard album release we are also making a limited edition deluxe format available to you lovely people! The deluxe comprises; The standard cd album format Numbered 12" gatefold hardback cover signed by Luke & Pete Two 12" sized, 24 page full colour booklets; Booklet 1; 'Words' containing all song lyrics, track by track comments from Luke & Pete. Booklet 2; 'Pictures' containing many exclusive photographs shot by Marty Moffatt of the band at work and play. An exclusive bonus CD featuring; Save Your Goodbyes (previously unreleased) Dust To Dust (previously unreleased) Down In The Underworld (previously unreleased) If I Could Make You Mine (acoustic version) Make Up Your Mind (acoustic version) Siren's Song (Live In Holland 2011) Black Monday (Live In Holland 2011) Saviour (Live In Holland 2011) Also a brand new album-themed t-shirt! As a special thank you from us, all of you who pre-order 'Siren's Song' will instantly receive a free download of 'The Remedy', a killer track from the new album! To order your copy of this exclusive album simply click here... We hope you all enjoy listening to the album as much as we did making it and we'd like to thank you all for your ongoing support and enthusiasm. We look forward to seeing you all out on the road later this year. Luke & Pete. www.theuniononline.com

Derek Sherinian - Oceana

Derek Sherinian's new cd "Oceana" is the seventh solo cd from the former Dream Theater member who is now part of Rockgig faves: Black Country Communion. With all the increased publicity around BCC this should be the perfect time to release "Oceana"to the world.

I had enjoyed the 2006 release "Blood Of The Snake" and with the stellar cast of "Oceana" including Steve Lukather ,fellow BCC member Joe Bonamassa, Doug Aldrich, Steve Stevens, Tony Mcalpine and Simon Phillips this was a cd to look forward to.

With a rhythm team of Simon Phillips (who co-produced the cd with Derek) on drums and Jimmy Johnson on bass (Tony Franklin guests on two tracks) laying down an awesome groove Derek weaves his magic adding a real depth to all the tracks.

What stands out on the cd is that if you listened to it without knowing who was playing on it you would believe it was a guitarist's solo cd.

Derek shines on all of it but he doesn't overpower it with keyboard swathes all over it. The sound is guitar led which makes Derek's parts stand out more. Very clever.

Nothing is too complicated and the cd washes over you and should appeal to all. I've lived with it for 3 weeks now and each time you pick up a new best part and bits you have missed before.

All the guitarists shine and it's difficult to pick a favourite but I will. Steve Lukather shines on 3 tracks "Mulholland", "Euphoria" and "Seven Sins"which all sound like they could have come from his solo work with some excellent solo's. Doug Aldrich excels on the heavy stomping groove of  "El Camino Diablo" with probably the only real shredding solo on the cd. The chemistry with his BCC bandmate Joe Bonamassa shows on "I Heard That" which Joe does a great Steve Lukather impression which again shows his amazing versatility. "Ghost Runner" has Steve Stevens on guitar and there is some superb trading of solo's with Derek.

So a superb cd which should see Derek's name brought to the fore and not just as the keyboard player from BCC. 

Oceana is released on Monday the 5th of September on the Music Theories Recordings via the Mascot Label Group.

Go buy it you won't be disappointed.

ME

Big G's Bloodstock Photographs

Our new mate Andy Gallagher was in the photo pit at Bloodstock 2011 and has taken some fantastic photographs of the event.  You can see more on his facebook page, or visit his website.

Nice work Andy!

All images copyright Andy Gallagher.

   

  

Iron Maiden/Airbourne Birmingham NIA 31/07/2011 & Cardiff CIA 01/08/2011

First up Airbourne who are nearing the end of the touring cycle for album number 2.

A great warm up act for the 2 large crowd’s.

They played the following:

Raise The Flag

Cheap Wine And Cheaper Women

Diamond In The Rough

Blackjack

Chewin’ The Fat

No Way But The Hard Way

Too Much Too Young Too Fast

Stand Up For Rock n’ roll

Runnin’ Wild (snippet of Paranoid)

The sound in Birmingham for them was poor but that doesn’t bother them.

AC/DC rock n’ roll played at breakneck speed.

Although the between song banter was at times a struggle to understand.

It will be interesting to see if there is any development on album 3 but live is their domain.

When Bruce returned to Iron Maiden in 1999 he said it was to make them the biggest heavy metal band on the planet.

With the bands latest cd The Final Frontier going to number 1 in 28 countries and the tour selling out everywhere I think it’s job done.

Their first arena dates in the UK since 2006 were also the last dates on the current tour and the sheer enjoyment of the band playing was so good to see for a band now past their 30^th year.

The setlist was the same as for all dates since February and was as follows:

Satellite 15

The Final Frontier

El Dorado

Two Minutes To Midnight

The Talisman

Coming Home

Dance Of Death

The Trooper

The Wicker Man

Blood Brothers

When The Wild Wind Blows

The Evil That Men Do

Fear of The Dark

Iron Maiden

Encores of The Number Of The Beast

Hallowed Be Thy Name

Running Free

The 2 gigs were superb.

Stunning sound, superb lighting and stage presentation with numerous backdrops, a walk on Eddie and an enormous Eddie behind Nicko for Iron Maiden itself.

The set was a great mix of the new cd, some newer material since Bruce returned and of course the classics.

It worked so well with the light and shade of Blood Brothers (dedicated to the Norwegein people), When The Wild Wind Blows and Dance Of Death all showing off the bands musical attributes.

Then the classics being played with such venom. In fact The Wicker Man was also greeted like a returning hero.

All the band were on fire with Dave Murray especially firing solo after solo like his life depended on it.

Bruce was in great voice and ran around the stage like a small child in a playground.

And he can say “Scream For Me“ ”Insert City” as many times as he wants. It’s a classic!!

There was a difference to the 2 gigs as Cardiff’s size made it feel like a club gig after the aircraft hanger size of the NIA.

Having seats at the NIA (so Daniel who is now 12 could go to his first Maiden gig as well as my friend Roseanne) meant a view of the backstage area so seeing bits you don’t see like an assistant carrying Bruce’s red jacket for The Trooper on a hanger to and from the stage.

The roadies changing the drapes behind the band. It looks like clockwork from in front not someone running across.

Roadies spraying from fire extinguishers to do the dry ice bit for Number Of The Beast. Again it doesn’t look like that from the front.  Eddie being made ready for the stage and the roadies lifting his new large hands up into view!!

There was a bit at the NIA showed a band so comfortable with themselves.

At the end of Number Of The Beast with a few seconds to go all the guitars cut out.

Leaving Bruce, Nicko and the crowd to finish off. With Bruce going dum de dum for the guitars.

As it ended Bruce thought it was splendid and was amazed they finished it at the right time too.  Priceless.

More to come the band tell us and we can only feel joy at seeing such a band on top of it’s game.

Daniel can finish this with his thoughts - It was amazing and I got to see my hero (Nicko)!

Review Shazz & Daniel

Photos by Roseanne

10/10

Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater/BCC) - New Album out September 5th

Monday 5th September sees the UK release of Derek Sherinian’s new solo album ‘Oceana’ – released on the Music Theories Recordings label via the Mascot Label Group. (Review to follow soon on Rockgig)

If this were the 1970's, the heyday of such keyboard titans as Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Jon Lord, he would be among that elite circle of players whom were superstars - back in a time when such talent was not only appreciated, but celebrated in popular music. This is, however, 2011, and in this age, Derek Sherinian is the premiere rock keyboardist of his generation, a member of the supergroup Black Country Communion, a core member of Dream Theater, and a prolific solo artist.

Derek has played with a diverse range of artists including Alice Cooper, Billy Idol, Yngwie Malmsteen and KISS. In addition to being a part of Dream Theater, Derek was also a member of the prog rock band Platypus, and the founder of the progressive fusion/metal band Planet X.

Oceana is mixed by the legendary drummer Simon Phillips (whose drumming credentials include Toto, The Who, Jeff Beck, 10CC, Roxy Music, Mick Jagger, Mike Oldfield).

The new album features contributions from Joe Bonamassa (Black Country Communion), Tony MacAlpine (Planet X), Simon Phillips (Toto), Steve Lukather (Toto), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake), Jimmy Johnson and Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder).

Sherinian has carved out a niche for himself within the progressive metal scene. His solo albums have featured the best technically proficient and creative musicians, including luminaries as diverse as  Al DiMeola, Steve Lukather, Yngwie Malmsteen, Slash, John Petrucci, John Sykes and Zakk Wylde.

With Oceana, the album is yet again an assemblage featuring some of the most talented players to ever strap on a guitar, all of whom have joined Sherinian in the studio.

Steve Lukather once again collaborated with the keyboardist on the tracks Mulholland, Euphoria andSeven Sins, and former Planet X guitarist and fusion legend Tony MacAlpine performed on Five Elementsand Mercury 7. Acclaimed session musician Steve Stevens is featured on Ghost Runner and the title track Oceana, while Black Country Communion band-mate Joe Bonamassa makes an appearance onI Heard That. Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake) performs on El Camino Diablo, and Jimmy Johnson plays the bass on all tracks with the exception of Ghost Runner and Oceana, which both feature Tony Franklin. Toto’s Simon Phillips performs drums across the whole album.

Favouring a guitar heavy rock based approach to fusion ala Jeff Beck, Sherinian’s music creates a certain energy that comes through the recordings, setting him apart from other jazz fusion artists. His music also appeals to fans of technical heavy metal.

Thanks to his relentless touring schedule with a wide range of well-known artists, Sherinian easily adapts to ever changing musical genres, while always maintaining his signature style.

Earlier this year record producer Kevin Shirley opened the door for the keyboardist to join Glenn Hughes, Jason Bonham and Joe Bonamassa in the rock supergroup Black Country Communion.

BCC’s two acclaimed album releases have set the stage for ‘Oceana’ to reach a more mainstream audience, a move which will surely continue to cement Derek’s legacy as one of the premiere rock keyboardists of the 21st century.

To promote the release of ‘Oceana’, Derek will embark on a solo tour in early 2012.

Come back soon or keep an eye on our twitter feed/Facebook page for our review.

Andrew "Mac" McDermott

Rockgig are sad to hear that Andrew "Mac" McDermott, the former lead singer of U.K. progressive metallers THRESHOLD, reportedly passed away on Wednesday, 3rd August.
McDermott had "serious health problems" in the months leading up to his death, according to a June 2011 statement from the German melodic metal band POWERWORLD, with whom McDermott recorded the 2010 album"Human Parasite".

"I'm very sad about our big loss," POWERWORLD bassist Ilker Ersinstated about his former bandmate's passing. "I can't find the right words in this moment."

McDermott performed in clubs in England and tried to establish a band there in his early years before he moved to Germany to join the bandSARGANT FURY. After three albums, the band dissolved and in 1998McDermott joined THRESHOLD as lead singer, replacing Damian Wilson.
Shortly after the release of THRESHOLD's 2007 album "Dead Reckoning", McDermott left the band, resulting in Wilson's return to the group.
McDermott's most recent musical venture was the band SWAMP FREAKS, which "took some of the cool 'n' heavy from the '70s [FREE, LED ZEPPELIN, BLACK SABBATH] and mashed it up with some '90s anarchy [PEARL JAM, NIRVANA, ALICE IN CHAINS] threw in some RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and a sprinkle of punk rock," according to the band's Facebook page.
He was 45 years old!!

Hear the brand new Chickenfoot single "Big Foot"

CHICKENFOOT PUT THEIR BEST FOOT FORWARD:
Hear the brand new Chickenfoot single Big Foot streaming now from the band's website: www.chickenfoot.us/?flush=1.