Novak is none other than Mind’s Eye vocalist Andreas Novak. The debut Novak release Forever Endeavour was released via MTM Music in 2005 and was met with both critical and popular acclaim. The Novak name was last seen on Volume 3 of the MelodicRock.com compilation series – a song called Said And Done.

But there was always unfinished business with the Novak brand and Angelmilk Records approached Andreas with the plan to make a second album and make it even better than the debut.

Andreas Novak says: “I’m really excited about this opportunity. This time we’ll focus on making a more solid rock album, with lots of effort on good melodies instead of equilibristic achievements. You want surplus shredding? I’m sure you’ll find it somewhere, but not on this album. We have a bunch of high quality rock songs in store, and anyone who’s disappointed with the purchase will get a full refund from me personally!

We’ll lock ourselves up in the studio now, and won’t get out ’til February. Until then, Novakation.”

Andrew McNeice says: “The debut Novak release was something special. Classy melodic rock, but with that additional extra spark that put it apart from many other albums and I’ve always anticipated where Andreas could take that sound. The exclusive track used on MRCD3 proved to me that Novak is a special brand of music and I am very proud to add this release to our roster for 2009.”

The album will once again feature Mind’s Eye drummer and producer Daniel Flores and will be released on Angelmilk Records in 2009.

Venus In Overdrive is Rick Springfield’s first full-length new studio work of original material since the critically acclaimed shock/denial/anger/acceptance in 2003. More upbeat and fun than the dark and introspective shock/denial/anger/acceptance, Venus In Overdrive marks a return to Rick’s pop/rock roots. Venus In Overdrive is simultaneously classic and current — and definitely the music fans have loved since Rick’s distinctive canine companion Lethal Ron first graced the cover of his classic album Working Class Dog.
“In a way, I think we should have called this album ‘Son of Working Class Dog.’ The songs explore some of the same themes, albeit from a slightly older perspective,” notes Rick. “It’s an album about love in all of its forms…good, bad, happy, sad, the kind that drives you crazy…love and all of its human failings.”

A creative collaboration between Rick and his longtime bass player Matt Bissonette, Venus In Overdrive was recorded in its entirety in only 32 days. “We were on a roll and just couldn’t stop. It all flowed so naturally. Writing and recording these songs has been the most fun I’ve had in the studio since the early 80s,” says Rick.

The first single from Venus In Overdrive is “What’s Victoria’s Secret?” Says Rick, “It’s one of those titles that was waiting to be written and Matt (Bissonette) just came up with it first. It’s about the sexualization of women and the dichotomy most men feel. As males we want that on one hand, but then it scares the hell out of us and we resist it. Mainly, we need to connect with women as human beings.” Rick also notes that there are some familiar influences in the song. “The longing, lust, and insecurities revealed that made “Jessie’s Girl” hit so close to home are there. It’s not ‘Jessie’s Girl,’ but touches some of the same places lyrically and musically.”

By contrast, the album’s title track is a different sound for Rick Springfield. With its dance and alternative influences, “Venus In Overdrive” is as contemporary as “What’s Victoria’s Secret” is retro. Still, its guitar tracks and raw sexual angst are signature Rick Springfield. “It surprises me when people use the word ‘influences’ like it’s always something from the past. Bands like The Beatles and The Who made a huge impact on my life as a musician and a songwriter, but there are some really cool things happening in music now that inevitably find their way into my psyche. ‘Venus In Overdrive’ evolved that way,” notes Rick.

Other songs on the album address different kinds of relationships, including loved ones lost. “There’s a lot of personal stuff in these songs, but we’ve tried to craft them with a universal voice. In working on this album, Matt and I discovered the similarities in the relationships with our fathers — things that were sometimes funny and maddening.” Two songs on the record, “Saint Sahara” and “God Blinked” pay tribute to Sahara Aldridge, a young girl who frequently attended Rick’s shows and who recently lost her battle with cancer. The whole band had come to love her as a member of the extended family and felt a great loss with her passing, but the songs are a celebration of her life and recognition of the people she affected in the world, making good on a promise to give her a song she could dance to.

Andrew McNeice: “To say that I am excited about this signing is the understatement of the year. Everyone that knows me and this site knows what a huge fan I am of Rick’s work over the years. I have music from Rick dating back to 1968, and he has been a constant musical influence for me since becoming a fan in 1981 (along with so many others).

This year has been a stellar year for music, with several artists delivering their best work in more than 20 years. It is therefore especially rewarding to sign this new album from Rick, as I personally feel he has also delivered his best work in 20 years and one of his best releases ever.

Venus In Overdrive is nothing short of classic Rick Springfield with a fresh updated sound and I thank Rick and his management team for this opportunity in helping him re-connect with his European fan base.”

Andy Bramhall: “Can I just say how proud Andrew and I are to be representing Rick Springfield in Europe for his latest record, we are both huge fans of his work and this record is about as radio friendly as it gets. It’s a superb effort that will have wide appeal and we both feel flattered that Rick’s Management have shown trust in our new label to get this record out…..Thank you Rick, we won’t let you down mate.”

When asked to comment, Rick Springfield sent the following message: “Signing a deal in Europe (to Angelmilk) with this, the best CD of my career is something that is overdue. We have been touring in the US, Japan and Australia for the last 10 years and look forward to coming over to Europe and getting to know you all again. Love, RS.”

The Angelmilk Records European release of Venus In Overdrive contains the following tracks (including a killer bonus track!): 1. What’s Victoria’s Secret? 2. I’ll Miss That Someday 3. Venus In Overdrive 4. One Passenger 5. Oblivious 6. 3 Warning Shots 7. Time Stand Still 8. God Blinked (Swing It Sister) 9. Mr. PC 10. She 11. Nothing Is Ever Lost 12. Saint Sahara 13. Who Killed Rock N Roll.

RICKSPRINGFIELD.COM

The duo teamed up in late 2005 for the album Collateral Damage which was released as a Ted Poley solo record by Kivel Records in 2006.

Now the guys finally get to do it again, under the Poley/Rivera moniker for the first time since previewing one of the demos from this album on the MelodicRock Volume 2 sampler in late 2006. The album is named after that very track. Only Human is everything one expects from a Ted Poley release, with the added “crunch” of Vic Rivera, showcasing an extra special set of songs.

Says Ted Poley: “I am very excited and honored that Poley/Rivera has been chosen as one of the initial signings to Angelmilk! Vic and I are very proud of the new CD and happy that Andy and Andrew and their team will be handling it! I wish Angelmilk much success with all of its new signings and look forward to being part of a new adventure in melodic rock!”

Vic Rivera joins in: “Ted and I are absolutely thrilled to be working with Messrs. McNeice and Bramhall and Angelmilk Records for the release of this CD. We’re very proud of the work we’ve done on this project and are honored that the classy label in Angelmilk has endeavored to bring this great bunch of songs to the melodic rock fans. It was a labor of love every step of the way, and to finally see it fully realized is a dream come true for us. Thanks, Andrew, Andy and Angelmilk! And a big thanks to all of our fans who make this possible!”

Track Listing for Poley/Rivera “Only Human”: 1. Keep On Fighting 2. Top Of The World 3. Only Human 4. Did We Just Have A Moment 5. Insanity 6. N.W.S 7. The Bigger They Come 8. Delirious 9. Fire At Will 10. Breathe Deep 11. Crossing The Ocean.

The release of Only Human is currently scheduled for September. Exact release details and further previews to follow very shortly.

MYSPACE.COM/POLEYRIVERA

They worked at MasterTone studios under the guidance of producer Pete Coleman (AC/DC, Paradise Lost, Echo And The Bunnymen, The Charlatans and many more). Due to some legal problems within the label the album failed to be released.

At this point the band decided to keep working on new material and headed out to look for a new label. And with the addition of guitarist Javier Viñas (37) and guest percussionist Emiliano Gimenez (21), Hardway recorded a new demo in 2006 and got a call from Angelmilk Records, and they proposed the band to work on a new album, this time with a refreshed sound. The band is currently finishing demos for the album due to be released by Angelmilk Records.

“Basically this will be an AOR album, but each of us has different influences and we intend to have that mixture in the final result”, the band says.

Hardway is a band that will fit into this scene extremely well. Their musical abilities go beyond their years and AOR fans will be pleased to hear their sound has a distinct old-school Toto vibe to it. A release is planned for later this year.

Keyboardist Eric Ragno comments: “We are excited about this new partnership, and look forward to seeing the album get the overseas exposure that it deserves. ”

Track Listing: For Every Life, Escape, Broken, Foreshadows, Revelations, What About, Voice of Time, Love, Lies & Treason and Steal the Moment.

MYSPACE.COM/VOXTEMPUS

That’s just the start – Chris Antblad has spent the better part of his adult life as a musician and primarily as a songwriter. A mix of versatility and exceptional lyricism, has led to many interesting collaborations over the years. Primarily, the songwriting has been concentrated on adult oriented rock music and country. Two styles of music that both are reliant on advanced vocal-parts and arrangements. After a few years of songwriting, the necessity for good demos fostered a vocal ability that in later years led to more and more vocal work. Growing up outside the Swedish music scene, there was little to choose from, in terms of vocalists, and necessity once again turned out to be the mother of invention. He was forced to learn the art of singing, and after a couple of uncomfortable years, he found himself a decent singer. Combined with the experience as a session keyboard player, with a lot of jazz under the belt, and decent abilities on guitar and bass, the quality of the work started to reach a professional level.
The songwriting led to Nashville and collaborations with some of his heroes like John Bettis, Gary Baker, Eric Martin, Paul Carrack, Michael Jay, Joe Lynn Turner, John Capek, Randy Goodrum, Jay Graydon, Brett James and Wayne Kirkpatrick. His interest for AOR always lingered as a result of growing up in the 80-ies and has led to a long time collaboration with Joe Lynn Turner and a few noted appearances, one of which was the noted one-off Spin Gallery project.

After several years of writing and producing, it now feels like it is time to get back to the roots and do another album. Together with the label Angelmilk, Chris hopes to be able to indulge himself in the music he loves and at the same time “give back” to a music-genre that has nurtured his musicality over the years. Time to get back to basics, and time to roll up the sleeves and do a real album.

Says Chris of the upcoming debut solo album: “It will NOT be an encyclopedia of people that did this with everyone, a thousand times over, but rather my take on the music I love, in a very band oriented context. With the odd surprise in terms of mainly songwriting, that is the basis for all good albums. Maybe a duet, but nothing else…than a great band, the best songs I have right now, and a lot of spirit… My favorite album of all times is Reckless by Bryan Adams, and if I can get half-way there, then I will be pleased… and hopefully you guys will like it. I want to say that I’m doing this for the fans, but it’s much too much fun and it’s purely an egotistical endeavor…lol”

And on signing to Angelmilk Records, Chris had this to say: “I like working with small labels, where everyone is in it for the right reasons. I have done records with all kinds of labels, including the majors, and if music is your priority, then a small one is more likely to get you what you want. The discussion I’ve had with Angelmilk, convinced me that we have the same mindset and attitude towards the creative process, and together we will do our best to get the best album possible, out there. Andrew approached me, and suggested a collaboration. His positive attitude and the fact that we have the same taste in music, convinced me that this would be a sound environment to do an album in. Emotionally, it’s sort of like choosing someone to look after your kids…you can’t just go with anyone.”

Andrew McNeice: “As stated earlier – I can’t wait to get this one out to fans. The quality of the songwriting and Chris’ choice for a more AOR approach had me hooked from the start. Chris initially sent me one solo demo some 18 months ago and it is still stuck in my head after all this time – that was the basis for chasing him for Angelmilk. Plus he has one of those voices that just demands your attention.”

Chris Antblad’s solo debut album will be released under his name and is planned to be released before the end of this year – most likely in November. Stay tuned for further details.

The 9 tracks that make up this lost classic are nothing short of blinding keyboard driven 80s melodic hard rock, with vocals that need to be heard to be believed!
The rest of the line-up consists of various session guys, including one very young Reb Beach (Whitesnake, Winger).

What’s special about this release is the fact that the ninth track didn’t really exist until last month. The song Liar was never completed back in 1986, but the song was recently resurrected from the original tape it was recorded on, repaired enough to become a true backing track, with Mitch Malloy adding a brand new lead vocal and drum track from his studio in Nashville.

Mitch Malloy comments: “Infinity was basically me and Dave and we used different guys to play on the tracks. It was 1986-87. I was a kid. So was Dave. I was singing in clubs in Jersey and making a name for myself and looking for a real band and he was looking for a singer. Rainbow had just broken up and he was wanting to be in his own band. I was sick of playing the clubs and looking to step up and it worked out. We had some fun and wrote some songs and never got signed so we both moved on to different things. It’s exciting for us that this 22 year old music is finally going to be heard. We worked hard on it and were very proud of it. And for how old I was and for the time I am still very proud of it. It’s really my first real recording sessions ever. Dave and I had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun and we worked very hard to make out music as good as we could possibly make it. And I think it shows.”

Infinity will finally see the light of day in October.