Rocktopia: Chickenfoot - 'III' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: I'm sure by now everybody knows that the supergroup of Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith, Joe Satriani and Michael Anthony weren't messing about when they formed their band Chickenfoot. The name raised eyebrows, and their self titled album and subsequent live shows dropped jaws. The band jammed their way through a powerhouse rock album which charted all over the place and went gold in the US and Canada. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/eVswJ

Rocktopia: Bridger - 'Bridger' - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Ant Heeks: Sometimes the promotional blurb that accompanies a new album can completely give you the wrong idea of what it is going to sound like. This one in particular features the names Mr. Big, Great White and Journey, so I was expecting some slick, Eighties sounding anthemic Arena Rock. After a few spins it's apparent that's not the case at all, this is raw, rootsy rock'n'roll with two feet firmly planted in both the Seventies and the current contemporary Rock market. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/RoMo6

Rocktopia: XorigiN - 'State Of The Art' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review: For those who are unaware, AOR is being revitalized by a plethora of bands hailing from Scandinavia. Each album released seems to continually raise the bar of excellence, as the music is just so consistent and well crafted. Without exception, the debut from XorigiN upholds this notion. Equal parts Norway and Sweden, founding members Johannes Stole and Daniel Palmqvist are set to release their excellent debut with 'State Of The Art'. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/9GT9J

Rocktopia: Interview with Michael T. Ross (Hardline, Lita Ford)

Rocktopia Interviews: I’m really a guitarist stuck in a keyboardist's body, says Michael T. Ross, a keyboardist who currently works with such notable rock acts as Lita Ford, Hardline, Angel and Accomplice… and a lot more! This busy musician (and a fellow rock journalist, as it turned out to be) has found the time to reveal some stories about his career and current projects and to look back upon his early days, all this exclusively for Rocktopia ... http://ping.fm/Ekuzo

Rocktopia: Sebastian Bach - 'Kicking & Screaming' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Dave Scott: The charismatic Sebastian Bach is best known as the former singer of Skid Row and the band released 3 studio albums between 1989 and 1996, when Bach left the band. Since then he has kept himself busy with producing, song writing and appearing on Broadway and in television shows. He also released a live record in 1999 called 'Bring Em Bach Alive' and a covers album 'Bach To Basics' in 2001. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/7DV4Z

Rocktopia: Jorn - 'Live In Black' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: The supremely talented vocalist Jorn Lande first came across my radar when I bought Brazen Abbot mastermind Nikolo Kotzev's 'Nostradamus' album. I bought that mostly due to the participation of two of my favourite male singers, Joe Lynn Turner and Glenn Hughes, ably supported by one of my favourite female artists, Alannah Myles, and the skilled ex-Rainbow singer Doogie White. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/B01Oc

Rocktopia: The Treatment - 'This Might Hurt' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: There seem to be a lot of talented young bands out there at the moment who aren't afraid to be influenced by music of the past, with one of the youngest and best being new UK hard rockers The Treatment. The teenage band have received rave reviews for some of the live shows they've played, where they've put out enough energy and cocksure attitude to usually give the headliners a run for their money. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/SiGyn

Rocktopia: Outloud - 'Love Catastrophe' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Outloud is the melodic hard rock band formed in Athens back in 2004 by Firewind keyboardist Bob Katsionis and one of his guitar students, Tony Kash. In 2009 their line-up was completed by ex-Firewind drummer Mark Cross, bassist Jason Mercury and American former Talon singer Chandler Mogel, and together they released their debut album to critical acclaim. Read the full review on Rocktopia http://ping.fm/Q1gnx

Rocktopia: Yes - 'Fly From Here' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: There have been many controversial moments in the over forty year career of Progressive Rock trailblazers Yes, but probably none more so than back in 1980 when they replaced singer Jon Anderson and keyboard player Rick Wakeman with Buggles duo Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes. Almost a decade after their last completely new record, 'Magnification', 'Fly From Here' is only the second Yes album not to feature the vocals of Anderson, and again features Horn and Downes. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/eyhKE

Rocktopia: Taxxi - 'Traxx' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Duncan Jamieson: Andrew MacNeice's Melodic Rock website (apart from Firework's Rocktopia site of course) is the best place to go to find out what's going on in the world of melodic rock. So, when his Melodic Rock Records label releases a CD, you can be sure that you need to sit up and take notice. Taxxi, although British, were one of the most American sounding AOR bands back in the 80s. They released four albums and later a compilation. They secured live dates with the likes of Foreigner, Triumph and Loverboy; all a good fit for their state of the art AOR. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/qPdC0

Rocktopia: Riverdogs - 'World Gone Mad' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Duncan Jamieson: 'World Gone Mad' is an apt title for the Riverdogs' return to CD, because in a sane world the band would be a lot more successful than they have been. Some of the songs here are re-recorded versions of demos the band recorded when they got back together in 2003 to play a few reunion gigs. Approached by Melodic Rock Records to release the songs, the band agreed and went back into the studio in New York to spruce up the demos and include a couple of newly written tracks. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/92ytE

Rocktopia: Infinity - 'Infinity' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: Just when you thought the Journey back catalogue had been exhausted in the search for new band and record company names, along comes Infinity on Andrew McNiece's rapidly growing Melodic Rock Records, except Infinity aren't a new band at all. These nine tracks date back to 1986/87 when Infinity were basically a duo consisting of keyboard player David Rosenthal (Rainbow, Red Dawn, Billy Joel) and the inimitable Mitch Malloy on vocals, with session musicians handling the other instruments. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/LR5Kt

Rocktopia: Kansas - 'Vinyl Confessions' (re-issue) - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: Having become increasingly rare on CD of late, 'Vinyl Confessions' is a largely ignored part of the history of the great US progressive band Kansas, but also one that benefits from a re-appraisal. By the beginning of the 80s a great deal of jealousy had built up in singer Steve Walsh about bandmate Kerry Livgren, who he thought was getting all the attention from the record company and having all his songs released as singles. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/9sIUe

Rocktopia: Dream Theater - 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by Phil Ashcroft: As a result of the departure of drummer and band leader Mike Portnoy towards the end of last year, there's no doubting that this album will be one of the most closely scrutinized releases, not only of Dream Theater's career, but of recent times in general. Portnoy's control of the band was so all-encompassing that few really expected business as usual, least of all Portnoy himself, whose attempt at an eleventh hour reconciliation was politely declined by the remaining members. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/6bTul

Rocktopia: Kansas - 'Drastic Measures' (re-issue) - CD Review

A Fireworks Magazine / Rocktopia album review by Phil Ashcroft: If 'Vinyl Confessions' was the album that alienated a lot of the prog rock fans who'd sent 'Leftoverture' and 'Point Of Know Return' to quadruple platinum status, then 1983's 'Drastic Measures' was probably the one that convinced even the band themselves that things weren't working out. First of all, there was no sign of vocalist/violinist Robbie Steinhardt, whose role on the previous album had been much diluted. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/NzSjg

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Arabia

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Arabia: Arabia will return on June 6th with their all new album 'Welcome To The Freakshow' but that's not the end of it - the band are also set to finish album number three for Z Records this year for a 2012 release! Read the full interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/zE9XT

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Year Of The Goat

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Year Of The Goat: Guitarist Per Broddesson from new Swedish sensation Year Of The Goat talks about music, dark arts and muppets. John Tucker heard [groan] what he had to say. Read the full interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/K2HdH

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Dream Theater

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Dream Theater: To the outside eye things had seemed pretty stable in the Dream Theater camp. Founder members John Petrucci (guitars), John Myung (bass) and Mike Portnoy (drums) had been mainstays since the mid-80s, whilst singer James LaBrie had joined in the early 90s and appeared on all but the debut album, and even the new guy, keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess, has been around for over a decade. Read the interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/9ka4O

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Andy Bown

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Andy Bown: Despite being a full time member of Status Quo since 1976, veteran musician Andy Bown has had a varied career. He has played alongside Peter Frampton in The Herd, was a member of Judas Jump who opened the Isle Of Wight Festival in 1970, worked as a session musician, written TV themes and released a collection of solo singles and albums. Read the interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/1HOs3

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Enbound

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Enbound: Enbound dates back to late 2006 and is the brainchild of former Zonata member Mike Cameron Force. The band was originally started with guitarist Jonathon Nyberg who left the group due to family commitments. Read the full interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/2b536

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Sebastian Bach

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Sebastian Bach: The bad boy is back kicking and screaming. After his 2009 solo album 'Angel Down', the charismatic Sebastian Bach finds time in his schedule after performing live solo shows, TV series Gilmore Girls and Broadway musicals including Jeckyl & Hyde, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Read the interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/8Ka6u

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Lake Of Tears

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Lake Of Tears: Stuff objectivity! No matter how old you are, or how many times you’ve done this, sometimes it’s hard to suppress the fan-boy emotions of talking with bands you greatly admire. Which is great, really; otherwise, why do it in the first place? Read the full interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/vKiN4

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Neil Daniels

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Neil Daniels: Read the full interview with Neil Daniels, the author of Don't Stop Believin' - The Untold Story Of Journey. http://ping.fm/mfaY3

Rocktopia: Fireworks Magazine Online 47 - Interview with Time Horizon

Fireworks Magazine Official Website: Issue 47. Interview with Time Horizon: ‘Living Water’ is the debut album from Northern Californian four piece Time Horizon and while keyboard player Ralph Otteson, vocalist and drummer Bruce Gaetke, guitarist Dave Dickerson and bassist Steve Gourley have dedicated much of their lives to music, the real motivation behind this excellent, commercially tinged prog act was to help others. Read the full interview on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/frguH

Rocktopia: White Widdow - 'Serenade' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by James Gaden: Those of you with long memories may recall that when I reviewed White Widdow's debut album I finished with the words 'White Widdow for Firefest 2011 anyone?' Naturally I’m over the moon that my wishes have been granted, and barely a year after that stunning debut, sophomore release 'Serenade' is upon us, to perfectly coincide with this year's festival. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/a4N8q

Rocktopia: Serpentine - 'Living And Dying In High Definition' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Carl Buxton: An interesting album this, Cardiff based Serpentine's second to feature 49 year old Solihull born Tony Mills, the current TNT vocalist and ex Shy, The Sweet and solo artist to name but a few of his more well known previous adventures. He originally replaced ex Kamera singer Greg Flores who only got as far as demoing material with the band, transatlantic style, over a lengthy period of time, after which guitarist Chris Gould came into contact with Shy's drummer Bob Richards at a studio in Blackwood. The rest, as they say, is history ... Read the full review on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/2hJoT

Rocktopia NEWS: Fireworks Magazine - The Melodic Rock Magazine - Issue 47 OUT NOW!

Rocktopia NEWS: The latest edition of Fireworks is out now, and is another packed 100 pages bound in a thick glossy cover, containing interviews with the likes of Dream Theater, Chickenfoot, Sebastian Bach, Work Of Art, Toby Hitchcock, Andy Bown, Fozzy, House Of Lords, Mike Tramp and many more. 27 pages of detailed reviews AND a free 18 track cover CD. Read the news on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/dE6SK

Rocktopia: Andy Bown - 'Unfinished Business' - CD Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine album review by James Gaden: I have to put this particular album down as one of my most pleasant surprises. As anybody who has read my contributions to this magazine will have no doubt realised, I have a lot of time for Status Quo. Not only have I really enjoyed their last batch of albums, I was fortunate enough to have covered Francis Rossi's second solo album (and subsequent live DVD) when that came out. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/8POlb

Rocktopia: Bai Bang - 'Livin' My Dream' - User CD Review

A Rocktopia user album review by Woody: Sweden's Glam / Sleaze rockers Bai Bang are back with their 7th studio album, Livin' My Dream. The band have been around since the early 80's and have had a few line up changes in those years, so rockin' the current line up with main man Diddi Kastenholt (vocals) is Pelle Eliaz (Guitar), Joacim Sandin (Bass) & Johnny Benson (Drums). They have roped in well respected studio guru Martin Kronlund to master this album and as per usual he works his magic on this release. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/Fintp

Rocktopia: House Of Lords - 'Big Money' - CD Review

A Rocktopia album review by Carl Buxton: House Of Lords' eighth full length album 'Big Money' follows on from their 2009 release 'Cartesian Dreams' with the tried and tested formula that's kept them as one of the leading lights of Melodic Hard Rock for twenty years. It may only be James Christian that remains from 1988's debut but his strong rasping melodic vocals are an indelible stamp on House Of Lords' music. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/CbtU7

Rocktopia News: Firefest and Classic Rock Magazine present AOR

News: Firefest & Classic Rock Magazine present AOR - The third edition of Classic Rock Presents AOR is selling fast! But if you haven’t got your copy yet, it’s still available for purchase online. The third issue of AOR celebrates a very special birthday: the 30th anniversary of the release of Foreigner 4. Read the full article on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/jz6ji

Rocktopia: Judas Priest / Queensryche / Rival Sons - Concert Review

A Rocktopia concert review by Carl Buxton: Judas Priest / Queensryche / Rival Sons, Bournemouth International Centre, Bournemouth, UK, 24th July 2011. Not quite a sell-out but eagerly anticipated none-the-less, Judas Priest’s final UK date hot on the heels of yesterday’s massive High Voltage Festival was one of the last opportunities for UK fans to see this iconic Heavy Metal band. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/suEA4

Rocktopia: Deep Purple - Concert Review

A Rocktopia concert review by Ian Parry: Deep Purple, Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, 16th July 2011. To any Deep Purple fan, other than having them turn up at your local pub, the Montreux Jazz Festival with all the Smoke history is probably the ultimate gig. After a five year absence they are back to headline the closing night of the 45th annual festival and this time round they've brought an orchestra too. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/lveiK

Joe Lynn Turner enraged about illegally released unfinished demos

Joe Lynn Turner enraged about illegally released unfinished demos Ex-Rainbow and Deep Purple Vocalist writes "open letter" to fans and media. Dear Fans and Media Friends, "I am aware of a compilation of unfinished demo songs that was published on the Internet by an individual named Scott Rolaf. These demos were recorded in my studio about two years ago...." Read the full article on Rocktopia.

From: http://ping.fm/PeWrq

Rocktopia: New York Dolls - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Paul Twist: New York Dolls, Club Academy, Manchester, UK, 29th March 2011. You could be forgiven for not expecting much from a live New York Dolls performance in 2011. Almost three decades apart, a tumultuous history and the deaths of three founding members would, perhaps, suggest the New York Dolls of the 21st-century would offer a barely-competent, shambolic performance carried along solely by the goodwill of the audience and their willingness to see such an influential band in the flesh. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/zxaDQ

Rocktopia: Saxon / Fury UK / Crimes Of Passion - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by Ant Heeks: Saxon / Fury UK / Crimes Of Passion - The Assembly, Leamington Spa, UK, 9th April 2011. Tonight is the first night of the British leg of Saxon's latest tour. Wolfsbane, the re-formed rockers from my home town of Tamworth are the main support for the rest of the dates, but were unable to do this show, so their place is taken by Sheffield's Crimes Of Passion, and in all honesty they are the main reason I'm here. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/W8K2k

Rocktopia: Glenn Hughes - Concert Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine concert review by James Gaden: Glenn Hughes, Grand Opera House, York, UK, 23rd May 2011. As a longstanding Glenn Hughes fan who has all his albums and has seen many shows, I was thrilled at the chance to get to see him at a great venue like the York Opera House, somewhere Glenn had never played before. It was much closer to where I live and much nicer than Bradford Rio's or some of the other less than charming venues he has played in the past. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/y4Q84

Rocktopia: Fused Festival 2011 - Festival Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine festival review by Gary Marshall: Fused Festival 2011 - Lyndey Town Hall, Lyndey, UK, 1st, 2nd and 3rd April 2011. Since the demise of the short-lived ProgPower UK Festival, bands in the Symphonic, Gothic and Progressive Metal genres have been without a dedicated outlet for their music, and it is thanks to Huw Lloyd-Jones, who took the financial risk, and his band of volunteers, that the balance has been redressed. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/ZWFdT

Rocktopia: Bon Jovi - Concert Review

A Rocktopia concert review by Julia Braun: Early in the morning the alarm clock sang Your love is like bad medicine.. bad medicine is what I need, Whoah oh ohh... and I knew which day had come: Bon Jovi day! Good music on board and rock 'n' roll in our hearts we hit the road to drive the 300km to Dusseldorf. Even though it was raining like hell we were looking forward so much forward to seeing the show! Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/I3hw6

Rocktopia: British Steel Festival V - Festival Review

A Rocktopia / Fireworks Magazine festival review by John Tucker: British Steel Festival V, Camden Underworld, London, UK, 2nd April 2011. For one night at the Camden Underworld, the fifth British Steel festival offered five hours, five bands, and five very different contributions to the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/8UM6H

Rocktopia: Whitesnake - Concert Review

A Rocktopia concert review by Dave Scott: David Coverdale and his latest incarnation of Whitesnake returned to their spiritual home of Hammersmith tonight when the Forevermore tour finally hit London. Opening act on the UK leg of the tour was The Union, the new project/band from Luke Morley and Peter Shoulder, formerly of Thunder and Winterville. Read the full review on Rocktopia. http://ping.fm/di9pp