NEWS: Europe and Black Star Riders reveal album release details and tracklisting ahead of Belfast and Dublin dates

Straight from the press releases...

Swedish rock legends Europe will release their 10^th album, War of Kings, in March 2015 on UDR Records. Recorded at the brand new PanGaia Studios in Stockholm, Sweden, produced by Dave Cobb (Rival Sons) and engineered by John Netti, War of Kings sees the classic rocking quintet confidently creating 11 monstrously melodic, yet hard-hitting, classic rock’n’roll standouts for their fervent global audience. War of Kings will be available in multiple formats, as a CD digipak, a CD jewel case, a vinyl LP and in digital download format. The album will be released in the UK on March 2^nd, Japan on March 4^th (via JVC), the EU on March 6^th and the US on March 10^th.

 Joey Tempest: “War Of Kings is the album we always wanted to make, ever since we were kids listening to bands like Zeppelin, Purple and Sabbath. And after hearing Dave Cobb amazing production for Rival Sons we simply had to work with him. Our adventure is still ON!”

 

Europe’s place as a legendary classic rock band was platinum-stamped early in their career, having enjoyed an explosive period of worldwide success in the ‘80s, under-pinned by their hit album and single The Final Countdown, before going on hiatus between 1992 and 2003. They re-united and quickly settled into a period of re-establishment which has seen them re-enforce their reputation worldwide as one of the premier purveyors of blues-tinged classic rock with an edge and some kick. Their last album, 2012’s Bag of Bones, saw Europe hit the UK top 40 rock album charts and debut at #2 on the Swedish national charts, and War of Kings is set to take full advantage of the global groundwork Europe have put in over the last few years.

 

Joey adds “Hey! We took the long road! but we wanted to re-establish Europe the proper way. It’s taken 10 years and countless tours since the re-union, but we’re finally getting there! And we’ve done it our way!”

 Europe will commence their roadwork supporting War of Kings with a UK/Ireland tour in Dublin on March 2^nd (their first visit to Ireland in 25 years) before continuing in the UK with Black Star Riders. Joey - “Looking forward to ‘tons’ of touring in 2015! It’s getting harder and harder to be modest and humble about this band! It doesn’t get much better than this!”

 

Europe are –

 Joey Tempest – lead vocals, acoustic & rhythm guitar, keyboards

John Norum – lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals

John Leven – bass, backing vocals

Mic Michaeli – keyboards, piano, backing vocals, rhythm guitar

Ian Haugland – drums, percussion, backing vocals

 

War of Kings tracklisting is as follows –

 01.   War Of Kings

02.   Hole In My Pocket

03.   Second Day

04.   Praise You

05.   Nothin’ To Ya

06.   California 405

07.   Days Of Rock n Roll

08.   Children Of The Mind

09.   Rainbow Bridge

10.   Angels (With Broken Hearts)

11.   Light It Up

12.   Bonus: Vasastan (Instrumental)

 

Europe/Black Star Riders UK/Ireland Tour dates are as follows –

02/03/2015             Dublin – Olympia Theatre
03/03/2015             Belfast – Ulster Hall                

Black Star Riders Reveal Album Artwork And TracklistingsFor “The Killer Instinct” 23^rd February 2015

Fresh from the critically acclaimed debut album “All Hell Breaks Loose” in 2013, Black Star Riders are set to release a new studio album, “The Killer Instinct”, in February 2015. The album will be followed by a full UK and Eire co-headline tour with Europe.

The band toured 2013’s “All Hell Breaks Loose” for a year – playing across the globe. October 2014 saw them gather in Nashville, TN and enter the studio with heralded producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, The Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains, Mastodon) to start recording the follow up.  The result is The Killer Instinct.  “The Killer Instinct” will be released in different formats: CD, Limited 2 CDs Digibook, Limited Gatefold Black Vinyl and Limited Gatefold Clear Vinyl (available for mail orders only) and the band are pleased to release the album artwork.

 

Black Star Riders front man Ricky Warwick talks about the new artwork ‘It’s a bit of a continuation from ‘All Hell Breaks Loose,’ people will see link, it’s very Rock N Roll. It’s going to look cool.’ The band also announce the full tracklistings for the various album formats below CD 1.The Killer Instinct 2. Bullet Blues 3.Finest Hour 4. Soldierstown 5. Charlie I Gotta Go 6. Blindsided 7. Through The Motions 8. Sex, Guns & Gasoline 9. Turn In Your Arms 10. You Little Liar LIMITED 2CD DIGIBOOK 1.The Killer Instinct 2. Bullet Blues 3.Finest Hour 4. Soldierstown 5. Charlie I Gotta Go 6. Blindsided 7. Through The Motions 8. Sex, Guns & Gasoline 9. Turn In Your Arms 10. You Little Liar Bonus CD: 1. Gabrielle 2. The Reckoning Day 3.The Killer Instinct (Acoustic) 4.Blindsided (Acoustic) 5.Charlie I Gotta Go (Acoustic) 6.Finest Hour (Acoustic) LIMITED GATEFOLD BLACK VINYL Side A 1.The Killer Instinct 2. Bullet Blues 3.Finest Hour 4. Soldierstown 5. Charlie I Gotta Go Side B 1. Blindsided 2. Through The Motions 3. Sex, Guns & Gasoline 4. Turn In Your Arms 5. You Little Liar LIMITED GATEFOLD CLEAR VINYL (Mail Order Only Side A 1.The Killer Instinct 2. Bullet Blues 3.Finest Hour 4. Soldierstown 5. Charlie I Gotta Go Side B 1. Blindsided 2. Through The Motions 3. Sex, Guns & Gasoline 4. Turn In Your Arms 5. You Little Liar