NEWS FLASH ARCHIVE
News history
Rock Emporium 2 album coming in 2021.
Ian is back in the studio recording vocals and co-writing songs with Dimitris Goutziamanis (Rock Emporium “Society of Friends”), Walter Cianciusi & Dario Parente (Jeff Tate band/Headless). Rock Emporium 2 will also include many familiar musicians appearing on the first album release from 2016. Already a number of powerful melodic rock songs have been written & plans are being made for live shows in Europe (Italy, Greece & Holland) in the spring of 2021. More news coming soon!
Ian Parry’s “Act of Crime” Tour 2020 confirmed dates
It is with great pleasure to announce 5 confirmed live dates for the “Act of Crime” Tour commencing from October 2020.
The shows will include an all star line-up & a “Blast from the Past” selection of songs from my solo albums “In Flagrante Delicto & Visions” plus the best of Rock Emporium; Consortium Project; Elegy & a few special classic rock/metal tributes.
(N.B. Any changes due to the unsettling circumstances we are experiencing, will be announced).
Further details coming soon. Take care & stay safe Ian.
ETERNITY’S END “THE FIRE WITHIN” featuring guitarist Christian Muenzner & Ian Parry on vocals 2016
Fire Within was released in Europe and Japan via Marquee records in 2016 and contains 10 incredible melodic power metal tracks with the exception of a co-written melodic Hard Rock track “White Lies”. (see review for description).
Progressive power metal gold – 98%
Agonymph, January 14th, 2018
Written based on this version: 2016, CD, Power Prog Records
Everything Christian Muenzner touches turns to
gold, or so it seems. Obscura was one of the very few modern technical
death metal bands I loved, Alkaloid was one of the most unique
progressive metal bands in recent years and ‘The Fire Within’, the debut
album from his progressive power metal band Eternity’s End, contains
some of the best contemporary power metal I have heard in years.
Muenzner appears to be the melodic conscience of most of his bands and
it is that side that of his songwriting personality that is on full
display here. No song here is less than good.
Being a progressive power metal album, ‘The Fire Within’ contains all of
the guitar harmonies, whirlwind guitar solos, memorable choruses,
fantasy lyrics and Symphony X-isms you could wish for, but Eternity’s
End adds a much larger dose of intensity and aggression to the mix. As a
result, the riffs set the record on fire and the choruses sound proud
and strong rather than tepid invitations to sing along. It helps that
Ian Parry sings these songs, as these are his best performances since
his early Elegy days. His clean-but-raw approach is perfect for
Muenzner’s songs and he sometimes reaches heights I didn’t realize he
was capable of reaching.
As good as Parry, keyboard player Jimmy Pitts and the rock solid rhythm
section of Muenzner’s former Obscura buddies Linus Klausenitzer and
drummer extraordinaire Hannes Grossmann are, Muenzner’s riffs are really
what make the record. They have a fat, beefy bottom end, which gives
them a propulsive quality that many modern power metal bands lack. They
are often fast, but Muenzner knows how to apply dynamics do his songs,
often opening up an otherwise dense song with a strong chorus or a
remarkable melodic passage, which is the case in songs like the
excellent ‘Eagle Divine’ or the incredible ‘The Hourglass’.
Songwriting-wise, there is literally nothing to complain about here. The
album has a really pleasant flow, moving back and forth between
gripping, catchy power metal songs like ‘Demonblade’, ‘Moonstruck’ and
the title track and more epic tracks like the monumental closer ‘The
Fall Of The House Of Usher’. The latter feels significantly shorter than
the eight minutes it actually takes to finish and the instrumentals are
nothing short of breathtaking. Halfway through, the relatively
midtempo, eighties hardrock inspired ‘White Lies’ manages to function as
a breather without even getting close to ballad territory.
There is almost too much talent in Eternity’s End, but fortunately, all
of the musicians involved are aware of the fact that the songs are more
important than displays of virtuosity. Sure, there is some incredible
musicianship going on, by Grossmann and Muenzner himself most
prominently, but no single solo triumphs over the immense melodic
qualities of this masterpiece of an album. Anyone whose heart beats
faster upon hearing energetic, yet classy power metal should at least
give Eternity’s End a chance. I can assure you more “chances” will
follow. Here’s to hoping this will be more than a one-off.
Recommended tracks: ‘The Fall Of The House Of Usher’, ‘The Hourglass’, ‘Eagle Divine’
Originally written for my Kevy Metal weblog
Fitting Title…Because This Album is On Fire! – 99%
Dragonflame1994, March 27th, 2016
Written based on this version: 2016, CD, Power Prog Records
Here’s a little known fact, tech-death legend
Christian Muenzner known for some of the most blistering guitar work
ever written in the greatest tech-death bands to ever form including
Necrophagist, Obscura and Spawn of Possession is also a huge fan of
neo-classical power metal, in his own words he called the style “his
first love” which he wanted to return to for many years now and so the
realization of that dream came about in the creation of Eternity’s End! I
myself am a huge fan of neo-classical power metal, I actually consider
it to be my favorite genre of music and I have been highly anticipating
this album for a couple years now. Let me tell you now that it does not
disappoint in the least bit! If you’re a fan of 80s Yngwie Malmsteen and
90s Symphony X you’ll love this album.
So let me explain to you now why this album will be regarded as one of
the greatest modern neo-classical power metal albums of all time. The
Fire Within has the same line-up as Christian’s last instrumental
neo-classical solo album (Which I personally consider one of the top 5
greatest instrumental solo albums ever), except this time with the
inclusion of the powerful, gritty and driving vocals of Ian Parry, who
is a Dio disciple if I’ve ever heard one, one of the closest to sound
like the grandfather of heavy metal that I’ve heard in many years.
However. I wouldn’t call Parry a Dio clone. Yes, he stays mostly in the
Dio-esque gritty tone, but he is also known to unleash some killer
falsettos at times. His vocal work in the mid-paced, anthemic mini-epic
about Stephen King’s dark fantasy series, aptly titled “The Dark Tower”
is especially fantastic.
Christian’s songwriting is in absolute top shape here, I guarantee it’ll
take only one listen of tracks like “The Fire Within” or “Eagle Divine”
to get stuck in your head with how catchy those choruses are and all
the melodic hooks the songs have. Naturally with neo-classical metal,
the lead work is the focal point here and between Christian’s blazing
fast solos and Jimmy Pitts’ equally astonishing keyboard wizardry, it’s
hard to imagine a fan of shred not being satisfied by this album. Just
listen to the jaw-dropping fretwork displayed on songs like “Moonstruck”
or “Twilight Warrior” and try not to be amazed. Speaking of the
keyboards, aside from the insane solos Pitts does, he also really knows
how to add to the atmosphere of a track as well. Most notably that
synthy intro to White Lies will take you back in time to the days of
Yngwie’s album Trilogy, but also the little orchestral touches to songs
like “Demonblade” or the awesome harpsichord bits in many various songs
enhance the epicness of them.
So I seem to have been neglecting the rhythm section of the band this
entire time (Much like a lot of neo-classical metal seems to do) and I
apologize for this because Muenzner, may be known for his shredding, but
he is definitely a riff machine as well. Very technical and heavy
riffing that has a bit of a tech-death feel to it at times (Hmmm, I
wonder why?) can be heard on almost every song, but my personal favorite
riffs come from the thrash infused “The Fall of the House of Usher” and
the more proggy “Hourglass”, Christian’s riffing might also remind you
of Symphony X guitar legend Michael Romeo occasionally.
Now on to the backbone of the band, the drums and bass. Hannes Grossmann
is widely recognized as one of the most talented drummers in the metal
scene today. His drumming on this album is no different and his
galloping drum patterns and double bass kick fury gives these songs that
special added boost of excitement. Linus Klausenitzer is also a very
competent bassist and while his bass playing may take a bit of a
backseat in this band and not be as adventurous as the tech-death bands
he’s in, he does find a nice groove in the band and add to the intensity
that this upbeat kind of music craves.
Overall this album is Muenzner and company firing on all cylinders, at
all times. Starting with a nice heavy riff and some lightning fast
arpeggios in the title track, this debut album from Eternity’s End
barely slows down from that point on, with just a couple mid-paced songs
and absolutely no cliché power ballads, The Fire Within is, wait for
it….On fire! From start to finish and leaves nothing to be desired if
you’re a fan of shredtastic and riff driven, catchy, speedy, melodic
power metal.
IAN PARRY SIGNS WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH METAL MIND PRODUCTIONS
Ian Parry is proud to announce signing a worldwide license deal with Metal Mind Productions for his new 5th solo album “In Flagrante Delicto”. With a touch of fictional fantasy the new solo album deals with issues of plastic waste being a subject Ian has been writing about since the release of his 4th solo cd “Visions” back in 2006. Containing 10 powerful melody rock synthesizer – guitar based tracks co-written by Ian & colleagues Jeroen van der Wiel (Keyboards) & Stephan Lill (guitars) “In Flagrante Delicto” meaning “in the very act of commiting a crime” will be released worldwide on February 21st 2020, in Europe, the USA, Japan & Asia. (see link to visit Metal Mind Productions homepage)
https://www.metalmind.com.pl/en/ian-parry—new-album-to-be-released-in-february-2020.html
Produced by Ian “In Flagrante Delicto” has been masterfully mixed by Swedish engineer/producer Martin Kronlund (Hammerfall/ Firewind/ Rock Emporium).
Appearing along side Ian are some of the best musicians from the world of rock & metal:
Guitarists:
Stephan Lil (Vanden Plas/ Consortium Project/ Ian Parry – Visions)
Patrick Rondat (Jean Michel Jarre/ Consortium Project/ Elegy)
Timo Somers (Delain/ Rock Emporium/ Vengeance
Keyboards:
Jeroen van der Wiel (Rock Emporium/ Odyssice/ Thirteen
Joshua Dutrieux (Consortium Project/ Elegy/ Sensation White
Drummers:
Casey Grillo (Queensrÿke/ Kamelot/ Consortium Project/ Ian Parry-Visions
Imre Daun (Rock Emporium/Gypsy Rose/Brian Robertsons The Clan)
Andreas Lill (Vanden Plas/ Ian Parry-Visions)
Garry King (Joe Lynn Turner Band/ Rock Emporium)
Bass players:
Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian/Rock Emporium/Vengeance)
Torsten Reichert (Vanden Plas/ Ian Parry-Visions)
Marcel van der Zwam (Consortium Project)
Guido Stöcker (Bodyguerra)
More album information & news coming soon.
Here’s a link to hear the radio sampler & a taste of what’s to come: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFUmZ8d5WGA&feature=youtu.be
ROCK EMPORIUM ALBUM & TOUR NEWS FOR 2015
Ian has finished all guitar recordings with Dutch guitarist Timo Somers (Delain) and bassist Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian) for the debut Rock Emporium studio album.
Once Ian finishes mixing, he hopes to have the album ready for release in the spring of 2015.
Plans via a promoter are also in the making for a Live tour commencing May 2015.
EUROPEAN TOUR NEWS OCTOBER 2014
It is with great pleasure to announce that I will be appearing live on stage in Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria & Greece as special guest singer with Italian Rockers HEADLESS.
I will be performing the last 5 shows from their European tour as support act for FATES WARNING.
HEADLESS are promoting their latest album entitled “Growing Apart” released in 2013 via Lion Music (Consortium Project). The album features vocalist Goran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen) & special guest drummer Scott Rockenfield (Queensryche).
To hear the amazing songs from Walter Cianciusi & HEADLESS visit the Lion Music site or go to:
www.headlessofficial.com for all details of their European tour dates.
Quote “I am looking forward to rockin’ on stage with Headless and to meet ‘n’ greet all our Fans & Friends who can come & see us live on stage”. Here’s a list of the shows I will be performing with HEADLESS:
11/11/2014 Hard Place Zagreb, Croatia/Hrvatska
12/11/2014 Dom Onladine Belgrade, Serbia
13/11/2014 Mixtape 5 Sofia, Bulgaria
14/11/2014 Stage Club Larissa, Greece
15/11/2014 Gagarin 2005 Athens, Greece
NEW ALBUM FROM ANI LOZANOVA PROJECT PRODUCED & CO-WRITTEN BY IAN PARRY
The new Ani Lozanova “Miracle” c.d. Produced by Ian Parry will be released in March 2011 via Dust On The Tracks records. The “Miracle”album contains covers of songs from a number of the Consortium Project albums including co-written songs with Ani Lozanova & Stephan Lill.
Crystal tears CD release parties in Greece were a big success
Crystal Tears C.D. Presentation Argy’s bar Thessaloniki Friday 17th September 2010
Check out the new Crystal Tears “Nightmare Serenade” video on MTV Headbangers ball Greece
click here for the MTV Crystal Tears video link
Well to my delight finally Friday evening came and it was the BIG event for Crystal Tears and the c.d. release party and being the singer in the band naturally I was there and what a night. More than 300 fans and friends came out in force to support C.T. and the release of the new Generation X c.d. Continue reading
Kingdom of Utopia
The debut Infinity Overture album ‘Kingdom of Utopia’ has been receiving rave reviews worldwide. (see links for reviews) Ian & Niels are busy planning some one time only live shows for Infinity Overture in the Netherlands in January 2010. (keep checking the homepage for live dates).
The album is based on a lyrical concept written by Ian Parry called “Kingdom of Utopia” and will be released worldwide via Lion Music on October 9th 2009. Ian will join Niels and Infinity Overture live on stage for 2 exclusive c.d. presentations in Denmark on October the 9th and 17th. Check out the Lion Music site for more information.
CD Reviews & Live reports
Check out the latest Crystal Tears interview with the Greece Metal Fanzine Blindmaggot. Click here for the complete interview.
Chrisafis explains all about the new Crystal Tears album Generation X with a detailed description of each song.
Live report found on www.myspace.com/blindmaggot, posted on the 20th May 2009 by Andreas Kountouras.CRYSTAL TEARS live report, 15th May 2009, Eightball Club (EVERFLOW asthe opening act).
250 TICKETS!!! That’s unique… click here for the complete review <
ALBUM REVIEWS & INTERVIEWS
Zware Metalen.com Kingdom of Utopia review click here for the complete review
Kingdom of Utopia review 97/100 click here for the complete review
Informazione Metal reviews Kingdom of Utopia to a striking 9/10 points click here for the complete review
Niels Vejlyt and Ian Parry is interviewed by Femme Metal click here for the complete interview
MindView review 6/7 click here for the complete review
Ravenheart review of Kingdom of Utopia 8.5 out of 10 click here for the complete review
Human Fragility
Ian recently recorded a special guest performance singing lead and backing vocals on the title track from the new Dawn of Destiny album “Human Fragility” from German Gothic Neo-Classical metal band.
“Human Fragility” has it’s worldwide release on September 21st 2009 via Shark Records Germany.
Quote Ian: “Jens Faber the bassist and incredible songwriter invited me to sing vocals on Human Fragility and I am thrilled to bits with how it turned out. Dawn of Destiny are an exciting and powerful young band who in my opinion will have a lot of success with their fantastic music”.
For more information visit the Dawn of Destiny homepage.
JOE STUMP EUROPEAN TOUR 2008
In November and December 2008 Ian joined US metal guitarist Joe Stump for a number of dates to promote Joe’s new album ‘Reign of Terror’. Touring personnel: Joe Stump-guitar, Jay Rigney-bass, Erik Stout-drums, Ian Parry-vocals.
So far Ian has performed 5 shows with Joe Stump which is gaining tons of support across Europe.
Quote Ian: “It was bloody marvellous to be back in the UK playing in London again. The fans and club owners where fantastic especially everyone at the Attic Room”.
Ian invited photographer Frans van Arkel (the founder of both the Rainbow & Hammerhead fan clubs) to the
Joe Stump show in De Bosuil Weert (NL) to make some exclusive pictures.
Christmas Metal Symphony show
The Christmas Metal Symphony show in 013 Tilburg was a great succes. Ian performed a special duet with Germany Legend DORO as well as singing an number of other Classic Metal songs.
Christmas Metal Symphony is the brainchild from Ian’s old Hammerhead colleague Bert van de Watering 55Live in co-operation with Nuclear Blast. The first of these unique concept concerts had it’s debut in 013 Tilburg one of finest venues in the Netherlands.
The very best (international) singers such as DORO, RUSSELL ALLEN (Symphony X), MATS LEVÉN (Therion), JOHAN EDLUND (Tiamat) and musicians from the Dutch metal scene from EPICA, AFTER FOREVER & ORPHANAGE performed many classic metal songs together with a 30 piece orchestra MAGNUS OPUS ROCKESTRA.
ELEGY: Box Set Due In February
ELEGY: Box Set Due In FebruaryElegy C.D. box-set 7 albums + video bonuses Metal Mind Productions.
Ian is proud to announce the release of an Elegy c.d. box-set containing 7 of Elegy’s finest c.d. recordings including 18 bonus tracks and behind thee scenes home video live acoustic sessions performed by Ian & ex-Elegy guitarist Henk van de Laars during their 1998 TV & Radio promotional tour of Japan.
The Elegy gold disc box set re-releases have now been released by Metal Mind Productions Poland across Europe and is scheduled for release in the USA in May 2009.
As Ian explained to journalists recently: “I always wanted to have the chance to get the live home video recordings from the Japanese acoustic sessions for cable TV on disc and the albums re-mastered, especially Elegy’s State of mind album, which now sounds 10 times more powerful with the new digital mastering. We didn’t have this back in 1997, but even more cool for the fans now is they have the chance to view all the official Elegy video clips and hear previously unreleased demo & bonus tracks”.
Please visit www.elegyworld.com for more details.
There are some reviews available on the net.
Click here for Holland, Italy, Metal Mind Poland.
The new Consortium Project video clip “Nowhere Fast” is almost finished!
In December the Consortium Project band filmed their 2nd video clip “Nowhere fast”. The location was the well-known discotheque “Outland” in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Later in January 2008 Ian filmed extra footage in the mountain region in Egypt near the Red Sea. Expectations are high due to the impressive camera work plus additional 3-D digital FX. The band is grateful to their fans and hopes to gain more than the 14,000 hits “Enigma” received on YouTube. Check out the Enigma video on http://uk.youtube.com/ianparrycom
Ian in Ahoy Rotterdam (NL)
Ian is to appear at Ahoy Rotterdam as special guest singer together with Andy Scott (former Sweet guitarist). Ian will perform a medley of songs from some of the classic rock hits from British glam pop/rock giants The Sweet at the Classics in Rock festival on Saturday, April 12th.
Other well known artists appearing at the festival will be Survivor singer Jimi Jamison, Fish (Marillion) Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) plus a great line-up of many famous musicians from this incredible genre. http://www.classicsinrock.com/
Ian would like to say a special thank you to all the fans who came to Oss last Friday. Their warm applause and support was very much welcomed by Ian and all his colleagues from the Consortium band.
Ian wishes to thanks his fans and friends alike for all their kind get well wishes.
Ian is recovering well from his throat and lung infection and wants to thanks everyone who sent all the get well wishes.
Quote Ian: “all the kind words are helping me to recover quickly and I promise I will be back in action to make a fantastic show at the Groene Engel in Oss next Friday” .
New video shoot on location in Turkey
After the amazing response on YouTube (where more than 5000 fans viewed the Enigma video clip), Ian recently travelled to Turkey for a location video shot in the ancient city of Side. Joining Ian filming in and around the Roman ruins was local musician guitarist Cemal (Nico) Güler.
European Tour Consortium Project
IAN PARRY LINES-UP EUROPEAN TOUR
Press Release / Ian Parry is proud to announce the Consortium Project line-up for their 2008 European and Brazilian tour. After the successful release of the new Consortium Project IV cd in Europe, the USA and Brazil, Ian and colleagues will be touring live with a great new Consortium band.
The European line-up is as follows:
Ian Parry – lead vocals (Elegy/Ayreon/Hammerhead); Dirk Bruinenberg – Drums (Adagio/Elegy); Joshua Dutrieux – Keyboards & guitar (Elegy); Niels Vejlyt – Lead guitar (Danish masterclass guitarist); Kristoffer Gildenlöw – bass guitar (Pain of Salvation); Erna auf der Haar – female backing vocals .
During the live shows Ian plans to record a number of shows for a live DVD + c.d. for release later in 2008
Thank you from Ian to Ayreon Fanclub
Saturday 15th September Ian made an appearance for a meet and greet at the Ayreon Fanmeet arranged by Ayreon’s official fanclub in Amsterdam.
Quote Ian: It was a very well organised and enjoyable afternoon and I just want to thank Leon and all the fanclub members including the live band who did a great job on stage.
Ian just back from Copenhagen Denmark
Ian just back from Copenhagen Denmark
Ian recorded a number of lead and backing vocal parts as special guest on the new Royal Hunt Paradox II c.d. together with Dougie White (Rainbow). In addition Ian filmed a short interview and a few live vocal parts on video for a behind the scenes DVD.
Founder member and keyboard player Andre Andersen expects to release the new Paradox II c.d. sometimes in the Spring of 2008. So expect an update about Andre and his new colleagues from Royal Hunt in a news flash soon. For more info go to http://www.royalhunt.com/
