CHANDLER MOGEL - Vocalist (2012)

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US shouter CHANDLER MOGEL has become one of the most requested young singers of the scene.
Following the path of Jeff Scott Soto or Goran Edman, Chandler is a voice-for-hire vocalist which powerful wide range lets him perform any genre easily.

As stable member of Outloud - definitely amongst the best new Melodic Hard Rock bands - Chandler has delighted us in the two very good CD's from the band.
But he has recorded with many acts such as DION, Chris Bickley, Khaos (all presented here), Talon, Iron Bridge Band, The Feckers, Dangered Ace, to name some.

Now Chandler Mogel has recorded a bunch of his own songs, some of them from Chandler's previously unreleased Big Nature project.
Ranging from solid melodic hard rockers as "Far From Reborn" (check the video-song below), to hard funk-rockers ala Extreme (Livin' In The Outside) to acoustics in "The Mighty Tree" and the bluesy hard rock of "Doomsday Shuffle", Mogel spreads excellent vocal melodies with great variation.

With a his powerful Danny Vaughn / Michael Lee Smith (Starz) / Joey Tempest (Europe) type of voice, the man shows his talent in these carefully produced tracks accompanied by skilled musicians.
This a 'recording artist' material only, not for sale...


01 - Far From Reborn
02 - Big Nature (Livin' In The Outside)
03 - The Mighty Tree
04 - Doomsday Shuffle
05 - One Way Ride
06 - Jamie Grey

Personnel: unlisted




Not for sale

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OUTLOUD - More Catastrophe (2012)

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OUTLOUD, definitively one of the best new Melodic Hard Rock bands, keen to capitalize on the success of their two rip-roaring albums, (2009's 'We'll Rock You To Hell' and the brilliant 2011's 'Love Catastrophe') make a quick-fire return with a six track EP titled "More Catastrophe".

Three new tracks that fell out of the exactly the same mould from which their last album was formed, are the main points of interest with the punchy, Skid Row meets Tyketto of "Saints Of Fire", making for a great kick-off.
"Cross The Line" combines a strident riff to a more melodic chorus and is actually the strongest of the new songs, before "Mr. Long Gone" up the intensity further, with powerful vocals and double kick drums aplenty.
The three other tracks come in the shape of the 2011 Christmas single "The Last Days Of September", an absolute beautiful midtempo semi-ballad (featuring an awesome guest guitar solo by Achilleas Diamantis) combines a nice piano melody to some crooning vocals.
Then come a 'flamenco' version of the Love Catastrophe track "Falling Rain", which is actually much better than the idea suggests it would be, before a piano and vocal version of the debut album's hit "We Run" shows that good songs are good songs in any guise. A truly great song delivered here with a different yet inspiring lookout.


Following the same exciting path of their last year's truly great full length album, "More Catastrophe" proves that Outloud is one of the best new bands in the scene.
With a quality songwriting, sound and a style firmly planted in classic '80s Melodic Hard Rock, Outloud offers on this EP new songs full of melody and biting, catchy riffs plus excellent reworked versions of a couple of their best songs.
Wonderfully produced once again by their guitarist and keyboard man Bob Katsionis, the band delivers the goods, with a special mention to singer Chandler Mogel who puts in stunning performances throughout, but especially on the stripped back tracks.
Highly Recommended.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Saints On Fire
02 - Cross The Line
03 - Mr. Long Gone
04 - The Last Days Of December
05 - Falling Rain (flamenco version)
06 - We Run (for piano and vocals)


Chandler Mogel - Vocals
Bob Katsionis - Guitar & Keyboards
Tony Kash - Guitar
Sverd T. Soth - Bass
Mark Cross - Drums
Achilleas Diamantis - middle Guitar solo (4)



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hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=606600

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OUTLOUD - Last Days Of December [single] (2011)

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OUTLOUD, the Melodic Rock quintet from Athens, Greece, featuring guitarist / keyboardist Bob Katsionis (Firewind) and New York based singer Chandler Mogel, have just released a Christmas themed single named:
"Last Days Of December".

Bob Katsionis comments on the song:
“People are getting so much negativity from everywhere these days. It’s like someone is trying to make the world feel empty and helpless, facing the problems of each country’s economy, criminality etc.
At the same time,what you get from the Social Networks is mostly negative comments, trolling, absurdity, violence and people being more rude day by day. This is reflected on music as well. Bands are trying to be harder, heavier, meaner and more evil like there’s some short of hate-contest going on!
What we tried to do with this song is to bring the rock world some melody, some peace, remind people that Love is the power that makes this world go round and contribute to the soundtrack of the Christmas Holiday Season with a song that we hope will stand the test of time.
Christmas time doesn’t necessarily mean shopping and spending but also quality time with friends and family and the people we love and to be able to share some positive energy which is definitely missing nowadays.
Happy Holidays!”


Written, produced and mixed by Bob Katsionis, this midtempo semi-ballad (featuring an awesome guest guitar solo by Achilleas Diamantis) confirms that Outloud is one of the most consistent and talented bands in the actual Melodic Rock scene.
Merry Christmas!


Outloud - Last Days Of December (4:49)


Chandler Mogel - Vocals
Mark Cross - Drums
Bob Katsionis - Guitars & Keys
Sverd T. Soth - Bass
Achilleas Diamantis - middle Guitar solo







BUY IT !
itunes.apple.com/us/album/last-days-of-december-single/id488737196

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DION - Intelligent Design (2011)

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D-I-O-N is British guitarist Dion Smith (ex Mercury Rain) brainchild, formed in 2010, with a view of creating something completely different.
Actually, this is a UK / American project, as Smith has called Chandler Mogel (Outloud) to provide vocals, and New York session drummer Charlie 'Z' Zeleny (Blotted Science, Behold The Arctopus, Jordan Rudess Band) to handle drums.

Their debut "Intelligent Design" is indeed, an intelligent and atypical piece of music.
D-I-O-N style is difficult to describe, basically fits into neo prog or modern technical prog metal, but not exactly. Let's say Modern Neo Prog / Melodic Rock.
The modern prog structures and heavy guitar riffs are there, but Smith blends his music with high doses of melody, including electronics, synths and electric pianos.
Add to this cocktail a monster and varied drum playing (Charlie Zeleny is awesome) and a melodic yet powerful vocalist as Chandler Mogel and you have, as Dion Smith wanted for this project, something completely different.

The overall sound is strong, but not metalized at all.
Dion Smith paints some intrincate sound textures with many instruments, playing occasional guitar solos, but working basically as an orchestrator.
Charlie Zeleny's drumming is the real driving force of the music, playing terrific patterns and fills (he has auditioned to replace Mike Portnoy in Dream Theater). The beat sounds - especially the snare - are different between tracks, which makes the listen more interesting.
And Chandler Mogel is the responsible to give these songs vitality and melody. This guy is quickly becoming one of the best vocalists in the industry. His recent job on Outloud's 'Love Catastrophe' is fantastic, and here confirms he has the uncanny ability to feel at home in any musical situation.


It would be tricky to comment a track-by-track on this particular album, as the songs and the musical style, as said, are uncommon, and an accurate description depends on your approach as listener.
But don't let this appreciation scare you, "Intelligent Design" is not a 'rare beast' or an experimental project. The album flows easily, benefited by the 35 min. running time and a clear production.
The songs are short and certainly not exempted of melody, with a clinical and technical sound, but balanced by Vogel's bright vocal timbre.
Sometimes you're in the mood for some rockin' emotional music, sometimes for a catchy melodic rocker. "Intelligent Design" fills the gap when you want to taste something different.
Really, Really Interesting.


01 - I Believe
02 - The Sign
03 - I Can Save You
04 - Broken
05 - Reborn
06 - Intelligent Design
07 - A New Star
08 - Killing Machine
09 - There's Only Time
10 - Forever
11 - Someone


Chandler Mogel (Outloud) - Vocals
Dion Smith - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Synths, Programming
Charlie 'Z' Zeleny - Drums, Percussion






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www.amazon.co.uk/Intelligent-Design/dp/B005HXBWVQ

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OUTLOUD - Love Catastrophe (2011)

OUTLOUD history dates back to the year 2004 when was founded in Athens, Greece.
Firewind guitarist and keyboard player Bob Katsionis realized that his then guitar pupil Tony Kash was coming up with some fantastic bone crunching riffs. Katsionis quickly added his Firewind colleague Mark Cross to play drums before recruiting Talon vocalist Chandler Mogel and Kash's best friend Jason Mercury completed the line up on bass.
The debut album 'We Rock You To Hell Again' was released in August 2009 and received massive feedback from the press and fans.

After successful tours and a companion national Greek TV appearance in front of more than one million viewers, the band inked a brand new deal for their sophomore release "Love Catastrophe", which was recorded in the Summer of 2010 and once again produced by Bob Katsionis and masterfully mixed and mastered by Tommy Hansen.

Claiming Riot, Skid Row and classic era T.N.T. as inspiration, it would be fair to suggest that "Love Catastrophe" actually has glimpses of the aforementioned bands along with everything from a rocked up Europe to Bonfire.
The important thing is that at no time do Outloud come over as a parody or tribute band for any act from the past, what they do manage is to take the vitality and vigour from that era and add elements of more contemporary bands such as (surprise, surprise) Talon or Firewind.

The one thing that stands out right away with the very first listen to this album is the band's penchant for excellent vocal melodies and strong, memorable choruses courtesy of the the very powerful and emotional vocals of Chandler Mogel.
Quite frankly, he sounds so much stronger here than on any Talon album that I've heard. With a very powerful Danny Vaughn / Michael Lee Smith (Starz), Joey Tempest (Europe) type of voice, many tracks have choruses that will get stuck in your head and will have you singing/humming them for quite a while.

"We Came To Rock" open fire with its anthemic chorus and hard rocking riffage. Really cool and solid.
Next track "Falling Rain" is just brilliant. A magnificently well crafted melodic hard rocker with a monster chorus, huge guitars and superb production. Killer tune.
The thunderous "Live Again" follows in a more speeded up pace, with a melting riff and big, big drums.
And now, one of the songs of the year: "Waiting For Your Love" is simply melodic hard rock perfection. A semi-midtempo gem with some AORish scent crowned by heavenly vocal harmonies and a terrific chorus. What a song!

The aforementioned tracks worth the disc alone. But Outloud has much more to offer.
The retro "The Night That Never Ends" adds great keyboards to the mix, the heart-wrenching ballad "Someday" is an awesome tune not cheesy at all, and follower "Underground" has a massive crunchy riff-driven backbone.
With "Isolation Game" the band explores a more contemporary territory, adding variation and style to the album.
"Clean Hands" is a very good '80s melodic rocker in the european vein, and last song, the title track "Love Catastrophe" combines melody with power featuring a killer guitar solo.


Outloud has delivered a terrific Melodic Hard Rock album here, that would've been a chart topper in the mid '80s to early '90s with the style and quality of their music, yet, it's still fresh enough to fit into the current modern music scene.
There are plenty of standout moments on this recording, Mogel offers huge vocal performances, while Katsionis and Kash's guitars are a joy throughout.
"Love Catastrophe" is a great collection of tracks packed full of biting, catchy riffs and excellent vocals. When you add to that a rhythm section that nails every beat to the floor and an excellent mix by Tommy Hansen what you have is a mightily impressive set of songs that camp in your memory and refuse to leave.
I can't recommend "Love Catastrophe" enough. Don't miss one of the MHR albums of the year.
Highly Recommended


01 - We Came To Rock
02 - Falling Rain
03 - Live Again
04 - Waiting For Your Love
05 - The Night That Never Ends
06 - Someday
07 - Underground
08 - Isolation
09 - Clean Hands
10 - Love Catastrophe


Chandler Mogel - Vocals
Mark Cross - Drums
Bob Katsionis - Lead Guitar & Keys
Tony Kash - Guitars
Sverd T. Soth - Bass







BUY IT!
www.myspace.com/outloudtheband

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