Unisonic – featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske, guitarist Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-Helloween), guitarist Mandy Meyer (ex-KROKUS, GOTTHARD) and PINK CREAM 69 rhythm section Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) – have updated their 2012 festival schedule. It is now as follows, with more dates to be added soon:
May
27 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Rock Hard Festival
June
15 – Clisson, France – Hellfest
21 – Milan, Italy – Gods Of Metal
July
1 – Malakasa, Greece – Rockwave
12 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters Of Rock
The band’s non-festival tour schedule is now as follows:
May
12 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro Flores
14 – Antofagasta, Chile – Statix Rock & Soccer
16 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Teleton
18 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – HSBC Hall
20 – Mexico City, Mexico – Circo Volador
October (with Gotthard)
11 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo
12 – Madrid, Spain – La Rivera
13 – Pamplona, Spain – Sala Totem
Check out the new video for ‘Unisonic’ and a promotional video clip below:
UNISONIC, featuring former HELLOWEEN bandmates Michael Kiske (vocals) and Kai Hansen (guitars; GAMMA RAY), will release their self-titled debut album on March 30th (March 21st in Japan). Kiske recently spoke with Greece’s Rockpages webzine about the new band. An excerpt is available below:
Rockpages.gr: How do you view Unisonic, as a real band or as a project?
Michael Kiske: “This is a really band; a totally different situation from the years before…I mean, I was trying to form a band with SUPARED but in reality it was yet another Kiske solo record with a different name. You can’t make bands; they just happen…and Unisonic happened! It was Kosta (Zafeiriou) and Dennis (Ward) approaching me, then Mandy (Meyer) stepped in and we were fooling around with songs for a couple of years. Then I went for a small tour with AVANTASIA and reconnected with Kai (Hansen). We thought that it would be a good time to do something together again and he was really the one who suggested that he should join Unisonic. But it needed some time! Unisonic with Kai started working towards the right direction. Before Kai, some songs were just OK and when he joined they started sounding really really good! A good example is the song ‘Star Rider’. Dennis wrote the verses and he had a chorus but it wasn’t that good. When Kai heard it, he suggested to change a few things here and there and then, in a matter of 20 seconds, the chorus sounded excellent! That’s what makes a real band. We work and discuss everything together. If someone doesn’t like something, he says so. In the end we are trying to make everyone happy.”
Rockpages.gr: We have talked a couple of times in the past under different circumstances. But, now, I guess you are more open to talk about it…if the occasion arises would you be open for a possible reunion with HELLOWEEN?
Michael Kiske: “I have the best part of Helloween in my band now! It’s not really necessary to do a reunion. I am not friend with Mr. Weikath. I have always had a good relationship with Kai. Yes, we had our differences but it was never like we hated each other or something. Now, with Kai in the band we have every right to play songs from the Helloween days….just for fun. Songs that Kai has written or I have written. Of course, we won’t play anything that Weikath has written, but the key tracks from the past, at least the majority of them, were written by Kai. We could play those songs live but I don’t see any reason for a reunion. I know the press would love that but trust me it wouldn’t be that fun. Let me tell you…just for the music, I would love to sing ‘Eagle Fly Free’ as it was always one of my favorite tunes. The things that went on between me and Weikath…I don’t forget that! I’ve never been more betrayed by any person…so, I don’t see that (reunion) happening to be honest with you.”
Unisonic has now revealed the following tracklisting for the album:
‘Unisonic’
‘Souls Alive’
‘Never too Late’
‘I’ve Tried’
‘Star Rider’
‘Never Change Me
‘Renegade’
‘My Sanctuary’
‘King For A Day’
‘We Rise’
‘No One Ever Sees Me’
‘Over The Rainbow’ (Bonus Limited Edition)
The band also features Mandy Meyer (guitars; ex-KROKUS, GOTTHARD) and PINK CREAM 69 rhythm section Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums).
Unisonic’s debut album will be available in the following configurations:
Europe, rest of the world:
– CD jewel case
– CD limited edition Mediabook format with and extended booklet plus bonus track
– Vinyl and CD package limited edition
Japan:
– CD jewel case
– CD limited edition Digipack plus bonus track (exclusive for Japan)
The band recently announced three European festival dates. They are as follows:
May
27 – Gelsenkirchen, Germany – Rock Hard Festival
June
21 – Milan, Italy – Gods Of Metal
July
12 – Vizovice, Czech Republic – Masters Of Rock
The band’s non-festival tour schedule is now as follows:
May
12 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Teatro Flores
14 – Antofagasta, Chile – Statix Rock & Soccer
16 – Santiago, Chile – Teatro Teleton
18 – Sao Paulo, Brazil – HSBC Hall
20 – Mexico City, Mexico – Circo Volador
October (with GOTTHARD)
11 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo
12 – Madrid, Spain – La Rivera
13 – Pamplona, Spain – Sala Totem
Check out the new video for ‘Unisonic’ and a promotional video clip below:
UNISONIC, featuring former HELLOWEEN bandmates Michael Kiske (vocals) and Kai Hansen (guitars; GAMMA RAY) have released a limited edition 7″ coloured vinyl edition of their first single, ‘Unisonic’, via EMP. Go to this location to order.
The band also features Mandy Meyer (guitars; ex-KROKUS, GOTTHARD) and PINK CREAM 69 rhythm section Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums).
Unisonic released their debut mini-album, titled Ignition, this month via earMUSIC/Edel. The band’s debut full-length album is expected in March, 2012.
The Ignition mini-album features the single ‘Unisonic’, plus one demo and the Helloween classic ‘I Want Out’ – Live In Japan. The new video, for ‘Unisonic’, can be seen below:
Unisonic have also issued a unique promotional video clip:
“That´s what happens when you ask a serious and dedicated band like Unisonic to film some promotional clips.”
“Unisonic”, the first video from UNISONIC — the band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) alongside Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany’s PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS) — can be seen below. According to a press release, the clip, which was directed by photographer/director Martin Hausler (MEAT LOAF, GOTTHARD, HELLOWEEN, MOTÖRHEAD) “shows a powerful band performance at a magnificent ballroom in Heidelberg, Germany.” UNISONIC will release its debut EP, “Ignition” on January 27 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will include the track “Unisonic” plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic “I Want Out”, recorded live on October 15 at this year’s edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
A full-length UNISONIC album will be made available in March. Source: Blabbermouth.net
UNISONIC, the new band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) alongside Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany’s PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS), will release its debut EP, “Ignition” in late January via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will include the track “Unisonic” plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic “I Want Out”, recorded live on October 15 at this year’s edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
The “Ignition” cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a stream of the song “Unisonic”.
A full-length UNISONIC album will be made available in March.
Zafiriou previously stated about the band’s decision to sign with earMUSIC/Edel: “We had several promising labels being interested in UNISONIC, but the enthusiasm of Max Vaccaro and his team convinced us that earMUSIC is the right company for us.”
After the addition of Hansen to the group’s lineup in early 2011, UNISONIC continued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai‘s talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.
UNISONIC‘s music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers’ previous projects.
Commented Kiske: “It feels great to finally bring the band to the studio and record the songs we’ve been working on. We took our time to grow as a band, but it was definitely worth it and we are very proud of the result.”
Added bassist/producer Ward: “We have a bunch of very strong songs and can’t wait until people can hear them. Everyone in the band is now looking even more positive into the future.”
Regarding Hansen‘s addition to UNISONIC, Kiske previously said, “After so many years of abstinence, I had a lot of fun doing my first live shows with UNISONIC in summer 2010, so I agreed to do the short world tour with AVANTASIA. It was a great experience to be on stage with all those great artists, but with Kai it was something different: We instantly felt the magic again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage. We both realized that we want to be together in band again. He was interested in the open musical concept of UNISONIC and finally asked me if he can join the band. I talked to my bandmates and they all felt great about it. His talent as a guitarist and songwriter is an enrichment for the band and we are looking forward to his contribution for the music of UNISONIC.”
Kai Hansen‘s position in GAMMA RAY will be unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.
UNISONIC is:
Michael Kiske (vocals) Mandy Meyer (guitar) Kai Hansen (guitar) Dennis Ward (bass) Kosta Zafiriou (drums)
Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, Kiske participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.
While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project five years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.
Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: “Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward‘s skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again.”
Source: Blabbermouth.net
“Unisonic” audio stream:
“I Want Out” recorded live on October 15 at Loud Park festival (audience recording):
UNISONIC, the new band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) alongside Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany’s PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS), will release its debut EP, “Unisonic: Ignition” in late January via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will include the title track plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic “I Want Out”, recorded live on October 15 at this year’s edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
A full-length UNISONIC album will be made available in March.
Zafiriou previously stated about the band’s decision to sign with earMUSIC/Edel: “We had several promising labels being interested in UNISONIC, but the enthusiasm of Max Vaccaro and his team convinced us that earMUSIC is the right company for us.”
After the addition of Hansen to the group’s lineup in early 2011, UNISONIC continued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai‘s talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.
UNISONIC‘s music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers’ previous projects.
Commented Kiske: “It feels great to finally bring the band to the studio and record the songs we’ve been working on. We took our time to grow as a band, but it was definitely worth it and we are very proud of the result.”
Added bassist/producer Ward: “We have a bunch of very strong songs and can’t wait until people can hear them. Everyone in the band is now looking even more positive into the future.”
Regarding Hansen‘s addition to UNISONIC, Kiske previously said, “After so many years of abstinence, I had a lot of fun doing my first live shows with UNISONIC in summer 2010, so I agreed to do the short world tour with AVANTASIA. It was a great experience to be on stage with all those great artists, but with Kai it was something different: We instantly felt the magic again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage. We both realized that we want to be together in band again. He was interested in the open musical concept of UNISONIC and finally asked me if he can join the band. I talked to my bandmates and they all felt great about it. His talent as a guitarist and songwriter is an enrichment for the band and we are looking forward to his contribution for the music of UNISONIC.”
Kai Hansen‘s position in GAMMA RAY will be unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.
UNISONIC is:
Michael Kiske (vocals) Mandy Meyer (guitar) Kai Hansen (guitar) Dennis Ward (bass) Kosta Zafiriou (drums)
Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, Kiske participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.
While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project five years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.
Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: “Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward‘s skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again.”
“I Want Out” recorded live on October 15 at Loud Park festival (audience recording):
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