John Bassett (the singer, songwriter and producer of UK Progressive Rock BandKingBathmat) has announced the forthcoming release of ARCADE MESSIAH II
Arcade Messiah II builds upon the elements of the first release with the genre blending ofMetal, Stoner, Doom, Prog, Math rock, and ambient post rock continuing into an ever increasing dynamic storm of controlled chaos.
John Bassett: "after the surprise success of last year's original Arcade Messiah album and after receiving feedback from fans of that album I decided to make a sequel, a continuation of that album, that is hopefully bigger, better, more refined and more dramatic, but which didn't lose the vibe and atmosphere that was created on the original Album"
"ARCADE MESSIAH II ALBUM PREVIEW TRAILER"
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John Bassett Bio
John Bassett is an English multi-instrumentalist, singer songwriter and producer from Hastings, East Sussex. Primarily known for writing the music and producing the critically acclaimed albums by Progressive Rock act "KingBathmat". He has so far released eight albums since 2003, with the last few through the record label Stereohead Records.
The last two album releases "Truth Button" & "Overcoming The Monster" have recieved much acclaim throughout the Progressive & Alternative Rock Communities leading to reviews and features in national magazines such as "Classic Rock Presents Prog", "Shindig". Bassett's songwriting is characterised as being "endlessly inventive, leaving you guessing what's going to happen next, with plenty of harmonies and big hooks".
March 2014 saw Bassett releasing his debut solo album, an acoustic album which exploited his songwriting skills and the production techniques he has acquired over the last ten years.
Arcade Messiah Website - http://arcademessiah.com/
Recent reviews
"One of the most impressive releases I've heard this year" - popmatters
"There's something in the sea air in Hastings that has turned prog ingenue John Bassett into one of our scene's most prolific protagonists" Prog Magazine
"Kingbathmat are one of the most exciting bands that get labelled prog on the scene at the moment, and as this album proves they are so much more than just a prog band.This is an album you need to listen to, on headphones, in one sitting, so you are immersed in its majesty. Faultless." - Classic Rock Society
"one of the very best progressive releases this year, one though completely unique in voice" - Ringmaster Review
"If your looking for one of best modern interpretations of classic progressive rock, KingBathmat and Overcoming the Monster is hidden gem." - Dangerdog Music Reviews
"Imagine what Sabbath would have been like if they collaborated with Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard and The Mars Volta", "positively bursting with talent, full of innovation and musical dexterity" - Echos and Dust
"This is what KingBathmat do best, inventive prog the leaves you guessing what's going to happen next, with plenty of harmonies and big hooks" - Powerplay Magazine
"If Kingbathmat keeps up with productivity levels and particularly delivering killer songs, there is no telling how much they can achieve" - Infernal Masquerade
"imagine the Seattle grunge scene of the early 1990s having gone majorly prog. A bit of Soundgarten, a bit of Screaming Trees, etc. This is better. Much better" - Progarchy
"A highlight of 2013" - Musikreviews
"It's an absolute pleasure, and could be construed as ear sex…" - Metalmouth
"A beautiful work that should enable the quartet Hastings to be on the list of my favorite albums at the end of the year." Auxportesdumetal
"This is undoubtedly their high water mark; creepy, tense, energetic, psychedelic, thoughtful. A complex yet triumphant journey that any music fan needs to take." -Headwarmer
"As strange as the name Kingbathmat may be it's a wonder it's not bandied about more often in prog rock circles and internet discussion groups. These guys are just as killer – if not more so - as the bands they're often compared to" , "Sure to make my list as one of the ten best albums of 2013." - Prognaut
"it is a monster of an album" - hallowed
"I think that just about any fan of prog rock will find something to like about this album" -Progrocket
"Just like its predecessor, Overcoming The Monster (2013) is a very good example that Progressive Rock mixed with more 'modern' approaches can be made. Sometimes bands end up copying themselves when it comes to this 'modern prog' and all of them sound the same. When it comes to KingBathmat, they're quite unique in what they do. And you have to respect them for that! Highly recommended." - Progshine
"KingBathmat could well achieve the completely irrelevant rarity of having two of their albums in my top ten this year", "KingBathmat is a synonym for open-minded creativity. Unlike some prog bands whose seriousness can be overwhelming, this band manages to inject intelligence, humour and levity into their song-writing, thus enabling them to share their music and making it a joy to experience" - Ave Noctum
"Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the musical ideas of Bassett and co, it is difficult to predict how the course of musical events develops? Maybe that's why "Overcoming The Monster" is so addictive and intriguing. 9/10" - Rockarea
"A classic in the making!" - Liverpool Sound & Vision
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine
