Mike Tramp - 'Road to Valhalla' (official music video)

There is a road that leads to Valhalla
Where only the chosen are allowed
There is a boy with the dream of Valhalla
A place in the land of the gods
Cause in their home where the fire burns forever
The life goes on for those who tell in battle
The gods will wake him the moment he falls in the fight
Cause he'll rise when the sun goes down

He raised high his sword
As he cried out Valhalla
His dream has become reality
Tonight he will ride on the road to Valhalla
Chosen to feast with the gods

Cause in their home where the fire burns forever
The life goes on for the mighty young (viking)
The journey has finally come to and end for the boy
He has risen as the bravest of them all

Valhalla oh I hail you
You mighty home upon this lake
Valhalla oh you came true
(and I'll now) forever reign

Στο δεύτερο μισό της δεκαετίας του ογδόντα άρχισε να κυριαρχεί (εμπορικά τουλάχιστον και ως προς την απήχηση στην νεολαία), στην αντίπερα όχθη του Ατλαντικού (ΗΠΑ), ένα παρακλάδι του "σκληρού" ήχου πιο mainstream [με pop / FM rock (ή AOR) καταβολές και glam - φανταχτερές εμφανίσεις] "παραμερίζοντας" (κι εν τέλει επηρεάζοντας σε κάποιο βαθμό - είτε συνθετικά, είτε εμφανισιακά) σε μεγάλο βαθμό και τον πιο παραδοσιακό (metal) ήχο.

Μία από τις μπάντες που ξεχώρισαν την συγκεκριμένη χρονική περίοδο ήταν και οι White Lion. Δημιουργήθηκαν το 1983 και κυκλοφόρησαν τέσσερις "ολοκληρωμένους" δίσκους μέχρι και την (προσωρινή) διάλυσή τους το 1992. Επανήλθαν το 1999, κυκλοφόρησαν άλλα δύο full length albums και διαλύθηκαν (οριστικά;) το 2013.

Ο (τραγουδιστής και εκ των κιθαριστών της μπάντας) Mike Tramp κάνει "βουτιά" σε εκείνη την περιόδο. Πέρυσι (Απρίλιος 2023) κυκλοφόρησε δίσκο με τον άκρως χαρακτηριστικό τίτλο "The Songs Of White Lion" και προ ημερών ακολούθησε ο διάδοχός του ("Songs Of White Lion Vol. II"). Το δελτίο τύπου μας δίνει όλες τις λεπτομέρειες:

«Respected vocalist and guitarist Mike Tramp is back with "The Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II", once again the album sees Tramp re-imagining select cuts from his former band White Lion's.

Tramp first came to prominence in the music world with White Lion, who formed in 1983. After signing to Atlantic Records, the band enjoyed great success with the release of their second album, "Pride" in 1987, which included the hits 'Wait' and 'When the Children Cry'.

The band's third album, "Big Game" (1991) and fourth album, "Mane Attraction" (1992) continued the band's winning streak, but ultimately White Lion disbanded in 1992. After White Lion, Tramp formed the hard rock band Freak Of Nature, who had a decidedly darker and harder vibe than White Lion.

Freak Of Nature would release three studio albums before disbanding in 1996. In 1998, Tramp initially started his solo career. His debut solo album, "Capricorn" came out in 1998 and in 2002, his second solo album, "Recovering The Wasted Years" was released.

Tramp would then take a break from his solo career from 2004-2008 to tour and record under the name Mike Tramp's White Lion and eventually under the name White Lion, releasing the album "Return Of The Pride" in 2008.

Since 2009, Tramp has been writing and recording as a solo artist releasing nine studio albums, including his most recent, 2022's "For Første Gang".

He has also been a consistent presence on the road, both as an acoustic solo artist and with a backing band, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon. Mike Tramp will embark on an extended tour supporting “Songs Of White Lion Vol.II” starting from the 2nd half of August.»

Artist / Band: Mike Tramp
Video: "Road to Valhalla"
Album: "Songs Of White Lion Vol. II"
Type: Full length
Release date: August 23rd, 2024
Label: Frontiers Music Srl

Track listing:
01. Lights & Thunder
02. Lonely Nights
03. Till Death Do Us Part
04. El Salvador
05. The Road To Valhalla
06. Don't Give Up
07. You're AII I Need
08. Out With The Boys
09. All You Need Is Rock'n’Roll
10. Farewell To You

Line-Up:
Mike Tramp - Vocal
Marcus Nand - Guitars
Claus Langeskov - Bass
Kenni Andy - Drums
Claudio Pesavento - Hammond B3 & Piano
Johnny Gioeli - Harmonies
Emily Garriock Langeskov - Harmonies