AFM Records is proud to unleash Burning Leather — the first new album from Scandinavian heavy metal masters OZ since 1991 — onto North American audiences on January 31st!
OZ formed in the late ’70s in Nakkila, Finland. Their debut album Heavy Metal Heroes arrived in 1982, and only one year later, the band implemented a milestone for Scandinavian heavy metal with the release of their Fire In The Brain LP, which gained the band a massive international following. After relocating to Sweden, the band cranked out several more albums including III Warning, Decibel Storm and Roll The Dice before breaking up in 1991.
After reuniting in early 2010 OZ got to work on their latest conquest, Burning Leather, which is confirmed for North American release on January 31, 2012. The blazing 11-track offering not only includes brand new material showcasing what the band is capable of producing after all these years, but also revamped and re-recorded versions of several of the band’s most coveted and classic tracks including “Turn The Cross Upside Down” and “Fire In The Brain” to reintroduce these massive anthems to today’s audiences.
Burning Leather Track Listing:
1. Dominator
2. Searchlights
3. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
4. Fire In The Brain
5. Seasons In The Darkness
6. Turn The Cross Upside Down
7. Burning Leather
8. Gambler
9. Enter Stadium
10. Total Metal
11. Third Warning
OZ lineup:
Ape DeMartini – vocals
Mark Ruffneck – drums
Jay C. Blade – bass
Michel Santunione – guitars
John Berg – guitars
AFM Records will unleash the latest album from one of Sweden’s finest contemporary symphonic metal acts, DRAGONLAND, onto North American audiences this January 31st.
DRAGONLAND‘s fifth full-length since their 1999 inception, Under The Grey Banner ends a five-year stretch of silence from the act, following their 2006-released Astronomy album. Under the direction of the band’s songwriting masterminds Olof Mörck (Nightrage, Amaranthe) and Elias Holmlid, Under The Grey Banner was recorded at several different studios, with Jacob Hansen adding his magic touch to the mix at Hansen studios in Denmark. Twelve songs were created during the sessions and the music itself is based on a deep and emotional story, picking up where the band’s second album, Holy War, left off nine years ago.
The album is genuinely a concept album in every aspect, DRAGONLAND having collaborated with artists who are experts in the genre and in bringing such a world to life. Musical actor Fred Johanson (Jesus Christ Superstar) plays the role of the antagonist, and all three singers from rising newcomers Amaranthe — Elize Ryd, Jake E and Andy Solveström — appear throughout the album, further developing the universe the story is set in.
Under The Grey Banner combines all the strengths of the band’s previous albums, incorporating elements from different metal genres and stunning instrumentals in the vein of Hans Zimmer brought together with heavy yet bombastic songwriting. Prepare yourself to be engulfed in a world of enchanting fantasy and songs of swirling magic!
Under the Grey Banner Track Listing:
1. Ilmarion
2. Shadow the Mithril Mountains
3. The Tempest
4. A Thousand Towers White
5. Fire and Brimstone
6. The Black Mare
7. Lady of Goldenwood
8. Dûrnir’s Forge
9. The Trials of Mount Farnor
10. Throne of Bones
11. Under the Grey Banner
12. Ivory Shores
DRAGONLAND lineup:
Jonas Hedigert – vocals
Olof Mörck – guitars
Elias Holmlid – keyboards
Jesse Lindskog – guitars
Anders Hammer – bass
Morten Lowe Sorensen – drums
http://www.ozofficial.com
http://www.myspace.com/ozofficial
http://www.thegreybanner.com
http://www.facebook.com/dragonlandband
http://www.afm-records.de
https://www.facebook.com/afmrecords