Artist: PLACE VENDOME [Michael Kiske ex-HELLOWEEN]
Album: CLOSE TO THE SUN (CD)

Release date: 2017
EAN/UPS: 8024391077221
Media type: CD

PLACE VENDOME have proved to be one of the most popular projects put together over the years by Frontiers’ President Serafino Perugino. Place Vendome was an idea sparked during a phone conversation between Perugino and former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske, where they discussed their common passion for several melodic rock giants of the 80’s. The Hamburg singer agreed to be part of a studio project where he would sign songs written especially for him by various writers with an AOR/Melodic Rock flavour.

Kiske and Ward wanted to make the album a little bit special, so besides the “usual suspects” (including drummer Dirk Bruinenberg, Vanden Plas’ ivory tinkler Gunter Werno and Pink Cream 69’s Uwe Reineauer on guitars), some guitar heavyweights appear on the recordings. The list includes Alfred Koffler and (of course) Uwe Reineauer of Pink Cream 69, Magnus Karlsson, Michael Klein, Gus G (Ozzy, Firewind), Simone Mularoni, and Unisonic guitarists Kai Hansen and Mandy Meyer among the others.

In a year that will see Michael Kiske rejoin with his old HELLOWEEN bandmates for a unique world tour, PLACE VENDOME’s new album is the icing on the cake of a special and very rewarding period for the German singer. All in all, “Close to the Sun” is probably the most hard rocking release ever from Place Vendome and an absolute monster of an album!

TRACKLIST CD/ LP:

Close To The Sun
Welcome To The Edge
Hereafter
Strong
Across The Times
Riding The Ghost
Light Before The Dark
Falling Star
Breathing
Yesterday Is Gone
Helen
Distant Skies

LINE-UP:

Produced by Dennis Ward

Lead Vocals - Michael Kiske
Backing vocals - Dennis Ward, Michael Kiske // Additional Choirs on “Strong” by Alessandro Del Vecchio
Bass - Dennis Ward Keyboards - Günter Werno
Drums – Dirk Bruinenberg
All Rhythm Guitars by Dennis Ward, except: "Welcome To The Edge", "Across The Times", "Close To The Sun", "Hearafter" – Rhythm Guitars by Uwe Reitenauer

Guitar solo by Michael Klein on "Yesterday Is Gone", "Distant Skies", "Strong", "Breathing".
Guitar solo by Uwe Reitenauer on "Close To the Sun"
Guitar solo by Alfred Koffler on "Welcome To The Edge"
Guitar solo by Magnus Karlsson on "Falling Star"
Guitar solo by Gus G on "Light Beyond The Dark"
Guitar solo by Simone Mularoni on "Hearafter"
Guitar solo by Mandy Meyer on "Helen"
Guitar solo by Kai Hansen on "Riding The Ghost" and "Across The Times"