'Undoubtedly the best covers collection album I've heard and while, you want to listen to the whole album over and over, rather than dip in and out to hear the Uni take on an old personal fave. Which is very clever indeed. If you've never heard Unitopia, start here, you'll instantly want to hear more - and you won't be disappointed.' Steven Reid - Sea Of Tranquility.
'This is by far the best cover version album I have heard ever!An amazing release, that belongs in every serious music lovers collection' Tonny Larsen - ProgPlanet
'Come…Enter this Garden of sound and sit back and enjoy the discoveries you will find. If you know all the songs already…take in the new spin these brilliant musicians have added to the menu' Mark Johnson - Sea of Tranquility
'Covered Mirror is an opportunity to relax in the warmth of Mark Trueack's vocals and the band's virtuosity' John Simms - Flight of the skypilot
'A definite "one to purchase" sticker on this one, and, I feel certain that anyone doing so and hearing Unitopia for the first time will soon plunder their back catalogue' - Prog Rock Music Talk
'Covered Mirror has the vibe of something captured in a moment in time, for it is a whole new studio record, retaining the powerful symphonic pop tinge rock of this progsupergroup' Tommy Hash - Ytsejam.com
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Unitopia endeavours to draw from the heart and soul of the listener thought provoking topics such as environmental awareness, political and social upheaval and the hectic pace of life and human relationships in a positive and uplifting light. Using progressive themes as a framework, Unitopia's music includes elements of world, classical, jazz, heavy rock, and groove.
Mark Trueack (composer / lead vocals / producer), Sean Timms (composer / keyboards / backing vocals / producer) and Matt Williams (guitars / backing vocals / producer) form the nucleus of the band. To complete them, they chose the combined drum/percussion batteries of David Hopgood and Tim Irrgang, Craig Kelly on bass and Daniel Burgess (Sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo, didgeridoo). They signed their first album deal in 2007 with Canadian Label Unicorn Digital and released "More than a dream". In 2008, Unitopia signed a three album deal with InsideOut Music, Germany.The Garden" an ambitious 15 track double CD released in November 2008, firmly established the band as one of the premiere progressive rock acts in the world. In 2010, Unitopia released their third album, "Artificial" Based on the themes of artificial intelligence, this new CD consolidates Unitopia's position as one of the most exciting progressive rock acts to emerge since the 1970's.
Progrock.com has chosen "Artificial" as Best Album and "The Great Reward" as Best Track for their 2010 awards. "Artificial" was proclaimed Album of the Year 2010 by AiiRadio.net, paperlate.nl and nominated by the international Jury of Progawards in Italy for Best Foreign Record and Best Production. Mark Trueack also won the honor of 2nd best voice of 2010 on Classic Rock magazine. Their 2010 European tour brought them to the UK, The Netherlands, Germany andBelgium. The critics were unanimous;Unitopia has been one of the best live acts on the Progressive Rock scene in the last few years." They have been invited by TV Limburg to do a television performance and also filmed one of their performances which have been released on October 2011 as an Indie DVD and a live CD production.
In October 31st 2012, Unitopia just released their fifth album, Covered Mirror with Musea Records France.Thirteen songs from different bands are revisited with Unitopia's unique touch and already nominated by Paperlate.nl as best album of 2012! Unitopia is known for supporting worthy causes. "321", from "The Garden" was created as a touching tribute to the courage, ordeal and eventual rescue of the Beaconsfield miners. The track gained nationwide exposure including a segment on 60 minutes. In May of 2007, with support and funding from the West Tamar Council, the band launched the single "321" at the one year anniversary memorial in Beaconsfield, Tasmania to an audience of
nearly 3,000 people.
Unitopia has also allowed the use of other songs for Charity causes such as"Stomp out Cancer" in 2008 "Songs for Haiti" in 2010, and "Strengh" for Japan in 2011. They also donated part proceeds from ticket sales of one of their concert in Adelaide to the Childhood Cancer Foundation.
As lead singer Mark Trueack says, "Music is the doctor!"
This week, Aussie band Unitopia achieved the top spot on the Radio Caroline Album Chart with their release 'Covered Mirror'. The album is a collection of re-interpretations and covers such artists as Genesis, Supertramp, Icehouse and Led Zeppelin just to name a few.
Radio Caroline is the world's most famous offshore radio station. Broadcasting since 1964 their story was made famous in the internationally released film 'The Boat that Rocked' (2009) starring Bill Nighyand Emma Thompson. The film was written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill, Love Actually).
Over the past few weeks, Unitopia has steadily climbed their album chart and this week hit the top spot! Mark Trueack, lead vocalist stated, "We're really proud of what the album has achieved so far and extremely satisfied that we've been able to create a wonderful collection based on the music of some of our favourite artists."
Sea of Tranquility, a major progressive rock/metal web source called Covered Mirror"…undoubtedly the best covers collection album I've heard!"
ABOUT THE BAND: Unitopia are Australia's leading progressive rock band and 'Covered Mirror' is their fifth release since 2005's independently released debut 'More Than a Dream'. InsideOut Records, the world's largest progressive rock/metal record company, released their second CD, 'The Garden' in 2008 and established Unitopia as one of the best of the new breed of progressive rock acts.
Unitopia then released 'Artificial' in 2010 followed by a highly successful headlining tour of the U.K. and Europe.
In 2011 they released a live DVD and CD of one of their shows in the Netherlands again to critical acclaim.
Unitopia are currently working on their next album 'Turn Left' to be released in early 2014 followed by another tour later that year.
Band Line-Up:
Mark Trueack
Sean Timms
Matt Williams
Tim Irrgang
Daniel Burgess
Craig Kelly
David Hopgood
Tracklisting:
1. 'Signs Of Life' Prelude
2. Calling Occupants Of - Interplanetary Craft
3. Easter
4. Man Of Colours
5. Genesis Medley
6. Rain Song
7. Even In The Quietest Moments
8. Can We Still Be Friends
9. Speaking The Truth (Interlude)
10. Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
11. Yes Medley
12. To One In Paradise
13. The Way The Waters Are Moving
Band: Unitopia
Album Title: Covered Mirror Vol 1: Smooth As Silk
Two Side Moon Promotions
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine
