Welcome to the latest instalment of Shrapnel – hopefully our three acts this week meet with your approval!

TYSONDOG

Back in 1984 the likes of the late Malcolm Dome, Geoff Barton and Dante Bonutto were tipping Geordie metallers Tysondog for major success; emerging at that time from the force that had become known as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal the band had just signed to legendary label Neat Records and released their debut album, Beware of the Dog. One way or another, the fates conspired to deprive Tysondog of the international fame that so many thought they were destined for and in time the band disappeared from the limelight.

At that time, Tysondog “could have been a contender”, as Marlon Brandon once said. The five-piece from Tyne & Wear collectively had one eye on Judas Priest and the other nine on producing classy Eighties British metal, and their no-nonsense approach was showcased on two cracking albums, two singles and an EP before they took a one-way trip to the vets. They re-appeared in 2012 with a new four-tracker Hammerhead, and with Jeff (Mantas) Dunn sitting behind the glass they ventured back into the studio in 2014 and re-emerged with Cry Havoc, their first full album in almost 30 years.

Tysondog’s rich history was not forgotten and, having re-started their engines, they have gradually worked their way back with a new perspective on life and, happy to see that people were taking major notice, the band recorded a new studio album, also signing to Danish label From The Vaults, which will release the new record in 2022.

Following on the steps of that comeback album, Tysondog is back with a new song, foreshadowing their upcoming, fourth studio album. The song, Midnight, is the title-track of the upcoming album and puts immediately the Newcastle quintet on track with their roots, blasting a NWoBHM power with a timeless metal atmosphere, while throwing in some solid riffs and amazing harmonies. This is pure Tysondog and it foreshows a great album for the UK band this year.

PIST.ON

Formed in the USA in 1993, Pist.on have released two albums – Number One through Fierce Recordings/Atlantic Records in 1996 and $ell Out through Mayhem/Music for Nations in 1999. In addition the band released the independent Saves EP in 2001.

Alongside numerous headline tours, Pist.on have featured prominently on tours supporting the likes of Marilyn Manson, Korn, Clutch, Fu Manchu, Type O Negative, Queensrÿche and The Misfits.

Pist.on made their live return in 2018 with appearances at high profile European festivals Sweden Rock and Graspop Metal Meeting followed by shows in the USA. In 2019 the band completed a short UK tour.

The advent of the Covid pandemic in 2020 put a restriction on all activities, which led the band to adopt a cautious approach to future plans – but now they will release a new EP, Cold World, on 25th March 2022. The EP marks the bands’ first new studio recordings since 2001 and contains three tracks, Cold World, Ruin Your Day and Icicles.

Cold World will initially be available as a digital release on all major channels with a limited edition CD set to follow.

The EP was recorded at Flatline Audio, Denver Colorado, USA and produced, mixed and mastered by Dave Otero (Them, Allegaeon, Archspire).

The new songs display a natural progression which sees the band drawing on their past whilst adding a contemporary feel to their sound. Pist.on have evolved; with a different approach in the studio and a producer in tune with the band at the helm, their renewed vigour has been fully captured in the new recordings.

States frontman and guitarist Henry Font “We’re extremely happy with the work Dave Otero has done. He’s modernised our sound and brought a fresh dimension to the band. This feels like where we would have ended up had we continued writing and recording over the years. We’ve moved on from being gloomy miserable to being happy miserable“.

Pist.on is built around the core members who recorded the $ell Out album, with Henry Font (vocals/guitar), Burton Gans (guitar) and Jeff McManus (drums). They are joined by bass guitarist Jack Hanley (formerly of The Deadlyz).

MK

Rising rock instrumentalist MK (Mike Kremastoules) has recently unveiled news of his latest video and single release, Run. The late 2021 debut Butterfly provided an insight into MK’s emotive and soaring guitar work – now this contrasting single shines a spotlight on MK’s capability to crank things up and enter the retro hard rock arena.

Run powers along with its driving stadium rock grooves – providing the back drop for MK’s melodic hook lines and themes and for his solo outbreaks to take more adventurous twists and turns. Sonically tipping it’s hat to heavyweights such as Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Slash and Gary Moore, this new instalment from MK is taken from his forthcoming album Calling, a collection of instrumental tracks exploring his adoration for guitar playing whilst projecting a fusion of styles from a wide musical spectrum. As a stalwart of the British music scene (formerly earning his stripes as lead guitarist with eighties outfit Dedringer), MK’s music oozes maturity in sounds, techniques and compositional qualities.

Check out the official video for Run below!

Having taken his first steps into a solo career in 2021 – the Leeds (UK) guitarist entered the world with the soulfully melodic and ballad-like Butterfly. After debuting on the No1 playlist spot at Banks Radio Australia, the track (with its genre blurring qualities of progressive rock, blues and AOR), quickly captured support from radio stations and specialist media around the globe, including the likes of UK’s Total Rock & Hard Rock Hell Radioand many in the US. MK now strides forward with his energetic new track Run – embarking on a relentless crusade to reach a wider audience of rock music lovers. News of his full debut album and UK live shows will be landing very soon.
One for head bangers and air guitarists alike – Run is officially released on digital platforms on Monday 28th Feb 2022 via Kycher.

OK, that’s all for this week – see you next time!