As previously announced, DJ Blackdiamond and Mohsen Fayyazi of partner companies, FIREBRAND ROCK RADIO and METAL SHOCK FINLAND are going to present a special “HAMMERFEST IV” Show, tribute to the British Metal festival, HammerFest IV – Hammer Of The Thor, featuring vocalist David Bower from HELL and Somi Arian from MORTAD. Also many more bands featured in the show, which will be on March 13th at 9pm (GMT). You can listen below to a promo audio clip featuring David Bower, instructing fans to tune in:
HammerFest IV – Hammer Of Thor, presented by HardRock Hell and MetalHammer and the show dates are set to be during 15-18 March, 2012 at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Wales.
DJ Blackdiamond and Mohsen Fayyazi of partner companies, FIREBRAND ROCK RADIO and METAL SHOCK FINLAND are going to present a special “HAMMERFEST IV” Show, tribute to the British Metal festival, HammerFest IV – The Hammer Of The Thor, featuring vocalist David Beckford from HELL and Somi Arian from MORTAD. Also many more bands featured in the show, which will be on March 13th at 9pm (GMT).
HammerFest IV – The Hammer Of Thor, presented by HardRock Hell and MetalHammer and the show dates are set to be during 15-18 March, 2012 at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park, Wales.
Mohsen Fayyazi of Metal Shock Finlandrecently conducted an interview with British guitarist Graham Oliver (OLIVER DAWSON SAXON, SAXON). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal Shock Finland: You’re one of those musicians who has had an important role in the NWOBHM movement. How do you feel that genre of metal music is placed in the industry today?
Graham: It is so cool that the music we created in the period of the NWOBHM is regarded as influential 30 years later and we never imagined we could inspire bands like METALLICA, who in turn inspire bands, too, so it goes round and round. The music of today is so diverse and influences of NWOBHM can be heard even in Lady Gaga [“Edge Of Glory”]. Rock has a longevity like no other — just look at AC/DC. Simple, straight and great songs rock will never die.
Metal Shock Finland: The [OLIVER DAWSON SAXON] album seems to be a returning point to the roots of old-school heavy metal, by including issues about drugs, motorcycles, women … Are we going to have some old-school songs produced by new technology?
Graham: The style of writing is the same as we always have done, as all SAXON classics were co-written by myself and Steve Dawson and we will always write the same and sound like us, as we are us and never could try to be a German metal band, for example.
Metal Shock Finland: John Schaffer of ICED EARTH has recently said, “The music industry has changed and everything is different.” I’d like to know your opinion as a musician and guitarist who has produced music for the metal industry for a long time.
Graham: Modern times see the decline of sales of CDs and more tickets sold for live shows. It’s just the changing times, but I like to own a CD — no downloads for me. Imagine if THE [ROLLING] STONES sold as many CDs as concert tickets; [they] would sell millions.
Metal Shock Finland: You are one of those musicians who had that experience sharing a stage with the legendary Ronnie James Dio. Would you like to tell us more about that experience and share some memories of him? And how did you see Ronnie as a musician and rocker? Graham: I first saw Ronnie in 1976 with RAINBOW and it was a great show and jumping forwards to SAXON‘s first tour of the USA in September 1980, we played some shows on the [BLACK SABBATH] “Heaven And Hell” tour where we met Ronnie and our paths crossed a few times. When OLIVER DAWSON SAXON were promoting Angel Air‘s “It’s Alive” CD, we were on the same show as ronnie in Italy and chatted a lot about all things music, etc., and to our delight, Ronnie asked for OLIVER DAWSON SAXON to be the guest band on the U.K. leg of [the DIO] “Killing The Dragon” tour. It started in London and finished in Portsmouth all the shows were great and sellouts and on the last show after our set, I was asked to join the band on stage for “Rainbow In The Dark”. How great was that?! Steve Dawson videoed it, thank goodness, and introduced me as a legend. And coming from one of my legends, that was the best. He was always so nice with friends and fans after the shows and was one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Graham Oliver is a legend – he is one of those musicians who rocked the NWOBHM’s flag and spread this genre of METAL music. He was one of the 5 musicians who formed SAXON in 1976. Now and after leaving SAXON, he formed another great band that perhaps you know – it’s OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON and as a front-runner of NWOBHM he has released 19 studio albums to date. He is also one of those guitarists who had the chance to share a stage with legendary singer and voice of METAL, Ronnie James Dio.
I feel so lucky to have had my chance to have an interview with him and believe me brothers and sisters, he is AWESOME and so down to earth.
Hi Graham, how are you doing today?
Hi Thanks.
You’re one of those musicians who has had an important role in the NWOBHM movement, how do you feel that genre of Metal music is placed in the industry today?
It is so cool that the Music we created in the period of THE NWOBHM is regarded as influential 30 years later and we never imagined we could inspire bands like METALLICA who in turn inspire bands too so it goes round and round. The music of to day is so diverse and influences of NWOBHM can be heard even in Lady GA GA [EDGE OF GLORY] rock has a longevity like no other just look at ACDC simple straight and great songs ROCK WILL NEVER DIE.
Let’s talk about and introduce your upcoming book, “SAXON Drugs & Rock N’ Roll: The Real Spinal Tap”, how would you describe this book for people who like to read it?
The new book is not out until later this year but will be a great read with archive pics etc about SAXON in its most golden era.
Ok, cool, can’t wait to read that book but now let’s talk about the “Motorbiker” album, can you tell me how the recording process worked and the length of time it took? And why you chose “Bikers” for the name?
When we wrote the new CD MOTORBIKER the song Motorbiker was the last song along with HELL IN HELSINKI to be finished and it felt perfect to use as the Title to the Album.
OLIVER/DAWSON SAXON, Bulldog Bash
The album seems to be a returning point to the roots of old school heavy metal, by including issues about drugs, motorcycles, women … are we going to have some old school songs produced by new technology?
The style of writing is the same as we always have done as all SAXON classics were co wrote by myself and Steve Dawson and we will always write the same and sound like us as we are us and never could try to be a GERMAN METAL band for example.
Have you any plans to do a supporting tour for “Motorbikers” with some particular bands in 2012?
The shows live so far started in Scandinavia in December and we finished in Germany recently with more live shows an fests to come.
John Schaffer of Iced Earth has recently said “The music industry has changed and everything is different”, I’d like to know your opinion as a musician and guitarist, who has produced music for the Metal industry for a long time.
Modern times sees the decline of sales of CD,s and more tickets sold for live shows its just the changing times but i like to own a CD no downloads for me imagine if the STONES sold as many CD,s as CONCERT TICKETS would sell millions,,,,,,,,,.
Right, To continue that question i wanted to mention about the departure of Bill Ward from Black Sabbath. Do you think this is one of those changes as some people believe that is just about money, or did these kind of things happen in the past too?
You can tell who is in it just for the money they have no passion you have to play from the heart.
Graham Oliver and Doug Aldritch
You are one of those musicians who had that experience sharing a stage with the legendary Ronnie James Dio, R.I.P. Would you like to tell us more about that experience and share some memories of him? And how did you see Ronnie as a musician and Rocker?
I first saw Ronnie in 1976 with RAINBOW and it was a great show and jumping forwards to SAXON,s first tour of the USA in September 1980 we played some show on the HEAVEN AND HELL tour where we met Ronnie and our paths crossed a few times.
When ODS were promoting Angel Airs ITS ALIVE CD we were on the same show as RONNIE in ITALY and chatted a lot about all things music ect and to our delight Ronnie asked for ODS to be the guest band on the UK leg of KILLING THE DRAGON tour ,it started in LONDON and finished in PORTSMOUTH all the shows were great and sellouts and on the last show after our set i was asked to join the band on stage for RAINBOW IN THE DARK how great was that Steve Dawson videoed it thank goodness and introduced me as a legend. And coming from one of my legends that was the best ,he was always so nice with friends and fans after the shows and was one of the greatest rock singers of all time.
Graham Oliver and Ronnie James Dio
Today most of the young guitarists like to play guitar faster and faster and more technical and singers use a growling style more often. But some people and critics believe that we don’t have a such great music like we had in old school Metal-Era – I also had an interview with Steve “Lips” Kudlow of ANVIL and he said “metal needs good singing….cookie monster yelling is not singing!!”. I’d like to know your opinion, how do you see metal music today?
I am a little tired of Drop D bands they seem to all be doing it with no songs ,the most important thing great songs and great vocals will always shine thru.
Graham Oliver with his left hand 63’s Stratocaster, 1975
Are there any young rock or metal bands who impressed you recently?
I like all music from Bonamasa to TRIVIUM new band I SPIT ASHES are cool and INFLAMES rock.
Thanks Graham for giving me your time, feel free to leave a message for your die hard fans and our readers.
Listen to MOTORBIKER NOW in IRAN if we could come and play we would ROCK ON. Thanks for questions Mohsen.
If you like to know more about OLIVER DAWSON SAXON follow these links:
Saying awesome was my first reaction after first listening, it sounds like a mixture of legendary Eloy, Camel and Savatage, plus classic Rock and some pieces of our beloved Heavy Metal at first listening. But I feel it will be even more interesting after more listening. We are still in the beginning of 2012, but AIRS-A ROCK OPERA is going to be one my favourites this year.
The album is as long as it can be,it includes 18 tracks and honestly it was hard for me to pick one as my number one, as there are several masterpieces that shine so bright or Rock so heavy. From classic rock to heavy metal and even a piece in the neo-classical style, a widespread view of good sounding music, it shows the great talent of the composer, Steve Brockmann in writing music. Another thing that I should mention here, is the great flair and creativity of George Andrade in writing the lyrics, I’m really impressed and believe me or not, I could see all the stories in my eyes.
It’s like reading a book or watching a drama which starts in a dock, so make sure that you are ready for a trip to a fantastic symbolic world, just let that kite go and fly, then you’ll find yourself floating in the ‘AIRS’, it feels light like a feather, you may even feel sad, not painful but a joyful sadness, I want to call this ETERNITY and that’s truth. Piano, Keyboard and Guitar joined forces to play such ideal songs like “Fateful Days”, “Kite” , and “Floating” which sounds like a mixture of Pink Floyd and Camel to me and also I want to mention some Heavy songs like “Heritage”, “Flight II” and “Grounded II” in this album which remind me of pure German Heavy Rock Metal. Several singers appeared in this album and I can tell you that they are all great and it seems everybody and everything in this album are in right place, and that’s one of the reasons that I called this album awesome.
Maybe one of my favourite moments in this album is when Harpsichord enters into the instrumental song “History” and play with an overdriven guitar. The joining of a keyboard in the background mission is completed to enjoy the song, but I really wish it was a little longer. “History” is a great intro for the next song, “Heritage” which brings with it the Rock and Rolling of distorted guitars, a bass guitar that play wonderful rhythms and riffs and also a piano which appears with a great riff, the sound of which invokes the feeling of dancing in a dream.
Check out the musicians and artists have appeared on this album below:
The Vocal Cast
Paul Adrian Villarreal (Sun Caged) as Owen
Gordon Tittsworth (Images of Eden, Dread The Forsaken) as Derrick, Owen & The Narrator
Tilman Eckelt (Grailknights) as Owen
Cornelius Kappabani as Owen, Derrick & The Islanders
Jan Hoving (Stonefly, A. Vandenberg) as Owen
Floor Kraaijvanger (Superfloor, Floored) as Annabelle & The Narrator
Antila Thomsen as Hannah
The Musicians
Steve Brockmann plays guitars, bass and all keyboards
Jochen Ohl plays drums on all tracks but “Grounded II”
Phil Robertson plays drums on “Grounded II”
Dave Meros (Spock’s Beard) plays bass on “Annabelle” and “Flight II”
Christoph Brockmann plays bass on “The Great Salt Pond”
Alan Morse (Spock’s Beard) provides guitar effects and solos to “Flight II”
With
George Andrade provides spoken words for Owen
Seann Jackson provides spoken words for Craig
Leigh Andrade provides spoken words for Rachel
Nicolette Collard-Andrade provides spoken words for Annabelle
Tony Kost provides spoken words for Coleman Burke
The artwork of this album is the best choice and I cannot imagine something better than this, it really fits those dream maker masterpieces and I seriously suggest you get a hard copy of this album, if you don’t want to miss the very impressive stories and that fantastic artwork. As my final word, if you are always looking for good music or if you are one of those people who like Camel, Eloy, Savatage or Pink Floyd, this album is for you, but if you are looking for growling stuff, luckily or unfortunately this is not yours. My rate for AIRS – A ROCK OPERA is 9/10.
PS: I had an interview with Steve Brockmann, you can read whole of the article on this loaction.
DJ BLACKDIAMOND of FIREBRAND ROCK RADIO and Mohsen Fayyazi of METAL SHOCK FINLAND have recently presented a special “LEGIONS OF BASTARDS SHOW“, featuring singer and guitarist NIKLAS STALVIND and bassist ANDERS MODD of Swedish heavy metal band WOLF. The show is now available for streaming online on this location.
As previously announced, WOLF are confirmed for 2 shows in Sweden together with Tank. The shows are scheduled to take place on Friday March 2 in Jönköping and Saturday March 3 in Sala.
Check the show dates below:
March 02 – Zaragon Rock Club – Jönköping. March 03 – Rockland – Sala.
“We are really looking forward to get our metal asses out on the road again. This is where we belong, this is where we deliver!! It will be 2 great shows together with Tank. See you front row!” band posted on their official website.
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Kimmo Kuusniemi's Ancient Streaming Assembly - 'Perpetuae Memoriae', ft. Tuomas Rounakari + Steve Di Giorgio - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 