Freedom Hawk - Holding On

Wh-what's this I'm hearing? No...it can't be. Has the new recording from Black Sabbath already been leaked?

Oh, wait...this is Freedom Hawk's new album from Small Stone Records. Now I remember - and I love everything about it. I think these guys are dope and they have to be one of the best early-Sabbath-sounding rock bands out there right now, other than the newly-reunited legends, of course. I mean, just play these songs I've included from Freedom Hawk's, Holding On, and I'm pretty sure you'll agree.

First, there's vocalist/guitarist T.R. Morton , whose voice can sound exactly like a young and lively, hand-clapping Ozzy, only more powerful. There hasn't been one other rock singer I can remember who sounds so much like Ozzy to me. He's so spot-on and I think I'm listening the Prince of Darkness himself. Really. And that's not a bad thing at all, at least for me. It doesn't hurt that the riffs flow effortlessly from his fingers, either.

Matt Cave completes Freedom Hawk's twin-guitar assault and, along with his brother, Mark Cave (bass), and Lenny Hines (drums), the members produce such thick, rich, 70's-inspired rock music that you just have to hear it. And own it.

The songs, "Edge of Destiny" (link below) and "Nomad", are two of my favorites and they're prime examples of the strong, solid Sabbath aura that Freedom Hawk invokes throughout Holding On. "Zelda" is a short instrumental near the middle of the 13-track album which reminds me of "Planet Caravan". Bongo drums are the only things missing, if you ask me. "Flat Tire" is another gem, but hell, I think they all are. Believe me, I could go on and on.

From their bio: "Hailing from a beach town in Virginia, this quartet blends heavy riffs, a rolling groove, and soulful guitar melodies to produce the sound that is Freedom Hawk. Their brand of rock coupled with a high energy live show, leaves many wondering if they’ve stepped through a time warp, which has taken them to rock’s heyday in the 70’s."

I didn't listen to 70's hard rock until the 80's, when I was a young teenager. Like many others, I started with bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, the earliest Judas Priest and....Sabbath. If you're like me and you can't wait until the Black Sabbath reunion album, then Freedom Hawk are just the band to tide you over. Once you listen to Holding On, though, they'll probably become one of your current favorite bands like they did for me.

--Heddbuzz

http://www.freedomhawkband.com/

http://www.reverbnation.com/freedomhawk

BLACK SABBATH: Official Reunion News with Press Conference Video Highlights

The original lineup of the legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH announced on Friday (November 11) that it was reuniting for its first new album in 33 years and a 2012 world tour.

Singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward revealed during a press conference at legendary Sunset Strip club Whisky a Go Go they were working on new material for the album which will be made available Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. and Vertigo in all other territories. There is no title as yet but it will be produced by Rick Rubin, who has previously worked with METALLICA, SLIPKNOT, SLAYER and SYSTEM OF A DOWN, among many others. The band hopes to begin recording the CD in January for a fall 2012 release. A world tour will follow, including an appearance at the U.K.'s Download festival on June 10, 2012.

"It's now or never. We are getting along great. Everything's really good," Iommi said.

"It's like putting on an old glove. It's fantastic," he added.

The band credited Rubin's persistence for helping get them back in the studio. "He phoned us every five minutes," Iommi joked.

"It was the obvious choice," explained Osbourne of Rubin as producer. "I've known Rick for many years."

"It was time," said Osbourne of the reunion. "The timing was right."

Osbourne went on to reveal that they've written "seven or eight" new songs for the album, which they plan to release at the end of next year.

Butler added that the new songs are "back to the old SABBATH style and sound. The stuff that Tony's been playing is absolutely brilliant."

Rubin, who was also present at the event, said: "We've been working on developing material and we're halfway into the writing process. It's inspiring hearing what's coming out."

A two-minute video clip featuring highlights from the press conference has been posted on the newly launched official BLACK SABBATH You Tube channel and can be seen below.

The Ozzy-fronted lineup of SABBATH hasn't toured since 2005 and last appeared together when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006. They attempted to cut a new album — their first since 1978's "Never Say Die!" — with Rick Rubin in 1999, but the sessions fell apart after just a couple of songs and Osbourne turned his attention to his solo career. The Ronnie James Dio lineup reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL in 2006 but split four years later, after Dio passed away.

Ripple News - Tommy Iommi, Ian Gillan and Friends - Who Cares Benefit single to be released

Ok Sabbath fans! Just got the previews of the WHO CARES benefit from Ian Gillan & Tony Iommi for the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. The digital 2 song/single comes out next week. Here's a sneak peak. If you like this sort of up-to-the minute music news, friend us over at the Ripple Effect. You've been forewarned!

WHO CARES — the renewed musical union between legendary DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan and none other than BLACK SABBATH's Tony Iommi: the undisputed master of heavy guitar riffs — will release its debut digital single will be release May 6th via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The physical cd/dvd single will be made available in Europe on May 24 through earMUSIC and June 27th in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment.

The single features two brand new studio tracks "Out Of My Mind" and "Holy Water", which will raise funds for the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. The 2 Song - CD single will also contain the video clip of "Out Of My Mind" and a 40-minute documentary that shows Gillan's and Iommi's involvement with the Armenia cause over the years.

The collaboration of Gillan and Iommi, who have worked together before on the SABBATH album "Born Again", is in itself an incredible news for all rock and metal fans and will be the best of surprises to get to know who is completing the band: None other than Jon Lord ("Mr. Hammond", partner with Gillan on all the DEEP PURPLE classics), IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain, ex-METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted and HIM guitarist player Mikko "Linde" Lindström are also featured on the two new songs.