Sunday, February 8, 2009

Music News & Notes

Whitney Houston's Triumphant Return

A strong-sounding Whitney Houston made her triumphant return to the stage last night (Feb. 7) in Los Angeles at a pre-Grammy party that honored her mentor, music mogul Clive Davis.

"I've got it, I've got it!" Houston, looking glamorous in a skintight leopard dress, sang as she belted a line from one of her classic hits, "I'm Every Woman." But more than a lyric, it summarized to the crowd of A-list superstars and top industry execs that the superstar -- whose drug use and erratic behavior had caused a shocking fall from grace just a few years ago -- was back in top form.

"We all crossed our fingers that her beautiful story would end (happily)," stated Jamie Foxx, who stood at the front of the stage and took video of Houston like he was just another fan in the crowd. "This is a new begining."

The 45-year-old is one of the best-selling artists of all time and among the greatest singers, but hasn't made an album since 2002. Since, she has struggled with drug problems and a tumultuous personal life, a far cry from the princess image she cultivated since her debut in the 1980's.

Houston is expected to release an album sometime this year and this comeback seems to be the real deal. "She was on it, she was happy -- she's back," said Foxx. "Everybody else watch out."

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This from Blabbermouth.net:

RAM: New Album Details Revealed

RAM, the Sweden-based heavy metal band featuring Morgan Pettersson (ex-B-THONG), has completed work on its second album, "Lightbringer." The follow-up to 2005's "Forced Entry" was produced by Johan Reivén and was mixed at Studio Bongo in the group's hometown.

Commented the band: "Compared to 'Forced Entry', the 'Lightbringer' album is a step in many directions for us. 'Forced Entry' was a very straightforward (in RAM terms) heavy metal album. 'Lightbringer' is more concept-orientated and it displays an array of different themes that are noticeable in song writing, lyrics and throughout the production. Including a horror mantra that features Mexican poet Adelaida Caballero performing one of her profound, surrealistic and magick poems, this album offers hard and heavy but quite unorthodox heavy metal songs that features many twists and different parts, along with melancholic and very melodic pieces. E from the infamous black metal band WATAIN is featured on one track which is a modern heavy black metal track and he lays down some sinister vocals indeed. Something as unusual as a metal horror opera, 'The Elixir' features a macabre tale in vein of Edgar Allan Poe's work. Our most epic track to date and also the longest RAM song ever recorded is a song about the battle at Suomussalmi in 1939 during the Finnish winter war."

RAM's full-length debut, "Forced Entry", was recorded at Black Path studios and was mixed at Gothenburg's Brewhouse facility. Mastering duties were handled by Göran Finnberg.


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THYRFING Vinyl Release


War Anthem Records will release the vinyl edition of "Hels Vite", the latest album from Swedish meatl band THYRFING, at the end of March.

"Hels Vite" came out in the U.S. on January 27 via Regain Records.

Released in Europe on October 22 via Regain Records, the CD was co-produced (with the band) by Jörgen Svensson of Tyroon Production and the cover artwork was created by the Swedish artist Mikael Schelén. The layout and the photos were handled by Jens Rydén.

THYRFING announced in 2007 the addition of Jens Rydén as the band's new vocalist. Jens is best known as founding member and ex-vocalist of NAGLFAR and for his one-man army PROFUNDI.

THYRFING's fifth album, "Farsotstider" (in English: "Times of Plague"), was released in November 2005 via Regain Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Vansinnesvisor" (Hammerheart Records) was recorded at EMI Studio in Stockholm with producer Henrik Edenhed (LAMBRETTA, THE SOUNDS).

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