Alice Cooper – “Along Came A Spider”

Released 28th July

‘A dark and menacing album for dark and menacing times’ is perhaps the most fitting description for Alice’s 25th studio album, released through SPV on 28th July. A chilling, conceptual thread runs through the songs, which are told through the voice of a serial killer named Spider. Alice Cooper, the master storyteller, weaves a web of danger, intrigue and death that rivals his best work. Co-produced by Danny Saber, Greg Hampton and Alice himself, ‘Along Came A Spider’ manages to marry both vintage and modern day Alice. As theatrical as ever, the album has got hard rock with hooks and classic balladry, always with an overtone of evil - an instantly recognizable presence that will be welcomed by his fans. Danny Saber, formerly of Black Grape, has also worked with Ozzy Osbourne & David Bowie, while Greg Hampton's been working on a new album project teaming up Buckethead and Bootsy Collins. Joining Alice on the album are members of his touring band - long-time Alice drummer Eric Singer, bassist Chuck Garric, guitarists Keri Kelli and Jason Hook, while Slash contributes guitar style to "Vengeance Is Mine." Track Listing:

1. Prologue / I Know Where You Live

2. Vengeance Is Mine

3. Wake the Dead

4. Catch Me If You Can

5. (In Touch With) Your Feminine Side

6. Wrapped In Silk

7. Killed By Love

8. Hungry

9. The One That Got Away

10. Salvation

11. I Am The Spider / Epilogue

Alice will also be bringing his Psycho-Drama show to Southampton Guildhall on 25th July. This one-off show follows his appearance at Motor Show Music Festival, ExCel Arena on 24th July.

July 2008

Friday 25th Southampton Guildhall £32.50 7:00pm

All tickets subject to booking fee. Credit card bookings (24hours): 0844 576 5483 or through www.livenation.co.uk

There are only a handful of rock artists that have proven to be as enduring and influential as Alice Cooper has over the years. Name just about any hard rock artist, and they’ve probably borrowed a thing or two from Alice. But who else but Alice would create a "love story" about a serial killer named Spider, whose trademark is wrapping his victims in silk, and his victims are specifically chosen to feed his hunger to kill. However, on meeting his (possibly) last victim, he falls in love with her and cannot kill to complete his plan, which could be his demise.

Before such theatrical rockers as David Bowie, the New York Dolls, Kiss, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, and Marilyn Manson, there was Alice Cooper. The original Alice Cooper group quickly became despised by adults and authority figures, while being idolized by teens and rock fans everywhere, on the strength of a succession of all-time classic albums ('Love It to Death,’ ‘Killer,’ ‘School’s Out,’ ‘Billion Dollar Babies,’ etc.) and anthems (“I’m Eighteen,” “Under My Wheels,” “School’s Out,” "Elected," “No More Mr. Nice Guy,” etc.). Alice had continued success as a solo artist, releasing successful albums like ‘Welcome To My Nightmare' and ‘Trash,’ featuring classic hits such as "Only Women Bleed," "I Never Cry," and "Poison." All one has to do is look at the many other artists that have covered Alice to understand how far reaching his influence is – the list is endless -- or just keep in mind that Johnny Rotten auditioned for the Sex Pistols to the tune of "I'm Eighteen.