Whether you call it hard rock, heavy metal, cock rock, hair metal, melodic rock, pop-metal, AOR, glam or sleaze, this is the place to find out what became of your favorite 80's rock bands.

MTM CLASSIX TO DIG OUT LONG LOST TREASURES: New MTM series: MTM CLASSIX Quite often we hear somebody ask us why we don't reissue certain CD's one can only find via Internet or at certain locations for abominably high prices. We thought about this interesting question and decided to launch the new label MTM CLASSIX as part of MTM MUSIC. The Swedish journalist, JANNE STARK, will support MTM us in the future with his expert knowledge. Janne formed and made three recordings with 80's metal band OVERDRIVE, currently guitarist of LOCOMOTIVE BREATH. Has written for numerous magazines such as Backstage, Kool Kat News and Hard Roxx. Author of "The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock & Heavy Metal", of which the first was released in 1996 and "Vol 2" saw the light of day late last year. Former press manager and still part of the Sweden Rock Festival. Has helped numerous bands finding labels, such as A.C.T., Scudiero, Southpaw, Dreamhunter, Plankton etc. and will now help MTM dig out the long lost treasures of Sweden (and possibly other countries, too!). This will be the label for the reissue of long sought after CD's or for productions never released before. We'll start with SNAKE CHARMER - Backyard Boogaloo, a high light of AOR, that has been released in 1989 in Japan only. This allstar project was headed by PER STADIN (SILVER MOUNTAIN) UPDATE ON MTM SIGNINGS AND RECORDINGS: We finally scheduled the January releases which are starting with a MTM CLASSIX release: ERIKA "Cold Winter Night" is released in January the 12th. The album features three unreleased bonus tracks. ERIKA is followed by the STREET TALK Best Of album called "Destination" which is probably the last STREET TALK album. What a shame!!! But for all STREET TALK fans the album features four unreleased bonus tracks and we do hope for tons of e-mails to all AOR homepages to change their decision...! Last but not least the SHIVA album "Desert Dreams"is released in January 26th. Great hardrock which is a little bit harder than the previous album! Listen to the advance track on the current MTM Vol. 9! TNT is finishing their album until mid of November finally. The band was touring a lot so it was hard to go back to the studio. The album is entitled "My Religion" and is supposed to be released in mid of February. Darren Wharton of DARE is still working on his follow up album called "Beneath The Shining Water". Visit our homepage for more up to date news and release date but it won't be out before March / April. The new SHYLOCK is expected during the next two weeks. The album will be released in February and is entitled "Welcome To Illusion". We already announced the line up change of WICKED SENSATION. Fernando Garcia (ex-VICTORY) replaced Robert because of "differences" - what ever that means. The band is hard working on the new album "Exceptional" which is expected in spring 2004. SHY is also in the studio working on their new album. There is no title so far but what we heard we can except a great new album!! Release is somewhere in spring 2004. JK NORTHRUP and PAUL SHORTINO just finished all recordings on their new project NORTHRUP / SHORTINO. Listen to the advance track on the current MTM Vol. 9! Bob Harris from AXE and the band EDGE OF FOREVER also finished their recordings. We are expecting a great AOR album which is produced by Marcel Jacob from TALISMAN and Jeff Scott Soto is singing a duet together with Bob Harris on one songs and Jeff is doing most of the backing vocals. The album is scheduled for spring 2004. The same release date is expected for the two swedish bands TOKEN and SEVEN WISHES and their new albums. Listen to the SEVEN WISHES advance track on the current MTM Vol. 9! MTM MUSIC - current releases: SNAKE CHARMER - Backyard Boogaloo (MTM CLASSIX, Release: 20.10.2003) SNAKE CHARMER "Backyard Boogaloo" is the first re-release of a very sought after album on MTM CLASSIX as the album was only released in Japan in 1998. The band has an outstanding line-up featuring GORAN EDMAN (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, STREET TALK, JOHN NORUM) on lead vocals, PER STADIN (SILVER MOUNTAIN) on bass, ANDERS JOHANSSON (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, HAMMERFALL) on drums, BENNY JANSSON (ERIKA) on guitar and JENS JOHANSSON (STRATOVARIUS, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, DIO) on keyboards! One way to describe SNAKE CHARMER 's music is to call it heavy-pop. Scandinavian melancholic melodies with a foundation in heavy rock, where the members have their background! This remastered re-release features three bonus tracks! MTM MUSIC COMPILATION - Vol. 9 (Release: 27.10.2003) This collection is featuring a lot of unreleased and advanced songs of forthcoming albums. JK NORTHRUP is doing a new band together with PAUL SHORTINO who is known for his work in QUIET RIOT and this advance song is awesome! SEVEN WISHES is another new MTM signing so is SAYIT, both from the homecountry of AOR, Sweden. SHIVA is from Sweden as well: Their debut album got great reviews in the major music press and we expect the new album in early 2004! RADIOACTIVE is presenting the japanese bonus track from their latest high rated album "Yeah". ZAR and FARO are compiling unreleased songs as well, so is X-ING (CROSSING) a german newcomer introducing themselves. Last but not least an advance pre-produced song of DANNY DANZI. MTM MUSIC - forthcoming releases: DOC HOLLIDAY - Good Time Music (Release: 03.11.2003) The band from Georgia shot to world wide attention in 1981 when their debut A&M album "Doc Holliday" entered the Billboard Rock Album Charts in the Top 30. Doc Holliday toured with acts like OUTLAWS, CHARLIE, MOLLY HACHET, BLACKFOOT, GREGG ALMAN, STEVIE RAY VAUGHN, BLACK SABBATH, CHARLIE DANIELS BAND, APRIL WINE. Between 1986 and 2001 DOC HOLLIDAY released five albums. DOC HOLLIDAY is a cult band in the biker scene and has delivered 3 highly successful shows when headlining the "100-Years-Harley-Davidson-Festival" in Hamburg with SAXON and MANFRED MANN as well as the "Fierek's Folks Festival" in Ulm. DOC HOLLIDAY is promoting the new album "Good Time Music" on a middle european tour accompanied to the release date. SAYIT - Sayit - Louder (Release: 10.11.2003) Swedish guitarist SAYIT has made a name on the rock scene as a very skilled guitarist. He has recorded 2 solo albums earlier and both are filled with impressive guests like BRUCE GAITSCH, MICHAEL THOMPSON (MTB), DAVID HUNGATE (TOTO), KEE MARCELLO, JIM JIDHED, MATS OLAUSSON (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), MIKAEL ERLANDSSON, and TOMMY DENANDER (RADIOACTIVE) who also served as writer and producer. SAYIT also shared guitar duties with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, KEE MARCELLO, MATHIAS "IA" EKLUNDH and others together with MIKKEY DEE and JOHN LEVEN on the DENANDER/DELIN all star song that features about 150 of the biggest rock stars from Sweden. The album features vocalist GEIR RONNING who was involved into TOTO, RADIOACTIVE and PRISONER, TONY FRANKLIN (BLUE MURDER, THE FIRM, WHITESNAKE) on bass and TOMMY DENANDER on keyboards and additional guitars. One song of SAYIT's new album is released on the forthcoming MTM MUSIC Compilation Vol. 9 which hit the road in mid of October. Sayit: "This new album is a completely different direction from the style peopleknow from my first two albums. Me and my close friend / producer Tommy Denander had some serious and creative talks before starting to write it, we both agreed that eventhough we love pure westcoast it's first of all a very small market for that kind of music and we've already done two albums in that vein, we really wanted to rock out on this album. Plus MTM is a great AOR/melodic rock label and we knew they wouldn't be too happy with a wimpy westcoast album haha!! This time we also didn't care so much about having a lot of guests but more of a cool band feeling, we even hope to do some touring for it which would be a lot of fun." "Everybody did a great job - as always - on this album and I'm very proud to have my friend Geir Ronning singing the whole album with great help on the backing vocals from Chris Demming, Chris is also co producer of all vocals. Geir is really singing his butt off and any fan of his and Tommy's old project Rainmaker will love this album. Tommy is always in charge of all things and on the first two albums we shared guitars a lot but this time he really pushed me to take care of almost all of them myself which was a great experience, of course Tommy did a couple of guest spots but mainly he plays keyboards and did a perfect job with that. I'm also proud of a new friend in my life, Ulf "Ken" Sandin who plays bass, we met when we played with Jim Jidhed on his release party earlier this year, Jim and Ulf played together in the band Alien. You can also also hear the legendary Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, Whitesnake) on the song "That ain't me". I also have to give a special mention to Theo Theander at Roasting House for his help mixing the album....you're brilliant mate!!! Eventhough I'm a very picky guy and always have a tough time enjoying my own albums i'm really happy with this album, it's filled with great songs, great performances and a lot of heart and soul....hope you all will agree. If you wanna give me your opinions and just say hello you can always reach me through my website www.sayit-guitar.com. I'm very proud to be signed to MTM and i'm sure we will have a blast during this and hopefully many more albums in the future!!!" FAR NORTH - What!? (MTM CLASSIX, Release: 17.11.2003) After composing and recording the songs for "What!?" the bright saga of Swedish FAR NORTH came to an abrupt paus, however, when their original recordcompany (SMC Records) went bankrupt right after the release and three weeks before the planned tour to Japan. Although the music is probably well placed in the AOR / melodic rock genre they have a slight "filmic" touch too. FAR NORTH is uniqe and it's a must for a re-release on MTM CLASSIX. The album features completely remastered music and the bonus track "Heart Attack". ERIKA - Cold Winter NIght (MTM CLASSIX, 12.01.2004) ERIKA, still the undisputable queen of Swedish rock - and the headlines! Erika's first album "Cold Winter Night" is now re-released and completely remastered in the new MTM CLASSIX series. The album is sold out long ago and is traded for enormous prices. "Cold Winter Night" first released in 1990 got gold status and was voted as the best Swedish rock album of the nineties. The album is completely remastered and features the bonustracks "Super Sonic City" and two different versions of "Together We're Lost" which are unreleased in Europe so far. STREET TALK - Destination (Release: 19.01.2004) Swedish AOR sensations STREET TALK are currently back in the studio recording some killer new music for their forthcoming album "Destination" for MTM MUSIC. The band entered the Soundcreation Studios in August and have so far layed down most of the basic tracks for the two new songs. Goran Edman will start the vocal recordings on September 7. STREET TALK are also joined by legendary bassist Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm, Whitesnake) on the new recordings. The 18 track album will contain re-mastered favourites from the three studio albums: "Collaboration" (1997), "Transition" (2000) and "Restoration" (2002) along with bonus unreleased material and some brand new recordings. This album marks the end of a chapter in the STREET TALK history. STREET TALK main man Fredrik Bergh says "that it's uncertain if there will ever be a fourth STREET TALK studio album...Only time will tell..." SHIVA - Desert Dreams (Release: 26.01.2004) SHIVA is one of the most promising hard rock bands, among others because of the outstanding femal vocal performance of Anette Johansson. The previous self titled album achieved enthusiastic press and fan feedback and reached # 7 in the german ROCK HARD soundcheck! SHIVA's main members are Mats Edstrom (guitars, keyboards, background vocals) and Anette Johansson (lead and background vocals). While recording the two of them use some fellow musicians to fill in the drums and bass. "This songs from the new band SHIVA are pretty bombastic keyboard driven pompy progressive rock mixed with hardrock...I think we have discovered another killer band here..." (Nicky Baldrian) "Is this a girl singing? My God, where has she been hiding all this time then? Anette's got one of the most powerful female voices in Rock today, no doubt. Mats Edstrom's heavy guitars leave a big impression as well. "Free My Soul" definitely is my favorite song on the demo." (Majestic Magazine) The album is expected to be released in late this year or early next year and one song of the upcoming album can be heard on the new MTM COMPILATION Vol. 9 which is scheduled for October 2003. MTM MUSIC - just signed / just recording: TNT - My Religion (Release: February 2004) After the EP "Give Me A Sign" Tony Harnell, Ronni Le Tekro, Morty Black and Diesel Dahl are back continuing with a full length album. The album is produced by Tony and Ronnie and mixed by Tommy Hansen who worked for HELLOWEEN, PRETTY MAIDS, JORN LANDE, WUTHERING HEIGHTS, HEAVENLY, BEYOND TWILIGHT, and more. DARE - Beneath The Shining Water (Release: spring 2003) New album from Darren Wharton - more rockier than "Belief". One song can be already heard on the MTM MUSIC Compilation Vol. 9 which is released in October 2003. SHYLOCK - Welcome To Illusion (Release: early 2004) "Pyronized" achieved a great press feedback and after numerous live shows all around Europe among others with GOTTHARD, AXXIS, BONFIRE, KROKUS, JBO, U.D.O., the band is working on a new album. SHYLOCK can present a new drummer: Rami Ali who performed for FRONTLINE and EVIDENCE ONE. Pure melodic hardrock! WICKED SENSATION - Exceptional (Release: early 2004) After the great debut album "Reflected" the band is working on the new album which will be produced by guitarist Michael Klein and mixed by Dennis Ward (PC 69). Beside him, WICKED SENSATION have great helping hand: Andi Derris from HELLOWEEN is coming from the same town as the WICKED guys and they have a long time friendship. "Andi really liked the pre-production and immediately decided to help us in with his experiences!" Some of the tracks are "When Time Will Fly Me By", "Exceptional", "Your Beat Inside My Heart", "Back To My Bed", "My Own Misery", "Do You Remember". Further, they can introduce a new singer: Fernando Garcia (ex-VICTORY) joined WICKED SENSATION! SHY - tba (Release: early 2004) MTM is proud to announce the signing of SHY! Previously known as TROJAN, SHY were blessed with an extremely powerful vocalist in Tony Mills. Also on board was much revered guitarist Steve Harris, classically trained keyboards player Paddy Mckenna, bassist Mark Badrick, and the line up was completed by stix-man Alan Kelly. Original bass player Mark was replaced by ex-TROUBLE and KOREA bass man Roy Davis. The group's debut album "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" was released in 1983 and was followed by 8 high class AOR albums which received great critical acclaim and commercial success. The band toured and supported MAGNUM, TWELFTH NIGHT, UFO, TWISTED SISTER, MEATLOAF, GARY MOORE and BON JOVI. Their subsequent "Excess All Areas" (1987) was recorded in Holland with producer Neil Kernon (DOKKEN / QUEENSRYCHE) and the single lifted from the album, co-written with Don Dokken, saw SHY gain much valuable radio play. The last full length album "Unfinished Business" was released in 2002 and received enthusiastic press feedback and the album have been voted as "album of the month" in many rock magazines. NORTHRUP / SHORTINO - t.b.a. (Release: early 2004) MTM MUSIC is proud to announce the signing of J.K. NORTHRUP and PAUL SHORTINO. Both are high respected artists and are working on a hard rock / AOR album. JK already released his Best Of album on MTM and was involved into the latest XYZ album. Beside that he worked for FOREIGNER, CHEAP TRICK, TED NUGENT, KING KOBRA, SCORPIONS, KINGDOM COME, DOKKEN, BLUE MURDER, DIO, TOTO, MOTHLEY CRUE, etc. PAUL SHORTINO is known as a great singer among others for ROUGH CUTT and QUIET RIOT. Both are gathering their experiences and you can expect a high quality AOR album with strong songs and catchy melodies. Tommy Denander will appear on a song as guest musician as well as Johnny Edwards on a duet with Paul! One song can be heard on the forthcoming MTM MUSIC COMPILATION Vol. 9 which is scheduled for October this year. TOKEN - t.b.a. (Release: early 2004) After "Tomorrowland" the band is working on a new album. The band is happy to introduce two new and well known band members: Morgan J Johansson is the new singer who was in CRYSTAL BLUE on their first album "Caught In A Game". He also appeared on the new CRYSTAL BLUE song "Someone" which was pre-released on MTM COMPILATION Vol. 8. Beside him Patrick Johansson is the new drummer who played for YNGWIE MALMSTEEN on his last album. Here are a few new song titles: "I'm On My Way", "Healed", "Eleventh Hour". DANNY DANZI - "DanziLand" (Release: early 2004) Danny Danzi is the new signing of MTM MUSIC. His last album "Somewhere Lost In Time" was released last year and received high rated reviews. Danny Danzi performed all vocals, guitars, bass and drums on this album and you can expect a great follow up album. "DanziLand" is one album to watch for as nothing in the melodic rock genre' sounds anything like it. One advance track of his forthcoming album can be heard on the new MTM MUSIC compilation Vol. 9 which is released in October 2003. EDGE OF FOREVER - t.b.a. (Release: early 2004) EDGE OF FOREVER, a concentration of 80's Hard Rock, filled with rousing melodies and neoclassical atmospheres. The band features fantastic singer BOB HARRIS, who worked with FRANK ZAPPA, STEVE VAI and is actually part of legendary band AXE. Mastermind Alessandro Del Vecchio, keyboard player, has gained valuable experience besides some bigwigs of the world's rock and metal scene, energetic performer, has worked live and on records featuring GLENN HUGHES, PATRICK RONDAT, TONY FRANKLIN, BRUCE KULICK, AANDRE MATOS, SCOTT McGILL, TIMEMACHINE and many more. The album will be produced by MARCEL JACOB, extraordinary bass player and producer, who is the founder member of TALISMAN with JEFF SCOTT SOTO and worked with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, POWER, JOHN NORUM, JOHANSSON BROTHERS. JEFF SCOTT SOTO is singing a duet on a song together with BOB HARRIS and JEFF is doing most of the backing vocals on the album. RECKLESS - Reckless (MTM CLASSIX, Release: 2004) RECKLESS was formed in 1993 and came out of the band LINE UP who started a few years earlier with Patrick Axelsson as frontman and lead singer. LINE UP had their debut rock album "Lucky One" released 1992 and toured all over Sweden. 1995 drummer Stefan went to Greece and performed for three years with Michael Bormann from JADED HEART he also appeared on german tv with JADED HEART 1998. Robert performed with heavy metal band EXPLODE in Sweden at the time, but the boys have now found their way back and writes music together again. The album "Reckless" was only released in Japan 1994 and is finally released in Europe together with three bonus tracks! SEVEN WISHES - t.b.a. (Release: early 2004) Hard-hitting fourpiece out of Sweden Raised on bands like Dokken and Ratt to name a few, the band started the engines back in 1999 after the members got pretty fed up with their situations in other bands. Tony says: "We really wanted to put together the band we always had been dreaming of! During the 90's the melodic rock scene. Wasn't the hottest thing around, but we couldn't care less. This was exactly what we wanted to do. And we did..." With the American rockscene as some kind of natural rolemodel the band released two albums, "S/T" and "Utopia". After a year filled with problems, the band is back in better shape than ever! Right now a third release is under progress. (spring 2004 release) Check out the bands demoversion of the track "Fortuneteller" on the forthcoming sampler on MTM MUSIC. RAW - First (MTM CLASSIX, Release: 2004) R.A.W consists of the two brother Bosse and Anders Lindmark and if you're familiar with the band DALTON you'll probably recognise the names on three of the members in R.A.W. In the beginning of 1992 the band was signed to EMI Sweden and started to write songs for an album and their first single "First Time Love" made a clear entrance on the charts in the beginning of 1995. The first album release was titled "First" in 1995. MTM CLASSIX is now re-releasing "First" as it's a very sought after collectors item and the re-issue is featuring two unreleased bonus tracks. AXIA - 1705 (MTM CLASSIX, Release: 2004) tba Courtesy of MTM Music