In the first hour, Dokken frontman Don Dokken talks about the band’s new album “Broken Bones”, and chooses tracks from the new release, along with classic hits and Don’s choice of songs from the band’s back catalogue.

In part 2, guitarist Paul Bonrud and vocalist Rick Forsgren of melodic Hard Rockers Bonrud discuss the band’s new release “Save Tomorrow”, and the experience of working with famed producer Keith Olsen (Scorpions, Ozzy, Whitesnake), with 2 songs from the album.

Plus classic tracks and killer new cuts from Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neal Schon, Boston, Black Sabbath, Phil Lynott, Heaven and Hell, Sound Storm, and Flash Bastard

LISTEN HERE

Paul Bonrud es un músico poco conocido aun por el público A.O.R. Ya en 2004 lanzó con Frontiers su debut bajo el nombre de “Bonrud” y demostró tener el talento para crear un buen disco de Hard Rock, con temas alegres y muy amenos, en mi opinión de los diez mejores de aquel año dentro de su género.

Ocho años ha tardado en volver y durante ese tiempo ha mejorado su técnica, perfeccionándola para ofrecer un gran disco y demostrar si cabe, que el nombre “Bonrud” es garantía de calidad…

READ FULL REVIEW HERE

It’s been quite a time since I actually enjoyed a rock album that blends hard rock, AOR and melodic rock music so wonderfully. Bonrud may have been away for 8 years or so… but they’re back stronger and more determined than ever. Paul Bonrud, guitarist, songwriter & producer, analytically told Grande Rock what has happened all these years and what the band is up to for the years to come…

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Hard Rock Haven Reviews “Save Tomorrow”

Hardrock Haven rating: 8.75/10

It’s been a long time coming, but melodic rockers Bonrud are finally back with the follow-up to their 2004 self-titled debut album. The new album is titled Save Tomorrow and beneath the vivid super-heroine cover by Adriana Melo (of Star Wars: Empire and Witchblade fame) is an album that’s as soaring and inspired as the title and artwork suggests.

This time around, guitarist/bassist/main songwriter Paul Bonrud and drummer Paul Higgins are joined by vocalist Rick Forsgren, a singer many listeners are going to want to know more about after hearing this album. Keyboards were supplied by Eric Ragno, Dave Gross and Richard Baker. Production and mixing were handled by Bonrud as well as Grammy-winner Keith Olsen, whose work on albums by Journey, Foreigner and Whitesnake (among many others), made him the perfect person to handle an album like this with the classic melodic rock sound so obviously in mind.

Stylistically, Bonrud hits that sweet spot between the classic ‘80s AOR of Journey, Foreigner and Loverboy and the more recent European melodic rock of Khymera, Work of Art and the Magnificent. Save Tomorrow is a remarkably consistent album that’s just loaded with killer guitar hooks and melodies, and an unforgettable vocal performance. Forsgren has a strong, steady midrange voice that can jump a couple of octaves seemingly out of nowhere to give these songs an extra kick. He’s a perfect match for Bonrud’s deft guitar work…

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT HARD ROCK HAVEN…

“Bonrud: For Lovers of Classic Rock”

When I was asked to review this band and album I had no idea what to expect, so with some researching and belting out a few tunes, I can honestly say that this album has totally blown me away and has already given me consideration of being in my top 10 albums for 2012.

‘Bonrud’ who are established in Minneapolis, might be a strange name for an American band, giving the impression of AC/DC’s legends ‘Bon’ Scott and Phil ‘Rudd’, but the reason is quite simply that the band is named after its main figure – namely, the guitarist Paul Bonrud and he is joined by the talented vocalist Minneapolis’ Rick Forsgren, well-known for his four octave range.

Paul Bonrud engineered and co-produced the album with six-time Grammy winner Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield, etc.).

The US rock band Bonrud return with album number two, the first in eight years ‘Save Tomorrow,’ and if you are into tasty and accessible melodic hard rock, then you can’t go wrong with this one. ‘Save Tomorrow’ album is a great mix of melodic & heavy rock, thrown in for good measure are some catchy songs that are going to please a wide variety of music fans, especially the massive choruses and perfect harmonies…

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT THE ROCK PIT…

 Thanos at Grande Rock Reviews “Save Tomorrow”

I had almost forgotten of that project until I saw it on my promo list and was surprised for a second. I was trying to remember when the last time I had heard from the guys was, and I realized it was 8 years ago. I remember they had an AOR approach in their music mostly influenced by Journey & Survivor but are things the same nowadays?

First things first, there’s a new singer behind the mic. Honestly, I was struggling to recall what he reminded me of… his voice was so familiar… till his name came to me out of nowhere. Holy crap, Rick “Four Octave” Forsgren used to be the singer of the great – but so underground and underrated – hard rock band called Conditioned Response! Can anyone recall them out there? Well, I think the time has come so as to present their debut in the following weeks… but this ain’t the matter here. Anyhow, I was taken by surprise when I listened to Rick again after so many years. Believe me, his voice is still as amazing and warm as it used to be.

Paul Bonrud began working with Rick Forsgren when the first one relocated to Minnesota. As you can understand the project has taken a more rockin’ direction than in the past. It’s not an AOR band anymore… how could it be… as Rick’s voice is way more powerful plus he has a great range. I can also spot some Conditioned Response features in the band’s sound. Fairly enough, I like them better now as they seem to be in the right music way… (more at the link)

READ THE FULL REVIEW AT GRANDE ROCK

“Save Tomorrow” Gets Score of 93% at MelodicRock.com!

A new label, a new singer and a new attitude. That sums up the sophomore release from US guitarist Paul Bonrud and his band, which now features the raspier tones of Rick Forsgren on vocals. And moving away from the more pure AOR of the debut, Save Tomorrow is a far grittier release, blending some great commercial melodic rock moments with harder edged material that allows Paul to show off his guitar skills to far greater advantage.

The hard rock aspect of this album is also more contemporary sounding, but don’t confuse this for being too heavy or a modern rock record. No, it is just classic hard rock with a contemporary edge in places. It’s also still very melodic and very likable and thanks to producer Keith Olsen, sounds a million bucks. This really is one of those albums that could so easily slip through the cracks between better known artists, which would be criminal, as the album stands on its own and delivers a thoroughly cracking good selection of songs and deserves to be heard by all.

The Songs

The hard rocking We Collide is a monster song and the thumping production and classic “metal” voice of Forsgren gives this album the kind of Dokken vibe that Dokken themselves can’t reach today. The menacing riff heavy Bullet in the Back is even better and simply thumps through the speakers. American Dream is classic 80’s hard rock while Save Tomorrow takes a raspy vocal and turns the album back towards a more melodic rock/AOR territory. A killer chorus makes this a worthy title track. Liquid Sun is a more contemporary sounding slow burn rocker, again contrasted by the feel good melodic rock of I’d Do Anything. Last Sunrise continues the back and forth nature of the middle album sequence, turning heavier again, with its counterpart, the very catchy Torn Apart switching back to the lighter side. Blinded is as gritty as the album gets with a memorable riff and strong old school hard rock chorus. As expected, Dominoes is lighter and breezier with some sing-along moments. You’re The One is a terrific Bryan Adams style melodic rocker and End of Days is a slow starting moody rocker that flows into a great chorus to end the album with another highlight.

Special mention of the awesome artwork commissioned by Paul especially for the album and the change of logo distances Bonrud from that “Journey Scarab” theme that pops up so much.

The Bottom Line

Paul Bonrud may have cranked up the sound here for a heavier direction, but the melodies and hooks come thick and fast just as they did on the debut.  I think that everything about Save Tomorrow is better than the debut – more consistency in songwriting, better production, a style that really suits Paul and singer Rick and more energy throughout. A highly recommended album for all melodic rock fans.

Read the review at MelodocRock.com

Buy “Save Tomorrow”!

Purchase the new Bonrud CD “Save Tomorrow” directly through our website!

BONRUD is a melodic-rock project headed by producer and multi-instrumentalist Paul Bonrud and fronted by Minneapolis’ power-vocalist Rick “Four Octave” Forsgren. Established in Seattle, BONRUD’s debut album was released in Europe and Japan on Frontiers Records where it received acclaim and climbed the charts, taking the song “Date With Destiny” to number 11 on the Sapporo STV Top 20 chart in Japan, staying in the top 20 for 5 weeks. The anticipated album, “Save Tomorrow” is the result of an impressive formation of highly experienced musicians known for their collaborative abilities, as well as the successful pairing of Paul Bonrud and legendary producer/engineer Keith Olsen.

BONRUD’s new album is released under the eminent European label, Escape Music and Japan’s Rubicon Music. It features twelve songs for Europe with a bonus track for Japan. Paul Bonrud engineered and co-produced the album with six-time Grammy winner Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Foreigner, Ozzy Osbourne, Sammy Hagar, etc.). The songs were meticulously mixed by Keith at Pogologo Studio in California. “BONRUD has been an interesting project – As Paul and Rick have dedicated so much of their time, energy, and passion to this album, it has always been about quality of song, performance, and sound. I wish the band much success with this sophomore release,” says Keith Olsen.

Paul Bonrud began working with Rick Forsgren on “Save Tomorrow” after relocating to Minnesota. The two immediately hit it off with their infectious energy and chemistry for the songwriting process. Rick’s powerful vocal range paired with Paul’s memorable guitar leads, allows the melodies to organically ascend. Andrew McNeice from MelodicRock.com says, “Paul Bonrud is one of the true good guys of melodic rock. He backs up his status with talent in spades and an unwavering devotion to his craft. He works harder at getting things right than most and when new BONRUD music is ready you always know it will be well worth it.”

BONRUD’s new album features drums performed by Washington state’s Paul Higgins and recorded at the famed London Bridge Studio in Seattle (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains). The keyboards were performed by Richard Baker (Santana, Saga, Gary Wright), Eric Ragno (Graham Bonnet, Fergie Frederiksen, Jeff Scott Soto), and Dave Gross. The album was mastered by Steve Hall (Alice in Chains, Madonna, Richard Marx). “My goal was to make the best album I could with absolutely no compromises and that is exactly what I did. The songs, production, and performances are the best of my career and I can’t wait for people to hear it,” Paul Bonrud says of the new album.

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The new Bonrud single “Bullet in the Back” is the first track to be released from the new Bonrud CD which is currently being recorded with Keith Olsen. “Bullet in the Back” is available as an MP3 download from all of your favorite digital retailers.

You can purchase “Bullet in the Back” through iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. “Bullet in the Back” was mixed by legendary rock producer Keith Olsen at Pogologo Studio in California. Keith has won six Grammys and the CDs he has produced have sold over 120,000,000 copies. He has produced CDs for Foreigner, Whitesnake, Sammy Hagar, Night Ranger, Ozzy Osbourne, Rick Springfield, and many more.

The track was mastered by Steve Hall who has mastered CDs for Alice In Chains, Rod Stewart, REO, Pat Benatar, Richard Marx, and many others.

The sophomore Bonrud CD featuring Rick Forsgren on lead vocals will be released in the summer of 2011.

Bonrud welcomes new vocalist Rick Forsgren!

We are pleased to announce that Rick Forsgren is the new lead vocalist for Bonrud. Rick and Paul have been working with legendary music producer Keith Olsen on the new Bonrud CD.

Rick is an outstanding vocalist with a four octave range. He is best known as the lead singer for Conditioned Response who released three CDs in the late 90’s and early 2000s. We’re hoping to have the new Bonrud CD finished by the spring of 2011.