Tag Archives: Biff Byford

Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine Reveal RONNIE JAMES DIO “Rainbow In The Dark” Cover Track – Featuring Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci & Jason Christopher‏

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Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine Reveal RONNIE JAMES DIO “Rainbow In The Dark” Cover Track –

Featuring Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci & Jason Christopher

 

Grab this Track and More — Get the RONNIE JAMES DIO “This Is Your Life” Compilation – Pre-Order via iTunes

 

Win an ASG Series Dio Guitar from GuitarWorld.com!

 

This Is Your Life is the #1 Hard Rock/Metal Album // Top 10 Overall on Amazon!

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Album Artwork by Mark Sasso

his Is Your Life Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Ronnie James Dio With Renditions of his Greatest Songs from Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio

Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino

 

 

Dual premiere alert! Today, Revolver Magazine and Guitar World Magazine have partnered up to reveal a stellar rendition of ‘Rainbow In The Dark’, performed by Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, and Jason Christopher. The track appears on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute compilation This Is Your Life, available April 1, 2014 via Rhino in physical and digital versions. Take a listen now at Revolvermag.com or GuitarWorld.com!

While visiting GuitarWorld.com, make sure to enter to win an awesome ASG Dio Vision Guitar! The guitar features a solid basswood body and set neck, a rosewood fingerboard, Mother of Pearl inlays, and more. View a full description at ArtistSeriesGuitar.com, and enter to win via GuitarWorld.com now.

Don’t be the last in line – reserve your digital copy now via iTunes here, or physical via Amazon here. As a bonus with your iTunes pre-order, you’ll get a free, instant download of Motörhead and Biff Byford of Saxon’s rendition of Rainbow’s ‘Starstruck’. In addition, all digital versions of This Is Your Life, will include a newly recorded version of Black Sabbath’s ‘Buried Alive’ re-imagined by Jasta, the side project of Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta. This track will be exclusively available on the digital versions.

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Local to New York City? Duff’s Brooklyn is hosting the official This Is Your Life east coast listening and release party this Saturday, March 29th at 10:00PM. The event is free and you must be 21+ to attend. Duff’s Brooklyn is located at 168 Marcy Ave. in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.

In other Dio event news – on March 17th, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund hosted its 3rd annual Awards Gala at the Avalon nightclub in Hollywood, CA, and raised in excess of $90,000 for cancer research and education. Thank you to all who attended and donated! The event included all-star performances from Halestorm, Oni Logan, Rowan Robertson, Jimmy Bain, Brian Tichy, Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob), Tim “Ripper” Owens, Craig Goldy, Bjorn Englen, Simon Wright, Scott Warren, Corey Taylor, Christian Martucci, Scott Ian, Duff McKagan, Jason Christopher, Roy Mayorga, and more – and awards were presented to distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund’s important work. The red carpet was star-studded, with appearances from Rob Halford, Pearl Aday, Vinny Appice, Mark Boals, Ann Boleyn, Dewey Bragg (Kill Devil Hill), Maxwell Carlisle, Mikey Doling (SNOT), Lita Ford, Jeff George, Rita Haney (Dimebags Hag), Kathryn Hanneman (Jeff’s/Slayer widow), Nik Kai, Sin Quirin, Jack Russell (Great White), Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Vext (SNOT), Mark Zavon (Kill Devil Hill), and more.

 

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This Is Your Life is a tribute album created to raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund(www.diocancerfund.org), which features an all-star group of his friends and fans performing 13 of their favorite Ronnie James Diotracks. The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention, and was co-founded by Dio’s longtime manager and wife, Wendy Dio. 100% of the monies received from this album by the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund goes directly into cancer research.

Produced by Wendy Dio, widow of Ronnie James Dio and Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer FundPresident/Founder,  This Is Your Life includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Scorpions, Anthrax, Glenn Hughes and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years. See below for a full tracklisting, chock full of renditions by today’s most stellar classic, heavy metal and hard rock artists!

Ronnie James Dio This Is Your Life Track Listing:

  1. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
  2. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
  3. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
  4. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
  5. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
  6. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
  7. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
  8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
  9. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
  10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
  11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
  12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
  13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
  14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio

Digital Bonus Track: “Buried Alive” – Jasta*

* Previously unreleased

 

New RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life” Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend — Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino‏

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ew RONNIE JAMES DIO Covers Album “This Is Your Life”

Celebrates the Life and Legacy of a Legend

 

Available April 1, 2014 via Rhino

 

This Is Your Life Pays Tribute To The Late Singer With Covers Of

His Greatest Songs From Rainbow, Black Sabbath, And Dio

 

Features Newly Recorded Tracks From Anthrax, Halestorm, Rob Halford, Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions, Corey Taylor, And Tenacious D, Among Others

To Benefit The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund

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Ronnie James Dio is one of the most beloved figures in rock history. His gifts, both as a singer and songwriter, are instantly recognizable, whether he was with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, or leading Dio. Sadly, Dio lost his battle with stomach cancer in 2010, but his towering voice and legacy live on.

 

To celebrate one of rock’s most powerful voices, an all-star group of his friends and fans recorded 13 of their favorite tracks for a tribute album that will raise funds for the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (diocancerfund.org). Produced by his longtime manager and wife Wendy Dio, the album includes contributions by such metal heavyweights as Metallica, Motörhead, Scorpions,Anthrax, and Rob Halford, as well as appearances by many of the musicians who performed with Dio over the years.

 

This Is Your Life will be available from Rhino on April 1, 2014 for a suggested list price of $18.98. A digital version will also be available.

 

Although the songs featured on the album touch on the different eras of Dio’s career, several spotlight his time with Rainbow, including Metallica’s epic, nine-minute “Ronnie Rising Medley,” which combines the Rainbow songs “A Light In The Black,” “Tarot Woman,” “Stargazer,” and “Kill The King.” Scorpions add a scorching take on “The Temple Of The King” while Motörhead is joined by Biff Byford from Saxon on “Starstruck.” Rob Halford teams with frequent Dio collaborators Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, and Scott Warren for “The Man On The Silver Mountain.” The final line-up of Dio’s solo band – Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo and Scott Warren – are joined by Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) for “Catch The Rainbow,” a track from Rainbow’s 1975 debut.

 

Anthrax and Adrenaline Mob honor Dio’s memorable stint with Black Sabbath with their takes on “Neon Knights” and “The Mob Rules” respectively, as does a group, led by Oni Logan on vocals along with Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, and Brian Tichy, which performs “I” from Dehumanizer.

 

This Is Your Life also includes songs from Dio’s back-to-back platinum albums Holy Diver (1983) and The Last In Line (1984), withDoro’s take on “Egypt (The Chains Are On)”, Halestorm tackling “Straight Through The Heart,” Corey Taylor (Stone Sour,Slipknot) covering the classic “Rainbow In The Dark” and Tenacious D (Jack Black and Kyle Glass) putting their signature spin on “The Last In Line.” Killswitch Engage’s cover of “Holy Diver,” a hit in its own right when released in 2006, is also included here.

 

Fittingly, Ronnie James Dio provides the finale (and the album’s title) with his moving performance of “This Is Your Life.” Originally released on Angry Machines (1996), the song’s lyrics explore mortality and are backed by a stark and beautiful arrangement that features Dio accompanied only by his longtime keyboardist Scott Warren on piano. The song serves as a poignant reminder that we will never hear a voice like Dio’s again.

 

The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund, co-founded by Wendy Dio, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable fund dedicated to supporting cancer-prevention research, raising awareness and educating the public about the vital importance of early detection and prevention when dealing with this deadly disease.

 

 

RONNIE JAMES DIO: This Is Your Life Track Listing:

 

  1. “Neon Knights” – Anthrax*
  2. “The Last In Line” – Tenacious D*
  3. “The Mob Rules” – Adrenaline Mob
  4. “Rainbow In The Dark” – Corey Taylor, Roy Mayorga, Satchel, Christian Martucci, Jason Christopher*
  5. “Straight Through The Heart” – Halestorm*
  6. “Starstruck” – Motörhead with Biff Byford*
  7. “The Temple Of The King” – Scorpions*
  8. “Egypt (The Chains Are On)” – Doro
  9. “Holy Diver” – Killswitch Engage
  10. “Catch The Rainbow” – Glenn Hughes, Simon Wright, Craig Goldy, Rudy Sarzo, Scott Warren*
  11. “I” – Oni Logan, Jimmy Bain, Rowan Robertson, Brian Tichy*
  12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” – Rob Halford, Vinny Appice, Doug Aldrich, Jeff Pilson, Scott Warren*
  13. “Ronnie Rising Medley (Featuring A Light In The Black, Tarot Woman, Stargazer, Kill The King)” – Metallica*
  14. “This Is Your Life” – Dio

 

* Previously unreleased

1979, Saxon, and me

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It was summer of 1979 and I was an impressionable youth. Music was my best friend, music got me through the tough times. I used to hang out at the local record store pouring through the vinyl looking for new music and bands that would fill my ears and mind. I came across a record in the import section and the cover immediately grabbed my attention. A warrior with a bloody sword and shield, the band was called Saxon. I didn’t have enough money to buy it right out but I remember asking the guy there if I could give him a couple of bucks to hold it for me. I came up with the rest of the cash a few days later and ran home with my prize.

The music was powerful, loud, and glorious. Songs like   “Big Teaser”, “Judgement Day”, “Stallions of the Highway”, and “Militia Guard” called to me. I knew then Saxon was destined for greatness and would be one of my favorite bands.

Saxon and their music carried me through the years giving us anthems to raise our fist high and shot at the top of our lungs. “Strong Arm Of The Law”, “Denim And Leather”, and many more.

Saxon never charted here in the US but there were plenty of us listening to them and we still do.

“Denim And Leather”

Where were you in ’79 when the dam began to burst?
Did you check us out down at the local show?
Were you wearing denim, wearing leather?
Did you run down to the front?
Did you queue for your ticket through the ice and snow?

Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free
Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free

Did you read the music paper from the back and to the front?
Did you find out where to see your favorite band?
Did you listen to the radio every Friday night?
Did you hang around your local record store? Sing it

Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free
Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free
C’mon

It was you, you, you, you that set the spirit free
It was you, you, you, you that put us here today
It was you, you, you, you that filled the concert halls
It was you, you, you, you that set the spirit free

Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free
Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free

Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free
Denim and leather brought us all together
It was you that set the spirit free

It was you that set the spirit free
It was you that set the spirit free
It’s you, you, you, you

           I was there in ’79 wearing Denim and Leather, and I’m still here today and still wearing Denim and Leather. Thank you Saxon, thank you for helping us to set our spirits free.

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     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s SAXON!!!

     -the Hellion

 

 

British Heavy Metal Legends SAXON Unleash Brand New “Unplugged and Strung Up” Album Teaser with Interview Footage

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British Heavy Metal Legends SAXON Unleash Brand New “Unplugged and Strung Up” Album Teaser with Interview Footage

 

New Album of Alternative Takes on Classic Favorites Hits Stores on November 25, 2013

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British heavy metal legends SAXON and UDR Music are pleased to reveal a brand new Unplugged and Strung Up album teaser, which also includes snippets of interviews with vocalist Biff Byford. Check out the exclusive new video via UDR Music’s YouTube page here: 

 

Unplugged and Strung Up hits stores in the US on Monday, November 25th due to the holiday week, via UDR Music.

 

With Unplugged and Strung Up, SAXON introduces a carefully selected collection of unique, fresh and adventurous interpretations of material previously heard only with raw heavy metal thunder, the point is triumphantly underscored.

 

Unplugged and Strung Up reveals layers and pieces previously dormant in many of the 14 classic SAXON songs chosen for this makeover, thanks to some ear-catching new arrangements and mixes. Recorded, mixed and mastered with Andy Sneap in Derbyshire, UK earlier this year, Biff and co. re-evaluated, re-worked and re-energized the towering likes of ‘The Eagle Has Landed’ and ‘Crusader’ by introducing orchestral dynamics to offer added dimension. ‘Frozen Rainbow’ from the band’s 1979 debut, gets a stunning acoustic reprisal which transports it into a power ballad to be proud of, whilst ‘Red Star Falling’ soars and sweeps the emotions with its orchestrally-arranged dovetail.

 

As if this reinvention wasn’t enough, SAXON superfans and collectors can purchase a digipack version of the release which will include 2002’s storming set of full-volume, pedal-to-the-metal re-recorded hits Heavy Metal Thunder. Featuring staple SAXON stormers such as ‘Motorcycle Man’, ‘Strong Arm of the Law’ and ‘Dallas 1pm’, it is a quintessential part of any collection. Order your copy of the digipack version here via Amazon.

 

 

The full-track listing for Unplugged and Strung Up is as follows:

01 Stallions Of The Highway (Remix)

02 Crusader (Orchestrated Version)

03 Battle Cry

04 The Eagle Has Landed (Orchestrated Version)

05 Red Star Falling (Orchestrated Version)

06 Broken Heroes (Orchestrated Version)

07 Call To Arms (Orchestrated Version)

08 Militia Guard

09 Forever Free (Re-recorded Version)

10 Just Let Me Rock (Re-recorded Version)

11 Frozen Rainbow (Acoustic Version)

12 Iron Wheels (Live Acoustic Version)

13 Requiem (Acoustic Version)

14 Coming Home (Acoustic Version)

 

The full track-listing for Heavy Metal Thunder is as follows:

01 Heavy Metal Thunder

02 Strong Arm Of The Law

03 Power & The Glory

04 And The Bands Played On

05 Crusader

06 Dallas 1PM

07 Princess Of The Night

08 Wheels Of Steel

09 747 (Strangers In The Night)

10 Motorcycle Man

11 Never Surrender

12 Denim & Leather

13 Backs To The Wall

 

Formats:

– Limited Edition Digipack + Bonus Disc Heavy Metal Thunder

– CD Jewel Case

– Double Vinyl Gatefold LP

– Digital Download

– Exclusive D2C (Direct To Consumer) Package

 

 

For more information, please visit www.saxon747.com and www.udr-music.com.

 

 

Avantasia “The Mystery of Time” out now on Nuclear Blast‏

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AVANTASIA “THE MYSTERY OF TIME” OUT NOW IN NORTH AMERICA

New masterpiece from Tobias Sammet available on Nuclear Blast

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GERMANY – The Mystery of Time, the latest release from German composer and vocalist Tobias Sammet’s, Avantasia, is out now in North America on Nuclear Blast Records. Featuring a 60-piece-symphonic-orchestra, the German Filmorchestra Babelsberg (Rammstein, Celine Dion, Bryan Adams) and guest appearances by Biff Byford (Saxon), Michael Kiske (Unisonic, ex-Helloween), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Deep Purple), Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids), Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss, ex-Meat Loaf), Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Bob Catley (Magnum), Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) and more, The Mystery of Time can be purchased online through the Nuclear Blast web-store: http://smarturl.it/AvaMysTi and Amazon.com: http://smarturl.it/avmytiamz, or digitally via iTunes: http://bit.ly/avamotit.

 

While Sammet has sold more than 3 million discs worldwide, The Mystery of Time easily set Avantasia sales records when it released in Germany earlier this month; it sold more than twice as many copies as any previous Avantasia album in the first week of its release, while rocketing straight to #2 on the official German Mediacontrol album charts. The record also cracked the Top 10 in Finland, Sweden and England.

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1.) Spectres

2.) The Watchmakers’ Dream

3.) Black Orchid

4.) Where Clock Hands Freeze

5.) Sleepwalking

6.) Savior in the Clockwork

7.) Invoke the Machine

8.) What’s Left of Me

9.) Dweller in a Dream

10.) The Great Mystery

 

Check out the music video for “Sleepwalking” on YouTube at:http://smarturl.it/SleepwalkingVideo, as well as a lyric video for “Invoke the Machine” at:http://youtu.be/WfQEclxbQrs.

 

Stay tuned for more information on Avantasia and The Mystery of Time.

Avantasia online…

 

www.facebook.com/avantasia

www.nuclearblast.de/avantasia

www.tobiassammet.com

 

 

Additional Avantasia multimedia…

 

The Mystery of Time Album Trailer: http://youtu.be/JTq8Q94eLDk

The Mystery of Time Studio Reports: http://youtu.be/k8tFi-8zyUk

“Invoke the Machine” Lyric Video: http://youtu.be/WfQEclxbQrs

 

Tobias Sammet talks about his guests:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=OdsSoPjqYTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WdhVXZ20irc