White Widdow
White Widdow | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | AOR Heaven, Pride & Joy Music |
| Associated acts | Tigertailz |
| Website | Official Website |
| Members | Jules Millis Xavier Millis Enzo Almanzi Ben Webster Gavin Hill |
| Past members | Trent Wilson Jim Naish George Kristy Noel Tenny |
White Widdow are an Australian AOR and melodic rock band from Melbourne, formed in 2008. They are known for their 1980s-inspired sound, combining polished production with melodic hooks, and have released five studio albums on international labels. The band has performed at major rock festivals including Firefest in the United Kingdom and HRH AOR in Wales.
History
Formation and early years (2008–2010)
White Widdow was formed in Melbourne in 2008 by vocalist Jules Millis, keyboardist Xavier Millis, and guitarist Enzo Almanzi. The initial line-up also included bassist Trent Wilson and drummer Jim Naish.
The band released their self-titled debut album White Widdow in 2010 through the German label AOR Heaven.[1]
Serenade and international breakthrough (2011–2014)
White Widdow followed up with their second album Serenade in 2011. The release coincided with an invitation to perform at Firefest, a renowned melodic rock festival in Nottingham, United Kingdom, where they gained a wider international audience.[2]
In 2014, the band released Crossfire, which was met with strong reviews from the rock press. Metal Forces Magazine awarded the album 8.5/10, praising its classic AOR style.[3]
Later releases and touring (2015–2018)
White Widdow continued to perform across Europe and Australia, including appearances at HRH AOR in Wales in 2015.[4]
Releasing their fourth studio album, Silhousette in 2016 and their fifth album "Victory" in 2018. "Victory" received favourable reviews in international rock outlets such as Dangerdog Music Reviews and The Rockpit.[5][6]
Reissues and continuing activity (2019–present)
In 2025, German label Pride & Joy Music reissued the band’s first three albums as part of its Classixx series, bringing renewed critical attention. Get Ready to ROCK! praised the reissues as “a reminder of how vital the band’s early work was for the AOR revival.”[7] The band remain active with international tours and new material in development.
Musical style and influences
White Widdow are often associated with the resurgence of 1980s-style AOR, drawing comparisons to acts such as Survivor, Journey, and Night Ranger. Their music combines prominent keyboard arrangements, melodic guitar leads, and polished vocal harmonies.[8]
Tours and festivals
White Widdow have performed both in Australia and internationally since their formation, appearing at festivals and on tours with established melodic rock and metal acts.
| Year | Event | Location | Notes | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Firefest | Nottingham, UK | International festival debut; shared the bill with Jimi Jamison (Survivor), FM and Coney Hatch. | [9] |
| 2011 | Heat Festival | Ludwigsburg, Germany | Performed on a bill including Stage Dolls, Keel & Shakra. | [10] |
| 2011 | European tour with Keel | Switzerland | Part of a European club tour with multiple shows, including Switzerland; supported Keel. | [11] |
| 2012 | UK tour with Ten | United Kingdom | Supported Ten on the “Living and Dying for Rock ’N’ Roll” tour across multiple UK cities. | [12] |
| 2015 | HRH AOR | Pwllheli, Wales | Performed alongside artists including Night Ranger, H.E.A.T & FM. | [13] |
| 2015 | Melodic Rock Festival | St Kilda, Australia | Performed alongside Eclipse, Eric Gronwell & BB Steal. | [14] |
| 2016 | H.E.A.T Festival | Ludwigsburg, Germany | Played the 2016 edition of the festival at Rockfabrik Ludwigsburg, shared the bill with Treat, Pink Cream 69 & Eclipse. | [15] |
| 2018 | Rockingham Festival | Nottingham, UK | Performed alongside artists including Warrant, Nelson & Pretty Maids. | [16] |
| 2018 | Australian tour with Stryper | Melbourne, Australia | Supported Stryper during their Australian tour dates. | [17] |
| 2020 | MelodicRock Fest Australia | Melbourne, Australia | Performed at Melodic Rock Fest Australia 2020 sharing the bill with Kip Winger & Ron Keel. | [18] |
| 2020 | Supporting Reckless Love | Melbourne, Australia | Supported Finnish glam rock band Reckless Love at The Prince Of Wales Hotel. | [19] |
Reception
Critical reception for White Widdow has been positive within the melodic rock community. Sleaze Roxx described the debut album as “a wow factor release for fans of classic AOR,”[1] while Metal Forces highlighted Crossfire as “an album that breathes new life into the genre.”[3] The Rockpit praised Victory for “delivering melodic anthems with consistent quality,”[6] and reviews of the 2025 reissues emphasized the band’s importance in the 21st-century AOR revival.[7]
Discography
Studio albums
- White Widdow (2010, AOR Heaven)
- Serenade (2011, AOR Heaven)
- Crossfire (2014, AOR Heaven)
- Silhouette (2016, AOR Heaven)
- Victory (2018, AOR Heaven)
Reissues
- White Widdow (Classixx Series, Pride & Joy Music, 2025)
- Serenade (Classixx Series, Pride & Joy Music, 2025)
- Crossfire (Classixx Series, Pride & Joy Music, 2025)
Band members
Current members
- Jules Millis – lead vocals (2008–present)
- Xavier Millis – keyboards (2008–present)
- Enzo Almanzi – guitars (2008–present)
- Ben Webster – bass (2014–present)
- Gavin Hill – drums (2018–present)
Former members
- Trent Wilson – bass (2008–2012)
- Jim Naish – drums (2008–2011)
- George Kristy – drums (2011–2012)
- Noel Tenny – drums (2014-2016)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "White Widdow – White Widdow". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "Meet the Band: White Widdow". BeRock Radio. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "White Widdow – Crossfire review". Metal Forces Magazine. 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow Concert History". Concert Archives. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow – Victory review". Dangerdog Music Reviews. 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Album Review: White Widdow – Victory". The Rockpit. 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Album Review: White Widdow reissues". Get Ready to ROCK!. 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow – White Widdow Reissue Review". Metal Temple. 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ "Meet the Band: White Widdow". BeRock Radio. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow announced for HEAT Festival in Germany". White Widdow Blog. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "Keel / White Widdow Concert Archive". Concert Archives. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "Ten UK Tour 2012". Melodic Rock. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "HRH AOR Festival 2015". Concert Archives. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "Melodic Rock Festival 2015 Lineup". Concert Archives/Setlist.fm. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow Setlist H.E.A.T Festival 2016". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow Setlist Rockingham 2018". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "Stryper Australian Tour 2018". Amnplify. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "MelodicRock Fest Australia 2020". Setlist.fm. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ "White Widdow supporting Reckless Love". Concert Archives. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
External links
- Official Facebook page
- White Widdow discography at Discogs
- White Widdow at Last.fm
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