North Gunnar

With Jungle City (Alessa, 2009), Norwegians Jan Gunnar Hoff (keyboards) and Per Mathisen (bass) documented their meeting with Peruvian-born Alex Acuna, a Weather Report alum who leapt onto the international stage, first as percussionist and then kit drummer, on the fusion super group's Black Market (Columbia, 1976) and Heavy Weather (Columbia, 1977). That, after a first rehearsal in Tromsø—situated in Norway's far north—Acuña jumped out of his seat, screaming "We have to play much more together!" only meant that Jungle City would, most likely, not be a one-shot deal.

With the release of Ambition Rocks, their first album in 25 years, and with a new lineup, AOR and classic rock band Da Vinci returns with brand new songs. The group was formed in Norway back in 1986, and after a short round with demos, the band got a record deal with Polygram Norway and released their debut album the following year. Looking back on the Norwegian melodic rock of the 80's, one of the bands to leave a major impression were undoubtedly Oslo's Da Vinci. Enjoying as much radio play and charting nationally in the same league as Return, Stage Dolls and TNT, Da Vinci released two albums, Da Vinci and Back in the Business…

Whitesnake are an English hard rock band formed in London in 1978. The group was originally put together as the backing band for singer David Coverdale, who had recently left Deep Purple. Though the band quickly developed into their own entity, Coverdale is the only constant member throughout their history. Whitesnake enjoyed much success in the UK, Europe and Japan through their early years. Their albums Ready an' Willing, Come an' Get It and Saints & Sinners all reached the top ten on the UK Albums Chart.

On March 8th, the Faroe Islands’ TYR will release their eighth full-length, ‘Hel‘, via Metal Blade Records. ‘Hel‘ is a collection of ruthlessly melodic and irresistibly compelling progressive folk metal that will immediately resonate with any who have followed the band at any point over the two decades of their storied career.