Rush: "Clockwork Angels" Gets Japanese Release Date In May

According to Amazon.co.jp and HMV.co.jp, Rush's long-awaited new album,"Clockwork Angels", will be released in Japan on May 23 via Warner Music. The band started work on the follow-up to 2007's "Snakes & Arrows" in late 2009 with the production team of Nick Raskulinecz and engineer Richard Chycki.

Two songs from "Clockwork Angels" that were previously digitally released,"BU2B" and "Caravan", were reportedly re-recorded for the forthcoming CD due to a record label change in the middle of the making of the album. 

As previously reported, "Clockwork Angels" is being turned into a novel by Colorado-based sci-fi author Kevin J. Anderson, who wrote on Facebook, "Most of you are aware of my long-standing friendship with (RUSH drummer)Neil Peart . . . For more than twenty years, Neil and I have wanted to collaborate on something MAJOR, a way we could tie together our imaginations, and at last that's happening. I'm writing the novelization of Rush's forthcoming album, 'Clockwork Angels'."

Anderson added that he worked with Peart to "flesh out the epic story told over the course of the music," which involves "lost cities, pirates, anarchists, exotic carnivals, and a rigid Watchmaker who imposes precision on every aspect of daily life." More details will be coming.

Note: Artwork above is not the official "Clockwork Angels" cover.

Bon Jovi: "Access All Areas"; Complete 90 Minute Film

Bon Jovi "Access All Areas" is a 90 minute film with concert and doucumentary footage from the 1989/90 tour. It includes lots of music from both the "Slippery When Wet" and "New Jersey" albums.

This film shows you how grueling the New Jersey tour was, and does a pretty good job of keeping it together for you. If you're looking for well produced audience-perspective performances then this is not for you. This is all about what happens off the stage. Its all the about the band and the crew that made it happen - why they took a hiatus afterward, and why they were never quite the same band again. I highly recommend this, although I'd prefer it on DVD if it was available. For serious fans and people wondering what it was like to tour as an 80's hair band, it doesn't get much better (or real) than this.

Deep Purple: "Machine Head"; Classic Albums Complete Feature

"Machine Head" was released on March 1^st, 1972 – 40 years ago! The album was their sixth studio album and is simply one of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Below you can watch the entire Classic Albums feature (upper) on the making of "Machine Head". If the video don`t work in your area, try this location.

Also watch the brief documentary (lower) piece featuring Jon Lord, Ian Gillan, Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Paice and Roger Glover gives an overall summary of the events surrounding the recording of 'Machine Head' in December 1971 following the Casino fire of 4th December.

The recording according to Ritchie Blackmore:

"We had the Rolling Stones' mobile recording unit sitting outside in the snow, but to get there we had to run cable through two doors in the corridor into a room, through a bathroom and into another room, from which it went across a bed and out the veranda window, then ran along the balcony for about 100 feet and came back in through another bedroom window. It then went through that room's bathroom and into another corridor, then all the way down a marble staircase to the foyer reception area of the hotel, out the front door, across the courtyard and up the steps into the back of the mobile unit. I think that setup led to capturing some spontaneity, because once we got to the truck for a playback, even if we didn’t think it was a perfect take, we’d go, 'Yeah, that’s good enough.' Because we just couldn’t stand going back again."

2012 will see a series of special events and recordings celebrating this milestone in rock - stay tuned!

Ace Frehley: Ready For Another KISS Reunion?

Ace Frehley was interviewed for the new issue of "Rock Hard" magazine in Germany to promote the German release of his autobiography. He mentions, that in the fine and healthy condition he is these days he wouldn't have a problem working with Gene and Paul again. He seems to regret that it is probably too late, but he also said to wait and see what the future holds...

Europe: "Not Supposed To Sing The Blues"; Digital Single Out in March; "Bag of Bones" Track List Revealed

**UPDATE** Video available!


"Not Supposed To Sing The Blues", the new single from Swedish hard rockers Europe, will be released digitally on March 9th. The song comes off the band's ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", due on April 27th viaearMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa , was produced by Kevin Shirley.

Commented Europe frontman Joey Tempest: "Kevin Shirley did such a great job capturing the spirit of this band. He just let us do our thing and then pushed us and our songs to the max. Finally we express ourselves completely without restraint. Straight from heart and soul. It took some time but we have arrived!"

Added Europe guitar virtuoso John Norum: "Why drive VW beetle when you can drive a Rolls Royce?! 'Bag Of Bones' is a classic rock album with lots of class. Even my mom likes it!"

"Bag Of Bones" track listing:

01. Riches To Rags
02. Not Supposed To Sing The Blues
03. Firebox
04. Bag Of Bones
05. Requiem
06. My Woman My Friend
07. Demon Head
08. Drink And A Smile
09. Doghouse
10. Mercy You Mercy Me
11. Bring It All Home