Europe "Superstitious (Single & Video)"

"Superstitious" is a 1988 single released by the Swedish rock band Europe. It was the first single released from the album Out of This World. It charted at #31 in the Billboard Hot 100, #9 at the Mainstream Rock Tracks and #34 in the UK Singles Chart. It was the last song by Europe to chart in the US.

The video for "Superstitious" was filmed at Hempstead House, on Long Island, New York. When performing the song live, Europe often include a part of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" in the middle of the song.

Europe "Carrie (Single & Video)"

"Carrie" is a power ballad by the Swedish rock band Europe released in 1987. It was the third single released internationally from the album The Final Countdown and was a Top 30 hit in several territories worldwide. In the US, it is their highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 chart—peaking at #3 (#1 on the Radio and Records chart) during the fall of 1987, outperforming the band's most internationally successful song, "The Final Countdown". It also reached #36 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. The track on the B-side of the 7" single was "Love Chaser".

Europe "The Final Countdown (Single & Video)"

"The Final Countdown" is a song by the Swedish rock band Europe, released in 1986. Written by their lead singer Joey Tempest, it was based on a keyboard riff he made in the early 1980s, with lyrics inspired by David Bowie's "Space Oddity". Originally intended only to be a concert opener, it is the first single and title track from the band's studio album of the same name.

The music video by Nick Morris, made to promote the single, has received over 1.3 billion views on YouTube. The video features footage from the band's two concerts at Solnahallen in Solna, Sweden as well as extra footage of the sound checks and footage from Stockholm.

The song "Pictures", from the 2017 album Walk the Earth, is a sequel to "The Final Countdown".

The song was based on a keyboard riff which Joey Tempest had written, as early as 1981 or 1982, with a Korg Polysix keyboard which he had borrowed from keyboardist Mic Michaeli. In 1985, bassist John Levén suggested that Tempest should write a song based on that riff. Tempest recorded a demo version of the song and played it for the other band members. At first, the members expressed mixed reactions to it, including guitarist John Norum who was put off by the synth intro but later said that he was glad that they didn't listen to him. Tempest described their uncertainty: "Some of the guys in the band thought it was too different for a rock band. But in the end, I fought hard to make sure it got used."

The song's lyrics were inspired by David Bowie's song "Space Oddity". The sound of the keyboard riff used in the recording was achieved by using a Yamaha TX-816 rack unit and a Roland JX-8P synthesizer, as described by Michaeli: "I made a brassy sound from the JX-8P and used a factory sound from the Yamaha, and just layered them together."

When it was time to choose the first single from the album The Final Countdown, Tempest suggested the song "The Final Countdown". The band had not originally planned to release the song as a single, and some members wanted "Rock the Night" to be the first single. "The Final Countdown" was written to be an opening song for concerts, and they never thought it would be a hit. When their record company Epic Records suggested, however, that it should be the first single, the band decided to release it.

As Tempest stated in 2005:

It's always a nice feeling. Sometimes, you hear it on the streets or someone has it on their mobile phone or something… it's a nice feeling! Actually, I did an interview about a year ago with a newspaper from America and they talked about how much it's been used in sports in America… which I didn't know so much about. Apparently, it has been used a lot and it was nice to hear. The ironic thing, though, is that the song was actually written for the fans. It was over six minutes long and was never meant to be a hit or anything like that. It was meant to be an opening for the 'live' show. We were putting out our third album and we wanted a really 'grand' opening for the show. So, I had that 'riff' tucked away in a drawer since my college years and I took it out, found a tempo for it, wrote lyrics, and it turned out to be a great opening for that album and for the show, as well. Nowadays, we don't rehearse it, but when we play it live, it is still just so amazing! It does communicate so well with the audience and we really love playing it.

In 2009, Tempest told the BBC's Liam Allen, "I can trace bands like UFO in it, sort of a galloping theme like Iron Maiden had on The Number of the Beast album on quite a few songs. I wanted to make a combination of guitars and keyboards. That was a statement on that and it sort of worked out nicely." It is set in the key of F♯ minor.

"The Final Countdown" became a success on the charts worldwide after its release during 1986 and 1987, reaching number one in 25 countries (including the UK, where it spent two weeks at the top and is Europe's only Top 10 hit to date), and is widely regarded as the band's most popular and recognizable song. The single reached number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and is the most successful song from the album on the Album Rock Tracks chart, peaking at number 18 (and charting for 20 weeks).

The song is also the band's highest-charting single in Australia and Canada, peaking at number 2 and at number 5.

Blender listed "The Final Countdown" as the 27th worst song ever, and both VH1 and Blender included it at 16 on the list of the "Most Awesomely Bad Songs...Ever". VH1 ranked it at number 66 on their list of the best hard rock songs of all time.

The music video, directed by Nick Morris, contains footage from two concerts the band did at Solnahallen in Solna, Sweden on 26 and 27 May 1986, as well as some extra footage filmed at the sound checks for those concerts.

The song has been a regular in Europe concerts ever since its live debut on the premiere of their Final Countdown Tour in April 1986. One of the most memorable performances of the song took place in Stockholm, Sweden on 31 December 1999, as part of the Millennium celebrations, as it was the first, and to date only, Europe performance with both of the band's lead guitarists, the original guitarist John Norum and his replacement, Kee Marcello.

Europe "The Final Countdown (USA, Epic Records, EK 40241)"

The Final Countdown is the third studio album by the Swedish rock band Europe. Released on 26 May 1986 through Epic Records, the album was a commercial success, peaking at number 8 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and reaching high positions in charts worldwide. It was recorded at Powerplay Studios in Zürich, Soundtrade Studios in Stockholm, Mastersound Studios in Atlanta and Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. The Final Countdown is the first album to feature keyboardist Mic Michaeli and drummer Ian Haugland and the last to feature guitarist John Norum until 2004's Start from the Dark.

Five singles were released from the album: "The Final Countdown", "Love Chaser", "Rock the Night", "Carrie", and "Cherokee." The first single was responsible for launching Europe into mainstream popularity.

"Rock the Night" and "Ninja" were the first songs written for the album, and were premiered on the band's Wings of Tomorrow tour in 1984. "Rock the Night" was released as a single in Sweden in 1985, peaking at number 4 on the chart, and was also featured on the soundtrack EP for the Swedish film On the Loose the same year, together with the songs "On the Loose" and "Broken Dreams." "Rock the Night" and "On the Loose" would be re-recorded for inclusion on The Final Countdown along with "Ninja", all with slightly different lyrics.

Due to the national success of On the Loose and "Rock the Night", Europe went on a new tour around Sweden in 1985, with new songs "Danger on the Track", "Love Chaser" and the power ballad "Carrie" included in the setlist and ready to be recorded for the album. "Carrie" was co-written by Tempest and keyboardist Mic Michaeli during a jam session. The early version of the song consisted of only keyboards and vocals, and was performed that way on the 1985 tour, but the album version would feature the whole band.

The song "The Final Countdown" was based on an old keyboard riff that Tempest had composed as early as 1981–82, on a Korg Polysix keyboard he had borrowed from Michaeli. In 1985 bassist John Levén suggested that Tempest should write a song based on that riff. The lyrics were inspired by David Bowie's song "Space Oddity". The sound of the keyboard riff used in the recording was achieved by using a Yamaha TX-816 rack unit and a Roland JX-8P synthesizer. "I made a brassy sound from the JX-8P and used a factory sound from the Yamaha, and just layered them together", Michaeli said.

"Cherokee" was the last song written for the album, being written only a week before the band went to Switzerland to start recording the album. Tempest said he had been inspired by the history of the Native Americans to write the song.

The recording of the album began in September 1985 at the Powerplay Studios in Zürich, Switzerland. At the suggestion of their record company, Epic Records, the band decided to work with the American producer Kevin Elson, who had worked with bands like Journey and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Originally the band had approached Scorpions producer Dieter Dierks and Bon Jovi producer Bruce Fairbairn to produce the album, but in the end they decided to go with Elson. Elson would also produce the band's sixth studio album, Start from the Dark in 2004.

During the recording sessions, vocalist Joey Tempest came down with a bad allergic reaction to bread products, which delayed the recording for a while, and forced Joey to make changes to his diet, so he could complete his work on the album. The vocals for the title track were recorded at the Soundtrade Studios, Stockholm, Sweden, while the rest of the vocals were recorded at the Mastersound Studios, Atlanta and Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California.

The album was mixed in March 1986 at Fantasy Studios. Guitarist John Norum was not pleased with the result, claiming that the keyboards had "buried" the rhythm guitars in the final mix.

The Final Countdown was the band's breakout album and granted Europe international recognition. Upon its release in May 1986, it sold very well in most European countries and peaked at No. 8 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. By 1994, it achieved triple Platinum status in the United States and received sales awards all over Europe.

When it was time to choose the first single from the album, Tempest suggested "The Final Countdown". Originally the band had never planned to release the song as a single, and some members wanted "Rock the Night" to be the first single. "The Final Countdown" was written to be an opening song for concerts, and they never thought it would be a hit. But when their record company Epic Records suggested that it should be the first single, the band decided to release it. It became a worldwide success, peaking at number 1 in 25 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and West Germany. In the US, it peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 18 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song has been a regular in Europe concerts ever since its live debut on the premiere of the band's Final Countdown Tour on 29 April 1986 in Gävle, Sweden and arguably became the band's most recognizable and popular song. One of the most memorable performances of the song took place in Stockholm, Sweden on 31 December 1999, as part of the Millennium celebrations.

"Love Chaser" was released as a single in Japan only, and was on the soundtrack for the movie Pride One. "Rock the Night" was released as the worldwide follow-up single to "The Final Countdown." It became a Top 10 hit in Germany, Holland, France, Ireland, and Switzerland, and peaked at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The next single, "Carrie", peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, their highest single on the chart to date. "Cherokee" was released as the last single from the album, peaking at number 72 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Eight of the ten tracks on the album were featured in the 2007 comedy film Hot Rod.

The first leg of the Swedish tour started in Gävle on 29 April 1986. The album had not been released yet because the cover art was not complete, but Europe was forced to start the scheduled tour. The album was eventually released on 26 May, the same day that the band played the last concert on the leg, at Solnahallen in Solna. The band did two concerts at Solnahallen, on 25 and 26 May. These concerts were filmed for a TV broadcast, which would later be released on VHS and DVD, entitled The Final Countdown Tour 1986. A 20th anniversary edition of the DVD was released in 2006. The promotional music video for "The Final Countdown" was shot partly during the soundchecks for those concerts and partly during the actual concerts.

Europe went on a Japanese tour in September 1986, playing four concerts in Tokyo and one concert each in Nagoya and Osaka. During that tour, guitarist and band co-founder John Norum told the other band members that he wanted to leave the band, due to musical differences and other disagreements with the band's manager, Thomas Erdtman. Norum agreed to stay in the band for the second leg of the Swedish tour, which started in Örebro on 26 September 1986, as well as a promotion tour around Europe including TV appearances and interviews. He made his last appearance with the band for a Sky Channel broadcast at the club Escape in Amsterdam, Netherlands on 31 October 1986.

Norum was then replaced by Kee Marcello, who had just left another Swedish rock band, Easy Action. At first Marcello had been hesitant to join Europe, because he had put a lot of work into Easy Action's upcoming album That Makes One. After some consideration he changed his mind and decided to join the band. He appeared in the music videos for "Rock the Night", "Cherokee" and "Carrie," before making his first TV appearance with the band at Peters Popshow in Dortmund, West Germany on 12 December 1986

The European leg of the tour started in Bergen, Norway on 24 January 1987 and ended in Genoa, Italy on 3 March 1987. A concert done at Hammersmith Odeon, London on 23 February, was filmed and released on video, entitled The Final Countdown World Tour.

On 15 April 1987 the band started their first U.S. tour at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. The tour ended in Philadelphia on 17 May 1987, as the band had been playing in 23 cities and traveling 14,565 km. A Swedish TV crew followed the band on the tour, producing the documentary Europe in America, which would be shown on TV and released on video.

Europe ended the Final Countdown Tour at the Roskilde Festival in Roskilde, Denmark on 4 July 1987.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Joey Tempest, except "Carrie" by Tempest and Mic Michaeli.

1. "The Final Countdown" 5:11
2. "Rock the Night" 4:03
3. "Carrie" 4:30
4. "Danger on the Track" 3:45
5. "Ninja" 3:46
6. "Cherokee" 4:13
7. "Time Has Come" 4:00
8. "Heart of Stone" 3:46
9. "On the Loose" 3:08
10. "Love Chaser" 3:27

Total length: 39:49

1st generation DADC pressing with "white" band logo.

Printed in U.S.A.

Comes with 8-page booklet including lyrics.

Recording information:

Recorded and mixed at Powerplay Studios, Zurich, Switzerland; Soundtrade Studios, Stockholm, Sweden; Mastersound Studios, Atlanta, GA; Fantasy Studios, San Francisco, CA.

Kevin Elson – producer, engineer, mixing

Wally Buck – engineer, mixing

Bob Ludwig – mastering

Michael Johansson – photography

Les Katz – cover illustration

Joel Zimmerman – art direction

Eternal Oath "Re-Released Hatred (Russia, Mystic Empire, MYST CD 175)"

Eternal Oath is a Swedish Symphonic/Melodic Death Metal band, formed in 1991 in Stockholm, Sweden. In their 15-year existence, they released three albums, one demo, one EP and one compilation album. The group had been in the process of recording a fourth album, but ultimately disbanded in January 2007. In 2011, the band reunited and released a new album in 2013.

Two notable past members include Peter Nagy (former multi-instrumentalist for Mörk Gryning) and Ted Lundström (current Amon Amarth bassist).

Re-Released Hatred is a compilation album (So Silent and Through The Eyes Of Hatred on one CD), released in 2006.

Tracklist:

1. The Dawn 04:56
2. Harmonic Souls Departed 03:47   
3. So Silent 05:04  
4. Insanity 04:43  
5. Eternal Rest 05:02
6. Dream of Rising 04:28  
7. Beyond Forgiveness 03:37   
8. Without Tears 05:47
9. Angel of Deception 04:04   
10. When the Dreams Die 04:02   
11. The Funeral Winds 05:31   
12. Lost Somewhere Between 04:04   
13. Through the Eyes of Hatred 04:34
14. The Secret Flame 04:33
15. Soulpoem 03:57   
16. The Fevered Circle (At the Gates cover) 04:32  

Time:  01:12:41

Tracks 1-6 taken from So Silent.

Tracks 7-15 taken from Through the Eyes of Hatred.

Track 16 taken from Slaughterous Souls - A Tribute to At The Gates (2004)

Esoteric "Parangon Of Dissonance (2CDS, France, Season Of Mist, SOM 248)"

Paragon of Dissonance is the sixth studio album by the British doom metal band Esoteric. It is a double album and was released in 2011 through Season of Mist Records. A two-disc vinyl edition of the album was released through Finnish label Svart Records on 25 April 2012.

For unknown reasons, long-time guitarist Gordon Bicknell temporarily left the group early during the recording sessions, the only track that features Bicknell is "Non Being". The majority of the album was written between Greg Chandler, Gordon Bicknell, and Jim Nolan.

Track listing:

Disc one

1. "Abandonment" Chandler, Nolan 13:34
2. "Loss of Will" Chandler 7:05
3. "Cipher" Nolan, Bodossian 9:15
4. "Non Being" Bicknell, Chandler 15:30

Total length: 45:24

Disc two

1. "Aberration" Chandler 15:44
2. "Disconsolate" Chandler, Nolan 15:33
3. "Torrent of Ills" Chandler 13:37

Total length: 44:54

Total time:  90:18

Recording information:

Recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered at Priory Recording Studios, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield, England, UK during May/June 2011.

Produced by Esoteric.

Mauro Berchi – graphics, layout

Kati Astraeir – artwork

Esoteric "The Maniacal Vale (2CDS, France, Season Of Mist, SOM 172)"

The Maniacal Vale is the fifth studio album by the British funeral doom metal band Esoteric. It is a double album and was released on 26 June 2008 through French label Season of Mist.  

Track listing

All songs credited to Esoteric. Actual writers listed below.

Disc 1

1. "Circle (Greg Chandler, Gordon Bicknell)" 20:45
2. "Beneath This Face (Chandler)" 11:21
3. "Quickening (Chandler, Oliver Goyet)" 12:18
4. "Caucus of Mind (Bicknell)" 7:21

Total length: 51:45

Disc 2

1. "Silence (Chandler)" 15:44
2. "The Order of Destiny (Chandler, Bicknell)" 11:32
3. "Ignotum Per Ignotius (Mark Bodossian)" 22:42

Total length: 49:58

The album was available from the band (on tour) in May 2008.

Release date in the US: July 9th, 2008.

Recording information:

Recorded in 2008.

Produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Esoteric at Priory Recording Studios, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield, England, UK.

Artwork by Kati Astraeir.

Esoteric "Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum (France, Season Of Mist, SOM 085)"

Subconscious Dissolution Into the Continuum is the fourth studio album by the British doom metal band Esoteric. It was released on 28 June 2004 through Season of Mist records, and is engineered, mixed and mastered by Esoteric at Priory Recording Studios. Artwork by Chris Peters.

Track listing

1. "Morphia" 15:56
2. "The Blood of the Eyes" 12:38
3. "Grey Day" 17:05
4. "Arcane Dissolution" 5:18

Total length: 50:57

Recording information:

Recorded in 2004.

Engineered, mixed and mastered by Esoteric at Priory Recording Studios, Canwell, Sutton Coldfield, England, UK in 2004.