James Byrd - Byrd's Bolero No.46 Mvt.3 now on youtube

Dean Guitar issue Chris Impelliteri signature model

Not the look we'd expect but nonetheless nice to see a company finally giving Chris a signature model.

All the info at http://www.deanguitars.com/impellitteri_signature.php

James Byrd in Frank Marino tribute

Arguably the genre's finest player James Byrd has made available the track 'The World Anthem' which saw him cover the Mahogany Rush classic - first rate playing as ever from Byrd.

Mistheria returns with all star lineup

Six years on from his last studio album ‘Messenger Of The Gods’ keyboard virtuoso Mistheria is hard at work with the recording of his new 11 track neo-classical / progressive metal album entitled ‘Dragon Fire’ set for release in the second half of 2010 (tbc).

Mistheria, the keyboardist of choice for Bruce Dickinson on the ‘Tyranny Of Souls’ album, has pulled in a number of great names for 'Dragon's Fire' in vocalists John West (Artension/ex Royal Hunt), Mark Boals (ex Malmsteen), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Lance King, and Titta Tani (Astra). Guitars come courtesy of George Bellas (Ring Of Fire, Mogg/Way), Roger Staffelbach (Artension/Angel Of Eden)),Neil Zaza and Emir Hot. The rhythm section comprises of drummer John Macaluso (ARK) and bassistDino Fiorenza.

Some working track titles for the album include ‘Fire & Flames’, ‘Killing The Pain’, ‘The Power Of One’ and‘Chopin Fantasy’ with the rough demos already showing this will be an essential release for fans of early Artension, classic Malmsteen and Symphony X.

Last week George Bellas recorded all his guitars and John Macaluso is currently in the process of tracking his drums and has just checked in with the following, "I just did half the tracks for Mistheria's album and it came out amazing! Over the top with heavy groove and orchestrated kicks everywhere. I've got a really fat drum sound, its like Bonham playing double bass in an orchestra. You will dig it I think!".

More updates on the progress of ‘Dragon Fire’ to follow soon.

Web Links

www.mistheria.com

www.myspace.com/mistheria

George Bellas - new album coming in July

GEORGE BELLAS NEW ALBUM IN JULY

In the beginning there was nothing... And then there was light! The Dawn Of Time Fifteen billion years later George Bellas presents to you an epic collection of instrumental songs inspired by the universe, how it was created, and from where and what it came from. The material on this album is a stylistically diverse collection of shorter 3-5 minute songs with a total running time of 80 minutes. Some of the songs are in a complex progressive style, and others are in a more traditional neoclassical style. An extreme amount of attention went towards obtaining the highest quality sound for each instrument. The guitar, bass, drums and keyboards all sound clear, open, dynamic and very organic. And once again, Marco Minnemann recorded some absolutely phenomenal drum performances. "The Dawn Of Time" will be released July 16, 2010 on Lion Music.