SANDSTONE to support Tim Ripper Owens

Sandstone have been confirmed as the support act for Tim Ripper Owens European tour starting Sept 2012.

The band will be playing the following countries with more dates and venues to be announced soon:

METAL MESSIAH EU TOUR 2012

07 sept : Kuurne – Belgium
08 sept : Terneuzen – Holland
09 sept : Genk – Belgium
10 sept : Germany (Details soon)
11 sept : Germany (Details soon)
12 sept : Germany (Details soon)
13 sept : Germany (Details soon)
14 sept : Poland (Details soon)
15 sept : Warsaw – Poland
16 sept : Poland (Details soon)
17 sept : Switzerland (Details soon)
18 sept : Kosice – Slowakia
19 sept : CZ (Details soon)
20 sept : Cluj – Romania
21 sept : Bucharest – Romania
22 sept : Sofia – Bulgaria
23 sept : Serbia (Details soon)
24 sept : Hungary (Details soon)
25 sept : Austria (Details soon)
26 sept : Slovenia (Details soon)
27 sept : Italy (Details soon)
28 sept : Lyon – France
29 sept : Strasbourg – France
30 sept : Paris – France

BLACK MAJESTY confirmed for Masters Of Rock 2012

Australian melodic power metal band Black Majesty have been announced as part of the 2012 Masters of Rock Czech Republic festival. This will be Black Majesty’s only Czech Republic show during their 2012 European tour where they will be promoting their new album (produced by Roland Grapow – Masterplan) due for release in May 2012. Other acts already confirmed for the M.O.R. 2012 festival include Thin Lizzy, Stratovarius, Edguy, Gothard, Kamelot, Arch Enemy, Within Temptation, Firewind, Unisonic and Arakain amongst many others.

ANCIENT BARDS – Soulless Child

ANCIENT BARDS kind of symphonic / epic Metal is sophisticated and classy. The intoxicating mix of intense choirs, hefty guitars, classic, epic keyboard parts and ultra catchy melodies grant an extraordinary listening experience. Artwork by Felipe Machado Franco (Rhapsody, Blind Guardian etc…). For fans of Nightwish, Rhapsody Of Fire, Epica, Delain, and Edenbridge.

Tracklisting:

•  01. Struggle For Life / 1:53
•  02. To The Master Of Darkness / 7:33
•  03. Gates Of Noland / 5:13
•  04. Broken Illusion / 5:11
•  05. All That Is True / 9:55
•  06. Valiant Ride / 4:13
•  07. Dinanzi Al Flagello / 1:29
•  08. Soulless Child / 9:15
•  09. Through My Veins / 7:19
•  10. Hope Dies Last / 14:31

Total playing time 66:32

• Epic-melodic, classic arrangements with excellent sound.
• Interesting story/plot, combined with sophisticated song writing.
• Worldwide top reviews regarding the debut album „The Alliance Of The Kings“.
• Live performances with Turisas, White Skull, Almah, Domine, Heidevolk, Korpiklaani, Eluveitie
  etc…
• For fans of Nightwish, Rhapsody Of Fire, Epica, Delain, and Edenbridge.

JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR – Land Of The Dead

Metal as metal should be! JACK STARR (ex-Virgin Steele) makes it clear that Eighties metal needn’t sound musty or faded, but instead, with unbounded passion, high-quality songwriting and a kick-ass production, it can hold its head up high today without the stain of clichees! Guest musicians: Ross The Boss & David Shankle (both ex-Manowar).

Tracklisting:

•  01. Land Of The Dead / 6:29
•  02. Sands Of Time / 5:11
•  03. Twilight Of The Gods / 2:33
•  04. Stranger In Paradise / 5:29
•  05. Here We Are / 4:36
•  06. Warning Fire (feat. Ross The Boss) / 5:22
•  07. Daughter Of Darkness / 6:55
•  08. When Blood And Steel Collide / 6:38
•  09. On The Wings Of The Night / 4:39
•  10. Never Again (feat. David Shankle) / 5:46
•  11. Until The End / 6:42

Total playing time 60:13

• Excellent new Power Metal album of the ex-Virgin Steele guitarist.
• Powerful combination of classical Eighties Metal and memorable hymns.
• With ex-Manowar musicians.
• Jack Starr can look back on a first-class back catalog from the Eighties.
• Amazing front cover artwork by Ken Kelly (Kiss, Rainbow, Manowar).
• For fans of Virgin Steele, Riot, Holy Mother.

SANDSTONE – Cultural Dissonance

Bruce Dickinson called the predecessor: „The most impressive album to come out of Ireland for years“. Sandstone continue to display the clever mixture of power and progressive elements with a high standard of melodies (think Fates Warning, Queensryche and even Iron Maiden), yet the new material comes across much straighter, heavier and more in the direction of Pagan’s Mind, Symphony X and Vanden Plas.

Tracklisting:

•  01. Reckless Thought / 5:01
•  02. Little Forgeries / 5:17
•  03. Fading / 4:17
•  04. Leaning On An Arrow / 4:34
•  05. Carefree Moment / 4:11
•  06. Silent Suicide / 4:10
•  07. Black Skies / 4:26
•  08. No More / 3:43
•  09. Sleep / 5:10
•  10. Trick Of Mind / 5:59

Total playing time 47:10

• Young Irish band which gained an excellent name and reputation on the underground scene.
• Varied mix of power metal, progressive rock and melodic metal. Characterized by superb melodies and powerful guitars.
• Excellent reviews for their previous releases.
• For fans of Pagan’s Mind, Symphony X, Queensryche, old style Fates Warning.

ANCIENT BARDS – Soulless Child
to be released in November 2011

The successor of ANCIENT BARD’s highly acclaimed album „The Alliance Of The Kings“ is set to be released on November 18th., 2011. The album will future the second part of the „Black Crystal Sword Saga“. Like „The Alliance Of The Kings“, the new album „Soulless Child“ will make those very happy who love epic-melodic, classic arrangements, and appreciate a sound hovering between Nightwish, Rhapsody, Epica, and Delain.

BLACK MAJESTY TO WORK WITH ROLAND GRAPOW FOR NEW ALBUM & UPCOMING BLIND GUARDIAN TOUR DATES

Australian melodic power metal band Black Majesty will begin recording their fifth album with Roland Grapow (Masterplan) at Grapow Studios in Slovakia in October 2011. The new album is scheduled to be released in June 2012. Some of the song titles set to appear on the new album include The Fallen, Edge Of The World, The Killing Hand, Lykan and Journey To The Soul.
Other news sees Black Majesty set to support Germany’s Blind Guardian on their upcoming Australian tour. Live dates include:
30th Sept. 2011 – The Factory Theatre (all ages) – Sydney, Australia
2nd Oct. 2011 – Bilboard (over 18’s), Melbourne, Australia
3rd Oct. 2011 – Bilboard (over 18’s), Melbourne, Australia