I love the cover of the debut album from Japanese fusion band Prominence Nocturne. Titled “Pronoc”, it will be released on May 20 in Japan. The main two members are Marie Fukai (keyboards) and Kazuhiro Ishigaki (guitar), and the cast of backing musicians includes both Kanade Sato (drums) as well as Juna Serita (bass), both colleagues of Marie from Muses. Check out the song “Waves” on YouTube now.
(CD cover and band shot seen here are from official platforms)
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May 22, 1982. The band Gillan had been in Stockholm and I was presenting an interview with Mick Underwood and Janick Gers. Needless to say, these were good times. Great show, fantastic energy. The band broke up not that long after this.
(My shot of said article, Gers/Underwood shots by Patrik Hökby)
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It was 10 years ago today that Babymetal dropped their second album “Metal Resistance” outside of Japan (where it had been released on March 29). It was a big deal in the UK, several magazine covers (Rocksound, Metal Hammer, Big Issue North) and articles in major outlets. Not least since they had sold out Wembley on April 2. Good times.
(Seen here is a full spread magazine ad from UK media)
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Hagane has dropped a video for the new song “Black Diamond”, and they are having a bit of fun with the 1980s in this one. Great song too. Gigs are being added for Europe this summer, which is good.
(Berlin ad and “Black Diamond” image is from official platforms)
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The debut solo album from ex-Mary´s Blood/Nemophila guitarist Saki can be pre-ordered now. It comes in two editions (cover has not been revealed as yet) and it is titled “Pluvia”. Release date is set for June 24 and she will kick off another tour in Japan in early July. If that is her new logo that we see in this tour ad, then it is pretty cool.
(Tour ad and top left image is from official platforms, my background shot)
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Really good traffic for the February 6 2019 post “The Cut Runs Deep – Malmsteen Reviews Purple Album In 1991” right now. It was a post based on something that photographer Michael Johansson did for the first issue of my fanzine Deep Purple Forever! back in the day. I later felt it would fun to add it onto Trinkelbonker as well. Not sure who has linked to it right now, my guess would be that it is Malmsteen connected. Or it could be Purple or Turner connected. Or just Classic Rock.
(My shot of the 1991 Purple album that Malmsteen reviewed track by track for the fanzine)
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Collectors of rare Babymetal stuff have a treat coming up in the shape of a Double LP Deluxe Edition of “Metal Forth”. It includes live takes from arena shows in the UK, US and Japan. Release date is set for June 26, right in time for the European tour. There will also be a Japanese edition, no details on this as yet. Pretty sure that a live video from this will pop up on YouTube before the tour as well. However, they are still in the “Metal Forth” cycle, so I doubt that they will drop anything from the next album this year. Then again, who knows? Depends on when they intend to release that I guess. They tend to drop new stuff right before tour dates, we know that much. “Metal Forth” still got legs.
(My live shot, inserted image of said Double LP is from official platforms)
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Fans of Lovebites and Babymetal should study their summer treks in Europe and take action. Lovebites have gigs/festivals lined up in July/August and Babymetal will be here in June/July, before heading over to America. Good times.
(Ads seen here are from official platforms, my background shot)
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I had to check out this solo artist called Violent Vira (her band will open for Babymetal Stateside this summer after all, so what could it be?). Well, it turns out that she released a full debut album called “Lover Of A Ghost” quite recently (even in my neck of the woods). I have listened to a few tracks and it is actually pretty darned good. Violent Vira was born as Amy Gonzales and she is a first generation Mexican American. She is touring America as we speak and the upcoming Babymetal tour will obviously be a huge deal for her as she will be exposed to huge crowds all over the place. The thing is, she is an original, she exudes rock´n´roll and I think she will be big, given time. This journey is on. Trust Kobametal in finding raw talent.
(Cover seen here is from official platforms, my background shot)
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Babymetal and Deep Purple has announced major Stateside tours, just hours apart. Both will take on American cities starting in August. Halestorm and Violent Vira will open for Babymetal, Kansas and Jefferson Starship for Deep Purple. I know people that would love to see both packages. Rock is in a good place.
(Ads seen here are from official platforms)
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