ALBUM RELEASE DATE: 12th OCTOBER 2009 A year on from signing their multi-million pound record deal with Universal/Decca at Wales iconic Millennium Stadium, Only Men Aloud, the Welsh choir who were crowned The Nations Favourite Choir on BBCs Last Choir Standing, launch their second album Band of Brothers with an exclusive launch event where Everyones Aloud. The choir will perform a collection of tracks from their new album followed by an album signing with a special guest appearance from Bonnie Tyler, who collaborates with the choir on a new arrangement of her 80s mega anthem Total Eclipse of the Heart.Singing sensations Only Men Aloud will team up with Welsh rock legend Bonnie Tyler for an exclusive album signing at the Tesco Extra Store at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff, next Monday October 12th, between 4pm and 6pm. The double-header event is being billed as Everyone Aloud, with shoppers being encouraged to join in the singing. It is being staged to announce the launch of Only Men Alouds new album Band of Brothers which is released that day.The choir, made up of 20 young men from South Wales, have experienced a rollercoaster ride since winning the BBC1 prime time Saturday night show last summer. Within hours of being crowned The Nations Favourite Choir and following a vicious bidding war between major record labels, Only Men Aloud signed a multi-million pound, five-album deal with Universal/Decca.The record deal, the largest ever for a choir by quite some margin, was signed at Wales iconic Millennium Stadium exactly a year to the week before their second album launch. Their first album achieved gold status within a week and went on to sell over a quarter of a million copies.OMA now return with their second album Band of Brothers, in which they present interpretations of modern classics such as Somebody to Love, performed with Kerry Ellis who hails from the Queen musical We Will Rock You and has performed as the lead in Wicked in both the West End and Broadway. The choir also go back to their Welsh roots, with traditional anthems such as Land of Our Fathers and Blaenwern. Demonstrating the choirs eclectic background and tastes, from opera through to rock songs, they are all truly great tunes despite being from varied sources.Tim Rhys-Evans, Musical Director of OMA, said From the beginning I wanted this album to represent our wide ranging repertoire. The arrangements have a filmic feel and I am incredibly excited about the finished product. Only Men Aloud are very proud of Band of Brothers, the pre-sales are phenomenal and I hope this album will sell like hot Welsh cakes!To celebrate the release of this new album Band of Brothers on Monday 12th October, Only Men Aloud are inviting members of the public to come along to the Tesco Extra store at Culverhouse Cross, Cardiff. Tim Rhys-Evans is looking forward to the launch event, It will be an honour to meet all those who voted for us as winners of Last Choir Standing and all our supporters both before and following the competition, were inviting everyone to come along to the album launch and join in this exclusive Everyone Aloud event. Come on down!There will also be a guest appearance from Welsh rock icon Bonnie Tyler who collaborates with the choir on a re-record of her award-winning hit Total Eclipse of the Heart, which features on the new album and is also released as a single the same day (12th October).Tesco Store Manager, Martin T Smith said: Our customers are in for an absolute treat. The appetite for Only Men Aloud has been huge since they won the BBCs Last Choir Standing and to have them here along with Bonnie, one of the most iconic names in the music business, is just amazing. We are expecting a very big turn out and the boys all 20 of them - will also be in store signing copies of the new hit album.Bonnie first performed the song live with Only Men Aloud at their request for their sell-out Cardiff Arena show in May this year. Bonnie was so impressed with Tim Rhys-Evans arrangement and the audiences enthusiastic response that this prompted her to re-record the track with choir.Bonnie Tyler said, I'm delighted with this version of Total Eclipse and it is wonderful to be working with such a great choir as Only Men Aloud. I am so happy that the legendary Jim Steinman, who wrote this beautiful song, has told me how much he adores this recording of it.Tim Rhys-Evans, MD of the choir, said Bonnie was such a huge part of the music scene when I was growing up so it was a surreal moment, taking my arrangement of her biggest hit to her home. Thankfully she loved it! Bonnie has been an absolute star - so excited and positive - and shes sounding better than ever. |