Executive Overview In July 1974, progressive rock was at its zenith, and 25-year-old keyboard virtuoso Rick Wakeman stood at its center. Having recently parted ways with Yes following the tumultuous tour for Tales From Topographic Oceans, Wakeman was riding high on the commercial triumph of his solo album Journey To The Centre Of The Earth. … Read more
Executive Overview Neville John "Noddy" Holder MBE occupies a singular position in British cultural history. Best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of Slade—the unstoppable glam rock juggernaut that dominated the UK charts throughout the 1970s—Holder’s unmistakable rasp and theatrical showmanship defined an era of arena rock. While his broader media legacy encompasses … Read more
Executive Overview When the debut album Blues For Daze arrived in the spring of 1997, classic rock enthusiasts and music critics quickly labeled its creators, Flesh & Blood, an unexpected melodic rock "supergroup." Given the band’s collective lineage—boasting alumni from high-profile acts such as Touch, Tyketto, Saraya, Waysted, Savatage, and Asia—the moniker was understandable. However, … Read more
Executive Overview A high-stakes legal war has erupted within the camp of Grammy-winning progressive heavy metal outfit Mastodon following a civil lawsuit filed by the estate of their late co-founding guitarist, Brent Hinds. The lawsuit, initially uncovered by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, alleges that the surviving members of the Atlanta-based group committed multiple legal infractions following … Read more
Executive Overview In November 1981, an unheralded four-piece hard rock band from Los Angeles released an independent record that would radically alter the landscape of modern popular music. Recorded for a meager budget of $2,500 and pressed on their own makeshift label, Mötley Crüe’s debut album, Too Fast For Love, served as the opening salvo … Read more
Executive Overview A full decade has elapsed since the East Coast thrash metal pioneers Anthrax released their critically acclaimed eleventh studio album, For All Kings (2016). In the intervening ten years, the heavy metal landscape has undergone profound shifts. Fellow "Big Four" titans have charted dramatically different trajectories: Slayer announced a celebrated retirement before mounting … Read more
Executive Overview In September 2010, the progressive metal landscape experienced a monumental seismic shift. Mike Portnoy—co-founder, primary spokesman, co-producer, and powerhouse drummer of Dream Theater—announced his immediate departure from the band he had helped build over a quarter-century. In the lineage of progressive rock, few lineup fractures carry such destabilizing weight. While drum replacements in … Read more
Executive Overview In a sudden development that has sent ripples through the alternative music landscape, singer-songwriter Violet Grohl has been forced to cancel two pivotal dates on her highly anticipated UK headline tour. The artist, who has been garnering widespread critical acclaim following the spring release of her debut album Be Sweet To Me, made … Read more
Executive Overview In the world of heavy metal, few creative partnerships have possessed the longevity, volatility, and commercial impact of Dave Mustaine and David Ellefson. As co-founders of Megadeth, the duo helped pioneer the thrash metal genre in the early 1980s, creating an indelible legacy spanning classic albums, Grammy accolades, and decades of global arena … Read more
From quiet coastal sanctuaries to the roar of 40,000-strong crowds, Cork’s finest indie innovators discuss the intimate philosophy guiding their highly anticipated sophomore era. Executive Overview The rapid ascent of the Cork-based indie outfit Cardinals has become one of the most compelling narratives in modern alternative music. Emerging from the fertile underground scene of southern … Read more
