According to Blabbermouth.net, “Horns And Halos”, the new album from vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, über-energetic frontman and all-round rock ‘n’ roll legend Michael Monroe, was certified gold in Finland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies within the first week of the CD’s release.
Released on August 27 via Spinefarm Records, “Horns And Halos” is the follow-up to the 2011 critically acclaimed “Sensory Overdrive”, winner of Classic Rock magazine’s “Album Of The Year” and a No. 1 record in Monroe’s Finnish homeland. It is a cosmopolitan affair, mixed by Petri Majuri at Seawolf Studios in Finland and written and recorded around the world by Monroe’s international posse — bassist Sami Yaffa (HANOI ROCKS, NEW YORK DOLLS), guitarist Steve Conte (NEW YORK DOLLS, COMPANY OF WOLVES), drummer Karl “Rockfist” Rosqvist (CHELSEA SMILES, DANZIG) and Swedish guitar star Dregen (BACKYARD BABIES). Monroe is a frontman whose reputation is genuinely global and whose influence continues to be felt, with musicians of all ages (from Dave Grohl to the original GUNS N’ ROSES members) citing his groundbreaking career as a source of inspiration.
The album’s first single released earlier this spring, “Ballad Of The Lower East Side”, is a nod to Michael’s early days in New York, a city he moved to for a decade following the mid-’80s breakup of glam-punk pioneers HANOI ROCKS (for which he was the frontman). It also appears on “Horns And Halos”.
“Horns And Halos” track listing: 01. TNT Diet 02. Ballad Of The Lower East Side 03. Eighteen Angels 04. Saturday Night Special 05. Stained Glass Heart 06. Horns And Halos 07. Child Of The Revolution 08. Soul Surrender 09. Half The Way 10. Ritual 11. Hands Are Tied
According to Bravewords.com, Vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, uber-energetic frontman and all-round rock ‘n’ roll legend MICHAEL MONROE will release his new studio outing, Horns And Halos, next week via Spinefarm Records.
To celebrate the album Monroe is announcing a tour in Finland, which will culminate in Helsinki at Kaapelitehdas and in Turku at Caribia Arena in front of almost 3,000 people per night. These concerts are by far the bands biggest headlining gigs in Finland. Along with Helsinki and Turku, the tour will stop in major Finnish cities and in the southern neighbour, Tallinn.
“I look forward to a tour of the new Horns And Halos album. At last, we get to play the new songs live, and reform the setlist. Welcome to rock and dig to the gigs!”, says Michael Monroe from the middle of tour preparations.
Tickets for the following dates are on sale now:
October
4 – Seinäjoki, Finland – Rytmikorjaamo
5 – Kuopio, Finland – Puikkari
6 – Tallinn, Estonia – Rock Cafe
9 – Tampere, Finland – Pakkahuone
10 – Joensuu, Finland – Kerubi
11 – Jyväskylä, Finland – Lutakko
12 – Oulu, Finland – Teatria
December
5 – Lahti, Finland – Finlandia-klubi
6 – Turku, Finland – Caribia Areena
7 – Helsinki, Finland – Kaapelitehdas
In 2010, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and uber-energetic frontman and all-round rock ‘n’ roll legend MICHAEL MONROE unveiled his new side project in grand style via an exclusive press conference. Flash forward six months to a full UK tour with Motörhead, and another few months to the release of Another Night In The Sun, a live album that teased fans clamoring for a final, polished taste of the new project. Finally, roughly a year after Michael Monroe’s original public reveal, the band released their first full-length release, Sensory Overdrive, produced by Jack Douglas (AEROSMITH, JOHN LENNON).
In 2012, after touring throughout the UK in support of Sensory Overdrive, Monroe announced that he would go back into seclusion to prepare for the band’s next offering. Monroe’s touring and recording outfit, comprised of bassist Sami Yaffa (ex-HANOI ROCKS, NEW YORK DOLLS), guitarist Steve Conte (ex-New York Dolls, COMPANY OF WOLVES), guitarist Dregen (BACKYARD BABIES, ex-HELLACOPTERS) and drummer Karl ‘Rockfist’ Rosqvist (ex-CHELSEA SMILES, DANZIG), worked tirelessly in the studio, providing creative support for a frontman whose reputation is genuinely global and whose influence continues to be felt, with musicians of all ages (from DAVE GROHL to the original GUNS N’ ROSES members) citing Michael’s ground-breaking career as a source of inspiration.
Now after several months, the wait is over. Michael Monroe can finally reveal that the band’s upcoming studio album, Horns And Halos, will hit stores everywhere on August 27th via Spinefarm Records. The band offers a taste of the new album in the form of a new single and video for the track ‘Ballad Of The Lower East Side’, which can be watched below:
The track includes a nod to Michael’s early days in New York, a city he moved to for a decade following the mid-’80s break up of glam punk pioneers, Hanoi Rocks. The clip – directed by celebrated videographer/photographer Ville Juurikkala, who has photographed Michael for the past 10 years as well as working with LINKIN PARK, GOOD CHARLOTTE and H.I.M., amongst others – features archive footage and photos of Michael in prime Big Apple mode, interlaced with current live and backstage scenes.
“The song ‘Ballad Of The Lower East Side’ is about New York and especially The Lower East Side – what it was way back in the days when I lived there, how times have changed and how it is nowadays.,” states Monroe. “New York has always been an important city to me since I lived there for 10 years. Two members of our band still live there. It’s the City of all Cities.”
Stay tuned for more information coming soon about Horns And Halos. More on Michael Monroe at this location.
MICHAEL MONROE (HANOI ROCKS) was invited to support Slash at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland on Tuesday, February 19th. Fan-filmed video of Monroe joining Slash and his band for two songs is available below.
Monroe issued the following statement after the gig:
“We had an absolute blast with Slash on Tuesday at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki! A big thank you to Slash for inviting us to open the show. And for having me come up to jam on ‘We’re All Gonna Die’ and ‘Magic Carpet Ride’. It was truly magical. Good times and then some!”
One of the most important rock icons, Slash earned his place as one of history’s greatest guitar heroes 25 years ago on the GUNS N’ ROSES debut Appetite For Destruction. One of Guns N’ Roses’ idols was Hanoi Rocks with Michael Monroe as their leading figure before his solo career. The last time Slash played in Finland was in Ruisrock 2010 where Michael Monroe also appeared as a guest star during his set.
MICHAEL MONROE (HANOI ROCKS) has been invited to support Slash at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland on Tuesday, February 19th. After a long and respectable career Michael Monroe embodies the energy of rock and roll with his electric and passionate performances. Slash, himself has admitted to being a Michael Monroe fan: “Michael Monroe is one of THE great rock and roll front-men. He’s also a good man and a good friend.”
One of the most important rock icons, Slash earned his place as one of history’s greatest guitar heroes 25 years ago on the GUNS N’ ROSES debut Appetite For Destruction. One of Guns N’ Roses’ idols was Hanoi Rocks with Michael Monroe as their leading figure before his solo career. The last time Slash played in Finland was in Ruisrock 2010 where Michael Monroe also appeared as a guest star during his set. Michael Monroe is currectly finishing a new album, due to be released in the spring. In addition to Monroe his band includes bassist Sami Yaffa, guitarists Steve Conte and Dregen and drummer Karl Rockfist.
Vocalist MICHAEL MONROE (ex-HANOI ROCKS) has checked in with the following update:
“So we finished recording our new album last Wednesday in Stockholm. We laid down 12 killer tracks and now the record just needs to be mixed. Can’t wait to hear it when it’s finished! We’re all really excited about it! Thanks to everyone at the Vuokatti show on Friday and last night in Turku at Logomo – what a great crowd! Also – Thank You, Mikko Herranen for opening up for us and coming up to sing ‘Dead, Jail Or Rock’n’Roll’ with me during our show last night. You Rock! Good times!”
A release date for Monroe’s forthcoming, as yet untitled solo album has not been announced. However, he will wrap up the year with several shows in his native Finland. Confirmed dates are as follows:
November
30 – Vaasa, Finland – Rewell Center
December
1 – Oulu, Finland – Teatria
5 – Himos, Finland – Himos Areena
6 – Levi, Finland – Hullu Poro Areena
7 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
8 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
8 – Helsinki, Finland – Tavastia
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