Melodic Revolution Records is pleased to announce that we have signed Australian Rockers Sonic Divide for their sophomore release due out in early 2020.
“Sonic Divide consistently leads the way with their brand of quality rock… keep your ears to the ground as we share with you a band we have felt passionately about for some time.” – Nick Katona
About the band: From Adelaide Australia, Sonic Divide has been applying its melodic rock flavor to the Adelaide scene for the past 10 years.
A collaboration of 6 seasoned musicians who initially formed for the purposes of infrequently jamming together for pure enjoyment, the band soon evolved into a writing project which culminated in the release of their debut album in September 2013. Labeled the ‘best independent release of the year’ at the time by a renowned radio station in the UK, the album received critical acclaim and regular airplay across the globe.
The band’s video for their hit ‘I Wonder’ was picked up by a US-based promoter and was subsequently featured on multiple TV and online video network platforms across the US. Sonic Divide was chosen to play the main stage of the Adelaide 500 national V8 Supercar race in 2015 along with John ‘Swanny’ Swan and the Zep Boys, with the guys taking a break from the live circuit later that year to begin the process of writing for their second album.
The band returned to the live scene in June 2018 and has since been performing regularly around Adelaide to rave reviews. In August 2018 the band was selected to open for US-based rockers Stryper for the Adelaide leg of their God Damn Evil world tour and received glowing reviews on their performance.
In a statement from the band. “Sonic Divide is truly excited and honored to be joining the Melodic Revolution Records (MRR) family. For over 10 years Sonic Divide has been passionately producing original music and looks forward to sharing their work with a global audience through collaboration with MRR.
The band wishes to thank Nick Katona at MRR for this wonderful opportunity and look forward to a productive future together.”
The Band Wayne Holden – Lead Vocals Glenn Johnson – Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals Andy Young – Keyboards, Backing Vocals Ian Slade – Bass, Backing Vocals Evan Johnson – Drums, Backing Vocals Steve Pirie – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Discography TBA (2020) CD & Digital – Melodic Revolution Records Sonic Divide (2013) CD & Digital – Self-Released
I was a little surprised to realise that this is the fifth Hartmann album I have in my collection, and yet again Oliver has done exactly what I expect of him by now, namely producing an album containing immaculate vocals, with a depth and breadth that is often sadly missing from this style of music, while there is still that edge to every song. They are commercial and radio-friendly yet still maintain the power and authenticity that one demands from music without it being overtaken by the sappiness that some melodic rockers feel that they need. The guys have built a reputation as an outstanding live band and has been called to tour with rock legends as Toto, The Hooters, Uriah Heep, Edguy, Mother’s Finest, Y&T and others, and this comes through in the music which definitely sounds as if it is ready for the band to take on to the stage.
This is hard melodic rock, no room here for over the top sugariness, but commerciality that is grounded in a band that can trace its influences from bands such as Bad Company, and then bringing that right up to date. The production is strong, musicianship spot on, hooks aplenty, the vocals are full of depth and breadth, while the guitars haven’t been sanitised out of existence. This is yet another incredibly solid and enjoyable album from Hartmann, well worth investigation if this is your style of music.
Friends, after almost two decades of writing and touring the world together, we have decided to close this chapter of our lives as Minus the Bear.
What started as a silly inside joke inside the dingy confines of Seattle’s original Cha Cha Lounge back in 2001 quickly snowballed into years of adventures, creativity, and friendship. We could have never predicted the wild journey about to begin. We’ve accomplished so much over the past 17 years, and we are grateful for the experience.
Undoubtedly we owe all of these adventures to you, our fans. Without all of you, the memories of traveling the world, exploring different cultures, and witnessing the delight of your beautiful faces singing along wouldn’t have been possible. Your support weathered us through storms that easily could have scuttled the band. Throughout the years, it’s you who kept us going. We cannot thank you enough.
This Autumn we head out on our final tour in support of our upcoming 4-song EP “Fair Enough” courtesy of Suicide Squeeze Records. You can hear the title track and read our interview here: https://bit.ly/2utoQ1d
These final shows are a celebration for the community of fans who gave us so much through years of dedication. We’ll be digging deep in the MTB catalog and we are honored for the opportunity to play our hearts out for you one last time.
AOR Prog band Kracked Earth re-visit some of their outtakes, unused and alternate tracks from their music vault and release an instrumental version of “Onwards and Upwards.”
About Onward Upwards Pre-Production Instrumental (feat Doug Scarratt)
Occasionally whilst in the recording studio, a touch of magic happens, and everyone gets transported to another place by what’s being played or sung by the artist during a particular take. Well, this happened while we were recording the album Splash down in Brighton. UK.
Doug Scarratt was laying down his lead guitar for the song “Onward Upwards”, and it was amazing, just one take and that was it. We tried a few others, but none were like this very special effort.
Great we all thought. It’s in the can. We can all relax. Let’s all go home.
But, you see, there was a problem. His part, while brilliant of course, lasted the entire length of the song! There simply wasn’t enough room for the vocal, and just chopping into it just didn’t work.
So, unfortunately, I had to consign what was effectively Doug’s 4 minute solo to the bin.
We then changed the feel completely by getting our good friend Butch Thomas to blow some sax on the track, which worked really well. OK, so what we have here is the pre-production backing track of “Onwards Upwards” complete with the amazing Doug Scarratt in all his glory. Feel free to “Air Guitar” along if you wish, though this is not mandatory. What? Yeah, sorry. Oh yes, it is!
Enjoy.
Andy Kinch July 2017
Musicians on this version:
Doug Scarratt. Lead and Acoustic Guitar
Andy Kinch. Keyboards and Acoustic Guitar
Simon Dennis. Bass Guitar.
Mark Millin. Percussion.
Elyan Fernova. Drums
According to the Scorpions Mikke Dee Joins The Band Permanently!
James Kottak leaves on a positive note.
Since 1992, the Swedish Mikkey Dee used to be a former band member of Motörhead until the dissolution of the rock band after the death of Lemmy Kilmister.
“We would like to thank James for so many years of lasting participation in the band and personal friendship. We understand and respect his need for time as he makes his way through the final stages of his healing process.”
“After our incredibly successful shows in the US, Europe and Asia, we are sure to have found a fantastic drummer with Mikkey Dee. He brings a fresh energy to the band and we look forward to the exciting time together that lies ahead.“
– SCORPIONS
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