"It´s a very good book that everyone should read... I want to support the author
and the release of this book is for a good reason (Parkinson-Community)."
Fanclub Section
03 July, 2008
The Fanclub section is working again. This time you can register yourself, you don't need to send me anything. We're still testing the section but now it's online.
If you become a member of fanclub you'll have access to exclusive content, take part in prize drawings, access to the fanclub shop, take part in the Questions & Answers section with your questions for Michael, etc. In a few weeks we'll activate the "VIP member" part....more information shortly...
All of the older fans don't need to register again, you'll receive an email with the information for your account.
Here is the interview we made with Carl-André Beckston designer of the last Michael Kiske albums: "Past In Different Ways" (2008), "Kiske" (2006), and the project "Place Vendome" (2005).
A few excerpts from the interview are:
André: "In my artworks and designs, I often tend to exaggerate paradoxes and contrasts, such as lights and shadows, warm and cold colours; but also associative shapes and metaphoric truths. In a way I am a symbolistic expressionist.".
André: "When I worked for TNT, and the album "All The Way To The Sun", - I did over 100 different sketches. Since the title of the album changed many times, there was a need for a different visual profile in each of the sketches. It was a great ride, and really put me to the test. The result is the album that is out today".
André: "He (Kiske) is very easy to work with since he tells what he likes and doesn’t like. He listens to my ideas and comments them very directly, and that is because he has good eye for art. Many musicians only have an ear for music, but I feel Kiske has both".
After that will edit the new album from REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE: "New Era", the new band from Timo Tolkki part ways with the italian record deal.
Timo Tolkki: "Yesterday I finally got confirmation that we are able to do this. They (Frontiers) simply were not the right label for us. That became absolutely clear in the last few months. I would describe the experience with Frontiers Records with the word interesting. I am currently negotiating with several labels, but I haven't made any decision yet. There is a lot of interest and that feels good".
On an interview for German Stormbringer website, Michael Kiske said: "I have to see what the future will bring, because all the time one tries to force me into unfree music and due to this, probably I can't work with Frontiers anymore. Someday I have to go on stage again, but that's only possible, if I get enough audience, which is able to follow my nowadays music and not still the gone one".
Finally Michael and Frontiers Records have decided to continue working with each other for the new album despite a difference of opinion on both sides.
Our Brazilian friend Marco Marx made another great cover of a song performed by Michael Kiske. This one is "Knew I Would" from the latest Michael Kiske album: "KISKE".
You can download the song from the rapidshare server here, in megashare here, or megaupload server here.
Marco Marx: "The song "Knew I would" have a happy mood. When I heard for the first time (like the lyric said) "I don't know why I felt so good". But in this case, I knew it! It's because this is a great song that makes you fell high and happy. Makes me smile everytime I sing the chorus together him.
I don't know about the other fans but everytime I sing one song with his cd's, it's like I could sing better that I can. It's a sweet illusion. I don't have the pretension to sing like him. Each indivudual have his own voice and style. But his voice so great ! I hope everyone enjoy this version that I made."
In the May issue of the British ROCK & AOR magazine you will find a 2 page history/biography for Michael Kiske, a nice review from the new album "Past In Different Ways" (Buy on Amazon) out this past May 9th, plus a little interview which includes information about Tolkki's REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE and the new album from PLACE VENDOME.
A few excerpts from the review and some declarations are:
...The power that the songs hold are intact, and in some cases even made stronger... Kiske’s voice is even better, it is more mature more emotional, and more controlled without losing the impossible range and pretty tone that are still there...
...the closing track "Different Ways" is one of the better tracks, it shows how his current writting works in different way from his early years...
...Past In Different Ways is a retrospective to Kiske’s early years as it features most of the songs he wrote/recorded on Helloween years...
Michael Kiske: "I must go play live again very soon; this is the only way to reach new audiences for me. I got a really good offer to go out on tour, he offered me it the first time I said I'd make this album. I would like to make an acoustic tour, but to begin to tour again 15 years later with only old stuff - it would be the wrong message... when I return to the stage again, I want to show new stuff. Then I can play old songs, but why not maybe next year?
Also Tobias (EDGUY, AVANTASIA) offered me a lot of money to play on these shows (AVANTASIA), money I really need, but after 15 years I'm not prepared to join in a metal tour. I have no problems singing on Tobias's albums, but I have to be careful with the way I return to the stage. It was really difficult to reject Tobias' offer, cause it was a very good offer... if I started to play with my own stuff then it would be different, perhaps I haven't a problem to make it but in this moment it's not the best way to start. I won't be at 100%."
Revolution Renaissance debut CD - which will feature guest appearances by Michael Kiske (vocals), Pasi Rantanen (vocals; Thunderstone), Mirka Rantanen (drums; Thunderstone), Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 Degree Woman) and Tobias Sammet (vocals; Edguy) - will be released on June 6th 2008 on Frontiers Records.
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's current lineup includes Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra, keyboardist Mike Khalilov and the Brazilian singer Gus Monsanto, plus Timo Tolkki.
On REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE Official Myspace you can hear the whole song: "I Did It My Way".
On Youtube you can hear the whole song: "Last Night On Earth".
A few excerpts from the interview we made with Timo Tolkki are:
Timo Tolkki: "It is the end of Stratovarius and a continuation to that. It is not a project although the first album is a bit like that...it has 10 melodic Power Metal songs. But it sounds very much like Visions, except the vocals are better."
Timo Tolkki: "His (Kiske) two songs "All solutions" and "Do I remember a life" helped me through the last Stratovarius tour... so after each gig I basically went to the bus and to my bed, put on my iPod and listened to these 2 songs. They gave me hope somehow."
