Artist Spot: AWAKEN

AWAKEN was formed in 2009 by Glenn DaGrossa, lead vocalist, chief songwriter and founding member of Lazarus, the now-defunct indie power metal band that Kerrang! magazine once hailed as “one of the quintessential metal bands of our time.”  Thanks to DaGrossa’s soaring vocals and stellar song craftsmanship, Lazarus was voted one of 2007’s best unsigned bands by the staff at Germany’s Heavy magazine and metalexpressradio.com said their 2007 debut, Episode One, “could have easily been sandwiched between Queensrÿche’s The Warning and Saxon’s Innocence Is No Excuse.” 

 For AWAKEN, DaGrossa assembled an all-star cast of veteran New York musicians, including:
 
Guitar – Joe Buddha (Corey TuT, Smoking Buddha)
Guitar – Scott Bennett (Lost Legacy, Present Darkness)
Bass – Freddy Villano (Quiet Riot, Widowmaker, Holy Water)
Drums – Nick D’Alessandro (Criss Angel Mindfreak, Earth Eatz Dog, Lazarus)
 
With considerable national and international touring and recording experience under their collective belts, AWAKEN is primed for the world stage and ready to lead a New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal.  AWAKEN debuted last summer by honoring one of their heroes with a blistering rendition of “I Speed At Night” on Magic Circle Music’s Magic – A Tribute To Ronnie James Dio.  Metalpsalter.com called it “a slightly faster version that allows the twin guitars to actually sweeten up the riffs.”  

AWAKEN’s recently completed self-titled debut CD was produced by DaGrossa, mixed by Stacy O’Dell and mastered by Chris Muth.  It has already been featured on The Metal Madman Weekly Radio Show, WVOX’s Metal Mayhem, Metal Messiah Radio and The Scorpion’s Lair on BULLSPIKE Radio.  Here’s what people are already saying about their debut CD and live performances:

“The band has an outstanding sound and stage presence—metal maniacs everywhere need to check them out.”  Dave Softee, Metal Messiah Radio.
 
“With the experience, talent and accolades this band has combined, they should have no problem climbing the metal mountain.”  John Lamont, In a Crowd.

“The group is seasoned and creating a new sound built on the influence of original arena bands, big stages, and big audiences.”  Joseph Timmons, Xombiewoof.Com Magazine.
 
For more info log on to:
www.myspace.com/officialawaken
www.facebook.com/officialawaken
www.reverbnation.com/officialawaken
www.youtube.com/awakenthebeast

For airplay, reviews, label inquiries, management and booking (yes, we are seeking these things!) contact: awakenthemetal@aol.com

Artist Spot: ALYSON AVENUE

Alyson Avenue are:

Arabella Vitanc : Vocals, background vocals
Thomas Löyskä : Bass, guitar
Fredrik Eriksson : Drums
Tony Rohtla : Guitars
Niclas Olsson : Keyboards, background vocals

ALYSON AVENUE was formed in 1989 by a couple of friends who intended to play melodic rock in the way TREAT and EUROPE amongst others did. At that time ALYSON AVENUE had a male vocalist.

Anette was taken in to the band as a Back up singer but did a great job on a demo recording and then became a permanent member of the band soon after the band was founded. With a female vocalist the similarities of the band’s sound used to be compared with HEART & ROBIN BECK. The music drifted towards a much more “poppier” sound for a while but at the rehearsals you could hear the band playing everything from Hard Rock to even Soul. When playing live ALYSON AVENUE always had concentrated to perform AOR & Hard Rock only though.In 1995 the main discussion was in what direction the band should go. Some demos with melodic rock had been recorded over the years and as people obviously liked it they decided to stay with it.

In 1999, the band sent out a demo to the press and gained huge feedback for their sound. With a little help by the Belgian melodic rock orientated magazine Rock Report, ALYSON AVENUE found the right contacts to some labels. Unfortunately not much happened but the Band got together to record another new 4 track demo which finally resulted in a record deal with AOR Heaven.
The debut album “Presence Of Mind” was released in November 2000 and the interest and reviews were far beyond the band’s expectations – including an 93/ 100 rating in Japanese magazine Burrn! which was followed by massive sales. In 2003, a little more than 3 years later ALYSON AVENUE released a new album titled “Omega”.

In 2007, ALYSON AVENUE had slowed down a bit so when NIGHTWISH went public with the information that they looked for a new Lead Vocalist, Anette decided to make a go of it. Some of the Band members helped Anette with the Demorecordings and the rest is, as they say, History.

After Anettes departure to NIGHTWISH the rest of the Band toyed with the idea of starting a new Male Fronted AOR-Band but those ideas where eventually scrapped and the search of a new Female Vocalist started.

In 2009 Arabella Vitanc joined the band on Lead Vocals giving the band new energy to start the work on the 3:rd Alyson Avenue record.

Discography:
Omega (2004)
Presence of Mind (2009)
Changes (2011)

Artist Spot: HEATHENDOM

HEATHENDOM was founded by Lefteris Vourliotis (lead guitar) and Michail Vlavianos (rhythm guitar) back in 1998. The concept of the band was power/doom metal with a strong mixture of KING DIAMOND/MERCYFUL FATE style. In September 1998 Yiannis Fillipaios (drums) and Yiannis Moraitis (bass) joined the band. Songs composing and rehearsals followed for a year, until the band decided to split because no appropriate singer could be found at the time. In September 2004 Dimitris Koutsouvelis (vocals) joined the band and the Heathen machine was fired up once again. Moraitis was called back to fill in the bass position and drums post was taken on by Dimitris Sakkas.

In June 2005 the band released their first demo, Heathendom , containing 5 songs plus an intro of seer power/doom music (over 33 minutes) that was accepted with great enthusiasm in the underground scene. HEATHENDOM played their first shows in 2006, supporting SOLITUDE AETURNUS in Thessaloniki & Athens. After some changes on the drummer’s position the band finally found a steady-as-rock progressive drum pounding machine, George Tsinanis (drums) and started forging brand new songs. The band had caught attention of Metal On Metal Records owners long before the idea for the label was even born. As soon as the decision to create the company was made, the band was approached with the proposal and the deal was signed in the beginning of 2008. HEATHENDOM’s full length debut CD “Nescience” was released 10 years after the formation of the band, on July 15th 2008. The album received close to 50 rave reviews from printed and online magazines from all around the world, including being chosen as the “Album of the month” in Greek Metal Hammer magazine (October 2008 issue), as well as gained a spot on the “Metal Crusade” vol. XVII sampler of the respected German Heavy magazine. The intense, masterful compositions with complex structures and horror-like atmosphere, unique vocals and brilliant guitar work apparently appealed not only to fans of KING DIAMOND or doom metallers, but to all those who appreciate high quality heavy metal played with passion and skills that are above average. Still before their debut was released, in April 2008 the band got a chance to play at Up The Hammers festival in Athens, together with bands such as MANILLA ROAD, OMEN, MEMORY GARDEN and CAGE. Later on, in 2008 and 2009 HEATHENDOM played several more shows in Greece, sharing the stage with ISOLE, REFLECTION, RAGENHEART and VALOR among others, and as a support act for AMON AMARTH in Athens. During 2009 the band was busy writing material for their next album. Meanwhile a decision was made to release the long time sold out and sought-after 2005 demo – this time exclusively on the vinyl format. The band re-recorded one of the demo songs, “Haunted Within” and merged it with its second part “Hell Within” (known from the band’s debut CD “Nescience”) into an almost 20-minutes suite “Haunted In Hell”. The whole album, now clocking at 41 minutes, was remastered in 2010 by Lefteris Vourliotis. Metal On Metal Records teamed up with Danny Angus/Pariah Child (Ireland) and brought out this gem on vinyl, limited to 500 copies, on April 23rd 2010.

Meanwhile, due to a big demand, in July 2010, Metal On Metal Records reissued the practically sold out band’s debut Nescience , which includes the Haunted In Hell suite (the same as on Heathendom vinyl released this April) instead of the War & Pain bonus track from the 2008 edition. The 2010 edition also comes with a revamped artwork/layout.

While working on the new album the band found the time to play at Bridgefest in London along with Pagan Altar, Tygers of Pan Tang and more. HEATHENDOM’s sophomore CD “The Symbolist” will be released on February 7 2011. The band’s style evolved slightly – we shed a little bit of doom metal elements in favour of more dark US and Scandinavian power metal and even some technical thrash elements, however not completely leaving doom metal behind and continuously exploring the “horror movie soundtrack” territories.

Actual Line Up:

Lefteris “L.V.” Vourliotis (guitars)
Dimitris Koutsouvelis (vocals)
Yiannis “Blacklad” Moraitis (bass)
Michail Vlavianos (guitars)
George Tsinanis (drums)

Discography:

Nescience (2008)
The Symbolist (2010)

Website: http://www.heathendom.gr/

Artist Spot: FIREFORCE

Acutal Line Up:
Flype (vocals)
Erwin Suetens (guitars)
Steve Deleu (guitars)
Metalpat (bass)

FIREFORCE is a new Heavy Metal band from Belgium. This melodious metal militia first saw the light of life towards the beginning of 2009. The strong live reputation established in the band members’ previous projects immediately led to a lot of respect and interest for their new undertaking. In februari 2009 the band entered the studio to record a 4 song EP which was produced by Mystic Prophecy singer RD Liapakis. Guitarplayer Joeri Brion decided to put his family first and was replaced by Steve Deleu. The band has signed a record deal, to record a full album, with 7HARD records from Germany. Be prepared for a metal anthem in 2011 – The metal will rage on..

Discography:
Fireforce – March On (2011)

Website: http://www.fireforce.be/

Artist Spot: ENBOUND

Current line-up:
Sven Odén : Bass
Jonathan Nyberg : Guitar
Mike Cameron Force : Drums
Marcus Nygren : Vocals

Enbound was formed in 2006 by Mike Cameron Force, who previously had played with bands like Zonata and Poem, and also worked as a producer for Axenstar, Draconian among others. The intention was to create something special with Enbound, and not just be a normal rock/metal band.

Some years were spent working on material, finding the right direction for Enbound, and also the right members. The experienced bass player Swede was added to the line-up, as well as the extremely talented [then 17, now 20] year old guitar virtuoso Marvin Flowberg. And finally in 2009 the band found their singer in Lee Hunter [Lars Säfsund] who is most famous for his work in the band Work of Art as well as performing in musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar, in the TV program “Singing Bee” on Swedish television and performing with Biondo in the Rumanian Eurovision song contest 2008.

With Lee Hunter Enbound found their last missing link, and now they were ready to take on the world. In 2009 the recording of the Enbound debut album “And She Says Gold” was started, and a deal was inked with the Swedish label Inner Wound Recordings.

Björn Engelmann [Rammstein, Primal Fear, Sonata Arctica] was chosen to master the album, and did it with pure perfection. Thomas Ewerhard [Avantasia, Edguy, Masterplan] created the artwork for the album, and produced something of the highest class as usual. An exciting guest on the album is singer LaGaylia Frazier [known from Swedish television, the Eurovision song contest and much more] who performs a fantastic duet with Lee Hunter on the track “Frozen to be feat. LaGaylia Frazier”.

Enbound worked for years at creation something special, and the gold-theme that is found in the entire production binds everything together in a perfect way.

“And She Says Gold” is a masterpiece of melodic power metal, and definitely one of the best debut albums to come out during the last ten years in the scene. The powerful arrangements that characterize Enbound, together with the smooth and emotional vocals by Lee Hunter, Enbound has created something special. Fans of melodic metal and hard rock will for sure love the sound of Enbound, and the future of the band is really exciting!

Do not miss out on this new Swedish melodic metal sensation! Pure gold!

Discography:
And She Says Gold (CD – 2011)

Website: http://www.enbound.com/

Artist Spot: REINXEED

Current line-up:
Tommy Johansson : Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard
Kerry Lundberg : Guitar, Back Vocals
Mattias Lindberg : Drums
Christer Viklund : Bass

The story of ReinXeed takes place in a town called Boden in the north of Sweden. ReinXeed is Tommy ReinXeed’s musical creation and band vision.

The band was formed in 2002 and worked very hard to develop their own style of melodic power metal and image to create what ReinXeed call ADVENTURE METAL. Big bombastic music with big lyrics, stories and legends that has been told for centuries with a heavenly hope.

In late 2007 Christian Liljegren former singer and founder of NARNIA also owner of LILJEGREN RECORDS/DOOLITTLE GROUP got a demo from Tommy ReinXeed. He was so impressed of what he heard and signed ReinXeed direct to his label.

Highly praised label KING RECORDS in Japan licensed ReinXeed and the release of their debut album THE LIGHT in 2008 and have since then reached good success with ReinXeed’s releases THE LIGHT, HIGHER & MAJESTIC and are excited to release their new album 1912. The 1912 album tells the story about the mighty ship Titanic and ReinXeed have also recorded two videos “We Must Go Faster” and “Terror Has Begun” to give a taste of the album.

The musical inspiration for ReinXeed comes from Gary Moore Angra, Stratovarius ,Robby Valentine ,Symphony X and Helloween, & Keeper Of The Seven Keys 1 & 2 era.

ReinXeed have worked hard to develop the songs and the production on 1912. This album is the biggest and most powerful production so far. The previous album MAJESTIC album scored 88 points in BURRN! MAGAZINE when it was released in JAPAN and charted top positions in the metal charts in JAPAN and 1912 seems to go the same way!

In 2008 Tommy ReinXeed also formed a new band called Golden Resurrection together with vocalist Christian Liljegren (Divinefire & Narnia). Their debut album Glory To My King was released in late 2010. Great response in metal media all over the world and the album have already sold thousands of copies in Asia, USA & Europe.

Their 2nd album Light Of The World will be released in October and the band got alot of attention for their charity single Pray For Japan to show their hearts for all their friends thay have in Japan. Golden Resurrection videos on YouTube are watched by thousands and their fanbase is growing fast.

Tommy ReinXeed’s favourite guitar player left us in early 2011. Gary Moore (R.I.P) did a great version of Thunder Rising and the video is available on Youtube. All these recordings of his favourite artists has developed Tommy’s skills as vocalist & musician. In Tommy’s mind nothing is impossible and all is possible if you lay down your heart and time in it.

The biggest rock magazine in Scandinavia – Sweden Rock Magazine covered Tommy in the January issue 2011 with a full story about Tommy ReinXeed – Sweden’s new born vocal & guitar hero. The focus were on the success with Golden Resurrection & ReinXeed and the forthcoming albums 1912 & Swedish Hitz Goes Metal.

Along side 1912 album, Tommy ReinXeed has worked out an album to show the world new and great versions originally written by ABBA, ROXETTE & ACE OF BASE and the title is SWEDISH HITZ GOES METAL!

In 4 years you have got 5 albums by Tommy ReinXeed and the band is hungry for more…The ReinXeed story continues!

Dicography:
The Light (CD – 2008)
Higher (CD – 2009)
Majestic (CD – 2010)
1912 (CD – 2011)

Website: http://www.myspace.com/reinxeednorth