Music News & Notes

SCORPIONS Frontman To Guest On New AVANTASIA Album

SCORPIONS vocalist Klaus Meine has recorded a duet with EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet for the forthcoming album from Tobias' AVANTASIA project.

Commented Tobias: "We played a couple of shows with the SCORPIONS here and there and they are not only the biggest and greatest rock band ever to emerge from Germany, they are also cool rock 'n' roll people who are aware of what's going on in the world of heavy guitars. Lately, we played Bulgaria together, EDGUY and the SCORPIONS, and I watched their full show from onstage. They kicked serious ass! Rudolf (Schenker) did some cool guitar work on the previous [AVANTASIA] record, and now Klaus is on the forthcoming one. He has done a superb job, he opens his mouth and you immediately hear it's that cutting voice that has sung 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' and 'Blackout'! The track we did together is an anthemic mid-tempo tune, big choir chorus. And I am still speechless thinking of Klaus' performance. He is a real pro and he would still blow away 99% of all us rock singers with a quarter of his left lung. People, get ready for a monster song!"

Other musicians who are scheduled to appear on the forthcoming AVANTASIA album include powerhouse Norwegian vocalist Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN, ARK, MILLENIUM, VAGABOND, THE SNAKES) and acclaimed drummers Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER, BLACK SABBATH) and Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA, SIEGES EVEN.

The most recent album from AVANTASIA, "The Scarecrow", was one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January 2008, according to a press release.

"The Scarecrow" was released on January 25, 2008 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl. It features a long list of guest musicians, including Bob Catley, ex-MASTERPLAN frontman Jorn Lande, ex-HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske, Alice Cooper, KISS drummer Eric Singer, SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker and GAMMA RAY's Kai Hansen. The album produced a Top 10 German hit single, "Lost In Space", and entered the national charts in 15 countries, with the CD landing in the Top 10 in four countries.

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Video for NEIL NATHAN Re-styling of ELO's "DO YA" Released !

MUSIC NEWS - NJ born alt-folk singer, Neil Nathan has just released a new video for his folky cover of ELO's hit single 'DoYa.' His version will featured on the Califonication Season 2 Soundtrack (out August 19th via Lionsgate Records, order below thru MNN) alongside Sheryl Crow and Nick Cave. Neil was thrilled to get Jeff Lynne's approval for the show! Watch the video, directed by Brian Goodwin, below.

Neil's forthcoming debut LP, The Distance Calls, (on Pirate Vinyl) features musicians from The Dead Weather, Queens of The Stone Age, Kid Rock, Detroit Cobras and The Go.