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.
British Classic Rock Icons URIAH HEEP are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their 25th studio album “Living the Dream” on September 14th via Frontiers Music Srl.
In conjunction with this release through Frontiers Music Srl, the band is offering some once in a lifetime experience packages as well as signed copies of the album and many other wonderful things.
Check it out at https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/uriah-heep-living-the-dream
Today, the first single and video for the song “Grazed By Heaven” has been released. It is available on all streaming services as well as an instant download with digital pre-orders. The lyrics for “Grazed By Heaven” were written by Jeff Scott Soto and the music was written by bassist Dave Rimmer.
“The song is clearly about sexual tension and desire, very much in the form of ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’, putting oneself at ease with the person who is taking control of the situation and trusting you will be in absolute bliss. Fantasy and lust is the calling card here, it’s quite black & white really. The song is very sexy so naturally called for a sexy lyric,” says Jeff Scott Soto of “Grazed By Heaven”.
Dave Rimmer adds: ‘Grazed’ was born out of my desire to write a blazing Heep rock track. I put together the music and arrangement but needed a very strong melody line/lyric to match the music and the riff….. I have been a fan of Jeff Scott Soto’s voice and writing for many years, so asked Jeff about a collaboration, he loved the song and came up with the perfect, & powerful lyric/melody..a very natural seamless collaboration between Jeff and I. A true ‘Living The Dream’ Moment for me.”
For this album the band teamed up with famed Canadian engineer Jay Ruston.
“Working with Jay was amazing! He totally understood what we were going for on this album and he delivered big time. We wanted a Heep album that the band and the fans would be proud of, and with Jay at the helm, we have delivered that,” says Mick Box.
When asked what people can expect from the new album Mick Box says “There are rock songs, rock ballads, and a couple of prog songs encompassing everything Heep.”
Vocalist Bernie Shaw adds that fans should also be ready for, “A full blown ‘rockin’ Uriah Heep record. All the traits that made Heep famous in the past are here on this new album. Passion, power, harmony and substance. Heep trade marks from the first riff.”
The band is beyond excited with the material written for the new album, which will include some epic additions to the band’s huge catalog of rock staples and looks forward to sharing it with their fans around the world.
The band has announced a full World Tour which will last through the first quarter of 2019. “The mighty Heep are proudly able to tour in over 61 countries and we look forward to a packed touring schedule in 2018 and 2019. Touring is in our blood and what we have a passion to do, and so 2018 is no exception,” concludes Box.
1. Grazed By Heaven
2. Living The Dream
3. Take Away My Soul
4. Knocking At My Door
5. Rocks In The Road
6. Waters Flowin’
7. It’s All Been Said
8. Goodbye To Innocence
9. Falling Under Your Spell
10. Dreams Of Yesteryear
11. Take Away My Soul (alternate version) BONUS TRACK – CD/DVD Deluxe Ed.
Bonus DVD Track Listing:
Grazed By Heaven Music Video
Take Away My Soul Music Video
Making The Dream Documentary
Uriah Heep Lineup:
Mick Box – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards/Vocals
Bernie Shaw – Lead Vocals
Dave Rimmer – Bass Guitar/Vocals
Russell Gilbrook – Drums & Percussion
EXCALIBUR IV is the widely anticipated fourth NEW STUDIO ALBUM in the Celtic Rock Opera series, following on from the GOLD and PLATINUM selling original trilogy. EXCALIBUR IV was played live in its entirety to 12 ARENAS in Germany in December 2016 and will be touring again in 2018.
Released by Babaika Productions, via Cherry Red Records, the album features appearances by:
Alan Stivell
Michael Sadler (Saga)
Jesse Sibenberg & John Helliwell (Supertramp)
Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)
Moya Brennan (Clannad)
Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth)
Bernie Shaw (Uriah Heep)
Siobham Owen
Sonja Kristina (Curved Air)
John Kelly (The Kelly Family)
Maite Itoiz (Elfhental)
Excalibur – the legendary rock opera is back!
After a thousand years of imprisonment, Merlin – the wizard – finally escapes from Morgana’s spell. Initially intrigued by the beauty of the new world that he returned to, he soon discovers the decay of knightly and sublime virtues, which once had been so bravely defended by King Arthur’s roundtable. An enraged Merlin casts his biggest spell over this world and brings the mighty dragon to life. An epic return of the legendary Celtic rock opera on to German stages, a new chapter in the saga around the sword Excalibur – this is “EXCALIBUR – The Dark Age Of The Dragon”.
1. THE WINGS OF THE DRAGON
2. ALONE
3. STONEHENGE
4. I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE
5. CALLING FOR YOU
6. DON’T BE AFRAID
7. SILVER MOON
8. DREAMERS
9. THE LAST LAMENT OF A FAIRY
10. THE NEW TIMES
11. FORGET YOUR SORROW
12. THE FIFTH SEASON
13. THE PASSION
14. I WILL BE FOR EVER
15. BEHIND THE MIST
16. YOU DON’T KNOW
17. YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE
18. THERE IS SOMEONE
19. DUN AENGUS II
London, UK – Uriah Heep is pleased to announce the release of a 2CD/1DVD package of their 20th Anniversary show in 1989, which has only been available on VHS previously. This remastered release is now available on Download and as 2 CDs and 1 DVD in all new packaging.
This concert is likely to be the only gap in many committed fans’ collections and gives their core fanbase the opportunity to complete the entire Heep discography. This release is the culmination of a long process to make sure all of the Uriah Heep back catalog is available in modern-day formats and digitally.
The set also includes a bonus audio interview, recorded on the same day as the concert, which was previously only available on picture disc LP and CD for a very limited amount of time.
Of this release, Mick Box said “This is a great meeting of two products, which were always closely linked together, and are now merged into one definitive set. This is the second release on Uriah Heep Records and a great reminder of our 30th Anniversary celebrations!”
The band has also heard fans’ voices and released the first vinyl title on its own label, a picture disc LP called Selections from Totally Driven, which features the stunning artwork of Igor Morski.
The LP draws on tracks from the band’s own label’s first release, Totally Driven, which was a 2 CD collection of re-records of their greatest hits and continues to be available.
Both of these projects are available on Amazon, iTunes and by all good retailers on the band’s own Uriah Heep Records, via Cherry Red.
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