Tag: Zac Stevens
0 CIRCLE II CIRCLE Issue Update From Midwest Tour
American power metal kings CIRCLE II CIRCLE — featuring vocalist Zak Stevens of Savatage fame — are currently rocking through the Midwest US on the newest leg of their ongoing world tour, which is in support of their latest album Consequence Of Power. The band will play Kenosha, Wisconsin tonight on their way to the final two shows in Chicago and Cleveland.
Stated Zak Stevens from the road this week: “We’re still cruising along playing shows in the Midwest in Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota in November and December to finish off our initial world tour in support of our new CD Consequence Of Power. We’ll be touring out across the U.S. supporting the new album throughout 2011. We’re looking forward to seeing all our fans across the country in the coming year and we’re very excited about the worldwide response to the new record.”
CIRCLE II CIRCLE Remaining Midwest US Shows:
12/04/2010 Hattrix Bar – Kenosha, WI
12/10/2010 Nitecap Chicago – Chicago, IL
12/16/2010 The Phantasy Nite Club – Cleveland, OH
12/10/2010 Nitecap Chicago – Chicago, IL
12/16/2010 The Phantasy Nite Club – Cleveland, OH
0 Zak Stevens appearing on Reborn in Fire, the forthcoming Empires of Eden CD
Empires of Eden is very proud to announce Zak Stevens as one of the feature artists on the upcoming album Reborn in Fire. After rising to legendary status as lead singer for Savatage and Circle II Circle as well as Machines of Grace, Zak is featured on a full-length song on the album.
Zak’s vocals were recorded in Tampa, Florida by Mark Prator, who engineered the Savatage albums Edge Of Thorns and Handful of Rain. The album was mixed and mastered at Frontiers Studio in Sydney, Australia.
From Zak: “It’s an understatement to say that I had an amazing time working on the new Empires of Eden CD. Stu Marshall is a super-talented recording musician who really knows how to get the best performances out of the artists he works with. Stu asked me to write my own lyrics and vocal melodies to the song I appeared on (‘Prognatus Ut Obscurum’). That’s exactly how I like to do things, and that really allowed me to bring out more of myself on the composition. As a result I was able to give an all-round stronger performance, there’s no doubt about it. Working with Stu was a fantastic experience for me. His vision for the overall spectrum of the album was stunning. I learned a lot… and that’s what it’s all about in the world of music and artist collaboration.”
The new album from Empires of Eden, Reborn in Fire will feature some of the world’s most respected heavy metal voices, including the already announced, Mike Vescera. Reborn in Fire is set for release in June 2010 through 7Hard Records. Further announcements on the guests will continue in the coming weeks.
Check www.empiresofeden.com and www.7hart.de for all news and pre-release information.
0 Circle II Circle To Release Consequence of Power This Fall
CIRCLE II CIRCLE, led by former front man of SAVATAGE, Zak Stevens, has begun laying down tracks at Sweet Spot Studios for the recording of it’s 5th album entitled CONSEQUENCE OF POWER. The second concept album for the band, CONSEQUENCE OF POWER has been described as “a melodic power metal album catering to all fans from the old SAVATAGE era to all CIRCLE II CIRCLE European fans and breaking new ground for an all new fan base in America.” The release is expected for Fall of 2010 through AFM Records.
According to Stevens “It’s been a hell of a ride so far, but it seems like just the beginning for some reason. People are really appreciating the purity of real hard rock & metal music these days since the genre became somewhat out of focus within the music industry the last five years. The demand for our style of music has roared back, from fans both young and old, on the history behind the band. We hear the calling and we continue to move forward. CIRCLE II CIRCLE will take you on a musical journey like no other rock/metal band. We will deliver a monumental evening of rock and roll power every night on tour. Don’t miss it!”
The band’s line up consists of, Zak Stevens (vocals), Andy Lee (guitar), Mitch Stewart (bass/keyboards) and new drummer, Johnny Osborn, formerly of DR BUTCHER.
CIRCLE II CIRCLE recently signed a management deal with VENOMM and is currently booking for the POWER TOUR 2010/2011 due to begin this summer.
For more information, visit:
www.myspace.com/circleiicircle
www.circle2circle.net
0 ZAK STEVENS TO APPEAR ON HARD ROCK NIGHTS
Vocalist Zak Stevens of Machines of Grace (and formerly of Savatage) is the special guest on the next edition of Hard Rock Nights, the weekly syndicated radio program. Zak joins JT to talk about his new Machines of Grace project, as well as share his thoughts on a Savatage reunion.
Top shelf status for Machines of Grace comes from the experience of successfully headlining major tours and support from a monumental fan base. Drummer Jeff (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church) Plate and lead singer Zak (Circle II Circle, Savatage) Stevens have the resume to help catapult Machines of Grace into the monsters of rock realm. The divine mix of such magnanimous talent can convert even the most stubborn music critic.
Matt Leff (guitarist) and Stevens have a lengthy history, spanning back to their days as protégés at GIT/VIT respectively. Their first band, Wickedwitch, also introduced the talents of drummer Jeff Plate, who clinched the line-up and formed the backbone of today’s brainchild: Machines of Grace.
During a considerable hiatus after the demise of the Wickedwitch project, Zak Stevens had gone on to front Savatage (and more recently, Circle II Circle), and later recruited Jeff Plate, who performs regularly with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Metal Church. Meanwhile, Matt Leff had formed Trigger Effect, and with bassist Chris Rapoza, had toured as an opening act for Iron Maiden, Queensryche and Rob Halford.
Time had clearly hit the afterburners. Call it chemistry, fate or pure coincidence. A Wickedwitch fan suggested that the founding members revise, rethink, record and release the original material, and voila – Machines of Grace was conceived.
Hard Rock Nights can be heard on a number of radio stations dedicated to rock and metal. Point your browser to http://hardrocknights.wordpress.com/affiliates for a complete list of stations and airtimes.
0 Introducing Machines of Grace
Machines Of Grace featuring TSO, Savatage and Metal Church members ready debut release.
Meet Machines of Grace. They are the latest among the gifted hard rock/heavy metal bands born from Boston’s thriving music scene. As with their Beantown bred forefathers, (Aerosmith, Extreme, Godsmack, Dropkick Murphys) Zak Stevens (lead vocals), Jeff Plate (drums), Matt Leff (guitar) and Chris Rapoza (bass) have concocted their own proprietary formula for whiplash on a disc.
Top shelf status comes from the experience of successfully headlining major tours and support from a monumental fan base. Drummer Jeff (Trans Siberian Orchestra, Savatage, Metal Church) Plate and lead singer Zak (Circle II Circle, Savatage) Stevens have the resume to help catapult Machines of Grace into the monsters of rock realm. The divine mix of such magnanimous talent can convert even the most stubborn music critic. Why? The method to their madness is embedded in the music… “It’s just a pure, solid melodic rock sound,” offers Stevens. “It has infectious grooves and its own brand of outright power. To me, it’s got great songwriting with a hard rock edge and strong commercial appeal.”
The rise of the ‘Machine’ had to start somewhere…
Leff and Stevens have a lengthy history, spanning back to their days as protégés at GIT/VIT respectively. Their first band, Wickedwitch, also introduced the talents of drummer Jeff Plate, who clinched the line-up and formed the backbone of today’s brainchild: Machines of Grace.
During a considerable hiatus after the demise of the Wickedwitch project, Zak Stevens had gone on to front Savatage (and more recently, Circle II Circle), and later recruited Jeff Plate, who performs regularly with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and Metal Church. Meanwhile, Matt Leff had formed Trigger Effect, and with bassist Chris Rapoza, had toured as an opening act for Iron Maiden, Queensryche and Rob Halford.
Time had clearly hit the afterburners. Call it chemistry, fate or pure
coincidence. A Wickedwitch fan suggested that the founding members revise, rethink, record and release the original material, and voila – Machines of Grace was conceived.
This band accords a shot of rock and roll that infuses several music genres with an innovative twist of smoldering vocals and bludgeoning guitar riffs. Blend that with an explosive rhythm section and you’ve got an exceptionally powerful elixir. “I’d say we’re a mix of melodic metal, hard rock, modern rock and acoustic rock,” explains guitarist Matt Leff. “The current rock climate is calling for modern production, strong vocal melodies and memorable songs from guys that can really play. I think we fit that description.” Bassist Chris Rapoza agrees: “The CD has an amazing vibe that just flows really well and makes you want to listen to it all the way through. To me, song writing and recording with that same quality always makes for the best type of album.”
Jeff Plate tops off the sentiment: “The music is metal, but not thrash. Rock, but not pop. We could be compared to a number of different bands, and each song will give you a different impression, but in the end the sound is distinctly Machines of Grace.”
That sound is likewise attributed to the talents of veteran mixologist Paul David Hager. Credited with engineering, mixing and producing studio work by acts such as The Goo Goo Dolls, Avril Lavigne, Pink and Tracy Bonham, Hager brings to the table a record destined for the spotlight, and plenty of industry accolades.
Live, this band brings new meaning to the term full throttle. The killer studio version of the music not withstanding, Machines of Grace takes a live performance experience to a whole new level. Fans will really enjoy the dueling guitar and vocal arrangements, while the second-to-none rhythm section welds them together perfectly. Zak promises, “You’ll hear the emphasis on the album, the way the mix very closely depicts how this band actually sounds when we plug in.” How many bands these days can do that?
Look for the debut, self-tilted Machines of Grace CD this summer.
For further information:
Hard Rock Hideout 