They are back again! Six years after the critically highly praised *In10sity“ album, the German based hard rock band, PINK CREAM 69, delivers their new long play album “Ceremonial”. Hot on heels after a successful German tour with HELLOWEEN and STRATOVARIUS “Ceremonial” is the second studio effort for Frontiers Records and also the first album with their new drummer Chris Schmidt.
PINK CREAM 69 was founded in 1987 by singer Andi Deris, guitarist Alfred Koffler, drummer Kosta Zafiriou and later on completed by bass-player Dennis Ward. After winning a band competition the band signed a multi-album deal with the major record label CBS Record, now Sony. After the hugely successful first album “Pink Cream 69”, the follow-ups *One Size Fits All“ and *Games People Play“ landed high in the official German and Japanese album charts. Intensive touring with internationally renowned acts like EUROPE helped PINK CREAM 69 to gain a worldwide and loyal fan base.
Due to musical and personal differences, singer Andi Deris left the band in 1994 to join HELLOWEEN and also to pursue a solo career. After auditioning various singers, Deris was replaced by singer David Readman, debuting on the surprising “Change“ album. The follow-up “Food For Thought“ managed to combine the band’s new direction with their roots even more.
After the release of the live album “#Live#”, PINK CREAM 69 went another major step on. The band re-thought their actual musical strengths and re-adjusted their direction even more – “Electrified“ saw the band one hundred percent back on the hard rock track! The album achieved rave reviews. The impressive single “Shame” accompanied by a video was followed by a tour in the special guest spot with Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. A very positive situation indeed that even had been topped by the following album “Sonic Dynamite“, which had reached the official German album charts again.
The band proved their excellence once again with the “Endangered“-album before news emerged that guitarist Alfred Koffler suffered from Focal Dystonia, a serious disease that affected his left hand and his playing. For upcoming live shows the band recruited second guitarist Uwe Reitenauer to relieve Alfred’s situation on stage. In 2004 PINK CREAM 69 released the aforementioned “Thunderdome“. The album again entered the German album charts.
2007 marked the full force return of PINK CREAM 69. Strengthened by second guitarist Uwe Reitenauer – now a regular member – the band delivered another masterpiece followed by tours and festival appearances well documented on the “Live In Karlsruhe”-album as well as on the “Past & Present”-double DVD!
And now “Ceremonial” is probably the freshest and most diverse PINK CREAM 69 album to date. Recorded partially at Hofa Studios and mixed at Dennis’ private studio – The TrakShak – the band really made the best of their time.
“The songs have to be 100% ready and, if necessary, we will take all the time in the world”, states bass player and producer Dennis Ward. “This gives us the possibility to experiment and to achieve the best possible result.”
Indeed the explosive, energetic opening track “Land Of Confusion”, the contemporary rocking “Wasted Years”, the biographic “I Came To Rock” the heavily 90s-influenced “Find Your Soul” or the soulful “Passage” are new, bright shining diamonds in a discography full of highlights and hits.
“There were various projects that I was involved in over the last couple of years”, says singer David Readman. “But the work on “Ceremonial” felt like coming home. A real relief.” Nothing more to add – except maybe that vocalist David Readman is originally from Burnley – British and Northern! Could it get better? Well, obviously… David and the band could be Northumbrian but ….
Tracklisting: Land of Confusion; Wasted Years; Special; Find Your Soul; The Tide; Big Machine; Let the Thunde Rollr; Right or Wrong; Passage of Time; I Came to Rock; King for One Day; Superman
Pink Cream 69:
David Readman – vocals
Alfred Koffler – guitars
Uwe Reitenauer – guitars
Dennis Ward – bass
Chris Schmidt – drums
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