Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian-based label known for embracing new music from legendary Rock artists, returns with another impactful project: Rated X. Set for release in the Europe on November 7th and in North America on November 11th, the album features all new songs built upon a classic Hard Rock foundation, with a distinctly contemporary edge.
Rated X was formed at the suggestion of Frontiers President Serafino Perugino, who mentioned to singer Joe Lynn Turner that a band of highest caliber musicians should be assembled to create an album of classic Hard Rock music. Turner, the former lead vocalist for both Rainbow and Deep Purple and a solo artist in his own right, agreed, and the search for the right players was on. Carmine Appice, who already had a relationship with Frontiers, was on board immediately. A true percussion icon, Appice’s resume is one that Rock legends are made of: Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, Blue Murder, King Kobra and others.
Appice’s former Blue Murder bandmate and bassist, Tony Franklin (best known for his work with The Firm, Jimmy Page, Paul Rodgers, David Gilmour, Kate Bush, and Whitesnake), signed up next. After a lengthy search for the right guitarist, they settled on long-time Turner collaborator Karl Cochran, who has also worked with Ace Frehley, and worked in the past with Joe Lynn Turner on his solo albums.
“I believe we wanted to keep it a bit retro with a modern edge,” says Turner. “The songs are classic rock, but then that’s an understatement. They are what they are; and they transformed as we went along recording. So, all in all, we are very happy to finish the record and finally able to get it out to the public. Everyone in this band is a true individual and stylist. When you put it all together, you have Rated X.”
The debut album, simply titled, Rated X, is remarkable in that it sounds like a band that has worked together as a unit for years. The songs are powerful and the performances are tight and innovative. Frontiers in-house producer, Alessandro del Vecchio, not only handled studio production but added keyboards on several tracks. Pat Regan (Mr Big, Deep Purple, Gotthard, Kiss, Doro) mixed the album.
Says Carmine Appice, “With his help in coming up with the song ideas and working together with the band I believe we came up with the sound from the late 70s -80s. To me, it sounds like Blue Murder with Joe Lynn Turner singing. Having Tony and myself as the rhythm section and with the heavy guitars, it gives the record a Blue Murder-vibe. Then, adding Alessandro on keys gave us a bit of the Deep Purple thing. It all works together and I loved playing each song.”
Watch the EPK below:
Rated X track listing:
Get Back My Crown
This Is Who I Am
Fire And Ice
I Don’t Cry No More
Lhasa
Devil In Disguise
You Are The Music
Peace Of Mind
Maybe Tonight
On The Way To Paradise
Our Love Is Not Over
Stranger In Us All
Preorder Rated X at Amazon.
For more information about Rated X, please visit facebook.com/RatedXRocks.
74 Responses
This definitely sounds interesting! If, as Carmine says, it sounds like Blue Murder with Joe Lyne Turner singing, it should be fantastic! I loved the first Blue Murder album. I will definitely check this out!
Sykes was the driving force behind Blue Murder. You can’t have Blue Murder without Sykes. This isn’t Blue Murder.
This has to be a grand slammer!! Please tour!!
James Perkins
Houston. Texas
Why don’t you donate your money to charity instead of wasting it on this blather.
I always liked Joe’s work with Rainbow, and a big fan of Blue Murder, so I will give this a shot. I thought Tony Franklin was working on John Sykes new album?
I for one love these supergroups that get together, even if it is for one album, sure beats a lot of the crap that is getting put out there. I’m looking forward to this one, as well as Sweet/Lynch.
I completely agree with you. They don’t all work out, but sometimes when you put talented people together, it can be good. Also, I’m a fan of heavy melodic blues rock.
This is not a Supergroup. Ozzy Osbourne with Steve Harris, Yngwie, and one of the dudes from Abba would be a supergroup. This is not.
Supergroup wishlist:
Supergroup #1: Paul Rodgers, Eddie Van Halen, Roger Glover, Jason Bonham
Supergroup #2: Rob Halford, Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Bill Ward.
Supergroup #3: Chris Cornell, Jimmy Page, Geezer Butler, Nicko McBrain
I can come up with these bands all day, but I’ll stop at 3.
Your just mixing and matching great musicians. Too easy! How about:
SUPERGROUP # 4: PAUL STANLEY’S PLASTIC SURGEON, VINCE NEILS DRIVERS ED TEACHER, AXL ROSES BARBER
S.G.#4: PAUL ROGERS CROTCH IN HIS TOO TIGHT LEATHER PANTS, BILL WARDS PHYSICAL TRAINER, TOMMY LEES CONDOM MAKER
S.G.#6: ACE FREHLEYS DERMATOLOGIST, KEITH RICHARDS DRUG COUNSELOR, TAWNY KITEAN
S.G.#7: GEDDY LEES NOSE, PHIL COLLENS NIPPLES, PHIL COLLINSES NIPPLES, BOBBY BROWN ( WHINEY HOUSTON GUY), BOBBY BROWN ( CHERRY PIE) .
#6 has to win hands down. However, I’ll see your #6 and raise you;
#8: JOE ELLIOT’S LEG WARMERS FROM THE PYROMANIA TOUR, BLACKIE LAWLESS’S COD PIECE, STEVE STEVEN’S HAIR CIRCA REBEL YELL, and finally BRUCE DICKENSON’S TEETH.
LOL!
Now I am going to have to buy this one. I bet it will be good.
Are you making that bet with your own money? Hell, do you have any money to bet? Don’t throw what you do have away on something as pathetic as this band.