The album is out on May 21 in an exclusive Classic Rock Fan Pack form – providing a unique collectable package containing the studio album with bonus tracks, alongside a specially created magazine with unseen behind-the-scenes content put together by Classic Rock.

The Fan Pack format will also come with free gifts including a pin badge and artwork poster and will be available to buy via more than 2000 retail outlets on newsstands nationally as well as the traditional high street and online music retailers.

Roadrunner Records will simultaneously release the record digitally. The standard physical release of the Slash album will follow through Roadrunner Records on June 18.

The album, currently being produced by Eric Valentine, doesn’t yet have a title. But it sees Slash working with vocalist Myles Kennedy, bassist Todd Kerns and drummer Brent Fitz.

Pre-order your Fan Pack here.

The band will be playing at the Download Festival in June.

See Slash and his band  in action in the studio here.

Find out more at www.slashonline.com

Here they are:

Megadeth

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy

Black Label Society

Kyuss Lives!

As I Lay Dying

Steel Panther

Billy Talent

Rise Against

Fear Factory

Five Finger Death Punch

Terrorvision

Periphery

Ginger Wildheart

Reckless Love

Find out more at www.downloadfestival.co.uk

The acclaimed leader of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band died of a heart attack on tour on February 4, 1982, a day short of his 47th birthday.

US-based photographer Janet Macoska, a long-time friend of Harvey’s who received her first professional commission from SAHB in 1974, discovered her interview transcripts while she researched a photo book which has been published to mark the 30th anniversary of Harvey’s death.

The conversation reveals an artist approaching the absolute height of his powers. SAHB had already impressed critics with 1973 album Next and were doing the same with latest release The Impossible Dream. They’d built a reputation for inspiring, energetic live shows. In the coming year they’d score their biggest hit single with a comedy-drama interpretation of Tom Jones’ Delilah and spend several quarters as the biggest-grossing live act in the UK.

In Cleveland, Ohio, in 1974, Harvey told Macoska: “You could call this stardom – I don’t know if it’s that, yet.

“I’ve done all kinds of different things, and I’ve had a lot of time not being out in front. This is something new. Up until The Impossible Dream we had nothing – and yet we were managing to outdraw people who had several hits in actual drawing power.”

He described his approach to capturing a crowd as a, “Love-hate relationship”, saying: “Sometimes we rub ‘em a bit rough, and then give them more trouble. And what happens then is, usually, we get a reaction and they remember us. And then they come back to see us. And then we get to love one another. I always look at it like that – it’s a bit like a woman, you know: they say you always hurt the one you love.”

He said SAHB was “Without a doubt” the most satisfying thing he’d ever done, and he’d be, “Delighted” if bandmates Zal Cleminson, Chris Glen, Hugh McKenna and Ted McKenna went on to find stardom in their own right.

The gravel-voiced son of the infamous Glasgow Gorbals often said in interviews that he wanted to make movies. When Macoska asked him to elaborate Harvey said he’d even considered making a horror film.

“I have and we have no aspirations to make another rock ‘n’ roll movie, even a movie like Tommy or anything. It would have to be a new way of doing it – and I think there is a new way of doing it.

“I think a horror movie would be good. Not necessarily a rock horror movie; a gothic horror movie, but real. Not one like Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein.

“I think Mel is fantastic. I think he’s brilliant. If we made a movie, Mel should direct it. Somebody told me he’d go crazy over us and that would be marvellous. I respect his work very much.”

Harvey believed his band would fit well into a movie-making environment, insisting he had no intention of upstaging them when they performed.

“The group’s got different personalities and energies. They can be incredibly bizarre. They’re more bizarre offstage and sometimes we do a lot of impromptu acts and really get into it.

“Like, Hugh and I, or Zal and I, we’ll meet in a bar as though we don’t know each other, and speak across somebody and start getting insulting. You can see people getting restless – they don’t really understand what’s going on.”

Harvey was more than 15 years older than his bandmates and most of his fans. His age and overwork is thought to have contributed to his death as he waited for a ferry home to the UK from Belgium with his new band, the Electric Cowboys.

But in 1974 he was already reflecting that life on the road could be too strenuous. He told Macoska: “You’ve got to have a sense of humour when you do three flights in one day and eat a hamburger that’s made out of plastic. I think possibly these tours are a thing of the past because I don’t think the kids go to them as much, and I don’t think they feel any sense of being ‘with’ the performer.

“Maybe what we’ll do in the future – and it would be much better – is play two nights in a place that holds three or four thousand.”

Asked if that proved he wasn’t in it for the money, Harvey replied: “No, not really. I want to be happy.

“I don’t know many superstars, but I do know a few, and I don’t know any that are happy. They get hung up on smashing hotels and get into heavy drugs and stuff, and their personal lives just don’t seem to be happy.

“Success, to me, would be to communicate, and maybe discover a new form of communication, whatever it would be. I don’t know. I might have been an explorer – I may have been an astronaut. As long as I’m discovering something.”

SAHB split soon after headlining the Reading Festival in 1977. Macoska was present and has included a set of pictures from the show in her photobook, Alex Harvey: Last of the Teenage Idols. It also includes shots of Harvey, his band and friends on and off stage, with extended captions where Macoska puts each set in context and explains her memories of the moments.

She says: “It was wonderful to find the interview transcripts and relive the moment I met Alex. He became my mentor and my friend.

“It’s a real shame SAHB were around before the MTV era – if they’d been there when making videos was a must they’d have got the mainstream recognition they deserved.

“Just thinking about the kind of movie Alex might have made is amazing. He and SAHB are legends.”

Full details and book purchase information is at www.alexharveybook.com

At least, that’s what the organisers are hoping…

Speaking on Eddie Trunk Live, Hall Of Fame CEO Joel Peresman said:

“Who will be invited, obviously, is the original five [who recorded the Appetite For Destruction album] and [keyboardist] Dizzy [Reed] and [drummer] Matt [Sorum].”

Peresman went on to say: “All [members of Guns N’ Roses] have RSVP’d that they will show.”

So that means Axl Rose, Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan, Steven Adler, plus Reed and Sorum (who joined GN’R in 1990) will be inducted into the Hall Of Fame during the April 14 fandango in Cleveland, Ohio.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean that any or all the above will actually be attending the ceremony…

Slash recently Tweeted: “For the record, I didn’t RSVP, or in any way commit to attending the RRHF.”

And in an interview with the LA Times, Axl commented:

“There is no plan yet. There really is no plan. We’re still busy with this line-up. We’re gonna be busy – we’re gonna be busy all next year. We’ll be putting out new stuff as soon as we can figure out what our deal is with labels, blah-blah-blah.”

Regardless, Peresman insisted on Trunk’s show: “Everyone’s said they’re coming.”

In other news, Guns N’ Roses are to broadcast their show at The Joint in Las Vegas on Friday, December 30 live online – and it’ll be a pay-per-view event.

Pre-sale for this is happening right now. Go here for full details.

A precedent, of sorts, has already been set.

At the Road Recovery concert in New York City back in September, Gnecco sang lead vocals on three songs (Slither by Velvet Revolver, It’s So Easy by Guns N’ Roses, Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix) with Slash, Duff McKagan, Gilby Clarke and Matt Sorum, plus Dave Kushner.

“So we’ll see how that goes,” Sorum told The Vine of the auditioning of Gnecco. “Then we’ve got a couple of other ideas. It looks like Slash is going to make another album, but I’m not sure about his touring and stuff yet. But we’re all open to it and interested in trying to do something together.”

Watch Gnecco on stage with Slash here.

Words: Malcolm Dome

Virgin Steele have often suffered from being seen as Manowar without the bombast and furry pants. But they’ve always been more than that. The reissue of 1988’s Age Of Consent (SPV/Steamhammer) proves that they really did have their own sub-operatic and epic approach, Not many laughs here, but some damn fine music.

From a little earlier, it’s good to have the debut Witch album The Hex Is On (FNA Records) available again. Now called The Hex Is On…And Then Some, not only do we get the original 1984 album of prime, high energy and aggressive LA trash, but also tracks recorded 13 years later, featuring guest appearances from Slash, Steve Stevens and…Keith Emerson. This actually all underlines that cult heroes Witch should always have been a lot bigger. And the more recent stuff is very stylish, mature AOR.

Roxx Gang were never really part of the big hair movement, but were always unfairly dumped into this category. However, the Florida band had the vigour, dynamism and thrust to stand apart, and deserved to be a major force. The three disc set Boxx Of Roxx (FNA Records) proves the point. There’s a CD of previously unreleased stuff, a live CD and a DVD with all their promo videos  Proof of what might have been.

Vega are a British melodic hard rock band who stand apart from most in this vein, because not only do they write melodic songs, but they’ve a significant depth. Debut album Kiss Of Life (Frontiers) shows enough talent and cohesion to suggest a big future awaits.

Royal Blood were being touted as potential players at the start of the 90s. Their melodic hard rock was deemed perfect to make them superstars. Then along came grunge and burst the dreamy bubble. So, 20 years later we finally get to hear the debut album, Thanks Seattle… For Killing My Band And My Dream! (FNA Records). Originally due out in 1992, it features guitar virtuoso Alex Masi and former MSG bassist Rocky Newton. You know what? It sounds impressive. If you can imagine Rival Sons with a bit more Motley or Poison influence, then you’re on the mark. Shame they never got much of a chance all those years ago.

Astrohenge class themselves as metal, but on second album Astrohenge II (Eyes Of Sound), they display something of a penchant for complexity that puts them more firmly towards the progressive bracket. It’s a fun piece of avant-garde extremity, with some fine musicianship. They could become cult heroes very quickly.

Exit International are a Welsh trio with two bassists. They like making a noise on Black Junk (Undergroove), but it’s never atonal or dysfunctional, and the music mighty blare in a jammy fashion. But it has distinct disciple and focus. It almost sounds like early Napalm Death meets Sunn 0))).

Finally a book on Led Zeppelin. There’s hardly a dearth of such books on the market, but Led Zeppelin – Death In The Wind Over Europe 1980 (Tight But Loose) is an exhaustive look at the band’s final tour. It’s been compiled by Dave Lewis, who does an excellent job in bringing together facts and memories.

Called Made In Stoke 24/7/11, it was filmed and recorded in Stoke on July 24 this year, the first time that the famed guitarist had done a gig in the city where he grew up.

Available in Blu-ray. DVD and double CD formats, the full track listing is:

1. Been There Lately
   2. Nightrain
   3. Ghost
   4. Mean Bone
   5. Back From Cali
   6. Rocket Queen
   7. Civil War
   8. Nothing To Say
   9. Starlight
   10. Promise
   11. Doctor Alibi
   12. Speed Parade
   13. Watch This
   14. Beggars & Hangers-On
   15. Patience
   16. Guitar Solo/Godfather Theme
   17. Sweet Child O’ Mine
   18. Slither
   19. By The Sword
   20. Mr. Brownstone
   21. Paradise City

Now you can down a video clip for the song Back From Cali for free right here.

Find out more at www.slashonline.com

On Thursday, December 1, Classic Rock will be publishing a bookazine called Classic Rock Presents Reckless Road: Guns N’ Roses And The Making Of Appetite For Destruction.

This is an authorised book by Marc Canter, which was originally published in America in 2008. It features over 600 never-seen-before pictures and rare memorabilia of GN’R in their early days, as the band formed and made the legendary Appetite For Destruction.

There are also interviews with Slash, Duff McKagan and Steven Adler, as well as the band’s old managers and roadies.

Buy it here.

It’s called Gibson Through The Lens, and is located at The British Music experience in the O2.

Running until January 31, the exhibition has 60 vintage and rare photos of iconic guitarists with their Gibson or Epiphone models. And entry is free.

Among the guitarists featured are Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Slash, Angus Young, Les Paul, Marc Bolan, Tony Iommi, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton, Bob Marley, George Harrison, Sir Paul McCartney, B.B King, Jeff Beck, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Randy Rhoads, Chuck Berry, Pete Townshend, Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain, Lenny Kravitz, Jon Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow.

Below are photos of Hendrix (shot by Baron Wolman) and Slash (by Ross Halfin). The exhibition photo is by Lauren Keogh.

Find out more at www.britishmusicexperience.com/gibson-through-the-lens/

Words: Malcolm Dome

It’s a busy time to be a Pink Floyd fan, with their whole catalogue being  overhauled by EMI. Wish You Were Here is the latest album to get the deluxe treatment. This is now available in what’s being called Immersion and Experience formats, with lots of extras spicing up the classic original. Something for dedicated Floyd fans.

Floyd  have also just released the compilation A Foot In The Door – The Best Of Pink Floyd. This has 16 of their most iconic tracks, selected by the band to provide what they believe is an introduction to their music. Hard to argue with the choice of material, as it does represent some of the finest moments in music over the last 40 years and more.

Curved Air have also had a massive reissues campaign, with their first eight albums now available again through Repertoire. Their early work still sounds supreme and idiosyncratic, with the Airconditioning, Second Album and Phantasmagoria albums especially enticing. These were all done by the band in their first flush of inventiveness, before they split up in 1972.

There are so may releases from Rush at the moment that it’s easy to dismiss Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland (Roadrunner) as just another live album from the Canadian greats. But it does capture the band in quite breathtaking form, on a set that crosses the years. Maybe not quite as spectacular as All The World’s A Stage, nonetheless it does underscore that Rush are still among the most vital live acts around.

Rick Wakeman offers five CDs on Caped Crusader Collectors Club: Bootleg Box Vol. 2 (Repertoire), which is a boxed set of live recordings, the earliest of which goes back to 1974 and the most recent is from 1997. It takes in some of his best solo work, as well as showcasing his vast musical aspirations and comedic moments. Fun in a suitably proggie manner, even if the sound quality is variable. The recording from Crystal Palace in 1974 was obviously done on a cassette from close to the back of the crowd. You can even hear conversations going on around the bootlegger.

Slash offers three formats for Live – Made In Stoke (Eagle Vision). You can get the Blu-ray, DVD or CD of his performance in the city where he  spent some of his formative years. Recorded and filmed on July 24 this year, when he played his first ever gig in Stoke, it underlines his prowess and acumen as a master craftsman and entertainer, in a set that spans his career to date. And Myles Kennedy’s vocals are stunning.

Roy Wood has been on the scene for about 45 years. A prime force with The Move and then early Electric Light Orchestra, Wood has created a breathtaking catalogue of brilliant songs, taking in pop, classical, metal and jazz motifs. Music Box (EMI) is a double CD that spotlights just why he should be revered as a songwriter, musician, visionary as well as for being downright bonkers!

Talking of bonkers, that’s the only way to describe the latest album from Acid Mothers Temple And The Melting Paraiso U.F.O. Not to beat about the surreal bush, Riffer At The Heavens Gates Of Dark (Riot Season) is an ethereal dreamscape, ambiently spiritual and a space rock trip leaping right off the edge of the furthest corner of reality. It is compulsive, in an astral projection kind of way. Because it does make you feel as if you are removed from all connections with our dimension.

Acid Empire are a progressively inclined band, with lush orchestral ideas and melodic calmness, plus a real metallic significance. Their self-titled debut is dramatic, pugnacious yet surprisingly sophisticated. A real find, with Damian Wilson guesting on vocals for the song Into The Void. Find out more at http://acid-empire.com

Finally, the documentary God Bless Ozzy Osbourne (Eagle Vision) shows Ozzy in a different light to the way he’s usually portrayed. Made by his son Jack, this is not the baffled buffoon or stumbling clown we’re so used to seeing. It’s a more thoughtful, but no less entertaining, man. The DVD includes extra scenes.