Auckland based progressive-rock band Frozen Alice are proud to announce the release of their debut album The Torino Scale on September 6th.  The album features current rock radio single 'Qadesh'.

Frozen Alice's style of progressive rock is described by the band as 'bipolar rock' or 'feel rock'. The term 'bipolar rock' refers to singer Mark Tronson's ability to quickly switch from powerful and aggressive vocals back to a more melodic singing style. This reflects the changing moods within songs and across the whole album. From hard-hitting sprawling epic noise on opening track 'Everyday', to a hint of Middle Eastern influence on 'Ethics of the Tribe', their music showcases an eclectic range of styles.

Frozen Alice are made up of three former members of 'Remains of a Day'; a six piece metal band formed in 2004. After a change of direction and the addition of a new bass player they disbanded and formed Frozen Alice in April 2009.  What followed was an amazingly successful year playing several shows across NZ and Australia and recording their debut album with Zorran Mendonsa at 'The Green Room' in Auckland. Mendonsa has worked with many of New Zealand's underground music champions including Subtract, 8 foot Sativa, Solstate and many others.

Earlier this month Frozen Alice headed to Australia to headline three shows and showcase material from their debut album to an international audience.  The band will play their album release show in Auckland at The Kings Arms Tavern on Thursday September 9th with support from Ivy Lies & Devilskin and are currently planning a NZ tour for later in the year.

See Frozen Alice Live:
9 September Album Release Show Kings Arms, Auckland, w Ivy Lies & Devilskin
16 September - The Rising Sun, Auckland
18 September - The Basement Bar, New Plymouth
24 September - Zeal, Auckland
30 October - Juice Bar, Auckland

Aussie alternative metal legends THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT are preparing to visit New Zealand in support of their new album ‘Final Conversation Of Kings’. The band’s three NZ show dates are as follows:

Thu 26 August - Kings Arms, Auckland
Fri 27 August - Flow, Hamilton
Sat 28 August - Bar Bodega, Wellington

With three ARIA Gold selling albums under their belt and over 200,000 catalogue sales in Australia, THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT’s third studio album ‘Final Conversation Of Kings’ will be released in New Zealand through Sony Music on Friday 20th.

DISSOLUTION have just released their debut full-length album, Plague of Violence and will embark on small national tours during 2010 to promote the album.  Plague of Violence was recorded at Nightshift studios in Christchurch, and the entire production, including mixing, mastering and CD package design, was completed by band members Jake Skinner and Brett McKersey.

DISSOLUTION formed in March 06 and they have played regularly in Christchurch, including supports for the likes of Austalia's Lord, and Frankenbok, as well as NZ acts such as Subtract, Malevolence and Tainted. They have also played a handful of shows in Auckland and Whangarei, including a slot at 2009's Audience With The Devil. Their songs reflect a love of classic 80’s thrash, and are inspired by bands like Kreator, Destruction, Exodus and Death. The dynamic twin-guitar interplay between the two guitarists gives their songs memorable hooks, while melodic interludes provide a refreshing balance to the ferocity of the riffs.

More details on the album and upcoming tour to follow. In the meantime check out their myspace here.

Shihad have done a lot in their more than 20 year career. Their eight studio albums have truly cemented them as one of New Zealand’s most iconic bands. So what better way to further solidify that status than to remind the country how they got here?

Shihad will be playing their albums Killjoy and The General Electric, track-by-track, across the country in July and August. Already renown as one of the best live bands in the world, Shihad will perform some of the most unique and compelling performances of their astonishing career.

THURS 29th JULY: KILLJOY
FRI 30th JULY: THE GENERAL ELECTRIC
THE BEDFORD, CHRISTCHURCH

SAT 31st JULY: KILLJOY
THURS 5th AUGUST: THE GENERAL ELECTRIC
SAN FRAN BATHHOUSE, WELLINGTON

FRI 6th AUGUST: KILLJOY
SAT 7th AUGUST: THE GENERAL ELECTRIC
THE POWERSTATION, AUCKLAND

German guitar legend Uli Jon Roth will be returning to G-TARanaki this year to share more of his knowledge with music students at his renowned Sky Academy.  The former Scorpions guitarist first established the Sky Academy in May 2006 in Los Angeles. The programme held as part of G-TARanaki in 2008 was the first international Sky Academy event.

Aside from an event held in Gronau, Germany in 2009, G-TARanaki is the only Sky Academy venue outside of the United States and provides a rare opportunity for young students to learn from a classically-trained rock guitar master.

Roth uses workshops and master classes to inspire students to broaden their music horizons and develop their potential with demonstrations and focused tuition.  His unique approach is to steer the student towards mastery of the instrument by use of inspirational concepts, rather than specific technical exercises.  At the G-TARanaki Sky Academy, Roth will be offering open workshops, followed by focussed master classes for students at a higher musical level.

The Sky Academy brings an outstanding calibre of talent and Roth is supported by a variety of international performers.  At this year's G-TARanaki, guest performers will include drummer Mike Ehré and guitarist/vocalist Niklas Turmann, who both performed with Roth at G-TARanaki 2008 and are members of his touring band Sky of Avalon; plus Elliott Dean Rubinson, owner of American guitar manufacturer Dean Guitars and a skilled bass player in his own right.

Students from Taranaki secondary schools will be invited to attend the workshops at the TSB Showplace which will be held on Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 August from 1:30pm to 5:30pm.

In honor of the 10th annual NZ Music Month York Street Recording Studios is offering a great opportunity to one of New Zealand’s talented unsigned bands. The winner of this competition will get one day in York Street's prestigious Studio A and have the opportunity to record a song with esteemed producer and engineer, Hook.

To enter you just need to send a demo of your song along with your contact details in an email to Please note that you must write ‘Demo Competition’ in the subjectline of your email, otherwise your entry may be lost. Entries must be from BANDS ONLY and the winning band will be chosen on the quality of the song as judged by Hook.

The competition closes on the 9th May so get in quick! Winners will be notified through the York Street Recording Studios Facebook page.

NZRock has 2 Deja Voodoo prize packs to giveaway consisting of the new album 'The Shape Of Grunge To Come' and a double pass to one of the shows in the upcoming tour.

Simply email your name and address and the what show you would like to go to using the form on our "Contact" page. This competition closes on Friday 2 October 2009. The winner will be contacted by email.

TOUR DATES:
8 Oct 2009   Dux DeLux - Christchurch
9 Oct 2009   Royal Hotel - Timaru
10 Oct 2009 Refuel - Dunedin
16 Oct 2009 Zone Bar - Whangarei
23 Oct 2009 Bar Bodega - Wellington
30 Oct 2009 Flow Bar - Hamilton
31 Oct 2009 Thirsty Dog - Auckland

Looking to do something a little bit different for New Year’s Eve? Detonate Festival is a brand new, Taranaki based, New Year’s Eve Rock festival and it’s not your usual New Year’s party.  It’s more about adrenaline, pyrotechnics, deafening, heart stopping explosions and sky high fireballs…..while rocking out with your favourite Kiwi bands and DJs.

Since preparations began in July, Detonate Festival has hit the ground running. The location has been confirmed at Mohakatino Station, five minutes south of Mokau, and bands have begun signing up to the bill with LUGER BOA, DEJA VOODOO, NOVEMBER ZULU and CLAP CLAP RIOT confirmed to play at this year’s festival. Freestyle motorcross riders will be performing during the day, the Detonate Mudslide will be running, there will be food, drink and merchandise markets from local suppliers and an R18 licensed area.

Accommodation is available onsite and, as Detonate is a family friendly event, there will be a family camping area provided so that the young ones can rest easy while the party continues on into the night. Don’t want to stay? Catch the bus!  Buses have been arranged to pick up guests from Puke Ariki in New Plymouth and drop them back again after New Year’s Eve. Just check the bus option when buying your ticket online on our website.

What makes Detonate different from the other festivals is the bombs. Our pyrotechnician will be ‘detonating’ bombs and pyrotechnics all day long, leading up to a 250kg monster in the afternoon. But it doesn’t stop there, make sure you catch the pyrotechnics during the night and at New Year’s Eve, as well as a few surprises during the day. More information is available on the Detonate website: www.detonatefestival.co.nz or email: We hope to see you there!

To celebrate the release of their new album ‘The Shape of Grunge to Come’ DEJA VOODOO are throwing a big album release party. And thanks to BFM, it's FREE!

Held at the Kings Arms, the evening is also host a live broadcast of Matt and Chris's BFM Thursday drive show, and also marks the 10th anniversary of the Cocktail Corner.

DEJA VOODOO will be performing tracks from the new album, as well as some old favorites, and joining the party are THE DEFENDANTS. Thanks to Jagermeister there are free Jager cocktails during the Cocktail Corner and Jager specials all night long.

When: Thursday 24 September
Where: Kings Arms, 59 France Street, Newton
Time: 4pm - 9pm
Live BFM radio show broadcast from 4pm
Bands on at 7pm
Supported by THE DEFENDANTS
FREE ENTRY

‘Shape Of Grunge To Come’ will be released on 28 September via Rythmethod. DEJA VOODOO will tour New Zealand in October.

Aussie rockers KARNIVOOL is coming to NZ and NZRock has an album and a double pass to thier upcomming Kings Arms show to give away!

Simply email your name and address using the form on our "Contact" page. This competition closes on Friday 11 September 2009. The winner will be contacted by email.

If you want to know more about KARNIVOOL, check out the album review here.

KARNIVOOL are playing at the Kings Arms Tavern on 19th September. Tickets are available from EVENTFINDER & REAL GROOVY 0800 GROOVY (Booking fee may apply)  Door sales from 8.00pm R18