NEWS : “BLACKMORE’S NIGHT – THE BEGINNING”: il box in uscita!!!

“Blackmore’s Night – The Beginning” è un documentario sul primo periodo della leggendaria band Inglese. In questo ricercato box di velluto sono raccolti i primi due album dei Blackmore’s Night “Shadow of The Moon” e “Under A Violet Moon” insieme ad una raccolta di rare riprese fatte nel backstage durante i primi tour “Live In Germany 1997-1998″ e “Under A Violet Moon – Castle Tour 2000″ arricchite dalle interviste con Ritchie Blackmore e Candice Night. Blackmore‘s Night “The Beginning” è davvero un’uscita speciale non solo per fans o collezionisti ma per tutti gli amanti della musica scritta con il cuore.

Il Box uscirà il 7 Dicembre in Italia su UDR MUSIC / EMI DISTRIBUTION

Contenuto del box :

DVD 1: “Blackmore’s Night – Shadow Of The Moon – Live In Germany 1997-1998″

DVD 2: “Blackmore’s Night – Under A Violet Moon Castle Tour 2000″

CD1: “Shadow Of The Moon” album

CD2: “Under A Violet Moon” album

DVD 1: “Blackmore’s Night – Shadow Of The Moon – Live In Germany 1997-1998″ 

1. Shadow Of The Moon
2. The Clock Ticks On Play
3. Minstrel Play
4. Minstrel Hall
5. St. Theresa
6. Under A Violet Moon
7.  Magical World
8. No Second Chance
9. 16th Century
10. Greensleeves
11. Renaissance Faire
12. Writing On The Wall
13. Mond
14. Tanz
15. Be Mine Tonight
16. Memmingen
17. Black Night
18. Man On The Silver Mountain
19. Still I‘m Sad Maybe Next Time

 DVD 2: “Blackmore’s Night – Under A Violet Moon Castle Tour 2000″

1.  Written In The Stars
2. Morning Star
3. Renaissance
4. Faire Fires At Midnight (Midnight Acoustic Performance)
5. Possum Goes To Prague
6. Under A Violet Moon
7. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
8. Past Time With Good Company
9. Wind In The Willows
10. March
11. The Heroes Home
12. Gone With The Wind
13. Fires At Midnight
14. Now And Then Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus

CD1: “Shadow Of The Moon” album

1. Shadow Of The Moon
2. The Clock Ticks On Be Mine
3. Tonight
4. Play Minstrel Play
5. Ocean Gypsy
6. Minstrel Hall
7. Magical World
8. Writing On The Wall
9. Renaissance Faire
10. Memmingen
11. No Second Chance
12. Mond Tanz
13. Spirit Of The Sea
14. Greensleeves
15. Wish You Were Here
16. Possum‘s Last Dance

CD2: “Under A Violet Moon” album

1. Under A Violet Moon
2. Castles And Dreams
3. Past Time With Good Company
4. Morning Star
5. Avalon
6. Possum Goes To Prague
7. Wind In The Willows
8. Gone With The Wind
9. Beyond The Sunset
10. March
11. The Heroes Home
12. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
13. Catherine Howard‘s Fate
14. Fool‘s Gold
15. Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus
16. Now And Then
17. Self Portrait

NEWS : Blackmore’s Night “The Beginning” Detailed

“Blackmore’s Night – The Beginning” is a documentation about the early period of a musical legend. In the lavish velvet-box you will find the first two BLACKMORE’S NIGHT albums “Shadow Of The Moon” and “Under A Violet Moon” as well as rare video footage of their early tours “Live In Germany 1997-1998″ and “Under A Violet Moon – Castle Tour 2000″. Available for the first time on DVD and only in the “The Beginning” box. The footage from various concerts from the “Shadow Of The Moon” and “Under A Violet Moon” tours is enriched by interviews with Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night, as well as backstage footage, rehearsal footage and medieval fight shows. “We live the music,” says Ritchie Blackmore, confirming the impression that this documentation gives every second — BLACKMORE’S NIGHT is authentic. The enthusiasm of the musicians captivates the audience and takes them along on a journey through the past. Some of the DVD tracks go from the living room rehearsals to the stage and are impressive proof that the compositions function wonderfully as intimate acoustic versions, as well as with the full band on the big stage. BLACKMORE’S NIGHT “The Beginning” is a very special release, not only for fans and collectors, for nostalgic or the medieval curious, but for any lover of beautiful timeless music. This extraordinary box provides the owner not only two DVDs with a delightful, interesting and entertaining performances plus two original studio albums of fantastic music, but rather with it is a ticket out of the dreary day to day life, a way to leave everything behind, to relax the soul for a few hours.

Content: DVD 1: “Blackmore’s Night – Shadow Of The Moon – Live In Germany 1997-1998″

DVD 2: “Blackmore’s Night – Under A Violet Moon Castle Tour 2000″

CD1: “Shadow Of The Moon” album

CD2: “Under A Violet Moon” album

In stores: UK: December 10, 2012 Rest Of Europe: December 7, 2012 USA: November 20, 2012

DVD 1: “Blackmore’s Night – Shadow Of The Moon – Live In Germany 1997-1998″ 

1. Shadow Of The Moon
2. The Clock Ticks On Play
3. Minstrel Play
4. Minstrel Hall
5. St. Theresa
6. Under A Violet Moon
7.  Magical World
8. No Second Chance
9. 16th Century
10. Greensleeves
11. Renaissance Faire
12. Writing On The Wall
13. Mond
14. Tanz
15. Be Mine Tonight
16. Memmingen
17. Black Night
18. Man On The Silver Mountain
19. Still I‘m Sad Maybe Next Time

 DVD 2: “Blackmore’s Night – Under A Violet Moon Castle Tour 2000″

1.  Written In The Stars
2. Morning Star
3. Renaissance
4. Faire Fires At Midnight (Midnight Acoustic Performance)
5. Possum Goes To Prague
6. Under A Violet Moon
7. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
8. Past Time With Good Company
9. Wind In The Willows
10. March
11. The Heroes Home
12. Gone With The Wind
13. Fires At Midnight
14. Now And Then Durch Den Wald Zum Bach Haus

CD1: “Shadow Of The Moon” album

1. Shadow Of The Moon
2. The Clock Ticks On Be Mine
3. Tonight
4. Play Minstrel Play
5. Ocean Gypsy
6. Minstrel Hall
7. Magical World
8. Writing On The Wall
9. Renaissance Faire
10. Memmingen
11. No Second Chance
12. Mond Tanz
13. Spirit Of The Sea
14. Greensleeves
15. Wish You Were Here
16. Possum‘s Last Dance

CD2: “Under A Violet Moon” album

1. Under A Violet Moon
2. Castles And Dreams
3. Past Time With Good Company
4. Morning Star
5. Avalon
6. Possum Goes To Prague
7. Wind In The Willows
8. Gone With The Wind
9. Beyond The Sunset
10. March
11. The Heroes Home
12. Spanish Nights (I Remember It Well)
13. Catherine Howard‘s Fate
14. Fool‘s Gold
15. Durch den Wald Zum Bach Haus
16. Now And Then
17. Self Portrait

Interview : Iris Mavraki – Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki’s Neverland

Interview by Robin Stryker

Two years after releasing their debut album “Reversing Time”, Greek/Turkish progressive symphonic melodic metal band, Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki’s Neverland, returns with its second album “Ophidia” (AFM Records 2010). Femme Metal sat down with Greek female vocalist, Iris Mavraki to get the inside story on the band and its new album.

Welcome, Iris, and thank you for joining us today! Would you start off by telling us why you joined forced with the Turkish band, Dreamtone, to form Neverland? What was it about Dreamtone’s music that caught your attention?

First of all, hello Robin; it’s a pleasure to be with you! Well…. A few years ago, my son Orpheus Spiliotopoulos, who was at that time reviewing for the Greek site MetalTemple.com, suggested I listen to a CD entitled “Unforseen Reflections” by a band called Dreamtone. I was immediately, tremendously impressed by the power of their compositions and the symphonic elements in their music. Then I found out that they are from Turkey; a nice surprise to me as I was then also singing with the Turkish Symphony Orchestra, so I suggested we get in touch. There was something in their music, something really different.

Neverland was born as a project to combine metal with a symphony orchestra for live performances. At what point did Neverland mature from a concert project into a full-fledged band?

That didn’t take long really! As I mentioned above, that’s how it started in my mind for sure, the metal band working with an orchestra and being about the live performance. It was certainly our first idea for it, but we quickly realised that there was so much more interesting material and potential that could be shared, and that it had to be right to start a new band recording our own music! We decided to unite forces and become Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki’s Neverland, and we’ve never looked back!

For someone who has never heard “Ophidia”, how would you describe the album’s sound? And, for fans of “Reversing Time”, what are the biggest differences between the two albums?

I think “Ophidia” has the more powerful sound of the two but it also combines, in some parts, an Anatolian, Mediterranean, spicy touch, Medieval parts, symphonic parts and bombastic melody too. I think it goes further than the first one! “Reversing Time” was maybe more symphonic; we had The Istanbul Philharmonic Orchestra play on it, but both albums ultimately have the identity of Dreamtone & Iris Mavraki’s Neverland because they’re written with all the musical styles present.

Which bands have influenced Neverland’s sound the most?

Hard to say as I think each and every one of us have different influences. But, if asked specifically, I would say: Blind Guardian, Jon Oliva’s Pain and many others!

What does “Ophidia” mean, and does the title play into the album’s overall theme?

Well, “Ophidia” basically tells the story of how the evil inside every one of us slowly corrupts anything and everything. Our title track is basically a semi-electronic, semi symphonic, mid tempo piece with its subtle change of pace as well as some nice guitar tricks. The song covers the theme from the perspective of “evil” as having a tongue and speaking. The song presents evil as a “snake”, slowly crawling inside our minds. “Ophidia” means worshipping the snake or following the path of the snake. Since humans almost always lie, the song suggests that we are all Ophidians… In the album, there are a lot of different meanings in the songs as well though, I don’t think we had a total concept of “Ophidia”, but just tried to represent just a few of them.

Please tell us a bit about your musical training and background. Also, who are your personal musical heroes?

Well, I studied classical piano and had singing lessons at the National Conservatoire And Hellenic Conservatoire of Greece in Rhodes. I was a member of the Municipal Choir of Rhodes for about 10 years, and a member of an amateur theatrical group there. I have been singing alone and with bands for many years and with Symphony Orchestras from Turkey and elsewhere, at numerous concerts for the “environment”, “against racism”, “antiwar concerts”, “for human rights”, etc. I had many different influences, starting with: Joan Baez, Maria Callas, Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, Metallica, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Leonard Cohen, Blind Guardian, East West Divan Orchestra and Daniel Barenboim, plus Mikis Theodorakis who you might know? I was very lucky back in the 80’s to have had an audition with David Gilmour (Pink Floyd). I think that all these years of experimenting with many kinds of musical styles and in several different languages, have given me a wide range of repertoire and experience.

With your background participating in human rights concerts and given the historic tension between Turkey and Greece, how important are politics to Neverland?

It’s not really about this, but there is some aspect of it to think about I suppose! If you think about it, our countries have had bad relations for many years and are slowly recovering from these wounds of the past, so it is important that we help promote such a conscience, especially in the young. To build a cultural bridge through music is the best way to spread messages of hope and peace, as music is a universal language, no? “Politics” in the narrow sense of the word, is for Politicians. I think, for us, it’s a matter of keeping eyes open helping people to be more aware of things. We, as people from Greece and Turkey, have far more to share than those who try to divide us can take away! We share the same sun, and that means “light”. It’s politicians that create the problems, not us!

The new album has fantastic guest appearances by metal vocalists Jon Oliva (Savatage, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Jon Oliva’s Pain), Edu Falschi (Angra, Almah) and Urban Breed (Pyramaze, ex-Bloodbound, Tad Morose). How did these collaborations come about?

Oganalp and our band members contacted all of them and asked them if they would accept an invitation to be our guests basically, and it’s so wonderful that they all accepted. It’s really wonderful having people like this on our new album. It’s humbling!

Neverland will be touring Europe with Jon Oliva’s Pain in October. Is the tour a direct result of his guest vocals on “Ophidia”?

We were planning to go on tour anyway, but, I think Jon’s appearance on our album definitely played a role. I think the general reaction to the album from the fans is also so great that that plays its role too and is the main reason for us being accepted on the tour.

One of the most touching songs on the new album is “Places Unknown”, a farewell to Mike Baker (Shadow Gallery) who passed away in 2008. During the upcoming tour, will Neverland perform “Places Unknown” or “Reversing Time” (feat. Mike Baker) — the title track from Neverland’s debut album, which was also Mike’s last official release before his death — or are emotions still too raw to sing these songs during a live performance?

Emotions are, of course, still present and raw. It was such a shock for us, and especially for the Dreamtone guys, who were in touch with Mike for a long time. But the fact that he sang “Reversing Time” and that this was his last song recorded; you know the lyrics of the song? Well, it seemed to me, very strange. There are sometimes things you simply just can’t explain in words and that is one of them, sorry! Yes, we will be playing these two songs, definitely! May Mike rest in peace and in our memories.

Speaking of tours, how was ProgPower Europe 2009? What is your best memory from the festival?

It was a terrific experience; bands from different countries, a fantastic audience that came just for the Festival. It was amazing. I was impressed by Evergrey’s acoustic performanc. We had lots of fun and good memories. We hope to be there soon, once again. Promoters, audience and bands were all awesome and very friendly to us!

Congratulations on the video premier of “This Voice Inside” on Headbangers Ball (MTV Greece)! Why did Neverland pick this song as the album’s first music video?

Well, “This Voice Inside” is about the main character of “The Wheel of Time” series, Rand Al’Thor, one of the main characters of the book. It mainly tells of Rand’s unwilling turn into an anti-hero, whilst constantly trying to battle with the voices inside his head. It’s a powerful song. You’re right. It had its premier on Headbangers Ball (MTV Greece)! In fact, they will be presenting it again, as we have a concert in Rhodes at the Colorado Club (Rhodes) on June 10th. We picked the song because it was powerful, of course, but also because it somehow defines the album’s sound. There are more complex and alternative tracks than that one, but it shows generally, what to expect from the album!

Which is your favourite Neverland song of all time, and why do you feel a strong connection to the song?

Mine is actually “Black Water”, off “Reversing Time”. It talks about, black water; oil, or more specifically petrol and reminds us of the eternal fight humans seem to need to have to keep control over it. It is a lovely song also, from the pure musical side!

If you could design the perfect Neverland gig, what would it be like (venue, guest appearances, etc.)?

I would love to do this! First of all, I would design it with a Symphony Orchestra, of course, live with Neverland. I would have all our guests appear also, in memory of Mike Baker. I’d do two big concerts. One in Athens and one in Istanbul. And I would give this the title, “Connecting Bridges”!

How is 2010 shaping up for Neverland?

So far, it looks very exciting. In Rhodes, the concert is organized by the Road Knights, the MCC of Rhodes (The Harley Davidson Club of Rhodes) and my son Orpheus will present “Ophidia” and us. Orpheus presents Headbangers Ball (MTV Greece) now and is also writing for Rock Hard (Greece) and they will be our Media Sponsors. Then we’re preparing for our European tour with Jon Oliva. It will be great. There are many shows booked, and we will visit several countries. I believe we’ve just added two more gigs, one in the Czech Republic and one more leg in Germany? It will be a great experience,w e will have a real chance to connect with our European listeners, and I’m so looking forward to it. 2010 is probably going to be our most active year to date.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us, Iris. Do you have any parting words for your fans at Femme Metal?

I thank you also, it was a pleasure to speak to you. Thank you for some really good questions. I send our greetings from this part of world and hope to perform somewhere close to you soon, hopefully in the UK? Keep listening and supporting Metal Music; it’s a good way of life and it rocks!

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Interview : Francine Boucher – Echoes of Eternity

Interview by Eetu Niskanen

Echoes of Eternity is an progressive metal band based in Los Angeles. Their debut album “The Forgotten Goddess”, was released in February 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records. The band’s follow up album, “As Shadows Burn”, is set to be released on September 25, 2009 via Massacre Records in Europe and Nuclear Blast in the US.

You are going to release your second album, “As Shadows Burn”, follow up to your great debut album “The Forgotten Goddess” on September, how much work did it take to get it finished?

We worked on the album over the course of 2008, writing music comes easy to us, it’s finding the time that is difficult because we have jobs and responsibilities, unless you’re established it’s hard to make enough money to survive solely as a musician.

How big is the improvement between these albums?

I’d say its like night & day, where “The Forgotten Goddess” is more ethereal and dreamy, “As Shadows Burns” is heavier, darker and more powerful. The production is more in your face.

How would you describe your voice?

I don’t know, I guess you’ll just have to listen for yourself!

Could you tell us something about your fellow bandmates?

Duane the bass player is the quiet one, but rocks the hardest on stage! Brandon, lead guitarist is mysterious, talented and very smart but he’s a hard cat to figure out sometimes. Bryan, rhythm guitars, is the one who will help you if you ever need it, and is fun to party with. Kirk, drums, is the cantankerous one, he’s a whirlwind of energy he’s also the mediator and the backbone of the band. We all get on each others nerves from time to time but overall were all like family.

How would you describe your music to people who have never head it?

It’s technical, melodic and unexpected.

Have you ever had any vocal training?

Not really, I’m shower trained. I decided to take lessons a couple years back to learn how to sing properly so as to not hurt my voice. I took a couple weeks but I found I was thinking about it too much, when I’m singing I rather just let it flow rather than analyzing it. I did get some good warm up techniques out of it though.

“Ten of Swords”, new song from the upcoming album has been posted on your MySpace page, what is it about, any concept or story behind it?

The “Ten of Swords” is the grimmest card in the tarot deck, it’s about hitting rock bottom but picking yourself back up and living your life even in the face of obstacles.

What is your favourite tune from the new album??

“Twilight Fires”, it’s a song about the night, it has great atmosphere.

Is it hard to be the only female on band full of males?

Not really, I’m sort of a tomboy, I get along really well with guys besides at the end of the day, humans are humans regardless of gender.

What kind of music do you listen yourself and how often?

Metal, Rock, Jazz, Country, Electronica, Classical, Middle Eastern, whatever! Pretty much almost anything. I like to keep an open mind.

Who are your biggest influences?

I don’t have any in particular, I’ve been influenced by every kind of music I’ve been in contact with.

What are your plans for the future?

Become a mad scientist, invent something, live on my yacht in the mediterranean and have a party every night! You’re all invited!

Are you planning or having any side-projects?

At the moment no, I don’t have the time. Perhaps in the future.

The final question, there are tons of female fronted bands out there, how do you keep unique?

By combining elements not commonly used together and by avoiding generic sounds typically used in the genre.

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Interview : Chelsea Pisano & Brandon Iajecznyk – Embracing Soul

Interview by Lindz Riot

 So many forms for femme metal exist, the most common being in symphonic or heavy metal. But what about straight up metal that just rocks? I’ve been searching high and low and when out at a local show recently I found Canadian rockers Embracing Soul. Fronted by singer Chelsea Pisano and guitarist Brandon Iajecznyk, though this band may be young, they bring the energy and the old school spirit of a metal/rock infusion. Also, it’s just fun and a guilty pleasure to dip back into music that heals and fuels teen angst. Of which, this band brings forth that feeling well and honestly, especially in their recent EP “Shadow”. I (Lindz Riot) was able to catch up with this local act to ask them what Embracing Soul is all about and how it works for them at such an early stage in their musical lives.

Hey guys! I want to thank you both for joining us here at Femme Metal for this interview. First off please tell me about how Embracing Soul came to be?

Thanks for this opportunity! Well, Brandon and I met in 2007 at our high school. Brandon was already in a band playing metal that sounded kind of like Trivium and As I Lay Dying. They broke up at the end of 2008, he joined another band, and we decided to create a side project. We created it because we had all these ideas of what we wanted new metal to sound like. Also because Brandon‘s current band was very progressive and he had ideas that didn’t fit into that genre. A bit after we started writing and recording, we recruited a bassist and our guitarist Tom. Brandon was our drummer. Now, we still fight with member changes, and I’ve taken on the role of bassist, but we’ve found steady ground.

Sounds like quite the switch up, but glad to hear its working for you guys now. How would you describe Embracing Souls sound?

We’ve been trying to figure that out! hahaha. So many people tell us different things like our riffs sound like Pantera or Death, our vocals sound like a collaboration between Evanescence and Opeth, and our music sounds like a mix of death metal and melodic metal.

Brandon: It ends up just being a thing that we make, and it sounds cool and we like it.

Chelsea: I just go with ‘gothic, rock/metal’ and hope that works.

You’ve released your first LP “Shadow”, how has the response been?

We always sell more at each show, so it’s going well! It was finished January 2010 so we look at it now and knowing so much more about recording, we’re not as pleased, but we still love all the songs just as much.

So this release was a self-produced effort?

Yes. We produced it, we got the copies made up, and we distribute it at shows. Slow paced, but we have big plans for our next one.

Well congrats! That takes a ton of time and effort. And how have people responded to your live show?

We’ve noticed we get a really good response from the crowd at our shows. We don’t bring a room full of people, but normally once we start playing, the room fills out and the crowd thickens. People have a good time and they tell us afterwards, so we’re happy about it.

From your experience so far how do you feel about the Toronto hard rock and heavy metal scene?

Brandon: It’s terrible.

Chelsea: There’s a lot of good talent in Toronto, our only problem is that we play shows with the wrong group of metal heads. We’ve ended up playing a lot of death core shows and that’s not who we are at all, but that’s the main genre out in Toronto now. The people out here don’t seem to like it live as much if they can’t mosh the entire time or if a whole song isn’t only growling

It is quite a mash up, at least we have good bands tour through, but you are definitely right about local show grouping. With the strong underground Femme Metal movement, do you feel things would be different for Embracing Soul if you were relocated in Europe?

I think we would get a lot more recognition. Even looking at our list of Facebook fans, the more dedicated fans are from European countries. The arts scene and appreciation for women and music, no matter the genre, is also a lot greater there. I think it would be fun to tour there lol

Amen to that! So briefly tell us about your musical training and backgrounds?

Brandon: HA! None. I taught myself guitar and basically everything I know about song writing. I just screw around until it sounds good.

Chelsea: I’ve never taken vocal lessons and I learned all I know about guitar and writing musical compositions from Brandon and I learned bass on my own. Neither of us have taken lessons for anything, nor even have taken music in school. Well, I don’t think the year of Clarinet helped Brandon in high school…

Brandon: No… not at all lol

That certainly is impressive guys. K next question: Top 10 most influential bands for both of you! GO!

Evanescence, Opeth, Korn, Godsmack, Disturbed, Tool, Slayer, In Flames, Trivium, Epica.

Wicked. If you could play with any three bands, who would they be?

Korn, Evanescence and Disturbed.

Outside of the band, what do you guys do in your daily life?

The band is our daily life! Well, not all the time, but when we do break, it’s for school and video games. We do spend a lot of our time just jamming, writing and recording though. It’s what we find fun and what we’re studying in school anyway.

What is it that you two study in school anyways?

Chelsea: I am studying Entertainment Management. This is basically for managing bands or artists, getting to know all the legal aspects of the industry and all the right ways to get bands higher up in the music industry.

Brandon: I study Audio Engineering. Basically I want to record bands in the studio.

You guys seriously sound like a super team of which any band would be jealous of, or well, wish to have. So with all of this being said, what does the future hold for Embracing Soul? Can we expect to hear some new music soon? Any other big plans?

We are currently taking a writing break. With all the stress involved with school, we don’t really have time to practice too much, but we’re always writing. We’ve already started on some new recordings actually. These will just be promotional copies until we get into the studio (which we plan on doing after school). Our song writing is constantly improving, so the songs we’re currently working on, we’re very excited about. So yes, there is a lot to come from Embracing Soul in the next year! We’re looking forward to it.

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