JUL.18-TARJA TURUNEN FOOTAGE OF TWO NEW SONGS AVAILABLE! Fan-filmed video footage of former NIGHTWISH singer TARJA TURUNEN performing two new songs, "Falling Awake" and "We Are", for the first time on June 25, 2010 at this year's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium can be viewed here: blabbermouth JUL.17-SACRED WORLDS - LIVE IN WACKEN! Get 8 BLIND GUARDIAN live Songs recorded in 2007 in the newest METAL HAMMER issue! JUN.13-VIDEOS FROM TARJA´S FIRST WLB SHOW! Check out some video impressions from TARJA TURUNEN´s What Lies Beneath Tourstart! MAY.22-BRUTAL GODZ HIRE IAN BREEG AS THEIR VOCALIST!
BRUTAL GODZ proudly announce a new singer to the group's ranks. His name is Ian Breeg, a young Russian musician from Moscow who will front the BRUTAL GODZ from now on. Therefore, former METAL CHURCH vocalist RONNY MUNROE is no longer connected to the band's activities.
Commented Oliver Holzwarth (bass player for BLIND GUARDIAN, TARJA TURUNEN among others): "Out of thin air things literally happened when Iceland's volcano ashes made it impossible for Ronny to fly in which raised severe schedule problems for the band. As we therefore would have had to postpone all vocal recordings to next Year. We wish Ronny all the best for his future endeavours. Welcome aboard Ian!! We are absolutely thrilled to introduce such a high calibre musician to the groups ranks. His high screams will scare you to death sounding like a mixture of young Halford (JUDAS PRIEST) and Midnight (CRIMSON GLORY). A diamond yet uncut."
Accoding to a press release new kid Ian Breeg is kinda overwhelmed by the call of the GODZ: "I could hardly believe it when guitar player Uwe Lulis invited me to start working on their songs, write lyrics and do all the vocal arrangements. I need more time to realize what just happened. Dude, I am so happy about this!" MAY.20-SIEGES EVEN ROCKHARD INTERVIEW! Check out the interview with SIEGES EVEN all time member Alex, in the latest ROCKHARD MAGAZIN GERMANY! rockhard MAY.20-DRUM HEROES MAGAZIN AVAILABLE NOW! Alex is featured in DRUM HEROES MAGAZIN as one of the 20 best German drummers! MAY.13-BLIND GUARDIAN STUDIO CLIP AVAILABLE! Check out Oliver in this third BLIND GUARDIAN teaser here: youtube MAY.13-RHAPSODY OF FIRE VIDEO CLIP AVAILABLE! See Alex in the official video clip SEA OF FATE here: youtube MAY.10-BRUTAL GODZ KICKSTART RECORDING ITS DEBUT ALBUM!
Recently founded BRUTAL GODZ have entered sound studio's premises in Frankfurt, Germany in order to record their debut album entitled ECHOES OF THE DEAD which is scheduled to be released in autumn this Year. The whole recording process should require roundabout four months.
Due to the cancellation of oversea flights because of the Island volcano ashes singer Ronny Munroe had to reschedule his flight from Puerto Rico where he is currently living. Ronny will finally join his bandmates within a very short time. Meanwhile, Uwe Lulis (Guitar) along with the Holzwarth Brothers Alex (Drums) and Oliver (Bass) are working on new material.
Drummer Alex comments on the band's unusual recording philosophy: "The recording concept is simple. We plug our instruments in, get miked up, rehearse the songs and finally record all our music in a live situation to ensure that we catch the magic moment with each single note being played. This concept totally differs from the contemporary recording habits that do hardly catch the magic of music at all. In my opinion it is all about the face to face or ear to ear situation of playing together in the same room at the same time. Like the Beatles did it and AC/DC still do it. The audio results we get are just amazing." MAY.02-FROZEN TEARS OF ANGELS OUT NOW!
RHAPSODY OF FIRE´s new record ´Frozen tears of Angels´ is available now! Check it out here: amazon.de APRIL.14-HOLZWARTH BROTHERS ENTER STUDIO IN MAY! BRUTAL GODZ will finally hit the studio in May to record their debut record ´ECHOES OF THE DEAD´. We had to delay the recordings because of another surgery of BGZ Guitar player Uwe! Everything went fine and we can´t wait to hit the studio to get the things done! Stay tuned! APR.14-AVANTASIA LANDS ON GERMAN CHARTS #2! On April 3rd the new Avantasia-albums ´The Wicked Symphony´ and ´Angel Of Babylon´ have been released. The first chart position can now be announced. In Germany the boxset went straight to Number Two of the official album sales charts. This marks the highest chart entry for Tobias and his projects ever. FEB.25-ALEX FEATURED IN PEARL´S DRUM CATALOG 2010! Alex Holzwarth is featured in Pearl´s general catalog 2010! FEB.25-TWILIGHT HALL STUDIO UPDATES! Oliver Holzwarth is busy doing Bass Guitar recordings for the next BLIND GUARDIAN record! FEB.16-FORMER METAL CHURCH SINGER JOINS BRUTAL GODZ! Former METAL CHURCH singer Ronny Munroe has joined BRUTAL GODZ, the new Germany-based project featuring Uwe Lulis, Oliver Holzwarth and Alex Holzwarth!
Commented guitarist Uwe Lulis: "Ronny impressed us with his voice and instantly made us feel like he is the perfect one. We sent him three songs to work on and even in the same night he responded. Within a short timeframe of several hours, Ronny had written lyrics, created and arranged all the vocal lines and then performed his work — something that [none] of us had never experienced before.
"Ronny is absolutely amazing. We can't wait to hit the studio and get the songs nailed down."
Added Ronny Munroe: "I am very excited and honored to be playing with such great musicians. The material is brutal and I'm looking forward to a crushing release."
BRUTAL GODZ is:
Ronny Munroe - Vocals
Uwe Lulis - Guitar
Oliver Holzwarth - Bass
Alex Holzwarth - Drums
DEC.27-BRUCE KULICK TO GUEST ON NEW AVANTASIA ALBUM! Former KISS and current GRAND FUNK RAILROAD guitarist Bruce Kulick has joined the list of guest musicians who will appear on the forthcoming release from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project.
More Infos: AVANTASIA DEC.19-ROFA CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL SHOW! Don´t miss this gig! Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg, December 20th! Its gonna be the last one in 2009 ;-) All infos: LEAVESEYES By the way, dear friends and partners! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! The HB´s
DEC.19-ANDRE MATOS ON NEW AVANTASIA-OPUS!
After Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Bob Catley (Magnum), Eric Singer (KISS), Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire), Felix Bohnke (Edguy) and Producer Sascha Paeth (ex-Heavens Gate) Tobias is ready to announce another guest star for his forthcoming Avantasia epic: Andre Matos!
The new chapters of Avantasia will be called "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon".
On April 3rd, 2010 they will be released as two separate albums and in a limited deluxe edition - in one box set. All infos: AVANTASIA
DEC.19-FIRST BLIND GUARDIAN 2010/11 WORLD TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED! The dates are as follows:
Sep. 24 - NL - Tilburg - O13
Sep. 25 - B - Deinze (Gent) - Brielpoort
Sep. 26 - UK - London - Sheperds Bush Empire
Sep. 28 - F - Paris - Elysee Montmartre
Oct. 01 - D - Ludwigsburg - Arena
Oct. 02 - D - Trier - Arena
Oct. 03 - D - Langen - Stadthalle
Oct. 05 - D - Bremen - Pier 2
Oct. 06 - D - Hamburg - Sporthalle
Oct. 08 - D - Bamberg - Jako Arena
Oct. 09 - D - Düsseldorf - Philippshalle
Oct. 10 - D - München - Zenith
Oct. 12 - I - Rome - Atlantico
Oct. 13 - I - Milan - Alcatraz
Oct. 15 - CH - Pratteln - Z7
Oct. 16 - A - Vienna - Gasometer
Oct. 17 - CZ - Brno - Fleda
Oct. 20 - D - Berlin - Huxleys
Oct. 21 - D - Osnabrück - Halle Gartlage
Oct. 30 - RUS - St. Petersburg - Glay Club
Oct. 31 - RUS - Moscow - B1-Maximum Club
Nov. 05 - E - Madrid - La Riviera
Nov. 06 - E - Barcelona - St Jordi Club More infos: BLIND GUARDIAN
NOV.28-LEAVES' EYES VIDEO FOOTAGE AVAILABLE! Check out the Winter Masters of Rock video on Youtube: MYDESTINY NOV.28-STRATOVARIUS' JENS JOHANSSON TO GUEST ON AVANTASIA ALBUM! Keyboardist Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS, DIO, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) has joined the list of guest musicians who will appear on the forthcoming release from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project. More: BLABBERMOUTH
NOV.21-AVANTASIA ALBUM TITLES ANNOUNCED! In early 2010 the wait is going to be over: Avantasia will celebrate its comeback with a new epic masterpiece in two chapters. The two new chapters will be called "The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon", starring high profile guest musicians such as Sascha Paeth, Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Russell Allen (Symphony X), Bob Catley (Magnum), Eric Singer (KISS), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of Fire), Felix Bohnke (Edguy) and many more. More Infos: TOBIASSAMMET NOV.21-LEAVES' EYES LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE AVAILABLE! Fan-filmed video footage of LEAVES' EYES' November 16, 2009 performance at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland as part of the "Beauty & The Beast Tour" (with ATROCITY, SIRENIA, ELIS and STREAM OF PASSION) can be viewed here: IRISHRAIN NOV.18-RHAPSODY OF FIRE SIGNS WITH NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS! Italian symphonic metal masters RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release their new album, "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", on March 5, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Luca Turilli and Alex Staropoli and it was mixed and mastered by Sascha Paeth at the Gate Studio (AVANTASIA, EPICA) in Wolfsburg, Germany. More: BLABBERMOUTH or RHAPSODYOFFIRE NOV.8-LEAVES' EYES, ATROCITY TAPS OLIVER HOLZWARTH FOR 'BEAUTY & THE BEAST TOUR'! Due to health concerns, LEAVES' EYES bassist Alla Fedynitch will sit out the band's shows for the remainder of the year. Her temporary replacement will be Oliver Holzwarth (TARJA TURUNEN, BLIND GUARDIAN), who previously joined LEAVES' EYES on stage for two songs during the German/Norwegian female-fronted metal group's acoustic performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest on October 19, 2009 in Wieze, Belgium. More: BLABBERMOUTH or LEAVESEYES OCT.29-SYMPHONY X SINGER ON AVANTASIA!
After Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween), Klaus Meine (Scorpions), Ripper Owens (ex-Judas Priest), Bob Catley (Magnum), Jorn Lande (Masterplan), Eric Singer (KISS), Alex Holzwarth (Rhapsody of fire) and Felix Bohnke (Edguy) the next guest star can be confirmed: Russell Allen, exceptional star vocalist of US Progressive Metal heroes Symphony X will be part of the new Avantasia chapters.
OCT.24-DORO ON STAGE WITH TARJA!
Doro Pesch shared the stage with Tarja Turunen on MFVF in Wieze! Check it out: THESEER OCT.24-DRUMCLINIC IMPRESSIONS! Note from Alex:´Hey all! It was an awesome evening for me and quite packed! I played some Rhapsody of fire tunes plus: Angra´s Carry on, Avantasia´s Reach out for the light and some Thrash Metal Bangers from Paradox: Overshadowed and Shattered Illusions. Thanks to everyone who showed up and hope to see you next time! Check out the clinic pics: HERE OCT.24-OLIVER ON STAGE WITH LEAVES EYES! Note from Oliver: Hey all, at the Metal Female Voices of Rock Festival in Wieze Leaves Eyes asked my to participate in their Acoustic Set which I did. Something different on stage, we shared some great moments! Check out the first song Irish rain, it is superb: IRISHRAIN
SEP.30-INTERVIEW WITH ALEX! A new interview with Alex on Reflections of Darkness webzine is available: REFLECTIONSOFDARKNESS SEP.24-OLIVER CHECKS IN FROM THE ROAD! Just check out Olivers Blog on myspace: HERE SEP.24-MORE DRUM CLINIC DETAILS! Further details on Alex´s upcoming drum clinic in Hartenstein are available: HERE SEP.11-OLIVER ON TOUR WITH TARJA TURUNEN! Former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen has announced the lineup of her band for the "Final Storm Tour 2009", which is scheduled to kick off on September 19 at the Elf Fantasy Fair in Arcen, Netherlands. It is as follows:
Tarja Turunen - Voice
Mike Terrana (MASTERPLAN, SAVAGE CIRCUS, RAGE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums
Christian Kretschmar (SCHILLER) - Keyboards
Oliver Holzwarth (BLIND GUARDIAN, SIEGES EVEN) - Bass
Alex Scholpp (FARMER BOYS) - Guitar
Max Lilja (HEVEIN, APOCALYPTICA) - Cello For more infos go here: TARJATURUNEN AUG.17-ERIC SINGER AND ALEX HOLZWARTH TO APPEAR ON NEW AVANTASIA! Acclaimed drummers Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER, BLACK SABBATH) and Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY OF FIRE, ANGRA, SIEGES EVEN) will both appear on the forthcoming album from EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project. Get all infos here: BLABBERMOUTH or AVANTASIA AUG.17-BLIND GUARDIAN ATHENS SHOW ON YOUTUBE! Oliver Holzwarth with BG in Greece! Follow the link: BGATHENSBLOODTEARS JULY.27-MARKSTEIN DRUM CLINIC SCHEDULED! Don´t miss this Drumclinic at Musikhaus Markstein, East Germany, on October 16th, at 7:00 pm! All infos: MUSIKHAUSMARKSTEIN JULY.19- POWER QUEST FORCED TO PULL OUT OF PROGPOWER USA! POWER QUEST have been forced to cancel their appearance at the ProgPower USA X festival in Atlanta, Georgia on September 11. The bandmembers were denied their U.S. working visas and will be unable to enter the country to play the event. For more infos go here: OLIVERBLOG JULY.1-GODS OF METAL HIGH QUALITY FOOTAGE AVAILABLE! Check out the Blind Guardian live video footage here: GODSOFMETAL1HQ
GODSOFMETAL2HQ
JUNE.22-BLIND GUARDIAN IN ZARAGOZA!
Oliver with BG in Spain! First live fan footage from last Saturday, June 20th on Youtube available!
Just follow the links: NIGHTFALLMETALWAY MIRRORMIRRORMETALWAY
MAI.30-DRUMLAB CLINIC SNIPPETS ON YOUTUBE!
More drum clinic impressions: DRUMCLINICPART1 DRUMCLINICPART2 MAI.20-BLIND GUARDIAN FESTIVAL SHOWS 2009!
Jun. 20 - Zaragoza, Spain - Metalway Festival
Jun. 26 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
Jun. 27 - Balingen, Germany - Bang Your Head
Jun. 28 - Milan, Italy - Gods Of Metal
Jul. 02 - Kavarna, Bulgaria - Kaliakra Rock Fest
Jul. 04 - Tolmin, Slovakia - Metal Camp
Jul. 11 - Vizovice, Czech Republic - Masters Of Rock
Jul. 27 - Athens, Greece - Rocking Athens Festival
Aug. 15 - Derbyshire, UK - Bloodstock Festival
Aug. 30 - Vieira do Minho, Portugal - Festival da Ilha do Ermal
Sep. 12 - Plock, Poland - Plock Festival MAI.10-BACK HOME!
Thanks for making our first Workshop tour such a success. Thanks to everybody who came. It was a big pleasure to talk, work and play with all of you!! We keep You updated: pdf and some pics! You know what we are talking about! Your Rhythm Crew APR.21-DRUMLAB DRUM CLINIC! Alex will hold a Drum clinic focused on footwork, in Musikhaus Rudert, Alfredstr.2 in 72250 Freudenstadt, nearby Stuttgart, on Saturday 25, 03:30 pm for Drumlab Studios! More infos: DRUMLAB APR.21-OLIVER LIVE ON STAGE WITH POWER QUEST! Power Quest will appearing at 00:45 on the Thrash/Power metal stage at Hammerfest, Prestatyn, North Wales on Friday April 24th! For more details, go here: POWERQUEST MAR.07-BASS AND DRUM WORKSHOP TOUR! The Holzwarth brothers to hold bass and drum masterclasses in Germany and Austria in May!
Questions like: What do I need to get a tight rhythm section and what possibilities do I have to do it? will be answered and worked out! Tourdates and venues: 04.05. Köln, Germany, drummer's focus
05.05. Markdorf, Germany, drummer's focus
06.05. Stuttgart, Germany, drummer's focus
07.05. München, Germany, drummer's focus
08.05. Salzburg, Austria, drummer's focus
MAR.06-CATCH OLIVER LIVE ON METALLIC UNDERGROUND RADIO! Don´t miss this one! Friday, March 13th on METALLICUNDERGROUNDRADIO FEB.07-ALEX TO HOLD DOUBLE KICK DRUM CLINIC! Alex will hold a drum clinic at DRUMLAB, Freudenstadt on April 25!
Get your tickets and infos here: DRUMLAB FEB.07-OLIVER JOINS THE MELODIC POWER METAL OUTFIT POWER QUEST! For more infos, go here: POWERQUEST NOV.26 2008-BACK FROM SIEGEN! Alex and Oliver had a great time during their Rhythm Section Drum and Bass Clinic in Siegen and want to thank everyone who showed up! A video footage can be seen on YOUTUBE
NOV.7 2008-THE HOLZWARTH BROTHERS TO HOLD A RHYTHM SECTION CLINIC! Blind guardian Bass player Oliver Holzwarth currently on tour with former Nightwish Singer Tarja Turunen, and his brother Alex Holzwarth Rhapsody Of Fire Drummer to hold a ´rhythm section bass and drum clinic on November 22 at blue box in Siegen, Germany!Alex and Oliver will play a compilation of songs from Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Tarja Turunen etc. in order to demonstrate the most important Bass and Drum Pattern in Heavy Music.Questions like "What do I need to get a tight rhythm section and what possibilities do I have to do it?" will be answered. For more information, please contact: BLUEBOX
OCT.16 2008-OLIVER ON TOUR WITH TARJA TURUNEN! Former Nightwish frontwoman Tarja Turunen has announced the backing band for her upcoming European solo tour. She will be joined by the following musicians: Mike Terrana (MASTERPLAN, ex-RAGE) - drums
Maria Ilmoniemi - keyboardOliver Holzwarth (BLIND GUARDIAN, ex-SIEGES EVEN) - bass
Alex Scholpp - guitar (ex Farmer Boys) cholpp (ex-FARMER BOYS) - guitar
Max Lilja (HEVEIN, ex-APOCALYPTICA) - cello Oct. 18 - Oktoberhallen - Wieze, Belgium (Metal Female Voices Fest) Oct. 19 - Rockhal Club - Esch sur Alzette, Luxembourg Oct. 21 - Hala Folimanka - Prague, Czech Republic Oct. 22 - Bonver Arena (Hala Tatran) - Ostrava, Czech Republic Oct. 24 - Incheba Expo Arena - Bratislava, Slovakia Oct. 25 - Cassosport Hall - Kosice, Slovakia Oct. 27 - SKC - Belgrade, Serbia Oct. 28 - Universiada Sports Hall - Sofia, Bulgaria Oct. 31 - Exhibition Grounds Hall - Tel Aviv, Israel Nov. 03 - CKM Nau - Kiev, Ukraine Nov. 04 - Sport Palace - Minsk, Belarus Nov. 06 - B1 Club - Moscow, Russia Nov. 08 - MTL Arena - Samara, Russia further infos: www.tarjaturunen.com JULY.28 2008-ALEX ON STAGE WITH LEAVES EYES! Leaves Eyes to play at WACKEN as Main Act on the Party Stage on the 31st of July at 8pm! www.leaveseyes.de | 
