Fleetwood rocker Tony Mitchell's new album goes global

Fylde coast rock musician Tony Mitchell may have worked with some legendary names in music but it's his own work - including his latest album - that inspires international interest.
Tony Mitchell plays lead guitar and sings on new album, Church of A Restless SoulTony Mitchell plays lead guitar and sings on new album, Church of A Restless Soul
Tony Mitchell plays lead guitar and sings on new album, Church of A Restless Soul

Tony, 54, who grew up and still lives in Fleetwood, has just released an ambitious record, Church Of A Restless Soul, which is already winning some excellent reviews from critics and loyal fans from as far afield as Japan, Australia and America.

The down-to earth dad-of-two may not be a household name and lives a quiet life with his family, but to those familiar with his work, he is well known as a versatile singer songwriter, all-round rock maestro and lead guitar ace who keeps coming up with exciting new material.

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In the past he was the lead singer and chief lyricist with Kiss of the Gypsy, a melodic rock band which made international waves back in the early 1990s, and led to him performing with the likes of Alice Cooper and Rick Wakeman.

Image from Tony Mitchell's new album cover for Church of A Restless SoulImage from Tony Mitchell's new album cover for Church of A Restless Soul
Image from Tony Mitchell's new album cover for Church of A Restless Soul

He was one of the lead vocalists of choice on Wakeman's Return to the Centre of the Earth album, which also featured the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Justin Hayward and Bonnie Tyler.

More recently he has released diverse albums with his own hard rock band Kingdom of Deadmen, Fylde coast psychobilly act Boneyard Zombies and also Dirty White Boyz, with whom he gained widespread attention in the rock media.

In addition to that, he has produced four solo albums of original material, enjoying acclaim from rock reviewers.

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Tony spent two years writing and recording the latest album from his own home studio, having it released by German label AOR Heaven, and it sees a return to melodic 'adult orientated rock'.

He said: "I wouldn't still be doing this if I didn't love music, to be honest, records don't really make a huge amount of money and it's taken a long time to put this album together

"But I love being able to make music and I'm lucky to work in a genre in which people still want to buy the albums, especially as there seems to be renewed interest in this kind of music from people of all ages.

"I've thrown the kitchen sink at this one and there's even a gospel choir in there and there are some monster riffs and big anthems."

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Tony is saddened the coronavirus pandemic has had such a devastating effect on live performances.

He said: "I would love to perform these new songs live but the pandemic has affected venues and created a lot of uncertainty - there will also be a huge backlog of bands wanting to play the kind of festivals I would normally do, once they get started again."

Before lockdown he would often perform at The Steamer Hotel pub in Fleetwood and he is full of praise for the Waterloo in Blackpool for its vibrant live music scene.

Church of a Restless Soul features the best 13 tracks of the 28 songs he composed and recorded for the project, and songs such as The Mighty Fall and I Believe in Angels make a powerful impact, aided and abetted by some talented musical collaborators.

The album can be acquired by download or CD from sites such as Amazon or AOL Heaven's own site, or ordered from HMV.

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