Oxygen are from Sweden that excel in high quality Melodic Rock with an 80’s tinge.

Tony Niva began his musical career 1987 with a metal act called Zanity. They only recorded one demo-tape which was never to be released for the public masses. Tony also appeared on the single Down Town released with Swedish Erotica somewhere around 1988. After the sessions in Gothenburg Tony was a member in several musical acts around on his home ground regions, such as Malibu Band, Tracy Goes Crazy and Axia.

The band NIVA released “No Capitulation” in Japan in 1994. After this first NIVA release there was not much activity in terms of live performances, instead Tony composed own made material during that period.
At that point Tony was moving his musical direction from the metal genre. He made an appearance with the band Lion’s Share and they released the album “Entrance”.

Niva have now changed their musical prowess to more of the AOR and Melodic Rock style of direction, the new band is called Oxygen and the album is “Final Warning”. What this album is all about is highly infectious melodies and great songs. Oxygen have a knack of turning out great tunes, in the manner of Treat and such other great Swedish bands but they seem to have captured that great American / Canadian vibe of the early eighties, and vocally Tony sounds a little like Lou Nadeau of “Wrabit” so you can be sure they stand out from the crowd!

Oxygen are like a breath of fresh air and they put so much passion into their songs, this fantastic album should be a big hit with all those who love Scandinavian Melodic rock but also love how it was originally done in the 80’s on the other side of the Atlantic.

Artist:	Oxygen
Title:	Final Warning
Label:	Escape Music
Released Formats:	CD, Download
Style:	Hard Rock
Release:	22. June 2012
Distribution:	Benelux: Bertus, Germany: H'Art, UK and Ireland: Cargo, Italy: Frontiers, Spain: Goi Music, Switzerland: Non Stop Music, Scandinavia: Sound Pollution
Official Artist Website:	www.escape-music.com

HUMAN TEMPLE - Finest Finnish hardrock feat. guest: Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish!

Finland's premier melodic hard rockers Human Temple are back and bring us a brand new release “Halfway to Heartache”. Their 2004 debut "Insomnia" received rave reviews, and the 2010 release “Murder of Crows (ESM202) set pulses racing. Two years later and the wait for the third CD is over, so get ready for this fantastic new release.
The foundation of the Temple was laid way back in the late eighties, when vocalist Janne Hurme and drummer Petri Lehto formed their first band. The guys were highly influenced by Kiss, Dokken, Crüe and such bands, so the style of the music just had to be hard rock, yet always with a keen ear for a good melody.
Fast forward to1995... Janne was signed as a solo artist, and given an album's worth of more pop type of material to sing. He sang it with conviction, and once the album was released, he became a major star almost overnight. Among other hits, the album spawned "Kirje", one of the biggest hits of the nineties in Finland. One could say that it's nowadays "an evergreen", played regularly on the radio stations, while Janne's solo career was blossoming, he didn't forget his roots, and kept writing hard rock songs. In 1998 he and Petri formed Human Temple, determined that this band would take the next step and become something bigger than their previous bands.

After an initial buzz created via local gigs and the Internet, Human Temple were signed to the German label MTM Music, and their first album saw the light of day in the summer of 2004. Marquee Avalon released the album later that year in Japan.
The next years passed quite fast, and the band went through a few line-up changes. In the summer of 2009, they felt that the time was right for album number two. They entered the Noise camp studio in Turku, chose the best 10 songs from their selection of new tracks, and started the recording process. The resulting "Murder Of Crows" stays true to the sound of the debut, while adding some new elements to it. It has since become a firm favourite amongst melodic hard rockers.
The brooding “Halfway to Heartache” is an extension of the Human Temple sound, and they bring us 11 tracks of brilliant tunes that range from quirky rockers to powerful ballads. Songs like Run Away, Misery and Bleeding Through just ooze with class. This is a new age in the history of Human Temple and its going to set 2012 off with a bang.

Artist:	Human Temple
Title:	Halfway To Heartache
Label:	Escape Music
Released Formats:	CD, Download
Style:	Hard Rock
Release:	24. February 2012
Distribution:	Benelux: Bertus, Germany: H'Art, UK and Ireland: Cargo, Italy: Frontiers, Spain: Goi Music, Switzerland: Non Stop Music, Scandinavia: Sound Pollution
Official Artist Website:	www.escape-music.com

PHENOMENA - feat. Mat Sinner (Sinner, Primal Fear), Toby Hitchcock (Pride Of Lions), Terry Brock (Strangeways), James Christian (House Of Lords), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Lee Small (Shy), Mike DiMeo (Riot, Masterplan), Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane), Rob Moratti (ex-Saga), a.m.m.

People should learn to expect a little awe and mystery. Phenomena take us upon a journey where there is nothing pretty about the protagonists of the story that we shall meet along the way. The subject is good against evil.

The story began in the year 1983, when Tom Galley wrote a couple of short stories with a transcendental background. Backed by record label Bronze, the recordings for the album "Phenomena" started soon which finally hit the stores in 1985. Besides the extra-ordinary concept story both musicianship and the names involved with the project are highlights to mention. Names such as Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, HTP), drum legend Cozy Powell (RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE a.o.), Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE), Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE) - the elite of the British Hard Rock scene had joined the project. "Phenomena" received high critical acclaim in the press and extremely good sales.

The second PHENOMENA album "Phenomena II - Dream Runner" was released in 1987 and was welcomed with a similarly warm response. The musicians around the Galley brothers had changed slightly, so that this album in the end featured contributions from Ray Gillen (BADLANDS, BLACK SABBATH), John Wetton (ASIA), Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY) and Max Bacon (GTR), amongst others.

With new label Parachute involved, in 1991 the time was right for "final part" of the conceptional story; Phenomena III - Inner Visions". Besides Brian May (QUEEN) and Keith Murrell (AIRRACE), you'll here also find performances by Michael Sturgis (A-HA) and Scott Gorham (THIN LIZZY). The Complete Works were released in a triple fold out Digipack by Escape Music (ESM142).

However, the PHENOMENA concept continued in 2006 under the banner "PsychoFantasy", (ESM125 ecolbook and 125r regular version) which strictly follows the traditions of its three predecessors. Besides the concept story background, you will once again will find a whole bunch of amazing artists performing on this record: Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE), Keith Murrell (MAMA'S BOYS) - and Mel Galley (WHITESNAKE, TRAPEZE).

In September 2010 a new chapter began with a whole host of musicians, and "Blind Faith" (ESM216) was born to explosive effect. With new Vocalists like Robin Beck, Terry Brock (Strangeways) and Rob Moratti (Saga) a whole new world was unveiled and the concept became so fresh again. The rock audience once more were thrilled to hear the latest in this timeless story.

In 2012 we will all hear the new Album "Awakening", an album chock full of new ideas and featuring James Christian (House of Lords), Lee Small (Shy) and Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions) as well as familiar faces like Rob Moratti, Terry Brock and Mike DiMeo. Powerful songs executed by some of the finest rock musicians make this a hugely enjoyable album and it boasts a fine production from Tom Galley and Martin Kronlund. Here you will find straight ahead rockers with powerful melodies along with up-tempo ballads and beautiful choruses.

Awakening is a fantastic way to start 2012, it is another chapter in the engaging story that Tom Galley began in 1983.
In Short, a must.

Artist:	Phenomena
Title:	Awakening
Label:	Escape Music
Released Formats:	CD, Download
Style:	Hard Rock
Release:	23. March 2012
Distribution:	Benelux: Bertus, Germany: H'Art, UK and Ireland: Cargo, Italy: Frontiers, Spain: Goi Music, Switzerland: Non Stop Music, Scandinavia: Sound Pollution
Official Artist Website:	www.escape-music.com

DEPARTURE - Finest hardrock in the style of JOURNEY, KANSAS!

Departure is the brainchild of American Multi-instrumentalist Mike Walsh who has a vast experience in the music industry. Over the  years he has worked on numerous projects, such as Mark Thompson-Smith (Praying Mantis) and Dean Fasano's Message. Mike has also worked with Bon Jovi over the years as well as having produced, scored, written and arranged several New Jersey Bands.To ice the cake Mike has had the privilege of playing alongside such greats as Glen Burtnick and Aldo Nova.

In 1998 Mike gave us "Departure" (ESM028) which featured Ken Michaels on vocals and with special guest Dave Rosenthal (Red Dawn). This debut caught everyone's attention as it combined the sounds of Saga, Journey, Toto and Tour de Force. The pressure was on to follow it up and so came "Open Your Mind" (ESM050) a year later with Dave Baldwin (Tradia / Voices / Solo) on lead vocals. Dave brought in a more pomp rock element and the band sounded more like a hybrid of Styx and Kansas. The album was beautifully arranged and boasted huge guitar solos, and immense layered keyboards. Dave Rosenthal once again guested on keys and also Duey Ribestello (Joe Lynn Turner) joined in on drums. At this time Departure were gaining popularity and their brand of melodic rock soon spread. At the end of 2001 the third Departure CD "Corporate Wheel" (ESM082) was released and, once again, Mike used a different vocalist, namely Timothy Lewis, a man who had an unbelievable vocal range. Mike's guitar and keyboards were simply awe-inspiring and it really put Departure into the melodic rock hall of fame. "Corporate Wheel" has often been regarded as their finest release. that is...until now!

To follow these three masterpieces would prove to be very tough and it has taken a decade to unleash a fourth CD "Hitch a Ride" onto the eagerly awaiting melodic rock community. But boy it is worth the wait...a release of epic proportions. Andi Kravljaca (Silent Call) has taken to the mike stand to deliver an outstanding vocal performance. The calibre of his vocals coupled with fine musicianship brings us a powerful array of tunes that stand out as Departure's most powerful outing to date. Songs like "No Where to go", "Soldier of Fortune" and "Roses" are just simply forces to be reckoned with.

Departure are back with a vengeance, there is no finer way to start 2012!

Artist:	Departure
Title:	Hitch A Ride
Label:	Escape Music
Released Formats:	CD, Download
Style:	Hard Rock
Release:	20. April 2012
Distribution:	Benelux: Bertus, Germany: H'Art, UK and Ireland: Cargo, Italy: Frontiers, Spain: Goi Music, Switzerland: Non Stop Music, Scandinavia: Sound Pollution
Official Artist Website:	www.escape-music.com

Polution - For fans of Gotthard, Krokus and AC/DC!

Polution was founded in 1997 and has been playing in today’s music scene since 2005. The band are used to playing their music in various `rock-cellars` right up to renowned clubs such as the Rohstofflager in Zurich, the Treibhaus in Lucerne or the Transsilvania in Erstfeld. Polution have acted as support for bands such as Krokus, Sideburn and John Coghlan (formerly of Status Quo). Being placed third at the Emergenza Bandcontest `06 in Zurich currently ranks among the band’s greatest success story.

While originally having focused on cover-versions of bands like AC/DC, Metallica and Motörhead, the band has started to continually include more and more of their own songs into their repertoire. They have developed a style based on supportive melodies and hard guitar riffs. This music style has gained large approval amongst listeners and has gained them a following beyond the local area for their outstanding instrumental communication on stage.

In spring 2007, Polution took the chance and ventured into producing a CD at the New Sound Studio. The debut CD “Overheated” (ESM172) by Polution really made people listen with its quirky approach to rock music. “Overheated” was full of great catchy songs with an energetic sound.

Its now 2012 and Polution are eager to unleash their new recording on us, and what a cracker it is. Razor edged riffs and aggressive hooks are abound, they certainly know how to hit the right notes, and with a more polished sound than before they smack of Nickelback in places. However, they still retain that hard edged sound that fans of Gotthard, Krokus and AC/DC will love. What we have here is 12 tracks of pure entertaining rock music and it can only attract more fans to their ever growing popularity.

Artist:	Polution
Title:	Beyond Control
Label:	Escape Music
Released Formats:	CD, Download
Style:	Hard Rock
Release:	25. May 2012
Distribution:	Benelux: Bertus, Germany: H'Art, UK and Ireland: Cargo, Italy: Frontiers, Spain: Goi Music, Switzerland: Non Stop Music, Scandinavia: Sound Pollution
Official Artist Website:	www.escape-music.com