WHEN: Gateshead Sage

WHERE: Wednesday, February 15
Right now, Steve Hackett’s stock is higher than it’s probably been since the early days of his solo career. Current album Beyond The Shrouded Horizon has got rave reviews. And demand to see him live is such that venues are selling out everywhere.

This time around, the live set will be basically the same as the one he played on his last UK tour, just before Christmas. However, there might be one or two differences.

“We have been doing about half the current album,” says Hackett. “But we might introduce some extra stuff from it as singles are released by the label. There are obviously songs from my past that people expect. For instance, I know Every Day, which was on the Spectral Mornings album, is very popular. Having Amanda Lehmann in the band is just great for this song, because she shadows me note for note during the guitar solo, so it sounds much more like the original version.”

Apart from Hackett and Lehmann, the band features Roger King (keyboards), Rob Townsend (brass/woodwind), Lee Pomeroy (bass) and Gary O’Toole (drums). Pomeroy has taken over from Nick Beggs.

“Nick was offered the chance to go out on tour with Steven Wilson. At the time, I was changing booking agents, so had no gigs lined-up. Therefore Nick took the job.”

Hackett is enjoying the touring experience at the moment, especially as it’s taking him to places he’s not played for a long time. And the man’s got no problems with so many of the gigs being back to back.

“I know a lot of people who sing would find it tough, but we have a number of vocalists in this band now, who take the pressure off me and it’s not as if I strain my throat by growling a lot.

“I love being onstage and seeing an audience really enjoying what I do. I don’t wear my glasses onstage, not do I have contact lenses, so I am virtually blind. But I swear I can see the whites of the fans’ eyes anyway. And if they are having fun, which they usually do, then it feedbacks and encourages me.”

Away from the stage, Hackett is working on a few projects. He has an album coming out with Yes bassist Chris Squire, under the project name of Squackett, and the pair are talking about doing dates around this. He’s also revisiting his Genesis heritage, recording selected songs for a new album.

“It’s the second time I’ve done this, and I hope to have a different singer on each track. I’d also like to do a live date around this album. And I am also starting to put together ideas for my next solo record. So, overall I am a very busy boy!”

After Gateshead, the rest of the dates in February are:

Thu. 16: Aberdeen Lemon Tree

Fri. 17: Edinburgh Queens Hall

Sat. 18: Holmfirth Picturedrome

Sun. 19: Buxton Opera House

Mon. 20: New Brighton Pavilion

Wed. 22: Southampton Brook

Thu. 23: Bath Komedia

Fri. 24: Leamington Spa Assembly

Sat. 25: Bilston Robin 2

Sun. 26: MIlton Keynes Stables

Mon. 27: Norwich UEA

Hackett is also playing special London show at the Islington Assembly Hall on Sunday, May 20. This is an aid of Childline Rocks.

Find out more at www.hackettsongs.com

Words: Malcolm Dome

So, the wait is over. A new Van Halen song. Tattoo (Interscope) is the new single, and it’s already divided opinion. Some love it, others hate. Personally, I feel it’s a complete let down. A highly disappointing and ultimately failed attempt to recapture the glory days of the Diamond Dave era. Let’s hope there’s much better to come from the album A Different Kind Of Truth. Oh, and doesn’t this unreleased song from 1977 remind you of Tattoo?

More were one of the NWOBHM era bands who never quite made the expected impact. They did feature one-time Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Mario Day on their 1981 debut Warhead (Rock Candy). Now reissued, if anything it’s got better with age. A real master blaster.

The late John Du Cann was always an underrated guitarist. His work with the equally undervalued Atomic Rooster in the early 1970s was highly impressive. The Many Sides Of: 1967-1980 (Angel Air) is a compilation is his work not just with the Rooster but before and after his stint with them. The likes of late 60s band Andromeda come across well, but it’s still the Atomic stuff that holds up best. Du Cann himself put this together just prior to his death.

The first Genesis album has always stuck out as being almost completely at odds with what was to come. The reissue of From Genesis To Revelation (Repertoire) does nothing to persuade you that it really should be taken seriously as a prog classic. Produced by Jonathan King and originally released in 1969, it comes across as an album from a band still finding their mark and direction. There are hints at what was to follow, but mostly it’s psychedelically tinged pop.

Crippled Black Phoenix are a band featuring musicians associated with Electric Wizard, Iron Monkey and Mogwai. But as they show on new album (Mankind) The Crafty Ape (Cool Green) they owe so much to the heritage of Pink Floyd. At time they stray across the line between influence and mimickry, but that rarely happens. Most of the time, this double CD offers intelligent, sophisticated yet accessible music that has a 1970s pulse, but definitely a contemporary spine.

Released at the end of last year, Imaginaerum (Nuclear Blast) is the most ambitious album yet from Nightwish. It has a sweeping, epic power, and the band haven’t been afraid to overload the senses. In a strange way, this is Abba but with everything turned up to beyond OTT.

Venom revert to a tried and trusted approach for Fallen Angels (Spinefarm). This is old school Venom and all the better for it. The riffs are dark, the songs are imaginative yet sparse and the overall impact is of a band proving they are still more than capable of living up to their stature as true metal pioneers.

Finally, Black Rain offer some convincing trash ‘n’ roll on Lethal Dose Of… (SPV). It’s hard to believe they’re French, because that country has no pedigree with this sort of music. But these Black boys really do swing with a Crue/Hanoi grip. They’re on tour in the UK next month. Check ’em out if this is to your lipsmackin’ taste.

It’s called Squackett – for obvious reasons – and their debut album is due out through Esoteric on May 28.

Talking Blog Talk Radio, guitarist Hackett said of the album: “There’ll be certain things on there that I think you’ll be hard-pressed to say this is a combination of guys that have come from Genesis and Yes. I think it’s bigger than that. We cast a wider net over all the genres”.

Titled From Genesis To Revelation, it will be put out by Repertoire on Janaury 23, and has been fully remastered.

Produced by Jonathan King, it features the line-up of:
Peter Gabriel – vocals

Anthony Phillips – guitar

Mike Rutherford – bass

Tony Banks – keyboards

John Silver – drums

Chris Stewart – drums (on the song Silent Sun)

Find out more at www.genesis-music.com

To celebrate this landmark, Eddie, Stone, Jeff, Matt, Mike and others take you through the 20 songs that built the band. Watch the trailer for the new Cameron Crowe doc Pearl Jam Twenty here: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/pearl-jam-twenty/trailer

Also in thjs packed issue:

Lou Reed/Metallica

“It’s not a party album.” Lou Reed and Metallica tell us all about their collaboration album, Lulu. Listen to the first taster here: http://soundcloud.com/loureedmetallica/the-view

Rod Stewart

Every Picture Tells A Story. The in-depth, eye-witness tale of Rod’s classic album that arrived by accident. Watch Rod’s classic TOTP Maggie May appearance here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcoWUt51zaU&feature=fvwrel

Sham 69

Too punk for punk? Too working-class for a fashion-led London media? As they prepare to re-form, frontman Jimmy Pursey and guitarist Dave Parsons look back. See Sham play Borstal Breakout at Reading 1978 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6utdlMvuD74&feature=related

Opeth

Goodbye death metal beginnings, hello new, metal-free album Heritage. We sneak a peek inside the Scandinavian progsters’ strange world and weird head-space. See their creey video for new track The Devil’s Orchard here: http://pitchfork.com/news/44090-video-opeth-the-devils-orchard/

The Answer

To celebrate the release of their third album, Classic Rock takes the Northern Irish boys for a night on the tiles in their hometown. You should hear the tales they told… See videos on the making of the album here: http://www.theanswer.ie/

Tony Iommi

Knife-carrying gang member, heavy metal pioneer, rock icon, classic-riff architect… Life has had its moments of both heaven and hell for the Black Sabbath guitarist. Watch CR’s Malcolm Dome interview him here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLoJ92y8Zk0

Jani Lane

He wanted to be more than ‘The Cherry Pie guy’. But alcohol, demons and ridicule led to his demise. Watch him talk about why he hates that song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1xpknCHCQ

The Dirt

Jeff Beck hints at teaming up with Robert Plant; Blackmore, Paice, Frampton, Schenker and Wylde among the guests on William ‘Captain Kirk’ Shatner’s new album of classic rock covers; Alan Lancaster and John Coghlan to rejoin Quo? Welcome back Lindsey Buckingham, Slim Chance and Girlschool…

The New Blues Rock Super-Duos

We speak to Beth Hart about her new album with Joe Bonamassa, and Susan Tedeschi about the Tedeschi Trucks Band (a collaboration with her husband and Allmans guitarist Derek Trucks):

Watch Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa being interviewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU3nwMRXxZg Hear them playing Tom Waits’ Chocolate Jesus at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TkitGRoGM8&feature=related

See the Tedeschi Trucks Band interviews here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-_EYXYR8RY. Watch them performing Midnight In Harlem here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7czlanjaObs&feature=related

Photo Pass

Brian May

“I had this image of Brian as this sort of ‘time lord of fruit’.” Patrice De Villiers recalls photographing the grapefruit-loving Queen guitarist at his home in Surrey.

The Stories Behind The Songs

Anthrax & Public Enemy

Between the paint-guns, the cross-dressing and the late-night philosophy, it’s a wonder this 1991 crossover thrash-hop masterpiece even got made.

Q&A

Peter Gabriel

“The first time I got a phone call from space, I was out.” The former Genesis man on technology, cracking movies, pop stardom (briefly), and almost riding the Space Shuttle.

Fly On The Wall

Rolling Stones

When the Stones staged their spectacular Rock And Roll Circus comeback in 1968, they ended up being upstaged by The Who and looking like clowns. Watch The Who blowing everyone away here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ku7QNRudg

Heavy Load

Gene Simmons

The Kiss man on Gene Simmons, making money, wasting money, and how if he was in charge the police would have baseball bats and drug dealers would be dead.

Plus there’s a massive reviews section. With new albums from Lou Reed & Metallica, The Union, Foreigner, Megadeth, Johnny Winter… Reissues from The Who, Dream Theater, Yes, Nazareth, Whitesnake, Jethro Tull, Jimi Hendrix… Books on Frank Zappa, The Kinks, progressive rock, Captain Beefheart… DVD on Mott The Hoople… Live reviews of Pearl Jam, Jane’s Addiction.

There’s also a great free DVD, featuring live  performances from Roy Harper, Van Der Graaf Generator, Caravan, The Zombies and others. That’s in the UK. Overseas it will be a 14-track free CD, featuring such artists as Donnie Vie, Vain, Shy and Amebix. The covers for both are below.

All this and so much more in the new issue of Clsssic Rock. On sale right now!

Words: Malcolm Dome

You don’t get too many surprises on a Jon Anderson album. In fact, you never really get any. So, Survival & Other Stories (Gonzo Media Group) gives us what we expect. If you’re a fan of Anderson’s ethereal, other dimensional approach then this is fine stuff. A good Anderson solo album to remind us that he’s still a force in the firmament.

Veteran proggers Solstice go live with Kindred Spirits (Festival Music). The DVD part was mostly filmed last year at the launch show for current studio album Spirit, while the CD was recorded a couple of years earlier, so there’s little crossover. The quality is unmistakable and the band seem to have found a new sense of purpose.

White Noise Sound are a Welsh psychedelic band, with overtones of shoegazing and krautrock. It all works rather well on their atmospheric, self-titled album (Alive). It settles you down, but never allows you to become too relaxed. A fascinating musical journey.

Back in the early 1970s Acqua Fragile were among the most interesting of all the Italian prog bands. As the reissue of their 1973 self-titled debut (Esoteric Recordings) proves they had distinct hints of Gentle Giant and Genesis, but had an individual flair. They also wrote English lyrics, which was highly unusual for Italian bands back then. Sadly, they never made it. But this album is still a reminder of their potential.

Alex Skolnick mostly makes his mark as a guitarist with Testament. But occasionally he enjoys escaping the metal world and indulging in a little jazz rock with the Alex Skolnick Trio. Veritas (Palmetto) is typical of what they do. This is enjoyable and accessible, with the virtuosity flowing naturally rather than being forced.

Finally, Greenslade have had their first four albums reissued by Edsel, and what a wonderful batch of albums. The self-titled 1972 debut, complete with Roger Dean’s iconic artwork, sees the band still finding their feet, but is interesting to hear again. A year later, Bedside Manners Are Extra really does see Dave Greenslade et al moving through the gears on perhaps their most complete album. Oddly, third album Spyglass Guest (1974) saw them ditch the Dean artwork for something a little more contemporary. It didn’t seem right, and some of the music is also a touch disjointed. And, in 1975 Time And Tide saw Greenslade back on track on all fronts. Only for them to split up shortly thereafter. It’s a quality collection of records that do a fine job representing one of the most undervalued bands of the era.

Words: Malcolm Dome

For Journey, Eclipse (Frontiers) really is a case of a fine return to form. Thanks to the influence of guitarist Neal Schon, the band have accentuated the harder and rockier side of their nature, and come up with a true winner. The songs are well construction but not over produced. They’re allowed the breathe fire, and the result is one of the band’s best studio albums in years.

The return of The Rods is both welcome and fulfilling. Vengeance (Niji Entertainment) had the swagger and bravura of their classic self-titled 1981 album. The fury, pace and musicianship are still impressive on a set of anthemic songs, and Ronnie James Dio’s guest appearance on The Code is inspiring.

Nikki Sixx has come up with something rather intriguing on the Sixx: AM album This Is Gonna Hurt (Eleven Seven). It’s the soundtrack to his book of the same title, but offers far more than accompanying music. The album has more in common with, say, Godsmack or Sevendust than Motley Crue. The songs arte insightful and insidious, and show the man has a musical spectrum far beyond the confines of Motley.

No single CD compilation can ever hope to do justice to the legacy of Styx. But Babe – The Collection (Universal) does have some of their finest moments. From Too Much Time On My Hands to Crystal Ball and Renegade to Rockin’ The Paradise, it’s a timely reminder of the band’s power and enduring class.

Glasgow’s Comedy Of Errors show a really traditional prog style on debut album Disobey. They bring to mind early Genesis and Jethro Tull, but do it so well that there’s never a danger of the band sinking into a nostalgic mire. One to watch for the future. Find out more at www.comedyoferrors.org.

All girl band JOANovARC have made huge strides with Beneath The Sky (AJR). This EP shows that the band are moving firmly towards Girlschool territory, and this band might well be their natural successors. Everything is in place musically on the debut EP, and given a little luck JOANovARC will be a force to be reckoned with.

Arch Enemy continue to show their mettle (and metal) on Khaos Legions (Century Media). They seem to have the right balance between brutality and virtuosity. They still sound as if the Carcass album Heartwork is their blueprint, but what’s wrong with that?

Known mostly for being the guitarist with Trust, Norbert ‘Nono’ Krief has come up with a self-titled solo album (XIII Bis). While it inevitably has elements from Trust, it’s actually a wider ranging record, taking in influences from the Beatles and the Stones. But the Trust style bite is still in evidence. Thankfully.

This will go out at 11.55pm. It was first aired on January 2, 2009.

Prog Rock Britannia claims to be the first comprehensive, feature-length documentary about progressive music and the generation of bands that made it – from the international success stories of Yes, Genesis, ELP, King Crimson and Jethro Tull, to the trials and tribulations of lesser-known bands such as Caravan and Egg

Narrated by Nigel Planer, the film is structured in three parts – charting the birth, rise and decline of a movement famed for complex musical structures, weird time signatures, technical virtuosity and strange – quintessentially English – literary influences.

It looks at the psychedelic pop scene that gave birth to progressive rock in the late 60s, the golden age of progressive music in the early 70s – complete with drum solos and gatefold record sleeves – and the over-ambition, commercialisation and eventual fall from grace of this rarefied musical experiment at the hands of punk in 1977.

Contributors include Robert Wyatt, Mike Oldfield, Pete Sinfield, Rick Wakeman, Phil Collins, Arthur Brown, Carl Palmer and Ian Anderson.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Vicious Rumors have been on the scene for over two decades. Their shot at the big time has long gone, but they continue to turn out decent power metal style albums. So, it’s little surprise that Razorback Killers (SPV/Steamhammer) is an enjoyable piece of the usual Vicious stuff. Nothing new, but what they do has a definite stamp of class. See them live at The Underworld in London on May 24.

Equally as venerable, actually even more so, are Tokyo Blade. They’ve hovered on the edge of the NWOBHM legend for 30 years. Never big time, nonetheless the band have also maintained a worthwhile musical status. And Thousand Men Strong (Fastball) is one of their best albums. Produced by Chris Tsangarides, it has an energy and zest that’s somewhat surprising for a band going this long without ever having had major success. The music’s uplifting and the passion is obvious. Good job all round.

Italians Opposite Sides come on like a latterday Voivod on Lost Inside (Rising). This is prog metal, with some very clever touches. Just as you think that perhaps they’ve lost their way musically, suddenly there’s a blaze of glorious brutality. It works.

To suggest Anthony Phillips is the forgotten man of Genesis is a tad unfair. But the guitarist is rarely mentioned when discussions turn to the great musicians in that band. Still, he was on Trespass before leaving, and he has an extensive solo repertoire. Private Parts And Pieces IX & X (Voiceprint) brings together two albums, namely 1996’s Dragonfly Dreams and Soiree (from 1999).  It’s the usual Phillips collection of beautifully understated guitar and piano pieces. Honestly, the man is a master of this type of music.

Terrorvision really seem to have gotten into their stride with Super Delux (Townsend Records). It’s their first new studio album in a decade, and there’s a real sense of Brit party pop-rock. No agendas, no illusions, just some fun, frolicsome fandangos. It puts a smile on your face.

Napalm Death have three long-deleted albums packaged together by Earache in a three CD box set. These are Diatribes, Greed Killing and Bootlegged In Japan. It’s a pack full of the riotous fury which has become the hallmark of Napalm down the years.

Darkthrone have been paart of the Norwegian black metal scene for a quarter-of-a-century, and the reissue of their 1996 album Total Death (Peaceville) allows us to savour of their best albums. Full of fire and ire, it also has surprisingly sophisticated musicianship in places.

Finally, you’re into T. Rex, check out the new compilation Get It On (Universal). Not all the choices are obvious, but they add up to a list of songs that proves Marc Bolan’s enduring legacy.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Let’s start with an album that’s getting huge attention right now Sweden’s Ghost have delivered something special on their debut Opus Eponymous (Rise Above). It’s been rightly suggested that they’re a poppier version of Mercyful Fate, but you might also hear slight hints of Voivod-style psychedelia. Whatever, this is a remarkable first album.

JEBO are slowly becoming one of the best young prog bands in the UK. And Settle Up Or Settle Down is a musically intelligent album, without sounding too clever for its own good. With careful production from John Burns (Genesis, Jethro Tull), this is an enjoyable musical experience, bringing old school prog to a modern audience.

This has been a great year for Steve Hackett. The former Genesis guitarist has enjoyed a real revival, and Live Rails (Wolfwork) is a superb double CD, filled with some of his finest live moments recorded over the past two years. It’s a cracking, seamless album, chronicling a master at work. And he’s also got an impressive band. Find out more at www.jebomusic.co.uk

Still live, MMX: Twelfth Night Live captures the returning 80s prog heroes Twelfth Night in sparkling form. Recorded in May this year, it proves that there’s a lot more to this reunion than a desire to wallow in nostalgia. For further info, go to www.twelfthnight.info

Sweden’s Bad Habit have a 23-year career, and this is their 10^th album. Atmosphere (AOR Heaven) is classy melodic rock, even if it occasionally lacks real dynamic. They’re reminiscent of Skagarak, albeit without the latter’s grace and poise.

It’s easy to forget that, at the start of the 1990s, Nelson were one of the biggest bands in the world. But the sheer volume of shrieking girls on Perfect Storm: After The Rain World Tour 1991 (Frontiers) quickly puts everything into perspective. At the time, the Nelson twins – Matthew and Gunnar – only had one album’s worth of songs, but they deliver these to perfection. In fact, you have to wonder how much touching up might have been done in the studio. The vocal harmonies are too perfect to have been done like this live – surely?!

Magnum have struggled to live up to their past since their reunion a decade ago. And The Visitation (SPV/Steamhammer) isn’t about to redress the balance. It’s not a bad album, far from it, but none of the songs are truly killer, while Bob Catley’s voice sounds a little dusty. For many bands, this would be good enough. Magnum are worth so much more. Maybe they need to bring in an outside producer?

Holy Grail feature former members of White Wizzard. And Crisis In Utopia (Prosthetic) bears a similarity to their former band. Actually, this 11-tracker is a beefily enjoyable power metal romp. However, what it lacks is that touch of brilliance which the Wizzard have.