Talisman were a Swedish hard rock band characterized by an international melodic/powerful sound. Talisman was formed by bass player Marcel Jacob, who had previously played with Rising Force, John Norum Group and Power. While Jacob was playing with John Norum, he started working on tracks which he thought would end up on Norum's second solo album. The singer on those demos was Göran Edman, also in John Norum Group at that time. Norum rejected the songs and, in the meantime, Göran was offered the opportunity to join Yngwie Malmsteen's band. Jacob found himself with record label interest but no band so a vocalist was needed. On a whim, Marcel contacted Jeff Scott Soto who also was in Yngwie Malmsteen's band years earlier.
Sons of Apollo is an American progressive metal supergroup formed in 2017 and composed of Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan, Derek Sherinian, Jeff Scott Soto and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. Portnoy, Sheehan and Sherinian had already worked together at a short-lived, live instrumental project with Tony MacAlpine. Sherinian was asking Portnoy to be a drummer in a band full-time. Portnoy agreed when he had time for it. Their debut album, Psychotic Symphony, will be produced by Portnoy and Sherinian (as "The Del Fuvio Brothers") and is expected to be released on 20 October 2017 via Inside Out Music/Sony Music.
Axel Rudi Pell’s career began in 1980 with the band, Steeler, who sold over 30,000 copies of their commercially most successful release, Strike Back, and brought out their fourth and final album, Undercover Animal, in 1988. In November of that year, Pell formed his own group together with Jörg Deisinger (ex-Bonfire), drummer Jörg Michael, bassist Thomas Smuszynski (ex-U.D.O.) and the American vocalist, Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent, Gary Moore, Victory). Their debut album, Wild Obsessions, arrived at the stores one year later, followed by Nasty Reputation, for whom Pell enlisted the American frontman, Rob Rock (M.A.R.S, Impellitteri), who was replaced during the subsequent German tour by former Malmsteen vocalist, Jeff Scott Soto. With Soto as a new member, the third album, Eternal Prisoner (1992), was undeniable proof that the band had found their own, unmistakable style. One year later, Pell brought out The Ballads, an album featuring his most accomplished rock ballads. With Between The Walls (1994) and the live recording, Made In Germany, the guitarist from Bochum held on to his typical style even in the post-grunge era. The subsequent Black Moon Pyramid (1996) was the second Pell album in succession to make the German album charts. 1997 saw the arrival of Pell’s eighth offering, Magic, featuring a thematically consistent concept based on supernatural stories. Magic also entered the charts, followed by Oceans Of Time, the commercially most successful album at that time by the Axel Rudi Pell band, and the continuation of Pell’s ballad concept (The Ballads II, 1999).
Michael Schenker is a very well know German guitarist in the Rock & Metal scene. He has been known from his works in UFO, early SCORPIONS and his solo band. ”Blood Of The Sun” is a compilation with a tribute to some of the greatest Rock songs ever created and was released by Collectors Dream Records…
Not many bands can say they are releasing their third album thirty-five years after their debut, but not many bands have the history that California rockers Roxanne have. Originally formed in the late 80’s, Roxanne garnered commercial success with their 1988 self-titled debut album which was well received with two songs charting on rock radio; “Cherry Bay” and “Sweet Maria”, as well as a cover of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” The band is back with their first album of new material in five years and second for Rat Pak Records. Stereo Typical features ten brand new songs from the quartet comprised of Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar), John Butler (Guitar), Joe Infante (Bass) and Dave Landry (Drums). The new album also features guest appearance from Paul Gilbert of Mr. Big, dUg Pinnick of King’s X and Jeff Scott Soto. Stereo Typical is scheduled for release worldwide on February 24th.
Joel Hoekstra, best known to millions of rock fans as the currrent guitarist for Whitesnake, and also known for his work with Night Ranger and Trans Siberian Orchestra and the show Rock of Ages, debuts with the new melodic hard rock studio album “Dying To Live” from his electrifying new side project, Joel Hoekstra’s 13”. The record, which features an all-star cast of rock musicians at the top of their game including Jeff Scott Soto (vocals), Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards) among others, sees Joel handling the bulk of the creative process, taking care of the production, song writing and arranging (music and lyrics). The end result could best be described as hard, melodic, classic rock that is Dio'ish at its heaviest and Foreigner'ish at its lightest…
Frédéric Slama’ s AOR all star project is back with album n° 15th, showcasing the darkier & more melodic sides of AOR with the help of top producers Tommy Denander & Paul Sabu. The new AOR album is called "L.A Darkness" and features some legendary singers like Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteem, Talisman, W.E.T), Kevin Chalfant (The Storm, 707, Two Fires, Journey, Shooting Star, The V.U), Steve Overland (FM, The Ladder), Jesse Damon (Silent Rage, Kiss), Henry Small (Prism), Paul Sabu (Only Child, Kidd Glove, John Waite), Philip Bardowell (Unruly Child, Places Of Power, N.O.W), Rick Riso (Chasing Violets) & more."L.A Darkness" is for fans of the heavier side of AOR in the vein of Survivor, Foreigner, Giant & Toto. Maybe the most Melodic Rock album of all AOR cds.