TIM 'RIPPER' OWENS To Support HEAVEN & HELL In Europe

May 13, 2009

Powerhouse American heavy metal vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH) has scheduled the following European solo dates:

Jun. 04 - Oslo, Norway, Spektrum (supporting HEAVEN & HELL)
Jun. 06 - Sölvesborg, Sweden, Sweden Rock Festival
Jun. 08 - Giessen, Germany, Hessenhallen (supporting HEAVEN & HELL)
Jun. 09 - Berlin, Germany, Zitadelle (supporting HEAVEN & HELL)
Jun. 10 - Bamberg, Germany, Jakoarena (supporting HEAVEN & HELL)
Jun. 13 - Donington, UK, Download Festival
Jun. 14 - Karlsruhe, Germany, Europahalle (supporting HEAVEN & HELL)

Owens' backing band will consist of the following musicians:

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

Owens' first solo album, "Play My Game", will be released later this month 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

Austria's Mulatschag.TV has posted a new six-minute interview with Owens. Watch the clip below.

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