New Album from ICONIC coming on July 31st
Hard rock supergroup ICONIC, featuring Michael Sweet (STRYPER) on guitar, Joel
Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE) on guitar, Nathan James (INGLORIOUS) on vocals, Marco
Mendoza (THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE) on bass and Tommy Aldridge
(WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums, will release its sophomore album,
"II", on July 31 via Frontiers Music Srl.
To celebrate the announcement, the band has shared the new single and
accompanying lyric video, "Cry No More", available below.
Sweet commented: "It's been a long time coming, and the time is finally here! It's
an absolute honor to be a part of such an incredible band, and 'Cry No More' is the
perfect representation of who ICONIC is. Music that takes you back to the best of
times and reminds you that rock is still alive and well!"
Hoekstra added: "It's a pleasure to work with these fantastic musicians in ICONIC.
'Cry No More' should give classic rock fans something raw and real in terms of
both playing and production. Crank it up!"
James stated: "I'm so pleased to have made another album with these incredible
musicians. I hope everyone enjoys this first single, 'Cry No More', and the whole
album."
Mendoza exclaimed: "Well, the time is here, folks, finally ICONIC 'II' is coming to
you, with the first single 'Cry No More' coming soon! Like always, it's a blast and
quite an honor to be part of a project like this, with all these players! Take a listen
and enjoy! Viva la ROCK!!!"
ICONIC returns with "II", a second album that doesn't just continue the band's
journey — it defines it. Where their debut introduced the chemistry between five
world-class musicians, "II" sharpens that vision into a clearer, heavier, and more
confident sonic identity, delivering a sound that is more powerful, more direct, and
unmistakably rock.
At the heart of the album lies the electrifying guitar partnership of Hoekstra and
Sweet, delivering a masterclass in soaring melodies, blazing solos, and muscular
riffs that perfectly balance technical brilliance with pure hard-rock attitude.
Beneath them, the rhythm section of Aldridge and Mendoza drives the record with
thunderous authority, creating a groove that is both massive and relentless.
The album kicks off with "Cry No More", a high-octane opener that immediately
sets the tone — an energetic slice of hard rock packed with driving riffs, explosive
drums, and a chorus built to stick.
On the other side of the emotional spectrum, "Tears Keep On Falling" showcases
the band's dynamic range, unfolding as an electrifying power ballad where
melody, atmosphere, and intensity come together in dramatic fashion.
Towering above it all is James, whose performance on "II" is nothing short of
extraordinary — powerful, soulful, and commanding, elevating every track with
unmistakable presence.
With bigger riffs, deeper grooves, and a stronger sense of identity, "II" captures
ICONIC at full force: a band no longer introducing itself but fully owning its sound.
From Blabbermouth.net
Debut Bass M25 - Marco Mendoza Signature Model
The Blackstar MM Debut Bass 25 is a striking artist inspired version of their
acclaimed Debut Bass 25 practice amp. Developed in collaboration with world
renowned bassist Marco Mendoza, this signature edition takes the trusted Debut
Bass platform and gives it a bold new look — featuring Marco’s distinctive Bird
logo, bespoke red covering and custom fret cloth.
Marco describes the MM Debut Bass 25 as “everything a bass player needs to
enjoy playing every day – it’s simple, inspiring and sounds incredible.” Designed for
everyday use, this amp combines portability, reliability, and ease of use, ensuring
bassists can focus on playing without unnecessary complexity.
Finished with Marco’s Bird logo panel, bespoke covering, and custom fret cloth, the
MM Debut Bass 25 pairs proven Blackstar engineering with unmistakable artist
character. Compact yet robust, it includes a Line Out for silent headphone practice
and a Line In for playing along to music, making it the ultimate practice amp for
bassists who play every day. Click here to learn more and/or purchase ~
Blast from the Past - Marco visits the Houston Life
Morning Show 2019
Check out this great video of Marco visiting the Houston Life Morning Show
promoting his then new album ‘Viva La Rock’ . Click here to see the video~
New Album from ICONIC coming on
July 31st
Hard rock supergroup ICONIC, featuring Michael Sweet
(STRYPER) on guitar, Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE) on guitar,
Nathan James (INGLORIOUS) on vocals, Marco Mendoza
(THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE) on bass and Tommy Aldridge
(WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums, will release its
sophomore album, "II", on July 31 via Frontiers Music Srl.
To celebrate the announcement, the band has shared the
new single and accompanying lyric video, "Cry No More",
available below.
Sweet commented: "It's been a long time coming, and the
time is finally here! It's an absolute honor to be a part of such
an incredible band, and 'Cry No More' is the perfect
representation of who ICONIC is. Music that takes you back
to the best of times and reminds you that rock is still alive
and well!"
Hoekstra added: "It's a pleasure to work with these fantastic
musicians in ICONIC. 'Cry No More' should give classic rock
fans something raw and real in terms of both playing and
production. Crank it up!"
James stated: "I'm so pleased to have made another album
with these incredible musicians. I hope everyone enjoys this
first single, 'Cry No More', and the whole album."
Mendoza exclaimed: "Well, the time is here, folks, finally
ICONIC 'II' is coming to you, with the first single 'Cry No More'
coming soon! Like always, it's a blast and quite an honor to
be part of a project like this, with all these players! Take a
listen and enjoy! Viva la ROCK!!!"
ICONIC returns with "II", a second album that doesn't just
continue the band's journey — it defines it. Where their
debut introduced the chemistry between five world-class
musicians, "II" sharpens that vision into a clearer, heavier, and
more confident sonic identity, delivering a sound that is
more powerful, more direct, and unmistakably rock.
At the heart of the album lies the electrifying guitar
partnership of Hoekstra and Sweet, delivering a masterclass
in soaring melodies, blazing solos, and muscular riffs that
perfectly balance technical brilliance with pure hard-rock
attitude. Beneath them, the rhythm section of Aldridge and
Mendoza drives the record with thunderous authority,
creating a groove that is both massive and relentless.
The album kicks off with "Cry No More", a high-octane
opener that immediately sets the tone — an energetic slice
of hard rock packed with driving riffs, explosive drums, and a
chorus built to stick.
On the other side of the emotional spectrum, "Tears Keep On
Falling" showcases the band's dynamic range, unfolding as
an electrifying power ballad where melody, atmosphere, and
intensity come together in dramatic fashion.
Towering above it all is James, whose performance on "II" is
nothing short of extraordinary — powerful, soulful, and
commanding, elevating every track with unmistakable
presence.
With bigger riffs, deeper grooves, and a stronger sense of
identity, "II" captures ICONIC at full force: a band no longer
introducing itself but fully owning its sound.
From Blabbermouth.net
Debut Bass M25 - Marco Mendoza
Signature Model
The Blackstar MM Debut Bass 25 is a striking artist inspired
version of their acclaimed Debut Bass 25 practice amp.
Developed in collaboration with world renowned bassist
Marco Mendoza, this signature edition takes the trusted
Debut Bass platform and gives it a bold new look —
featuring Marco’s distinctive Bird logo, bespoke red
covering and custom fret cloth.
Marco describes the MM Debut Bass 25 as “everything a
bass player needs to enjoy playing every day – it’s simple,
inspiring and sounds incredible.” Designed for everyday use,
this amp combines portability, reliability, and ease of use,
ensuring bassists can focus on playing without
unnecessary complexity.
Finished with Marco’s Bird logo panel, bespoke covering,
and custom fret cloth, the MM Debut Bass 25 pairs proven
Blackstar engineering with unmistakable artist character.
Compact yet robust, it includes a Line Out for silent
headphone practice and a Line In for playing along to
music, making it the ultimate practice amp for bassists who
play every day. Click here to learn more and/or purchase ~
Blast from the Past - Marco visits
the Houston Life Morning Show 2019
Check out this great video of Marco visiting the Houston
Life Morning Show promoting his then new album ‘Viva La
Rock’ . Click here to see the video~