TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS Discusses Debut Solo Album; Video Available

Austria's Mulatschag.TV has posted a new six-minute interview with powerhouse American heavy metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH). Watch the clip below.

Owens will hold a listening party for his first solo album, "Play My Game", at Scorchers in Akron, Ohio on Sunday, May 3 starting at around 9:15 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. A private party will take place at the same venue between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. which will not be open to the public.

Sunday, May 3
Scorchers
491 E. Waterloo Road
Akron, OH 44319
Phone: 330 785 3500

Owens says, "Come on out and have some fun and hear the CD for the first time. I will be there signing autograhs and having some fun. AFTER 9:00pm."

Tim "Ripper" Owens has posted a new solo track, entitled "Starting Over", on his MySpace page. The song, which was written by Owens and Bob Kulick, features the following lineup:

* Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) - Vocals
* Bob Kulick (guitar)
* Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT) – Bass
* Simon Wright (DIO, ex-AC/DC) - Drums

"Play My Game" will be released in May via SPV/Steamhammer. The offering consists of around a dozen brand-new tracks that Owens composed himself or together with renowned friends, such as Bob Kulick, Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA),Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT) and John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).

The list of guest musicians featured on Owens' solo debut is even more spectacular:

Guitar:

Bob Kulick
Bruce Kulick (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, ex-KISS)
Carlos Cavazo (RATT, ex-QUIET RIOT)
Craig Goldy (DIO)
Zeil Zaza
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA)
Mike Callahan (ex-EARSHOT)
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM).
Doug Aldrich (WHITESNAKE)
Michael Wilton (QUEENSRŸCHE)
Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE)
Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL)

Bass:

Marco Mendoza (ex-WHITESNAKE)
Billy Sheehan (MR BIG, ex-DAVID LEE ROTH)
Dave Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH)
Rudy Sarzo (DIO, ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT)
James Lomenzo (MEGADETH)
Tony Franklin (ex-BLUE MURDER)
Dennis Hayes (BEYOND FEAR)

Drums:

Simon Wright (DIO, ex-AC/DC)
Vinny Appice (HEAVEN AND HELL, BLACK SABBATH, DIO)
Ray Luzier (KORN, DAVID LEE ROTH)
Bobby Jarzombek (SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT, HALFORD)
Brett Chassen

Fans and experts alike will love this sensational all-star lineup and may rest assured that the haunting songs will effortlessly live up to this illustrious cast of musicians: Tim "Ripper" Owens has never sounded more impressive, melodic and multi-faceted!

"I've gotten better as a songwriter," Owens explains. "And I also write songs that the fans can really get into and get their fist pounding in the air. I've always been a great fan of the BLACK SABBATH lineup featuring Ronnie James Dio, and I love JUDAS PRIEST. Both bands delivered records that are straightforward and go directly to the bloodstream — which also happens to be my compositional approach."

"Play My Game" will be released on the following dates:

Germany, Austria, Switzerland: May 15
Rest of Europe: May 18
USA, Canada: May 19

Check out the cover artwork below.

"Play My Game" track listing and individual song credits:

* 01. Starting Over

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright

* 02. Believe

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Craig Goldy

* 03. The Cover Up

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - James Lomenzo
Drums - Brett Chassen
Lead Guitar - Jeff Loomis

* 04. Pick Yourself Up

Written by: Tim Owens, Mike Callahan

Guitar - Mike Callahan/Bob Kulick
Bass - Dennis Hayes
Drums - Ray Luzier
Lead Guitar - Steve Stevens

* 05. It Is Me

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Carlos Cavazo

* 06. No Good Goodbyes

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick, Brett Chassen

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Billy Sheehan
Drums - Brett Chassen
Lead Guitar - Bruce Kulick

* 07. The World Is Blind

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Billy Sheehan
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Doug Aldrich

* 08. To Live Again

Written by: Tim Owens

Guitar - Michael Wilton/Bob Kulick
Bass - David Ellefson
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Michael Wilton

* 09. The Light

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Tony Franklin
Drums - Bobby Jarzombek

* 10. Play My Game

Written by: Tim Owens, John Comprix

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Simon Wright
Lead Guitar - Neil Zaza

* 11. Death Race

Written by: Tim Owens, John Comprix

Guitar - John Comprix
Bass - James Lomenzo
Drums - Brett Chassen

* 12. The Shadows Are Alive

Written by: Tim Owens, Chris Caffery

Guitar - Chris Caffery
Bass - Marco Mendoza
Drums - Simon Wright

* 13. A Challenge (bonus track; iTunes exclusive)

Written by: Tim Owens, Bob Kulick

Guitar - Bob Kulick
Bass - Rudy Sarzo
Drums - Vinny Appice

A gydget for "Play My Game" is available below.

Tim "Ripper" Owens has revealed the backing band that will accompany him for his upcoming summer tour in support of "Play My Game". The group will consist of the following musicians:

Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
Chris Caffery (SAVATAGE, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORHCESTRA) - Guitar
John Comprix (BEYOND FEAR, RINGWORM) - Guitar
David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5) - Bass
Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO) - Drums

So far, only two dates have been confirmed: Sweden Rock Festival, which will take place June 3-6, 2009 in Sölvesborg, Sweden; and Download festival, which is scheduled for June 12-14 at Donington Park in in Leicestershire, England.