The official Frontiers Softcock Shit thread

[Lowdz]

Screw It was a couple of curse words away from being a Steel Panther album.

But, it's still a great glam album.

SP didn't have to look far for their "inspiration! 

[BlobVanDam]

Screw It was a couple of curse words away from being a Steel Panther album.

But, it's still a great glam album.

What do you mean "but"? That lyrical content is what makes a good glam album!

[wolfking]

From melodicrock.com

A fourth Allen / Lande album is now being written for release in 2014 - but the mastermind behind the original trilogy of releases - Magnus Karlsson - has passed on the baton to Timo Tolki to write and produce the next album.

Confirmed.    This is a travesty.

[Bolsters]

Yeah, I don't have high hopes for that album now. I honestly can't remember the last time Tolkki made something that I actually enjoyed, it's been a while.

[wolfking]

Yeah, I don't have high hopes for that album now. I honestly can't remember the last time Tolkki made something that I actually enjoyed, it's been a while.

I liked the first RR album, that was pretty damn solid, even if it was incredibly simple and generic.  The other two were pretty crap and Symfonia was a trainwreck, and not to mention Avalon which was probably the worst new release of 2013.  Also on melodicrock it says he is in the studio already doing the second Avalon album.

[Bolsters]

I liked the first RR album, that was pretty damn solid, even if it was incredibly simple and generic.  The other two were pretty crap and Symfonia was a trainwreck, and not to mention Avalon which was probably the worst new release of 2013.  Also on melodicrock it says he is in the studio already doing the second Avalon album.

I never warmed up to that first RR album, and I didn't even bother with either of the other two. I agree with you on Symphonia and Avalon though.

I'll most likely keep listening to whatever he puts out and give it a chance, I just don't have any real expectations anymore.

[wolfking]

I liked the first RR album, that was pretty damn solid, even if it was incredibly simple and generic.  The other two were pretty crap and Symfonia was a trainwreck, and not to mention Avalon which was probably the worst new release of 2013.  Also on melodicrock it says he is in the studio already doing the second Avalon album.

I never warmed up to that first RR album, and I didn't even bother with either of the other two. I agree with you on Symphonia and Avalon though.

I'll most likely keep listening to whatever he puts out and give it a chance, I just don't have any real expectations anymore.

That's pretty much what I think too.  I just don't see what he could possibly do for Allen/Lande 4.  I wonder if Magnus just passed on it cause he's busy with Primal Fear, or if Frontiers wanted Tolkki to do it.

[jingle.boy]

Yeah, this is not good news for Allen/Lande.  I think we're all in the same boat... we'll give it a shot, but there's no optimism at all.  We know that Jorn's talent alone can't compensate for bad writing.  The opening RR trilogy isn't awful, but I'm not compelled to spin it on any regular basis.  Haven't even heard the last 2.

[Lowdz]

It's going to suck. Double bass drums at 1000mph constantly, simple riffs. Cheesy melodies. Not even these two mighty voices can save it from TT.

[bl5150]

So classic power metal then 

[Lowdz]

So classic power metal then 

Yeah, if not done well. There's plenty of good power metal, and TT was responsible for some of it. Not recently though.

[jjrock88]

I'm not really familiar with Tolkki. Is he just a ham n egger? No matter what, I'm looking forward to the 4th release and with Allen/Lande together, I can't see it being a poor album no matter what.

[jingle.boy]

I'm not really familiar with Tolkki. Is he just a ham n egger? No matter what, I'm looking forward to the 4th release and with Allen/Lande together, I can't see it being a poor album no matter what.

On that, you are wrong.  TT was the primary writer in Stratovarious.  He hasn't written anything decent in quite some time.  His 'Avalon' rock opera this year was my disappointment of the year.  With vocalists like Allen, Elize Ryd, Rob Rock, Sharon den Adel, Simone Simons, and Kiske, you'd think it would be a sure-fire home run.

Nope, turd-of-the-year.

[jjrock88]

Yikes!!

Stratovarious was hit or miss for me

[Lowdz]

I'd say he was a ham n egg-er really. His good stuff with Starto was fairly standard stuff. Some diamonds among the rough certainly. Many better bands out there. He was helped by Kotipelto being a great singer. In fact I enjoy the Kotipelto albums as good as any Stratovarius albums.

[wolfking]

I'd say he was a ham n egg-er really. His good stuff with Starto was fairly standard stuff. Some diamonds among the rough certainly. Many better bands out there. He was helped by Kotipelto being a great singer. In fact I enjoy the Kotipelto albums as good as any Stratovarius albums.

I'm a huge Strato fan, but pretty much this.  The first two Kotipelto albums were amazing.

Stratovarius were great with Episode, Infinite, Visions, Destiny and Elements Pt1.  Even the old stuff like Twilight Time was pretty awesome.  The last two albums Tolkki did with Strato was the start of his song writing decline.  Strato always used a formula which worked and was definitely helped by excellent musicians, but nothing he has ever done would come close to the scope of songwriting that Karlsson does with these vocalists.  Karlsson has made Allen/Lande a more melodic rock even AOR project showing a nice different side of these two vocalists, and simply just writing amazing songs again and again. 

Listen to Allen on any song Karlsson has written for him and then listen to Allen on Avalon, it's night and day.  I really don't know what Frontiers are thinking handing this project over.  I don't see why Karlsson wouldn't want to do another album with them to be honest, and while the Showdown is the weakest out of the three, it's still better than anything Tolkki has put together since 2003.  It would be interesting to see what Rus and Jorn think about it too, and their reactions when they get sent the material from Tolkki.  I don't see why they wouldn't want to work with Karlsson again either after three albums.  I think this is going to be a disaster.

[wolfking]

Just got this and have had a listen through;



Pretty solid, but the songs on first listen sort of blended together.  It sounds quite different to previous efforts too.  I wish they re-recorded a version of Time To Breathe with this new bloke and put it on there.  Has potential with more listens too.

[Lowdz]

Just got this and have had a listen through;



Pretty solid, but the songs on first listen sort of blended together.  It sounds quite different to previous efforts too.  I wish they re-recorded a version of Time To Breathe with this new bloke and put it on there.  Has potential with more listens too.

Yeah, I enjoyed it while I was listening but not very memorable after.

[bl5150]

Yeah, I enjoyed it while I was listening but not very memorable after.

Ditto - the new guy can sing but (whatever you think of the old guy) they're missing the disctinctive snarling vocal of the old stuff IMO.   This just blends in with everyone else I find and is also a few tracks too long.

Solid album but I agree it's not something you rush back to for repeat listens

[jjrock88]

Great jugs on the album cover

[jingle.boy]

Yeah, I enjoyed it while I was listening but not very memorable after.

I thought that too, so decided to spin it again today.  It's leaving a very nice impression on me.

[wolfking]

I'm gonna give it quite a few spins, I think it has potential.

[bl5150]

If you have a spare 10-15k to throw around then there's some very nice Europe guitars for sale celebrating their 30th ann here:

https://www.stadsauktion.se/auktion/sok/?u=0&sok=europe



Some bad news for me - looks like I might have to miss Paul Laine gig (the only one in sight I really want to see) due to a parent going into hospital that day.......minor procedure but still...................who knows, maybe I can still swing it        

And in a totally underwhelming development I have bought a couple of Bon Jovi tix (slashed from $150+ to $35........which is about the max I'd pay.) - gives me something to do on a Sunday.    I saw them on the New Jersey tour (my first gig) when they meant something to me but these days    I really couldn't care less.   Anyway - the missus (target audience) likes them so what the hell. 

[TAC]

New Jersey is a great album. I also saw them many times in the 80's including their first tour in 1984 opening for Scorpions.

[Lowdz]

New Jersey is a great album. I also saw them many times in the 80's including their first tour in 1984 opening for Scorpions.

First 4 BJ albums are great (though 7800f's production is shite). New Jersey made my top 50. Wild horses and free tickets couldn't get me to a Jon Bon Jovi show these days (geddit?  ). Soulless, Countrified, Coldplay-field old man's music. I used to rate Richie, his first solo album was classic, but his next two are total crap.

[wolfking]

I never liked any Bon Jovi at all.

[bl5150]

New Jersey is a great album. I also saw them many times in the 80's including their first tour in 1984 opening for Scorpions.

First 4 BJ albums are great (though 7800f's production is shite). New Jersey made my top 50. Wild horses and free tickets couldn't get me to a Jon Bon Jovi show these days (geddit?  ). Soulless, Countrified, Coldplay-field old man's music. I used to rate Richie, his first solo album was classic, but his next two are total crap.

You don't even get Richie at the moment - I actually think going along is really going to irritate me but , truth be told , it's with the other half in mind.    I like the first 4 too and perhaps Dry County off the next and I think maybe one track from the rest of their career I find listenable   (Last Man STanding - it has something resembling a riff ).   if I was of your vintage wolfking - quite  a bit younger - I doubt I'd like em at all either.  You had to be there 

[Lowdz]

New Jersey is a great album. I also saw them many times in the 80's including their first tour in 1984 opening for Scorpions.

First 4 BJ albums are great (though 7800f's production is shite). New Jersey made my top 50. Wild horses and free tickets couldn't get me to a Jon Bon Jovi show these days (geddit?  ). Soulless, Countrified, Coldplay-field old man's music. I used to rate Richie, his first solo album was classic, but his next two are total crap.

You don't even get Richie at the moment - I actually think going along is really going to irritate me but , truth be told , it's with the other half in mind.    I like the first 4 too and perhaps Dry County off the next and I think maybe one track from the rest of their career I find listenable   (Last Man STanding - it has something resembling a riff ).   if I was of your vintage wolfking - quite  a bit younger - I doubt I'd like em at all either.  You had to be there 

Dry County could be the best song they ever wrote. I actually like the Have A Nice day album but that was rare after the big 4. The rot started with Keep The faith. I first saw them supporting KISS in 84 (I think) and saw them several times up to the early 90s.
Yeah I realise  Richie isn't there- it is just the JBJ show now. As soon as a rock band needs half a dozen extra musicians on stage (and off) it's game over.
We all have to do these things for our other halves. I've had to go and see Pink, Beverley Knight, Steve Harley... so even JBJ is better than that.

[bl5150]

Correct    Pink is  bigger than anyone out here.  She can sell out dozens of stadium shows on a tour and to be fair (chalk this one up for any modern pop artist) she does have some vocal chops.  She'd do so much better for herself if she put them to good use singing melodic metal      

Now I come to think of it when I saw Jovi in '89 they were supported by Roxus - good gig.

I don't know if I'm being fair to him but after seeing an on the road doco about Bon Jovi I couldn't stand the guy either - up himself would be an understatement.   Theoretically it shouldn't make any difference whether the artist is a dickhead to your enjoyment of the performance but with him it just might make it even more annoying - a bit like going to see a Tom Cruise/Mel Gibson movie these days .......I can't help but feel it's not the same 

[wolfking]

Who the hell is playing guitar for him now anyway, someone we know?

[bl5150]

Who the hell is playing guitar for him now anyway, someone we know?

Phil X I think  - session guitarist and the go-to man whenever they've needed to replace Sambora.  He also played on Edge of Excess when Rik Emmett was out of Triumph.

[jingle.boy]

Who the hell is playing guitar for him now anyway, someone we know?

Phil X I think  - session guitarist and the go-to man whenever they've needed to replace Sambora.  He also played on Edge of Excess when Rik Emmett was out of Triumph.

Which is a pretty decent album.

[gazinwales]

Correct    Pink is  bigger than anyone out here.  She can sell out dozens of stadium shows on a tour and to be fair (chalk this one up for any modern pop artist) she does have some vocal chops.  She'd do so much better for herself if she put them to good use singing melodic metal      

Now I come to think of it when I saw Jovi in '89 they were supported by Roxus - good gig.

I don't know if I'm being fair to him but after seeing an on the road doco about Bon Jovi I couldn't stand the guy either - up himself would be an understatement.   Theoretically it shouldn't make any difference whether the artist is a dickhead to your enjoyment of the performance but with him it just might make it even more annoying - a bit like going to see a Tom Cruise/Mel Gibson movie these days .......I can't help but feel it's not the same 

I dunno about that, from what I've seen, donating time and money to various charities and more recent giving away a fan at a wedding, he seems okay to me.
For $35 I might go along to see him, even without the real  'unknown' star Richie.

[jingle.boy]

“A Life To Die For” officially came out throughout entire Europe today. Don´t forget – the amount of digipack versions (CD + DVD) is limited, so hurry up!

To mark the release day we decided to entertain you a little with a lyric video for the radio version of the title track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97KICGmPzmI

Me likey.  Everything you'd expect from Royal Hunt with DC on the vocals.

[Lowdz]

“A Life To Die For” officially came out throughout entire Europe today. Don´t forget – the amount of digipack versions (CD + DVD) is limited, so hurry up!

To mark the release day we decided to entertain you a little with a lyric video for the radio version of the title track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97KICGmPzmI

Me likey.  Everything you'd expect from Royal Hunt with DC on the vocals.

Listening to the album now on Spotify and it's very good. I don't love the vocals. I really miss John West. DC isn't bad, just lacks the power of JW.