{"id":91639,"date":"2022-03-18T00:00:58","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T00:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/?p=91639"},"modified":"2022-10-16T21:11:07","modified_gmt":"2022-10-16T20:11:07","slug":"news-ronnie-atkins-releases-second-studio-album-make-it-count","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.metalforcesmagazine.com\/site\/news-ronnie-atkins-releases-second-studio-album-make-it-count\/","title":{"rendered":"RONNIE ATKINS: PRETTY MAIDS Vocalist Releases Second Studio Album \u2018Make It Count\u2019 (March 18th, 2022) | News @ Metal Forces Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

RONNIE ATKINS: PRETTY MAIDS Vocalist Releases Second Studio Album \u2018Make It Count\u2019<\/strong><\/span>
\nMarch 18th, 2022<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Ronnie Atkins, vocalist of Horsens, Denmark-based hard rock \/ heavy metal band Pretty Maids, issued his second full-length solo studio album Make It Count<\/em> on March 18th, 2022 through Frontiers Music Srl.<\/p>\n

Having been diagnosed with incurable stage four cancer shortly before recording his debut solo album One Shot<\/em>, Ronnie Atkins commented: \u201cI still feel like I’m racing against time, so me and my team of musicians followed exactly the same procedure this time around. I sent my songs to Chris [Laney, producer], who worked on demos. Once satisfied with the arrangements, I would record the vocals and the individual musicians laid down their tracks. I already had quite a few ideas from the One Shot<\/em> sessions and just carried on writing. The album was then recorded between April and October this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regarding the songs and the album\u2019s lyrical themes, Atkins stated: \u201cThe melodies and toplines are the first priority. If I feel I\u2019ve got a good song with the right chord structure and a strong melody that sticks in my head, then I know I\u2019m onto something. To me, a good song is a good song and then it\u2019s a matter of how you wrap it up.<\/p>\n

The lyrics are always the hardest part from my perspective! Sometimes you already have the title and the topic when you\u2019re writing the song and at other times you\u2019re just out of ideas. This time around it was tough as my health issues are in my subconsciousness 24\/7. No matter what I do, I\u2019m confronted with it every day, so some of the songs are inevitably touching on this issue. That said, I\u2019m also trying to give it a positive twist, meaning that we just have to get the best out of life and love the one we\u2019re with while we\u2019re here. It\u2019s just impossible to write about sex, drugs and rock n\u2019 roll or whatever living with a life-threatening disease and a dagger hanging over your head. It is for me, at least! Overall, the lyrical content is partly about the aforementioned topics, the climate, and other things that make sense to everyone without being too political.\u201d<\/p>\n

As to the merits of making solo records, the singer-songwriter observed: \u201cI don\u2019t have to argue with anyone whether it\u2019s too pop or too lightweight. I\u2019m my own boss and the only one to take responsibility if it doesn\u2019t live up to people’s expectations. But, this is what I want to do at this stage of my life and I\u2019m convinced that Make It Count<\/em> is a great melodic rock album. I hope that fans won\u2019t be disappointed.”<\/p>\n

Healthwise, Atkins concluded: “I felt pretty good during the whole process, at least physically. And this time, I had the chance to actually meet with some of the musicians in-person because the Covid-19 restrictions were not as tough as they were when we recorded One Shot<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

The track listing is as follows:<\/p>\n

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01. \u2018I\u2019ve Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)\u2019
\n02. \u2018Unsung Heroes\u2019
\n03. \u2018Rising Tide\u2019
\n04. \u2018Remain To Remind Me\u2019
\n05. \u2018The Tracks We Leave Behind\u2019
\n06. \u2018All I Ask Of You\u2019
\n07. \u2018Grace\u2019
\n08. \u2018Let Love Lead The Way\u2019
\n09. \u2018Blood Cries Out\u2019
\n10. \u2018Easier To Leave (Than Being Left Behind)\u2019
\n11. \u2018Fallen\u2019
\n12. \u2018Make It Count\u2019<\/p>\n

Make It Count<\/em>\u2019s recording line-up was as follows:<\/p>\n

Ronnie Atkins (lead and backing vocals)
\nChris Laney (rhythm and lead guitar, and keyboards)
\nPontus Egberg (bass)
\nAllan S\u00f8rensen (drums)
\nMorten Sandager (keyboards)
\nLinn\u00e9a Vikstr\u00f6m Egg (backing vocals)
\nJohn Berg (guitar)
\nOliver Hartmann (guitar)
\nPontus Norgren (guitar)
\nAnders Ringman (acoustic guitar)<\/p>\n

Music videos were filmed for the title track and the songs \u2018Unsung Heroes\u2019, \u2018Rising Tide\u2019 and \u2018I\u2019ve Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)\u2019. All four clips can also be viewed below.<\/p>\n

Debut studio record One Shot<\/em> was released<\/a> in March 2021 via Frontiers Music Srl.<\/p>\n

Promotional photograph by Talle Savage.<\/em><\/p>\n