Tag: Robin Zander
0 Red Dragon Cartel – S/T – (2014) – CD Review
When Eddie Trunk brought Jake E. Lee on That Metal Show in 2013, I couldn’t have been more excited. Mr. Lee has been noticeably absent from the hard rock world for a few years, and I greatly missed him. When Jake mentioned his new band Red Dragon Cartel, I was ecstatic that Jake was returning to make new music. I have longed to hear him play in a band since the last Badlands CD Dusk from ’98.
Well Red Dragon Cartel is finally here, and I couldn’t be happier. The new music is great, and has me super excited to see the band live later in 2014.
The opening track “Deceiver” is an awesome stadium anthem that easily states that JAKE E. LEE IS BACK! The riffs on this song sound like they could have easily been off of the Ozzy Osbourne Ultimate Sin album. I can’t get enough of this song.
The song “Shout It Out” has more of a modern flair to it, but it a good song, and one of my favorites on the album.
“Feeder” features Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander on vocals, and as always Zander does a terrific job. This guy could sing names out of the phone book and make it sound good. Jake E. Lee’s riffs are pretty awesome too. Something about the intro on this song reminds me of the opening music on the animated series Batman Beyond, but it is very cool.
“Fall From The Sky (Seagull)” is a slower tune that has a cool alternative vibe too it. I really dig this track. It sounds great loud too!
If there is one weak track on the Red Dragon Cartel album, It is “Wasted”. While I like Paul Di’Anno, I don’t think his voice has aged well, and this song to me would have been better with Darren Smith on vocals. I like the music, but the vocals kill it for me.
“Slave” is another cool rocker with some killer riffs from Jake E. Lee. This hard driving tune really gets your blood pumping.
I am sure some folks were shocked when they heard “Big Mouth” with Maria Brink on vocals. This is unlike anything Jake E. Lee has ever done. It is a modern hard rocker, which isn’t too far off from what In This Moment plays. I like In This Moment and Maria Brink so I have really been enjoying this tune. I am hoping In This Moment will play this live at some point.
The song “War Machine” is doom-laden Black Sabbath like metal opus that gets better every time I listen to it. What a cool tune!
I was surprised to find that Jake E. Lee locked in Sass Jordan to sing a song on the album. I love Sass Jordan, especially on her recent release S.U.N. – Something Unto Nothing. She is a powerful bluesy singer. She does a killer job on “Redeem Me”.
“Exquisite Tenderness” is the first song that Jake E. Lee ever wrote. This is a piano based instrumental that shows that Mr. Lee has a great musical talent beyond his guitar (but please don’t give up that six string Jake!).
If you buy the special Best Buy Edition of the Red Dragon Cartel CD, you will get a bonus track “American Dream”. Is it worth it? I think so. This is a cool rocker that should not be missed.
Overall, I have been enjoying Red Dragon Cartel. It has easily been my favorite hard rock CD of 2014 so far. Some of my peers have not been so kind to Red Dragon Cartel singer Darren Smith, but I will go on record that I like his voice a lot. He reminds of a cross between John Corabi and Rod Jackson. I like both of those singers and I like Darren too. I can’t wait to hear him sing these songs live.
Red Dragon Cartel’s debut is a solid album all the way through, and most importantly it brings Jake E. Lee back to the limelight, and live stages all across the world. Welcome back Jake! I am glad you and Red Dragon Cartel are here!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
01. Deceived
02. Shout It Out
03. Feeder (Robin Zander)
04. Fall From The Sky (Seagull)
05. Wasted (Paul Di’Anno)
06. Slave
07. Big Mouth (Maria Brink)
08. War Machine
09. Redeem Me
10. Exquisite Tenderness
11. American Dream (Bonus Track)
Red Dragon Cartel is:
Jake E. Lee – Guitars
Ronnie Mancuso – Bass
D.J Smith – Vocals
Jonas Fairley – Drums
0 RED DRAGON CARTEL TO RELEASE THEIR SELF-TITLED DEBUT VIA FRONTIERS RECORDS
New Album by Band Comprised of Former Ozzy Osbourne/Badlands Guitar Legend Jake E. Lee, Bassist Ronnie Mancuso, Vocalist D.J. Smith and Drummer Jonas Fairley Set for Release in January
The newest band ready to take aim at the creative void in the hard rock world, Red Dragon Cartel, are set to release their debut album via Frontiers Records. The self-titled debut by the band made up of guitar legend Jake E. Lee, bassist Ronnie Mancuso, singer D.J. Smith and drummer Jonas Fairley is set for release on January 24th in Europe and January 28th in North America.
Jake E. Lee is best known for his work in Badlands and as guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne on Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin albums. Red Dragon Cartel also features various guest appearances from some of music’s most notable faces including legendary Cheap Trick vocalist Robin Zander, original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno, Kill Devil Hill/Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Slash’s Conspirators Todd Kearns and Brent Fitz and In This Moment front woman Maria Brink. The album was produced by Ronnie Mancuso and Jake E. Lee and was executive produced, mixed and mastered by Kevin Churko (In This Moment, Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch).
From the opening riff of “Deceived” to final sustained piano chord of “Exquisite Tenderness,” it is clear Red Dragon Cartel has created an album that stands amongst some of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Infectious songs such as “Shout It Out,” “Wasted” and “Slave” showcase the band’s ability to write memorable hooks and vocal melodies. Robin Zander of Cheap Trick lends his voice to the track “Feeder” and a lyric video for the song can be seen below.
Maria Brink of In This Moment lends her unique vocals to the track “Big Mouth.” Paul Di’Anno and Sass Jordan also lend their talents to the band’s debut. Jake E. Lee’s trademark playing style instantly shines through and picks up right where he left off. The album is available for pre-order on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/1aYjMng or digitally on iTunes at http://smarturl.it/reddragoncartel that comes with an instant download of “Deceived.”
The track listing for Red Dragon Cartel is:
1. Deceived
2. Shout It Out
3. Feeder with Robin Zander
4. Fall From The Sky (Seagull)
5. Wasted with Paul Di’Anno
6. Slave
7. Big Mouth with Maria Brink
8. War Machine
9. Redeem Me with Sass Jordan
10. Exquisite Tenderness
The band will be bringing these new powerhouse songs on the road playing a handful of dates in the US before embarking on a full tour in 2014. Tickets are currently on-sale and all information can be found on the band’s website.
December 12th – Los Angeles, CA – Whisky A Go Go
December 14th – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater (Support of Queensryche)
December 15th – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
December 20th – Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d
Weblinks:
Red Dragon Cartel – Official Website: http://reddragoncartel.com
Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/reddragoncartel
Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/reddragoncartel
2 Cheap Trick – One On One (1982)
As much as we love new music at Hard Rock Hideout, sometimes we have to take a few minutes to remember the classics.
2012 marks the 30th anniversary (Released April 30th, 1982) of Cheap Trick’s sixth (and possibly most underrated) album, One On One.
One on One is a very easy album to listen to from beginning to end. Even with eleven songs, it clocks in under thirty five minutes. This album features an eclectic mix of pop rockers, and a song or two that you wouldn’t expect from Cheap Trick. Cheap Trick has some mild success with the song “She’s Tight”. This was a top 20 rock hit for Cheap Trick, and still sounds great today.
Why the song “I Want You” doesn’t get airplay today mystifies me. It is a short rocker that seems tailor-made for the radio.
“If You Want My Love” is one of my favorites on One On One. This song is dripping with the influence of The Beatles, but that is what makes it so cool.
“Oo La La La” might have some silly lyrics, but this song is also ridiculously catchy.
I am not sure how to classify the song, “Saturday at Midnight”. Is it disco? Is it rock? You can definitely tell this one is from the eighties with its keyboard effects, but I like it anyway.
Could “I Want Be Man” have influenced a young Trent Reznor? This song almost sounds like early Industrial rock, before their was a genre. I know many Cheap Trick fans hate this song, but I think it is cool for what it is.
The album “Four Letter Word” sounds as if it could have been on a Billy Squier album. It is a semi heavier number, and a really good tune.
One On One is first album to feature Jon Brant on bass. A position he filled for several years before Tom Petersen’s return. I don’t know if Brant added a heavier influence to the songs, but he was a good addition to Cheap Trick even if it was temporary at best.
One On One might be thirty years old this year, but it still sounds better than a lot of the crap that is on the FM dial. Do yourself a favor and check this CD out!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- I Want You
- One on One
- If You Want My Love
- Oo La La La
- Lookin’ Out For Number One
- She’s Tight
- Time is Runnin’
- Saturday at Midnight
- Love’s Got a Hold on Me
- I Want Be Man
- Four Letter Word
Cheap Trick is:
Robin Zander – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards
Rick Nielsen – lead guitar, backing vocals
Jon Brant – bass, backing vocals
Bun E. Carlos – drums, percussion
2 Sin-Atra (2011)
Call me an old soul if you will, but I have always liked Frank Sinatra. When I first heard about the Sin-Atra CD , I knew I would have to add it to my collection when it came out. This CD features the vocals of some of the best singers in hard rock including Dee Snider, Robin Zander, Glenn Hughes, Joey Belladonna, Geoff Tate, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Eric Martin, Jani Lane and dUg Pinnick.
This collection is put out by the same folks who did the We Wish You A Metal X-Mas Christmas CD. That CD has become a metal staple during the holidays at my house, so I knew this had to be good. Sin-Atra is not just another cover CD. The musicians involved in this project put their own unique spin on Frank Sinatra’s songs making it a must have for most hard rock fans.
Former Deep Purple, and current Black Country Communion singer, Glenn Hughes shows off his impressive vocal range on the Old Blue Eyes classic “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”
“It Was A Very Good Year” features Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider on vocals. This is a really cool, heavy version of this song. Bob Kulick’s guitar work is awesome, and Dee Snider gives this song a great vocal performance.
Mr. Big’s Eric Martin takes the Sinatra staple, “Lady Is A Tramp” and helps turn it into a real rockin’ tune. This version is 100% different from the original, but is a very fun spin on this song.
Tim “Ripper” Owens takes the song “Witchcraft” to new heights with an over the top metal vocal.
Do I dare say that I like the version of “High Hopes” from Scars of Broadway front man, Franky Perez better than the original? I do….this version is less cheesy than the original version.
I can’t hardly hear “Love And Marriage” without thinking about the TV Show, “Married With Children”. This version is a very heavy, up tempo number. Nonpoint front man, Elias Soriano does a pretty good job with it.
The CD closer “That’s Life” features the blazing guitar work of Richie Kotzen, and a solid vocal performance by former Warrant front man, Jani Lane.
Overall, I have been enjoying Sin-Atra, and I think many of you will too. Long time fans of Frank Sinatra will probably hate this, and I am pretty sure Frank Sinatra (god rest his soul) is probably rolling around in his grave. Hard rock and metal fans will be sure to enjoy these unique spins of the classic Sinatra tunes!
You can listen to this CD in its entirety for a limited time at this link. Check it out!!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing
- New York, New York (Devin Townsend)
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Glenn Hughes)
- Summerwind (Geoff Tate)
- It Was A Very Good Year (Dee Snider)
- Witchcraft (Tim “Ripper” Owens)
- Fly Me To The Moon (Robin Zander)
- Lady Is A Tramp (Eric Martin)
- Strangers In the Night (Joey Belladonna)
- High Hopes (Franky Perez)
- I’ve Got The World On A String (Dug Pinnick)
- Love And Marriage (Elias Soriano)
- That’s Life (Jani Lane)
Band Lineup:
Bob Kulick – guitar
Brett Chassen – drums
Billy Sheehan – bass
Doug Katsaros – keyboards & orchestrations
Richie Kotzen – Lead Guitar on “That’s Life”
0 Eagle Rock To Release SIN-Atra CD – March 29, 2011
What would timeless songs like “New York, New York,” “Lady Is A Tramp,” and “Fly Me To The Moon,” sound like cranked out of Marshall stacks, crooned by members of Cheap Trick, Twisted Sister, Deep Purple, Anthrax, Mr. Big, or Queensrÿche? This can now be experienced on SIN-Atra, a brand new album to be released by Eagle Rock Entertainment on March 29, 2011. [MSRP $13.98]
This all-star project, created from the team that brought you the merry, molten melodies of We Wish You A Metal Xmas, reinvents the classic songs that the great Frank Sinatra performed and, in turn, made famous. These twelve cherished tunes, written by some of the greatest songwriters of all time, are given a radical hard rock/heavy metal treatment, resulting in electrically charged versions of the classics.
Some of the most potent and recognizable voices of rock rework such legendary gems as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” “Strangers In The Night,” and “That’s Life,” including Dee Snider, Robin Zander, Glenn Hughes, Joey Belladonna, Geoff Tate, , Tim “Ripper” Owens, Eric Martin, and dUg Pinnick. Producers Bob Kulick, of KISS and Meat Loaf fame, and Brett Chassen, recreated these songs on guitar and drums, respectively, rounded out by Billy Sheehan (bass) and Doug Katsaros (keyboards, orchestration). Also making an appearance as lead guitarist on “That’s Life” is renowned rock guitarist Richie Kotzen.
These familiar favorites are beloved the world over, but they’ve never been heard like this before! “A fantastic CD,” says executive producer Wendy Dio, “keeping the era alive with today’s musicians.”
Eagle Rock Entertainment is an international media production and distribution company operating across audiovisual entertainment programming. Eagle Rock Entertainment works directly alongside talent to produce the highest quality programming output covering film, general entertainment and musical performance. Eagle Rock Entertainment has offices based in London, New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hamburg, & Paris.
Track Listing:
1.) New York, New York – Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad)
2.) I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
3.) Summerwind – Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
4.) It Was A Very Good Year – Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
5.) Witchcraft – Tim “Ripper” Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth)
6.) Fly Me To The Moon – Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
7.) Lady Is A Tramp – Eric Martin (Mr. Big)
8.) Strangers In The Night – Joey Belladonna (Anthrax)
9.) High Hopes – Franky Perez (Scars on Broadway)
10.) I’ve Got The World On A String – dUg Pinnick (King’s X)
11.) Love And Marriage – Elias Soriano (Nonpoint)
12.) That’s Life – Jani Lane (Warrant)
9 Cheap Trick – The Latest (2009)
Cheap Trick is a band that needs no introduction and there should be no argument that they are legends, who deserve a place in the Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame. They have sold millions of records not only in the U.S. but worldwide and they have influenced countless bands. Unlike a lot of the bands that came out around the same time, Rockford, IL finest are not content resting on their achievements and just touring off their catalog. In fact I think the guys have gotten better since their so-called “heyday”. With their newest release simply titled “the Latest” one listen is all it takes to realize the British Invasion and the Beatles were a huge influence, more so than on any other previous albums, and that influence has given Cheap Trick their best album in the last 20 years.
After a short intro titled “Sleep Forever” Robin Zander and the guys kick into “When The Lights Are Out” which is a good time fun song filled with melodies galore, a great groove and sing along chorus that should put a smile on your face unless you are legally dead. “Miss Tomorrow” is up next which reminds me of the late George Harrison when he was working with Jeff Lynne with the acoustic guitars, strings, and Zander’s absolutely perfect vocals. The album’s first single “Sick Man of Europe” is one of the heavier songs on the album with a Kinks feel to it. For all you useless trivia buffs Sick Man of Europe was also a band name used by Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson before they finally decided on Cheap Trick. “These Days” is a classic Cheap Trick type of ballad, which should get major airplay at the very least on the classic rock stations. John Lennon’s influence is all over “Miracle” an absolutely great song. “Everyday You Make Me Crazy” may only be a minute and twenty seven seconds long but the guys make the most of it. “California Girl” is another song that sounds heavily influenced by both the Kinks and the Beatles, this stomper is a perfect song for summer. “Alive” is another stomper in the classic Cheap Trick fashion, unlike a lot of guitarists Rick Nielsen does not need a flashy solo every song to show the world how great he is and his playing on “Alive” is a prime example of that.
With 13 songs on “the Latest” Cheap Trick makes sure everyone gets their money’s worth delivering a fantastic album filled with layer upon layer of hooks, melodies, and catchy well written and played songs, one hell of a great summertime album.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Sleep Forever
- When The Lights Are Out
- Miss Tomorrow
- Sick Man of Europe
- These Days
- Miracle
- Everyday You Make Me Crazy
- California Girl
- Everybody Knows
- Alive
- Times of Our Lives
- Closer, The Ballad of Burt and Linda
- Smile
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Cheap Trick is:
Robin Zander – vocals, guitar
Rick Nielsen – guitar, vocals
Tom Petersson – 12-string bass, vocals
Bun E. Carlos – drums, percussion
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