In the realm of hard rock and guitar virtuosity, few names resonate as profoundly as Rik Emmett. Renowned for his masterful fretwork and distinctive vocals, Emmett has left an indelible mark on the music world through his solo career and tenure with the iconic Canadian rock band Triumph. Recently, he unveiled “Diamonds – The Best of the Hard Rock Y…

As the bassist for Armored Saint and Fates Warning, Joey Vera has carved a unique legacy in the genre, spanning decades of uncompromising musicianship and reliable low-end on both these bands. With Armored Saint, he’s been an integral force behind the band’s dynamic blend of power, melody, and raw energy, while his tenure with Fates Warning has see…

Sebastian Bach will release his long-awaited studio album, “Child Within the Man”, on May 10th via Reigning Phoenix Music. With a career that has spanned over 35 years and tens of millions of albums sold, billions of streams, chart-topping songs, and packing arenas/theaters worldwide, Sebastian is back with a vengeance with the release of “Child Wi…

Listen to an in-depth interview with director and producer Arnold Leibovit about his fantastic restorations of The Puppetoons! 'The Puppetoons' series of short films were a very important part of Ray Harryhausen's early career, being his first paid work as an animator in the 1940s. Created by legendary director George Pal, the films used replacemen…

Celebrate 90 years of King Kong in Episode 47 of The Ray Harryhausen Podcast!To mark this landmark movie, we look back at the ‘King Kong at Ninety: Visualization in the Art of Stop-Motion Animation’ exhibition which ran at Eastern Michigan University earlier this year. Foundation trustee John Walsh and collections manager Connor Heaney speak about …

Episode 46 of the Ray Harryhausen Podcast sees an exclusive interview with Nigel Glockler, drummer of legendary heavy metal band Saxon!Nigel chats with Foundation Collections Manager Connor Heaney about his love of Ray Harryhausen films, and of his dinosaur pictures in particular. Occasionally nicknamed 'The T-Rex', Nigel describes the impact that …

Celebrating twenty years of existence, Baroness released their critically acclaimed sixth album, “Stone”, on September 15, 2023. As discussed in our review (which can be read here), this is one of their most cohesive pieces of work, although there’s plenty of room for experimentation. And obviously, now is the time to promote “Stone”, and showcase …

'A life changing award’ - Guillermo Del ToroA special bonus episode of the Ray Harryhausen Podcast, where we speak to some of the previous winners of our Ray Harryhausen Awards. Listen to Guillermo Del Toro, Phil Tippett and Mark Gustafson speak about how much their Harryhausen Award wins have meant to them. We speak with 'Best Student Film Animati…

Europe has recently released its new single, “Hold Your Head Up,” ahead of a 2024 documentary film about the band’s meteoric rise to becoming one of the greatest rock bands in history. The song is a vibrant rocker reminiscent of their early hits and captures Joey Tempest [vocals], John Norum [guitars], John Levén [bass], Mic Michaeli [keyboards], a…

Episode 45 of the Ray Harryhausen Podcast details an exciting visit to the studios of Aardman Animations!Ray's daughter Vanessa Harryhausen and Collections Manager Connor Heaney chat with Aardman archivists Tom Vincent and Zoe Critchley about their important work in taking care of such legendary stop-motion creations. Aardman's founder Peter Lord a…

The Ray Harryhausen Podcast is back with a look back at the winners of the Ray Harryhausen Awards 2023!Marking Ray's birthday on the 29th of June, the winners of this year's awards were announced at the Cameo Cinema in Edinburgh. Collections Manager Connor Heaney hosted, as judges Vanessa Harryhausen, John Walsh and Steve Henderson announced our wi…

Not many bands can leave a lasting impression and legacy like Black Sabbath have done over the last 50 years. They have been flying the flag for heavy metal throughout their career to legions of fans around the world since their eponymous debut album, “Black Sabbath”, which was released on February 13, 1970. They went on to sell over 46 million alb…

Often wonder and been intrigued by what life is like working, managing or being an artist, a rock star? Traveling to foreign countries, seeing the sights, feeling the energy of live audiences, night after night, and experiencing firsthand the screaming fans? It’s not always glorious or glamorous; in fact, there is more to it than you think. One thi…

Multi-platinum rocker Theory Of A Deadman will release their eighth studio album, “Dinosaur”, on March 17th via Roadrunner Records. The track “Dinosaur” is currently at #12 on the Top 10 at U.S. Active Rock Radio and quickly approaching the Top 10. This album marks a return to form stylistically while growing and learning to solidify their place at…

The achievements of rock n’ roll heavyweights The Trews are many and mighty, highlighted by multiple radio hits drawn from seven critically acclaimed studio albums plus several EPs, a pair of live records, and a retrospective. The band’s 2021 release, “Wanderer,” emerged with their fiercest and most accomplished songs to date, taking the band furth…

Are you a fan of Harryhausen classic 'Clash of the Titans'? Check out our exclusive interview with some of the crew responsible for making the film!We caught up with 'Clash' first assistant director Anthony Waye, second assistant director Terry Madden, and stills photographer Keith Hamshere. Hosted by Foundation trustee John Walsh , the three speak…

Episode 42 of our podcast sees an interview with legendary musician Hugh Cornwell!Former Stranglers vocalist Hugh visited the Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema exhibition at the National Galleries of Scotland last year. Whilst at the exhibit, he interviewed daughter & Foundation trustee Vanessa Harryhausen to discuss her memories of growing up aroun…

August 19th marked the release of the self-titled debut of SiX by SiX. The collaboration between Saga‘s guitarist Ian Crichton, singer, producer and bass player Robert Berry, and Saxon‘s drummer Nigel Glockler will impress the most demanding progressive rock fans out there. Six By Six was born when Robert and Ian started exchanging ideas and sewing…

A lone soldier on the front-lines of creativity, John Mitchell has been at the forefront of forward- thinking and progressive rock for decades now. As a member of such revered prog ensembles as It Bites, Arena, Frost* and his own projects Kino and The Urbane, he has become a uniquely vital contributor to the modern scene, while his credentials as a…

“Beer commercials, car commercials, and Cobra Kai.” I straight up thought that legendary drummer Mark Zonder’s reference point for his new band would have been Toto or Journey. There aren’t really any sonic similarities between them and A-Z, but they all share these very key traits: at their core, they’re expertly-written, hook-saturated pop songs …

John Norum is most famously known around the globe as being the lead guitarist and a founding member of the band Europe. Together they are Sweden’s most prominent rock export selling over 10 million albums worldwide with songs like “The Final Countdown,” “Carrie,” and “Rock the Night.” Recently the song “The Final Countdown” reached 1 billion views…

Derek Sherinian seems determined to make up for the lost time. Having spent nine years working with the super-groups Black Country Communion, PSMS and Sons of Apollo, and touring with Billy Idol, Joe Bonamassa and others, he is now focused on his solo career. 2020 saw the release of “The Phoenix”, Derek‘s first solo record in nine years, which did …

While the pandemic seems like a thing of the past at the moment and many artists are going on extensive tours, there are still albums coming out which were written at the height of Covid-19. That’s the case with Eric Johnson‘s two upcoming releases, “The Book of Making” and “Yesterday Meets Today”. Blue Élan Records will release both albums on July…

Vinny Appice is a metal legend, plain and simple. Having started his career playing with Rick Derringer and with his band Axis, Vinnie rose to fame after joining Black Sabbath on the Heaven and Hell Tour. With Black Sabbath he recorded the follow up album “Mob Rules,” before leaving to become the drummer of Dio‘s solo band. He was a mainstay of Dio…

Released on March 18, 2022, “Postcards from the End of the World” is the sophomore effort of Shining Black. The band was formed as a collaboration between vocalist Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen, Ring Of Fire, Royal Hunt) and guitarist Ölaf Thorson (Labyrinth, Vision Divine). Completing the lineup are Oleg Smirnoff on keyboards & piano, Nik Mazzuccon…

What do you do when your band is on a break, and you’re used to playing a million notes every night? If your name is Jordan Rudess, the answer is: you go out on a solo tour and play a million other notes per show. Dream Theater finished a successful run of shows in Europe and North America, promoting their latest release, “A View from the Top of Th…

For 37 years, TESLA continues to write, record, and tour to the excitement of their fans. In 2014 they released a stellar straight-up, hard-rocking album, “Simplicity” and then in 2019 released “Shock,” a rock album but with a bit more polished and shine. It was written and recorded while on tour in hotels, backstage, and on buses with Phil Collen …

Episode 41 of The Ray Harryhausen Podcast features an interview with author and special effects artist Mark Wolf, who discusses his new book ‘Smoke and Mirrors- Special Visual Effects B.C (Before Computers)’.Mark is a stop-motion animator who became a long time friend of Ray Harryhausen’s. Over the years, they discussed in detail some of the finer …

“This whole trip was chaos,” confides a visibly exhausted Timo Kotipelto. The reserved but charismatic Stratovarius front-man and I are tucked away in a corner at the lobby of the Sonesta Midtown hotel, spitting distance from popular ProgPower USA breakfast spot The Silver Skillet. The pair and their band-mates are about twelve hours removed from t…

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will be releasing “Live At Studios 60”, exclusive vinyl for Record Store Day on June 18th. It’s their first-ever double live LP featuring their entire 2022 album, “4;” plus performances of the group’s Top 5 Rock Radio Hits, including “You’re A Lie,” “World on Fire,” “Anastasia,” and “Driving Rain.”…

Michael Monroe has long been at the forefront of breaking musical barriers from Hanoi Rocks to his successful solo career. He returns with his highly anticipated album; “I Live Too Fast to Die Young,” due out on June 10th via Silver Lining Music. “I Live Too Fast to Die Young” Album Artwork In an era where the pandemic and war are seamless bookends…

Just over a year ago Evergrey released “Escape of the Phoenix,” an album that was not only the band’s greatest commercial success, but was also widely acclaimed as one of the best albums of 2021. At Sonic Perspectives, we rated it number one. While many other bands would have been content to rest and revel in the accolades pouring in, these Swedish…

Skid Row has always been one of the hardest working bands in the metal / hard rock circuit, but their touring schedule in 2022 is absolutely insane, even for their standards. With over sixty shows booked until the end of the year and hitting all corners of the world, it seems that nothing can stop these New Jerseyans. There’s also new music in the …

John5 is one of the hardest working musicians on the planet, and to prove it, he will be heading out on his Spring/Summer 2022 Sinner North American Tour before a Rob Zombie tour this summer. Johns‘ tour starts in California on April 19th and takes him through June, ending in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Supporting many of his shows along the way wil…

Some collaborations do take time to mature and to come into fruition. In the case of James LaBrie and Paul Logue, it took 11 years for their album to finally be concluded. Their story began in 2011, when James lent his voice to a song called “No Holy Man”, from Paul‘s band, UK melodic metal outfit Eden’s Curse. The pair remained in touch through th…

The march of time may bring about change, but the memory of those who lived the glory days of thrash metal in the 1980s don’t have to settle for a future that doesn’t possess the music they love, at least if Germany’s own thrash titans Destruction have anything to say on the matter. Having been left with little avenue for touring over the past 2 ye…

PROGJECT also dubbed “The Ultimate Prog Rock Experience” is the brainchild of drummer extraordinaire Jonathan Mover. Jonathan is not only a session drummer to the stars but has performed with some heavyweight artists like Alice Cooper, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, GTR, and Marillion, to name just a few. The idea for PROGJECT came to fruition in 2019 wh…

Episode 40 of our podcast sees a very special interview with former Ramones bassist CJ Ramone!CJ chats to Foundation collections manager Connor Heaney about his love of Ray Harryhausen's films, and shares memories of his favourite Harryhausen creatures. He also discusses his friendship with actress and Foundation advisor Caroline Munro, to whom he …

There is no such thing as being too late to the party when it comes to hard rock, and few know this better than Kurt Deimer, who seemingly came out of nowhere a few months back and unleashed an EP’s worth of familiar yet highly unique odes to the aforementioned style. More discerning minds may well recall this enigmatic bass appearing in such noted…

ENVY OF NONE, the new band from Alex Lifeson (RUSH), Andy Curran (CONEY HATCH), Alfio Annibalini and singer Maiah Wynne, will release its self-titled debut album on April 8 via Kscope. Through its 11 tracks, the group explores a wide array of styles, with enticing vocal melodies, pop hooks and atmospheric passages. The genesis of the band came from…

There is something to be said for sticking to one’s proverbial guns when times get tough, and few know that better than Cage and Death Dealer screamer Sean Peck. Sharing a birth year with the godfather of grunge Kurt Cobain, his would be a far different path of swimming against the tide of detractors of old school heavy metal in the West Coast of t…

Michael Romeo is back! Four years after his first proper solo album, “War of the Worlds, Pt. 1” was released, the sequel is finally among us. Romeo kept the same rhythm session as the first album – bassist John ‘JD’ DeServio and drummer John Macaluso – but added singer Dino Jelusick to the fold. The new release, “War of the Worlds, Pt. 2” maintains…

With 43 years of music under their belts and a demanding yet extremely dedicated fan base, MARILLION‘s approach to making music remains fresh to this day. Granted, the pandemic made their writing process a little bit more complicated than usual, but they came out of it with yet another incredible offering. Entitled “Ah Hour Before It’s Dark”, their…

Andy Timmons is gearing up to add another highlight to his storied career by releasing his newest solo album “Electric Truth” on April 1st as an independent release. The upcoming album features all-new material from Andy since “Resolution” in 2006 and “Theme From A Perfect World” with the Andy Timmons’ Band in 2016. “Electric Truth” is a diverse bl…

When the collaboration between Neal Morse, Nick D’Virgilio, and Ross Jennings was announced, prog fans worldwide received the unexpected association with great excitement. Even though we already know the outstanding results that the partnership between Morse and D’Virgilio usually provides, the presence of Ross Jennings, vocalist for prog-metal pow…

The thrash metal wave that took the West Coast of the United States by storm may have crashed down and receded with the onset of the 1990s, but you wouldn’t know it by how the original Bay Area sound has been continually cropping back up of late. While there is no shortage of new blood out there bring the old ways back to a new generation, one woul…

Aldo Nova is back and better than ever, releasing two albums this April. The first album features ten brand new studio tracks from this 25 song Rock Opera, “The Life and Times of Eddie Gage,” due out on April 1st. His second release, “Aldo Nova 2.0 Reloaded,” features nine of his classic songs re-imagined and will be released on April 19th. “The Li…

Less than two years after the release of Ayreon‘s “Transitus”, tireless Dutch musician Arjen Lucassen is back with new music. This time, the prog-metal/rock icon opted to revisit the Arjen Anthony Lucassen’s Star One project, which until now was held in hiatus. With “Revel in Time”, almost twelve years of drought under the Star One moniker are brok…

Nick D’Virgilio is one of the most versatile musicians in rock. Drummer par excellence, who has handled sticks for Big Big Train, Spock’s Beard and more sessions than one can count. A top singer-songwriter, whose 2020 solo album “Invisible” was one of the best of the year. And vocalist? The man’s sweet leads and background harmonies grace more albu…

“Have you ever worked on something and been really proud of it, and the next day you feel like the worst in the history of humankind?” Why yes, Carlos, I know that feeling rather well. “It’s like that,” Carlos continues. “When we write the music, we double-check everything. We want to make every second of the music matter. No filler, on any instrum…