Rocktopia - Joe Bonamassa adds Dublin concert to October tour

Due to popular demand, the critically acclaimed blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa will perform an Irish concert at the Dublin Vicar Street on Friday October 7th. The Irish date happens two days before Bonamassa’s nationwide UK tour which kicks off on October 9th at the Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall. http://ping.fm/clOrb

Rocktopia - Alter Bridge join forces with Roadrunner Records

Roadrunner Records are delighted to welcome American rock band ALTER BRIDGE to the family. The band will be represented by Roadrunner worldwide, with the exception of North America (an announcement regarding North America will be released in the near future). Since they formed in 2004, Alter Bridge have built a loyal fan-base through relentless touring and their stellar live performances, selling more than a million albums and in the process becoming one of the most respected rock bands in the world. http://ping.fm/UG2Pr

TNT singer tony Mills suffers heart attack (Rocktopia News)

Tony Mills, vocalist in band TNT (ex-SHY), suffered a heart-attack at Oslo Airport Saturday afternoon on the way to a gig with TNT. Mills is now in recovery and will be moved out of intensive care tomorrow, Monday. Read the full story on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ALmBJ

Rocktopia - Queensryche sign with Roadrunner / Loud And Proud Records

Four-time Grammy nominees QUEENSRYCHE have signed a multi-album, worldwide deal with Roadrunner/Loud & Proud Records. The band’s label debut –their twelfth studio album- is tentatively scheduled for a Spring 2011 release. Singer and founder Geoff Tate remains the creative nucleus of the band, which continues to make against-the-grain hard rock. Since their inception over 25 years ago, Queensryche have sold over 20 million albums worldwide and have performed in over 22 countries. Read more at Rocktopia! http://ping.fm/ZXBGn

Rocktopia - Joe Satriani's new album now available to pre-order!

One of the most highly anticipated rock guitar albums in recent years, Joe Satriani's 14th studio album "Black Swans and Wormhole Wizards" is now available to pre-order from Amazon.co.uk, Play.com and HMV.com ahead of its October 4th release. The album will be released by Epic records and dovetails Satch's autumn UK tour, which kicks off on October 17th at the Manchester Apollo. Read more at Rocktopia! http://ping.fm/cG1VS

Enuff Z'Nuff - 'Dissonance' - Rocktopia CD Review

After a period of touring without Donnie Vie, the singer returned to the Enuff Z’Nuff fold in time to record this album from last year for their Japanese label, which gets a proper release here through the Grind That Axe imprint of popular re-issue label Rock Candy, and with a couple of bonus tracks too! To be honest latter day EZN albums have been a bit hit and miss to me, but the faith that Derek Oliver at Grind That Axe has in the band is obviously well founded as ‘Dissonance’ is easily their best album for quite some time. http://ping.fm/SQACL

The Poodles join Frontiers Records (Rocktopia News)

Frontiers Records are proud to announce their new worldwide partnership with Swedish Rockers THE POODLES, which will kick off with the world wide release of the group’s long awaited live-DVD, 'In the Flesh' and the accompanying live-album 'No Quarter' before the end of 2010, followed by The Poodles' fourth studio album in early 2011. Read the full story on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/PkOc9

RPWL announce a line up change (Rocktopia News)

RPWL introduces new bass player. Werner Taus will complete the German quintet for the second half of their 'Gentle Art Of Music' anniversary tour RPWL and their original member Chris Postl have annouced that they will be parting ways due to personal reasons. Today RPWL are proud to introduce their newest member on the bass guitar: Werner Taus. Read the full story on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/2iurQ

Rocktopia News: Whitesnake unveil new bass player!

Whitesnake are thrilled to announce their new bass player/singer... 35 year old Michael Devin. Recently Michael has been playing with Lynch Mob with new Whitesnake drummer, Brian Tichy. This completes the new Whitesnake line-up & Michael will be featured on their new album, alongside guitarists Doug Aldrich & Reb Beach & keyboardist Timothy Drury ... read the full news on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/e3Kr4

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 41 - Interview with Enuff Z'Nuff

Chicago rockers Enuff Z 'Nuff are back on track with the brilliant album 'Dissonance', the 14th of an immaculate career. The band that achieved some big hits back in the 80s still maintain those fresh and cool melodies, and even though they may have fallen a long way since those heady days, they still keep themselves loyal to their melodic and beautiful songs that, yes, which I have to repeat for perhaps the millionth time, contain that irresistible Beatles vibe. Read the full interview on Rocktopia! http://ping.fm/63KZt

Rocktopia: Silent Victory ? 'No Sacred Ground' - CD Review

Known as Adrenaline until the end of 2009, Silent Victory have been regulars on the UK live scene for the last six years. Sound wise possibly the best comparison for this outfit would be FM, not because their sound runs too close to Steve Overland and Co., but because there are huge dollops of melodic rock blended to a more blues infused guitar style, which really adds some depth to the music ... read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/aAff8

Rocktopia: Ozzy Osbourne - 'Scream' - CD Review

It's a funny ol' world at times when you think about it. Back in the 80's, Ozzy Osbourne (aka the 'Prince Of Darkness') was pretty much public enemy number one as far as the self righteous, self appointed guardians of our morals over in America were concerned - I remember Tipper Gore and the PMRC really getting their panties in a bunch every time his name was mentioned (so much for the first amendment!) – but a few seasons of low rent reality TV and all of a sudden he's everybody's favourite eccentric uncle … go figure! http://ping.fm/Lrje4

Rocktopia: Vanden Plas - 'The Seraphic Clockwork' - CD Review

To most casual observers, the oft maligned beast known as progressive metal can usually be summed up in two words ... DREAM THEATER. Granted, ever since the epoch defining 'Images And Words' first appeared in the early 90's, New York's finest have had an omnipotent presence which has never been significantly challenged (at least commercially), but to dismiss a whole subculture of very talented musicians in such an offhand manner is at best misguided, and at worst … well, you work it out. http://ping.fm/ZpZjo

Rocktopia: Tygers Of Pang Tang - 'The Wildcat Sessions' - CD Review

The ticks and scratches of a well-worn record give way to a phased drum roll and bang! – it's 'one-two-three-four, euthanasia, OK!' Except this isn't 1980, and it's not Jess Cox's distinctive vocals cutting through the speakers. 'The Wildcat Sessions' isn't another brace of early Tygers Of Pan Tang demos but a twenty-four minute EP featuring five songs re-arranged and re-recorded from their 1980 debut album 'Wild Cat' by the 2010 version of the band. http://ping.fm/Cusy0

Rocktopia: Christina - 'Broken Lives And Bleeding Hearts' - CD Review

The Christina in question is no less a person than Christina Booth who should be a familiar name to our readership thanks to her role as the voice of the wonderful Magenta. With that in mind, and the fact that the songs are Rob Reed creations, it goes without saying that this album has many Magenta sentiments, such as sublime melodies and choruses, and could very easily have been released under their name ... http://ping.fm/R2p6a

Rocktopia: Bachman Turner interview (Bachman Tuner Overdrive)

A rather unlikely union between old partners Randy Bachman and Fred Turner raised some eyebrows when it was announced, and the fact that they decided to work together, make a brand new record and tour again had people pleased, but questioning what the new material would be like. I should know, because when I ended up being the guy to cover the union for Fireworks, that’s exactly what I was thinking. http://ping.fm/MnbK1

Rocktopia: Taz Taylor - 'Big Dumb Rock' - CD Review

Instrumental albums polarize rock lovers. On the one hand, people who live for hearing technical expertise, readily appreciate the latest Steve Vai offering; on the other hand, the majority go for vocal driven tunes. The latest album by The Taz Taylor Band, ‘Big Dumb Rock’, in a way covers both bases. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/JXn9X

Rocktopia - Black Country Communion - 'Black Country' - CD Review

Hey, it's that term supergroup again... if you've been living in a cave, Black Country Communion are a four piece assembled by Glenn Hughes of Trapeze, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath fame, in tandem with blues guitar hero Joe Bonamassa. With the experience of Kevin Shirley (Journey, Aerosmith, loads of others) on production duties, and drums provided by Jason Bonham, things were looking good. Read the album review on Rocktopia! http://ping.fm/bqjim

Rocktopia: An exclusive interview Venice - Pink Floyd 'The Wall' 30th anniversary tour.

It's exciting times for the family melodic rock band from California as they release a new album that captures the band live and amplified while Kipp, Mark and Michael Lennon prepare to participate as backup singers, bringing their trademark harmonies to Roger Waters' 30th Anniversary Tour of "Pink Floyd's The Wall" http://ping.fm/xjiaC

Rocktopia - Fireworks Magazine Online Issue 40 - Five questions with Thin Lizzy

Five questions with Ricky Warwick and Viv Campbell - interviewed by Sue Ashcroft, about the reformed Thin Lizzy. "That's the thing with Viv, with Lizzy being his favourite band, with him coming in, the vibe is just fantastic... If this hadn't worked in any way whatsoever, we'd have been out of that rehearsal room in five minutes - if they didn't think I was up to singing the songs, I would've known and Scott would've told me straight away. The fact that it clicked straight away shows you that there’s good chemistry there." RICKY WARWICK http://ping.fm/HEaTO

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 41 - Interview with Joe Elliott (Def Leppard)

Five questions with Def Leppard's Joe Elliott - interviewed by Sue Ashcroft, about the new Down 'n' Outz project which pays tribute to music from Ian Hunter, British Lions and Mott The Hoople. Extracted from the full feature in Fireworks 41. http://ping.fm/cZS7u

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 41 - Rare interview with Ronnie James Dio

The first interview I did with Ronnie was back in 1990, for the fanzine 'Boulevard'. It was one of the most in-depth and revealing interviews I've ever seen with Ronnie, and as only several hundred people will ever have read it, I figured it would be a fitting tribute to the great man to reproduce it here, so that many more of his fans could have the chance to see into the heart and mind of the man who truly was the greatest hard rock singer ever heard. http://ping.fm/Nr2UO

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 41 - Interview with Bachman Turner (BTO)

Canadian rock legends Randy Bachman and Fred Turner have been rocking the socks off people for decades with the Bachman Turner Overdrive, who gave us a timeless classic like ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet’, along with rock staples ‘Roll On Down The Highway’, ‘Takin’ Care Of Business’... the list goes on and on. When Bachman departed the group, Turner continued without him, under the simple moniker of BTO, but after a while that ran its course and he disbanded the group and retired ... Read the full interview on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/ZkDg1

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine 41 - Interview with Taz Taylor Band

The Taz Taylor Band is due to release their 3rd album in July, entitled ‘Big Dumb Rock’. Under the moniker of The Taz Taylor Band, it is a return to Taz Taylor’s instrumental roots. The band was formed following his solo album Caffeine Racer in 2005. The next year saw the release of Welcome To America with Graham Bonnet on vocals. Two years later following two international tours including a very abrupt parting of the ways with Graham Bonnet, a second line up was formed. Keith Slack (ex MSG) became the new singer with Val Trainor retaining drum duties and Dirke Krause on bass. With Keith Slack still in the band, they are perhaps surprisingly about to release an instrumental album Big Dumb Rock. Rob McKenzie caught up with Taz Taylor himself on a transatlantic call to find out more. http://ping.fm/sJevJ

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 41 - Interview with Glenn Hughes

Five questions with Glenn Hughes - interviewed by James Gaden, about Glenn's new project, the supergroup Black Country Communion, featuring Derek Sherinian, Jason Bonham and Joe Bonamassa. Extracted from the full feature in Fireworks 41. http://ping.fm/uCBgW

Rocktopia - Fireworks Magazine 41 is out now!

Fireworks 41 is now available in WHSmiths all over the UK! Use the Store Finder in the Fireworks section right here on Rocktopia to find out which branch near you has one. It it also available from the Rocktopia shop if you wish to buy direct from here and have one sent out to you. Fireworks 41 - 96 full colour pages featuring 28 feature interviews with artists such as Slash, Joe Elliott, Glenn Hughes, Thin Lizzy, Peter Frampton, Heart, Accept, Enuff Z Nuff, Bachman & Turner, John Norum and many more. Also includes 19 pages of new albums reviewed, along with the latest reissues and live reports. Comes with a FREE CD featuring 18 tracks. Buying the magazine also entitles you to download a FREE extra 18 page PDF of content. http://ping.fm/dGhho

Europe's 'Last Look At Eden' nominated in Classic Rock 'Roll Of Honour' awards

The UK's Classic Rock Magazine today revealed the nominations for their annual awards bash – The Classic Rock 'Roll Of Honour' Awards which takes place on Wednesday 10 November at London’s Roundhouse, hosted by Alice Cooper. For the first time in the awards’ history the show will also feature live performances from Cheap Trick and Alter Bridge. Read the full story on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/7kvXa

Rocktopia - Exclusive Steve Lukather V.I.P. Tickets

To coincide with the October 11th release of Steve Lukather's new album "All's Well That Ends Well", Steve Lukather is offering fans a chance to buy exclusive V.I.P. tickets to his November UK tour. There are 25 V.I.P. tickets up for grabs for each concert... http://ping.fm/obE3v

Rocktopia - New Zodiac Mindwarp album and launch gig

ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION have signed to SPV / Steamhammer Records, who are set to release the band’s brand new studio album, ‘We Are Volsung’ on September 27th. Two days prior to release, Zodiac Mindwarp And The Love Reaction will preview ‘We Are Volsung’ at a special album launch gig at the Borderline on September 25th. Tickets, priced £12 in advance, are on sale now... http://ping.fm/1dm7L

Rocktopia CD Review: LA Guns - 'Shrinking Violets'

The re-issue of this classic L.A. Guns album is perfectly logical not only because singer Jizzy Pearl is now back in the band, as he was when it was originally recorded in 1999, but also because sadly at the time the album suffered from an almost non-existent distribution. Read the full review on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/dtukA

Rocktopia Breaking News: Shotgun Symphony Locked And Loaded For Firefest 2010!

Firefest are delighted to announce that we have finally tempted long time melodic rock favourites SHOTGUN SYMPHONY to come out of retirement to play FIREFEST 2010. Following the withdrawal of Saraya, the search began to find not only a suitable replacement but an act that had not actively played for some time. Shotgun Symphony fitted the bill, now all we needed to do was persuade them. Easy, right? Actually NO, as Shotgun had not played live since their last performance at The Gods in Penningtons in 2002, which was for many present at that show the performance of the entire weekend. http://ping.fm/iXU8o

Rocktopia Breaking News: Saraya pull out of Firefest!

Firefest is extremely saddened that Sandi, despite making the commitment to perform at the show in December 2009 has chosen at relatively short notice to back track on her original decision. After a period of will she won't she, she finally asked for a totally inappropriate amount of money for herself personally to actually perform. Firefest had already went way beyond the original deal in an effort to make the Saraya show happen, offering much more financially than we had agreed. In fact the improved package we offered was over double what we had agreed from day 1 but apparently it was not enough. Read the full story on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/CGjJr

Rocktopia - Interview with Jean Beauvoir

An artist with associations that include Paul Stanley, Steven Van Zant, Jon Bon Jovi and Lionel Richie usually needs no introduction. However, mention Jean Beauvoir to the uninitiated and you might just receive a blank stare. An exclusive interview with Jean on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/OWlPR

Rocktopia - Exlclusive interview with Bombay Black

Since May 2006 and attending the Kiss Expo in 2006 where I met John Kivel and then saw Bombay Black perform, I was totally blown away and have been a fan ever since. Read an exclusive interview with Bombay Black on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/vJlWx

Rocktopia - An interview with John Kivel of Kivel Records

Founder and CEO of Kivel Records, John Kivel has carved a respected niche for himself in the genre of melodic rock. Releasing a plethora of CD’s garnering favorable reviews from the likes of www.melodicrock.com, bands such as Adriangale, Bombay Black, Farcry, Goodbye Thrill, Rockarma, Talon as well as singer Ted Poley all share kinship with the Kivel Records label. Read the exclusive interview with John Kivel on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/WN9Cm

AhORa Rock 2 - the Rocktopia podcast. The playlist features "Dawn Star", an unreleased track by TEN

AhORa Rock - the free monthly melodic rock and AOR podcast, exclusively on Rocktopia. Featuring the following songs this month: Here's the list of all songs featured in AhORa Rock issue 2 (including the previously unreleased track "Dawn Star" by TEN): ISSA - I'm Alive Crazy Lixx - Lock Up Your Daughter Crashdiet - Bound To Fall Ten - Dawn Star 8-Point Rose - Out of the Shadows MICHAEL KISKE - AMANDA SOMERVILLE - Don't Walk Away Erik Grönwall - Crash And Burn Avantasia - Journey To Arcadia Vice - Feel My Body ONLY CHILD - Always TWO FIRES - Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid TONY HARNELL & THE MERCURY TRAIN - Intuition Reckless Love - Romance http://ping.fm/kDu76

Rocktopia - AhORa ROCK PODCAST ? 2nd EDITION, INCLUDING AWESOME UNRELEASED TEN TRACK

The second edition of the AhORa Rock podcast is now available for download and online access. This very special edition includes the awesome unreleased Ten track ‘Dawn Star’. AhORa Rock is accessible exclusively on www.rocktopia.net. Just register and either listen online or download for free. Go to it!!! http://ping.fm/uigwN