UK’s Pure Reason Revolution are proof that a band can be influenced by ELO, Smashing Pumpkins, Soulwax and The Beach Boys all at once and yet make sense of a vision that brings those disparate voices together – because all those different elements are actually part of the same whole, and part of the same breathing, spatial mass that Pure Reason Revolution have turned into a record.

Listen to their current album “Amor Vincit Omnia” (out on Superball Music) and make sure to catch them live on one of their dates together with Riverside:

23.04.2010 – 013 – Tilburg (NL) (w/ Riverside)
24.04.2010 – Turbinenhalle – Oberhausen (D) (w/ Riverside)
25.04.2010 – Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg (D) (w/ Riverside)
26.04.2010 – Z7 – Pratteln (CH) (w/ Riverside)

More info on their Superball artist page here.

Superball Music, Tourdates Pure Reason Revolution, Superball Music

On Saturday 3 Juli it is finally upon us: the second edition of the FortaRock festival. After a very successful first edition in 2009 it is time for the sequel. Once again Park Brakkenstein is  the location of the one and only metal festival in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. The line-up will once again feature a healthy mix of big names and exciting newcomers. Diversity is the key word to Fortarock – The Festival, once again representing many different styles like death, thrash, black, emo, math and folk metal.

The first confirmed names are Bullet For My Valentine, Suicidal Tendencies, Killswitch Engage, Kreator, Fear Factory, Behemoth, Deicide, Decapitated, Ex Deo and Ensiferum.

Next to these heavy hitters FortaRock is still hard at work to add some more names to this heavy-bill. The pre-sale period has already started. For more info & tickets: www.fortarock.nl – More news soon!

Banners, widgets & e-cards, Tourdates Fortarock

Aerosmith, the biggest, most enduring and thrilling band in rock history will make a sensational return to the UK & Europe this summer, with the ‘Cocked, Locked & Ready To Rock’ tour, spawning what will be the ultimate event of the new decade. Steven Tyler,   Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer will hit Europe for the first time in 3 years to deliver a fistful of knockout, heart pounding, headline, summer rock shows.

Aerosmith play at Graspop Metal Meeting on Friday June 25th.

The Graspop Metal Meeting 2010 will be held in the Dessel festival park in Belgium in the weekend of Friday June 25th to Sunday June 27th, 2010. With leading bands from just about every metal and rock subgenre and a lineup that spans several generations of heavy music, there’s loads of fun to be had for metalheads both young and not so young. Graspop Metal Meeting is synonymous for three days of music and fun, 70+ bands, four stages and lots of fringe events to boot, including signing sessions, an outdoor festival fair, an indoor metal market, etc.

More info at the Graspop website.

Tourdates Graspop Metal Meeting

Petting Zoo favorites, Tourdates Neurotic Deathfest, Petting Zoo favorites

On the back of promoting their highly acclaimed “Linoleum EP” MCD released via InsideOutMusic on November 16th, 2009, Swedish Pain of Salvation have been confirmed to join the national Swedish competition for the Eurovision song contest, Melodifestivalen. The contest’s first round will be taking place in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden on February 6th, 2010 and will be broadcasted live by National TV-Station SVT. Pain of Salvation will be appearing in the contest with their song “Road Salt”.

Pain of Salvation’s frontman Daniel Gildenlöw comments the event as follows: “For those who don’t know what Melodifestivalen is, it is the biggest thing in the Swedish music industry. A huge machinery built to single out the Swedish contender for the Eurovision Song Contest. Out of thousands and thousands of sent in songs, 30 are selected by a jury to participate in this national contest, viewed by half the population when it’s on TV. It’s a big thing, to say the least!”

Pain of Salvation have just completed a video clip for the title track of their current release, “Linoleum”, directed by Owe Lingwall of Village Road Film (The Rasmus, Amorphis, etc.). A teaser for the powerful clip can be viewed at this location. The full clip for “Linoleum” will be launched on January 20th, so watch out for that one!

After promoting the release of the “Linoleum EP” MCD with shows in Russia and their first ever visit to Australia supporting Dream Theater, Pain of Salvation also played a string of selected headline shows in Central Europe at the end of 2009 and will next be traveling to Greece to perform two shows at the end of January as follows:

Pain of Salvation + Lake Of Tears, Agua De Annique, Disillusion & Scar Of The Sun:
23.01.2010 Athens / Greece – Gagarin 205
24.01.2010 Thessaloniki / Greece – Principal Club

More live activity for Pain of Salvation in Europe is being worked on right now and should be revealed soon…

In related news, Daniel Gildenlöw is confirmed to join progressive rock supergroup Transatlantic for tour dates in April/May throughout North America and Europe. Gildenlöw previously toured with Transatlantic across Europe in 2001 and Transatlantic, featuring Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy, Marillion’s Pete Trewavas, The Flower Kings’ Roine Stolt and Neal Morse (ex-Spock’s Beard), will now be touring in support of their third album “The Whirlwind”, released on InsideOutMusic in Europe on October 26th, 2009. For exact tour dates, please visit: www.myspace.com/transatlanticprog

More details on Pain of Salvation’s activity and current work on their next studio album “Road Salt”, which is expected to be released before the summer via InsideOutMusic, can be found here:

www.painofsalvation.com
www.insideout.de
www.myspace.com/insideoutlabel
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.myspace.com/insideoutamerica

InsideOut Music, Tourdates, Videos & trailers InsideOut Music, Pain Of Salvation

KISS’ entire November 25, 2009 concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles can be viewed using the Ustream player below. This was the first-ever live web concert for one of rock’s most iconic bands as KISS celebrated the November 19 release of their new, three-track “Guitar Hero” pack featuring “Modern Day Delilah”, “I Was Made for Loving You” and “Lick It Up”.

KISS chose Ustream, the leading live video platform on the web, because of its powerful platform and scalability in reaching a global audience of unlimited size. The band wanted to connect with their legion of fans that might not have had the chance to catch them during the North American leg of their 35th-anniversary KISS Alive 35 tour, a 44-city tour that continues through December 15.

Earlier this week KISS announced the “Sonic Boom Over Europe: From the Beginning To the Boom” tour for Europe in Summer 2010. With multiple dates across Europe, the “Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” is set to be THE rock event of 2010, building on the incredible success of the 2009 “Sonic Boom” album.

“Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” will see dates in Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium and, not only will the tour feature KISS’s first UK arena shows in 11 years, but it will see the band breaking new ground completely with their first ever shows in Slovakia.

More information www.KISSonline.com

“Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” 2010 tour dates are as follows:

May 7 – Dublin, O2 Arena (Ireland)
May 9 – Glasgow, SECC (UK)
May 10 – Manchester, Arena (UK)
May 11 – Birmingham, LG Arena (UK)
May 13 – London, Wembley Arena (UK)
May 16 – Zurich, Hallenstadion (Switzerland)
May 17 – Geneva, Arena (Switzerland)
May 18 – Milan, Mediolanum Forum (Italy)
May 20 – Vienna, Stadhalle (Austria)
May 21 – Ostrava, Cez Arena (Czech Republic)
May 23 – Prague, O2 Arena (Czech Republic)
May 26 – Berlin, O2 World (Germany)
May 27 – Leipzig, Arena (Germany)
May 29 – Bratislava, Stadium (Slovakia)
May 31 – Hamburg, Colorline Arena (Germany)
June 1 – Oberhausen, Koenig Pilsner Arena (Germany)
June 8 – Trondheim, Lerkendal Open Site (Norway)
June 10 – Tampere, Sauna Rock (Finland)
June 12 – Stockholm, Stadium (Sweden)
June 13 – Malmo, Stadium (Sweden)
June 14 – Oslo, Valhall (Norway)
June 16 – Aalborg, Gigantium (Denmark)
June 18 – Arnhem, Gelredome (The Netherlands)
June 20 – Nantes, Hellfest (France)
June 22 – Madrid, Palacio De Los Deportes (Spain)
June 25 – Vitoria, Azkena Rock Festival (Spain)
June 27 – Graspop Festival (Belgium)

Archive, Tourdates KISS, Roadrunner Records

Rock legends KISS are set to bring their new “Sonic Boom Over Europe: From the Beginning To the Boom” tour to Europe in Summer 2010. With multiple dates across Europe, the “Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” is set to be THE rock event of 2010, building on the incredible success of the 2009 “Sonic Boom” album.

“Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” will see dates in Ireland, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Belgium and, not only will the tour feature KISS’s first UK arena shows in 11 years, but it will see the band breaking new ground completely with their first ever shows in Slovakia.

Acclaim for KISS on their current spectacular, sell-out, “KISS Alive 35″ North American tour has been universal. Metal Hammer hailed the “Return Of The Kings!” Mojo declared: “A KISS show is as thrilling and bombastic now as it was in 1975.” Whilst utilizing elements of “KISS Alive 35″, “Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” will be a fresh, new show tailored to the bands European fans and showcasing the brand new “Sonic Boom” album.

Widely acclaimed as another KISS classic, “Sonic Boom” rocked Planet Earth when it debuted worldwide and burned up the charts – the album is also the highest charting album of KISS’ career in the USA.

Paul Stanley says, “The “KISS Alive 35 Tour” was just the start.”Sonic Boom Over Europe” leaves that show in the dust. New stage, new setlist, new outfits, new album! We’re covering the whole musical history of the band on a stage that takes KISS one giant step further in our eight inch heels. We’re stoked. You wanted the best? You GOT the best!”

Gene Simmons says, “Now. More than Ever. KISS is a four wheel drive monster truck. Our mission? To rock Planet Earth. To spread the gospel of Sonic Boom.”

With over 80 million album sales worldwide, KISS remain one of the most iconic and influential rock bands of all time. Throughout their stellar 35 year career KISS have established themselves as one of the great live rock bands. Kiss was named by VH1 as 10th on their list of the ‘100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock’. On September 23, 2009, Kiss was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

More information www.KISSonline.com

“Sonic Boom Over Europe: From The Beginning To The Boom” 2010 tour dates are as follows:

May 7 – Dublin, O2 Arena (Ireland)
May 9 – Glasgow, SECC (UK)
May 10 – Manchester, Arena (UK)
May 11 – Birmingham, LG Arena (UK)
May 13 – London, Wembley Arena (UK)
May 16 – Zurich, Hallenstadion (Switzerland)
May 17 – Geneva, Arena (Switzerland)
May 18 – Milan, Mediolanum Forum (Italy)
May 20 – Vienna, Stadhalle (Austria)
May 21 – Ostrava, Cez Arena (Czech Republic)
May 23 – Prague, O2 Arena (Czech Republic)
May 26 – Berlin, O2 World (Germany)
May 27 – Leipzig, Arena (Germany)
May 29 – Bratislava, Stadium (Slovakia)
May 31 – Hamburg, Colorline Arena (Germany)
June 1 – Oberhausen, Koenig Pilsner Arena (Germany)
June 8 – Trondheim, Lerkendal Open Site (Norway)
June 10 – Tampere, Sauna Rock (Finland)
June 12 – Stockholm, Stadium (Sweden)
June 13 – Malmo, Stadium (Sweden)
June 14 – Oslo, Valhall (Norway)
June 16 – Aalborg, Gigantium (Denmark)
June 18 – Arnhem, Gelredome (The Netherlands)
June 20 – Nantes, Hellfest (France)
June 22 – Madrid, Palacio De Los Deportes (Spain)
June 25 – Vitoria, Azkena Rock Festival (Spain)
June 27 – Graspop Festival (Belgium)

Archive, Tourdates KISS, Roadrunner Records

As you all may have noticed, the line-up for the Roadburn Festival 2010 has been shaping up nicely.  In addition to the bands previously announced, they are very happy to announce Jex Thoth, Shining, Eagle Twin, Night Horse, Los Natas, Monkey 3, Ancestors and more.

Norway’s Shining is indisputably one of the most hard-hitting and  progressive bands from that kingdom. They are constantly pushing musical boundaries, whether avant-garde metal, jazz, prog-rock or  psychedelia. The band excels at melding these disparate musical elements into a unique genre of their own, called Black-Jazz. Over the  top and sophisticated at the very same time, Shining (NO) create energetically original and thrilling music.

The new Shining album “Blackjazz” will be released on January 25 on Indie Recordings early 2010.

A band we also like very much at the Petting Zoo is Ancestors. There’s nothing common about the music of this Los Angeles quintet. To peg or try to pigeon hole the art they create would be missing the point.  Ancestors weave an unorthodox mixture of sonic textures, down-tempo riffs and rhythms, accented with well-crafted melodies and at times full-throttle assaults.  Their music is a journey through the past into the future; a signpost for a quickly emerging force of musical power and creativity.

Dixie Witch and House of Broken Promises have been confirmed for Roadburn’s special Afterburner event on Sunday, April 18, at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. More bands will follow.

For more info visit the Roadburn website

Indie Recordings, Tourdates Indie Recordings, Shining

Lock Up, Beheaded and Enemy Reign are also confirmed for Neurotic Deathfest 2010.

The grindcore supergroup Lock Up featuring At The Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg, Anton Reisenegger of Pentagram and Criminal on guitar, Napalm Death bassist Shane Embury and ex-Dimmu Borgir and Testament drummer Nick Barker have been confirmed for Neurotic Deathfest 2010. This will be the first Lock Up show on Dutch soil in almost ten years.

Furthermore Beheaded from Malta has been confirmed, as well as the new kick ass band of ex-Skinless vocalist Sherwood Webber called Enemy Reign. The latter will perform their very first European show ever on Neurotic Deathfest 2010.

The total list of confirmed acts so far is:

Bolt Thrower
Beneath The Massacre
Beheaded
Carcass
Defeated Sanity
Dying Fetus
Dr. Doom
Enemy Reign
Insidious Decrepancy
Insision
Human Mincer
Kickback
Lock Up
Napalm Death
Nox
Origin
Revocation
Six feet Under
Viral Load

There will be a total of 40 bands performing.

More information:
http://www.neuroticdeathfest.com / http://www.twitter.com/deathfest / http://neuroticdeathfest.hyves.nl

Tourdates Neurotic Deathfest

The EuroSonic festival focuses on Norway in 2010 and Norwegian bands they have confirmed so far are:

Audrey Horne, Wardruna, donkeyboy, Sivert Höyem, The Low Frequency in Stereo & Pony the Pirate

Other confirmed Eurosonic acts are: And So I Watch You From Afar (ir), Choir of Young Believers (dk), Deolinda (pt), Everything Everything (uk), Gösta Berlings Saga (se), Joensuu 1685 (fin), Jasper Erkens (be), Lee Everton (ch), Sliimy (fr), Svjata Vatra (ee), and Wickeda (bg). In total over 200 acts will perform during EuroSonic.

Noorderslag confirms: Waylon (nl), Moke (nl), Go Back to the Zoo (nl), Tim Knol (nl), and Rigby (nl).

EuroSonic Noorderslag is Europe’s most important live music industry conference and showcase festival for new talent, taking place from 14th – 16th January 2010 in Groningen, The Netherlands. With over 2650 music professionals attending, and more than 250 showcases from the best European talentperforming in 41 venues, it’s the ultimate platform for the European music industry.

Eurosonic – On Thursday and Friday, EuroSonic presents a broad variety of the best European talent throughout the city of Groningen. With European booking agents, 60 ETEP festivals,the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), Yourope and Network Europe supporting the program, EuroSonic is the most extensive and progressive showcase festival in Europe.

Noorderslag – Noorderslag has been the main barometer of Dutch pop music for 24 years and on Saturday, De Oosterpoort Theatre presents the very best Dutch acts in every genre, from hiphop and urban to pop music, avant garde, dance, alternative and everything in between.

Indie Recordings, Tourdates Audrey Horne, Indie Recordings, Wardruna