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Rising Through The Flames (Official)<\/p>\n SAUSALITO, CA (April 7, 2020) \u2014 It is March 12th, 2020. Thor is preparing to go on stage at The Whiskey in LA. He is reluctant to perform as Covid 19 is slowly invading North America. Many questions and concerns but the show goes on with Neil Turbin from Anthrax as a special guest. The venue closes the next day.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, longtime Thor collaborator, Kevin Stuart Swain (Al Harlow Band, Idle Eyes) has been embarking on what could be considered an ill timed venture. Kevin has co-produced, played bass and guitar and co-written songs on the last 3 albums. He is also part of the touring band but is sitting this one out. He has been in Vancouver, B.C re-recording the title song \u201cRising\u201d from Jon’s current album. It is to be released as \u201cRising (Video Mix)\u201d utilizing another Thor alumni Scott Young to oversee the creation. The drums, temporary guitars and bass are done as the US tour commences on Feb 28 in Seattle.<\/p>\n The single Rising (Video Mix) is available at:\u00a0https:\/\/orcd.co\/rising-video-mix<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n In early March, Kevin engages David Stone (Max Webster, Rainbow) and they head down to Alchemy Studios to track Kevin\u2019s bass and David\u2019s Hammond B3 organ. It goes well and they become the last people to physically record in the studio as another door closes due to the Corona Virus.<\/p>\n They have the vocal from the album version, but the song has changed considerably. Thor will be on tour or in self isolation for the foreseeable future. Scott’s skills come into play and the existing vocal is made to fit. Scott plays final rhythm guitars.<\/p>\n Kevin reaches out to Ray Roper. Ray and Kevin have done many projects together including Kevin playing bass for Stonebolt. Ray was nominated for a Grammy as the guitarist and lead vocalist for the Stonebolt mega hit \u201cI Will Still Love You\u201d. Ray has been behind the board in many recording studios including his own. It is the same week that Thor begins his tour and Ray is heading from Vancouver to Seattle to play the following evening. Ray\u2019s studio is in boxes and he is setting up a new location. He manages to bang out a lush Queen type vocal choir in the chorus that sounds amazing before grabbing his bags and jumping on a bus. It is this weekend that Seattle starts getting hit and one show is canceled. He heads back to the border.<\/p>\n Then it really starts to get interesting. All gigs get canceled and no one is going to be making money for awhile. Probably smart to get the wagons in a circle and cut their losses? Or embrace social distancing and make a record!!<\/p>\n Of course everyone is freaked out, it feels surreal to be in the midst of a pandemic. Many of the cell phone conversations drift from the song to the current situation. Pain and loss as well as courage and heroism dominate the news. Worry for loved ones and sacrifices being abound.<\/p>\n With all this in the background\u00a0 Kevin contacts Michael Schau. Mike co-wrote and played guitar on \u201cThe Rut\u201d, a song on the Rising album. Mike and the vocalist from his band, Pedal Train (Chris Gilburg) supply Michael\u2019s lead guitar and Chris\u2019s killer vocals in the chorus of the tune from their studio. The tracks are sent to Scott Young\u2019s Alchemy Studios to be added to the session.<\/p>\n Guitarist Anthony Dellacroce of The Headpins is also asked to lend a hand. Anthony blasts some blistering leads in the wee hours while his family sleeps, oblivious to the mayhem that headphones and digital amp modeling make almost inaudible.<\/p>\n Scott, Kevin and Thor are now in full blown self isolation in different locations. Shit is getting crazy, apocalyptic.<\/p>\n Kevin became aware of mastering engineer Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Yes) while in Los Angeles this past January. Originally from Israel, he has built an extensive list of famous clients in his home of Los Angeles. Kevin was in town for the Metal Hall Of Fame awards and to mix his composition and first single from Rising,\u201cThe Party Never Ends\u201d with Ronan Chris Murphy (GWAR, King Crimson). Maor introduces himself. His credentials and reputation are impressive. He ends up mastering that single.<\/p>\n Looking for a particular sound, Kevin asks Maor if he knows anyone that could mix \u201cRising (Video Mix)\u201d. He recommends fellow Canadian Phil Anderson (Econoline Crush). Kevin gives him a call and learns that Phil is living in an Airbnb in Edmonton, Alberta, keeping his isolated wife safe with her health issues. Reality sets in. But they are all keep working like the band that plays on the deck of the Titanic. It is something they can control. It is an escape. It is normal in the midst of madness.<\/p>\n Phil sets to work the next day. Scott Young and Kevin listen to Dropbox mixes as they complete. Shopping lists of fixes that get smaller and disappear quickly.\u00a0 The mix rocks. Thor has been receiving mixes as mp3s attached to emails.\u00a0 That\u2019s the way he likes to get them.<\/p>\n The mix goes for mastering. The icing on the cake, something that many artists don\u2019t truly understand. It is essential and Maor Appelbaum knows what to do. He is an artist\u2014each song speaks to him in a unique way.<\/p>\n Enter Lisa Freakrock. Lisa has been a fan and a friend of Thor since their first meeting backstage at The Armstrong MetalFest almost ten years ago. He has been a guest on her radio show, she\u2019s promoted shows and played drums on the \u201cGonna Have A Rockin Christmas\u201d video. Having worked on several of Thor\u2019s videos she is now being asked to create one. She is in isolation with no ability to film new footage but must now produce something awesome. Kevin has been wanting to do animation, but it is costly and time consuming. Seeing something Lisa did in a comic book style, he asks if it could work for a full video. The result is way beyond his expectations.<\/p>\n All involved have all been home in isolation for weeks. They have created something in the confines of this new locked-down reality. It needs to be heard. At worse it will distract, at best inspire.<\/p>\n Rising (Video Mix) <\/p>\n ###<\/p>\n About Michael Brandvold Marketing<\/strong> Michael\u2019s expertise was instrumental in growing and managing the KISS online community from its inception in 1998 to an enterprise generating millions of dollars every year and engaging more than a half-million visitors every month.<\/p>\n In addition to assisting with the band\u2019s online community, Michael was also instrumental in the creation of the VIP Platinum Ticket Program, which was first implemented during KISS\u2019 2003 US tour. The concept granted the band\u2019s biggest fans face-to-face access to the band, premium seating at shows, and exclusive autographed merchandise.<\/p>\n Over the years, Michael\u2019s expertise has been put to use for a number of well-known companies like Universal Music Group, BMG\/Sanctuary Records, Rhino Records, Playboy, Roadrunner Records, and Nuclear Blast Records.<\/p>\n In 2014, Michael published a revised edition of his book, KISS School of Marketing: 11 Lessons Learned While Working with KISS. The digital book quickly climbed to the number one spot on Noisetrade\u2019s Business & Finance and Arts & Entertainment lists.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.MichaelBrandvold.com<\/a><\/p>\n For all press inquiries, contact:<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Rising-Through-The-Flames-300x169.jpg\")
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\nCleopatra\/Deadline Records
\nWritten by Jon Mikl Thor\/Kevin Stuart Swain\/Scott Young\/E.J Lurie
\nProduced by Kevin Stuart Swain\/Scott Young
\nVocals \u2013 Jon Mikl Thor
\nBackground Vocals \u2013 Chris Gilburg, Ray Roper, Scott Young
\nLead Guitars \u2013 Michael Schau, Anthony Dellacroce
\nRhythm Guitar \u2013 Scott Young
\nHammond B3 \u2013 David Stone
\nBass \u2013 Kevin Stuart Swain
\nDrums \u2013 Scott Young
\nMixed by Phil Anderson
\nMastered by Maor Appelbaum<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/michaelbrandvold.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Thor.jpg\")
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\nFrom working with up-and-coming independent artists of all genres to overseeing online marketing for major acts like KISS, Britney Spears, and Dream Theater, Michael Brandvold\u2019s impact on the modern music industry is without question. In addition to spearheading digital strategy creation and online social media management for bands, he has helped create marketing strategies that have made millions of dollars for clients.<\/p>\n