Altamonte Springs, FL. (Top40 Charts/ Fuel Records) - Fuel Records released the Guitar Zeus project by legendary drummer Carmine Appice, featuring a compilation of 24 of the best Guitar Zeus songs. Conquering Heroes hit the streets on August 25th. The double-disc set showcases the prolific talents of many world-renown rock guitarists including Paul Gilbert (Mr. Big), Yngwie Malmsteen, Neal Schon (Journey), Steve Morse (Deep Purple), Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson), Mick Mars (Motley Crue), and the core band featuring Tony
Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder) on bass,
Kelly Keeling (Blue Murder, MSG, TSO) on vocals/keys/rhythm guitar, with Appice on drums.
Guitarists Brian May, Richie Sambora, Zakk Wylde, and Ty Tabor had this to say about their roles in the project:
"As soon as I heard the track, I thought it had a very haunting quality to it," remarks Brian May (Queen) about the song Nobody Knew (Black White House), "evoking the 70's in some ways perhaps, but with a very modern slant. I also found the backing track itself very powerful and appealing, driven by Carmine's very recognizable style so I was keen to play on the track straight away, despite being incredibly snowed-under with work at the time!"
"I've always been a fan of Carmine's," notes Richie Sambora, Bon Jovi guitarist. "It was great playing with him and Tony. What a great rhythm section. I loved the song [Gonna Rain] - the vocals. I had a great time playing on this track. I think everyone will love this track - check it out!!!!"
"I had a great time playing on Carmine's Guitar Zeus album," affirms Zakk Wylde. "I'm glad he asked me to play on this great project with some great guitarists. The song I played on [Code 19] is a really cool song as well. Enjoy!!"
"I've been a fan of Carmine's for many years so when he asked me to be a part of Guitar Zeus, I was honored to accept," states Ty Tabor of King's X. "Not often does a guitarist have the opportunity to play records filled with so many great and respected musicians. However, at first I was apprehensive about whether the material would be strong. I have heard many albums filled with great musicians, but not great music. Carmine sent me a tape of some of the music and dispelled my worries. I am happy and honored to be a part of these recordings. This is great music."
Author, clinician, drummer... Carmine Appice first came to prominence as the percussionist with the late 1960s psychedelic band Vanilla Fudge. He contributed distinctive background harmonies with bassist Tim Bogert, adding to the group's high decibel sonic assault. After five albums, Appice and Bogert left Vanilla Fudge to form the blues rock quartet Cactus with vocalist Rusty Day and guitarist Jim McCarty. Eventually, Appice left Cactus with Bogert to join Jeff Beck in the power trio Beck, Bogert & Appice, and then later joined Rod Stewart's backing band in 1977, co-writing hit songs such as "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?" and "Young Turks". In 1978, Appice played drums on Paul Stanley's first solo album. He was a member of KGB featuring Ray Kennedy, Rick Grech, Mike Bloomfield and Barry Goldberg, and has recorded with Stanley Clarke, Ted Nugent, and Pink Floyd. He was the drummer for the bands King Kobra and Blue Murder, and toured with Ozzy Osbourne.
Appice first created Guitar Zeus in 1995 when he recruited some of the most famous guitarists in the world to be a part of his project, from Zakk Wylde and Ted Nugent to Brian May (Queen) and Slash (Guns N Roses), even tennis legend John McEnroe. Songs also included guest vocals by Dug Pinnick and Edgar Winter. Throughout the late 1990's, three Guitar Zeus CDs were released to worldwide critical acclaim.
"Guitar Zeus for me was an amazing experience, working with so many great guitarists", Appice affirms. "It was fun picking out songs for each. Each guitarist loved the songs. It was awesome. I would do it again in a minute even though it was alot of work. I consider these drum tracks to be some of my best drum performances in my career!"
ALBUM INFO
Artist: Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus
Title: Conquering Heroes
Label: Fuel Records
Track info
DISC 1
1. Dislocated (featuring Paul Gilbert from Mr. Big)
2. This Time Around (Yngwie Malmsteen)
3, Safe (featuring Neal Schon from Journey)
4, Four Miles High (featuring Steve Morse from Sea Level & Deep Purple)
5. So Long (featuring Doug Aldrich from House of Lords, Lion, Whitesnake, Rod Stewart)
6. Black White House (featuring Brian May from Queen)
7. Guitar Zeus Part 1 (featuring Jennifer Batten from Michael Jackson)
8. Killing Time (featuring Ty Tabor from King's X)
9. Where You Belong (featuring Slash from Guns & Roses)
10. Days Are Nights (featuring Ted Nugent)
11. Time To Set Alarms (featuring Elliot Easton from the Cars)
12. Under The Moon & Sun (featuring Mick Mars from Motley Crue)
13. Guitar Zeus Part II (featuring Leslie West from Mountain)
DISC 2
1. Stash (with Stevie Salas from Rod Stewart and Mick Jagger)
2. Code 19 (with Zakk Wylde from Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society)
3. Perfect Day (with Warren DeMartini from Ratt)
4. Gonna Rain (with Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi)
5. Crusin' (with Denny Laine from Moody Blues & Wings)
6. Snake (with Bruce Kulick from Kiss and Meat Loaf)
7. Trippin' Again (with Ty Tabor from King's X)
8. Dead Wrong (with Dweezil Zappa)
9. Doin' Fine (with Vivian Campbell from Dio, Whitesnake & Def Leppard)
10. Where You Belong (with Paul Gilbert from Mr. Big)
11. GZ Blues (with Seymour Duncan and Steven Seagal)
Produced by Carmine Appice & Phil Kaffel for Bianic Music
Recorded by Phil Kaffel/Mike Wolfe
Mixed by Phil Kaffel & Pat Regan
All songs written by Carmine Appice & Kelly Keeling except "Stash" written by Appice, Keeling and Tony Franklin; "Where you Belong" written by Appice/Keeling/Franklin, and "Perfect Day" written by Appice/Keeling/Franklin.
Published by Bianic Music (ASCAP) and Neptchyunes c/o Serge Entertainment Group LLC (ASCAP)
