We have got some good stuff in the current issues of Metal Hammer (390, Metallica cover) and Classic Rock (330, Bruce Springsteen cover). Babymetal is part of the Download Festival reviews in both publications and then there is a big feature about Hanabie in Metal Hammer and dito on Deep Purple in Classic Rock. Plenty of good stuff naturally, but I highlight what is closest to this blog in this post.
(My snapshots from said publications, now go and buy them!)
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Finding a lot of cool stuff as I go through old magazines. Here we have a nice 220 Volt article from the very first issue of Japanese publication Metal Gear (1 1989). 220 Volt had a lot of press in Japan in 1988-1990.
(My shot of said article)
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Collecting the Swedish Phantom comics from the 1970s in fine looking high quality books. Just added the first 1972 edition (there are five of them for each year), and now I have reached the stuff that I was reading as a kid. This is obviously great nostalgia. Six complete issues, including ads and history. 436 pages.
(My shot of spread in said book, cover inserted)
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Lovebites has released a new video for a song called “Unchained”. It is a track picked from the upcoming “EPII” that is due out on August 28. I have showcased Lovebites to friends (of which two are recording artists) and they all think that they are great. On top of this, some are willing to travel long distance (six or seven hours) from our neck of the woods to Capitol Stockholm to see them perform live. I am only mentioning this to highlight that something is going on here. This is the sort of response that I have had for artists like Nightwish in the past. In other words, my generation is ready and willing to give Lovebites our support. Exposure is all that it takes now. My choice as far as what I pick for people to see is the recently released “Knockin´At Heaven´s Gate – Live In Tokyo 2023” DVD. Check out the official video of “Hammer Of Wrath” from said release. Absolutely brilliant.
(My shot of some Lovebites CDs)
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The 2012 Tommy Bolin & Friends project “Great Gypsy Soul” will be reissued with six bonus tracks and a new cover (CD/LP editions) in August on Cleopatra Records.
(Cover is from official platforms)
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2013 Batgirl collection from DC Comics. Decidedly sexier than in the old days.
(My shot of said book, cover art by Stanley Lau)
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Deep Purple are charting high all over Europe and as usual the magazine covers are plentiful to behold. Here we have Metal Hammer (issue 398) in Poland. Not bad for a band that was formed in 1968.
(My shot, MH cover inserted)
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Sad to hear that ex-Strapps/Gillan drummer Mick Underwood has passed away. I met him in Stockholm in 1982 and he was a nice chap. The interview is archived on June 11 2013 on this blog.
(My shot of part of 1981 ad for the Gillan single “New Orleans” from UK press, photographer not credited)
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Band-Maid have teamed up with The Warning for an EP called “Show Them” that will be out in August. Band-Maid will also release a new album on September 25 called “Epic Narratives”. There will be a Limited Edition of this with a bonus DVD (at least in Japan, not sure about the international market). Looking forward to the video for the collaboration that will probably turn up very soon.
(EP Cover is from official platforms)
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“Born Again” is the fifth studio album from Japanese rockers Bridear. They continue to produce top notch hard rock and metal and the production side here is excellent. Some of the lyrics are in English, some are not. I feel that they have found a nice compromise that will work for the international market. I have said it before, bands like Bridear from Japan are up there with the best that this world has to offer and this should mean something. Social media is the best tool right now to get the word out but come October they will launch a world tour that will keep them busy for 12+ months. If you have a chance to check them out then, take it. The scene needs this to prosper and grow and for this to happen we ought to support the upcoming bands that has got what it takes. Check out the video for the opening track “Still Burning” on YouTube and go buy the album.
(My shot of said CD, cover photo by Oleg Kornilov)
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