sexta-feira, dezembro 22, 2017

BARRY WEINBERG Launches “Samsarana” Pre-Order

BARRY WEINBERG Launches "Samsarana" Pre-Order

Progressive Rock singer-songwriter Barry Weinberg will release his debut solo album Samsaranaon January 25th. The musician hailing from South Florida has launched the album pre-order through his official website, iTunes, and Amazon.

Commented Weinberg, "As a music lover, I've always enjoyed a wide range of musical styles from Progressive Rock to Folk to Classical to Metal. On 'Samsarana,' I wanted to incorporate all these diverse genres in a cohesive way to tell a story, using the music to set the mood for the lyrics. Those who have previewed the album have given me the feedback that it sounds like a movie soundtrack. That was my intention in composing this album. I wanted to create 'Musical Cinema.'"

Speaking about how much of Samsarana is personal Weinberg states, "I learned guitar by writing songs. I was a bit of a quiet kid and I always expressed myself and what I was going through by writing a song. Many of the songs on 'Samsarana' I wrote at key points in my life and they have always been very important to me. 'Beyond the Astral Sky,' for example, I wrote when I was 18. If you read the lyrics, I was going through a pretty dark time and all I wanted to do was escape life. Whereas, 'Endless Sea,' is a more current song which I wrote for the 'Florida Crackers' soundtrack about a cattleman I met and his experience with the industrialization of the cattle industry. Not exactly autobiographical, but he and I really connected and it fit right into the story and musical flow of 'Samsarana.'"

Samsarana is out on January 25th; pre-order it from Barry Weinberg's website, iTunes or Amazon.

Samsarana Track Listing:
Conception (instrumental)
Creation
Welcome to My World
This Vicious Circle
Come Out and Play
Beyond the Astral Sky
Taking It All
Endless Sea
A Passage of Time
Perception (instrumental)
You Cannot Burn the Fire
Come My Way
The Way
Inception (instrumental)
Reception

Other links:





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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

LONG DISTANCE CALLING - announce new album 'Boundless'



German instrumental rock powerhouse Long Distance Calling have announced the release of their sixth studio album 'Boundless' for February 2nd, 2018. Following the release of two albums that saw the band exploring the addition of vocals to their sound, the band have gone back to basics and created a purely instrumental record.
 
The band comments: "We are happy to announce our new album 'BOUNDLESS' which will see the light of day on February 2nd 2018. This time around the four of us locked ourselves in a room over a couple of months and pretty much got back to where we started as a band to catch this "go with the flow" feeling. This is probably the purest LDC album ever, no guests, no vocals, all instrumental.  We´re stoked how it turned out and this album got a lot of energy, heaviness, melodies and twists, we hope you will enjoy it as much as we do."
 
Watch a teaser for the album, revealing the artwork and a snippet of new music here:



The album will be released as a special edition digipak CD, Gatefold 2LP + CD (incl. etching on side D) & as digital download. 

Pre-order now here:
 
The track-listing of the album is as follows:
1.     Out There
2.     Ascending
3.     In The Clouds
4.     Like A River
5.     The Far Side
6.     On The Verge
7.     Weightless
8.     Skydivers
 
Further to the above, the band are happy to announce new tour dates in support of the new album release. See below for the dates:
 
Presented by VISIONS, GITARRE & BASS, METAL.DE, ECLIPSED, METAL HAMMER, GUITAR

Feb 2nd 2018 - Dortmund (D), FZW ("Boundless" Release Show / followed by Visions Party)
Feb 28th 2918 - Hannover (D), Lux
Mar 1st 2018 - Berlin (D), Musik & Frieden
Mar 2nd 2018 -  Hamburg (D), Indra
Mar 3rd 2018 - Kiel (D), Die Pumpe
Mar 4th 2018 - Bremen (D), Tower
Mar 5th 2018 - Köln (D), Gebäude 9
Mar 6th 2018 - Wiesbaden (D), Schlachthof (Kesselhaus)
Mar 7th 2018 - Stuttgart (D), ClubCann
Mar 8th 2018 - München (D), Kranhalle
Mar 9th 2018 - Wien (AT), B72
Mar 10th 2018 - Prag (CZ), Nova Chmelnice
Mar 11th 2018 - Dresden (D), Beatpol
Mar 12th 2018 - Nürnberg (D), Club Stereo

 
Following the release of 2016's TRIPS, which saw the band collaborating with Norwegian vocalist Petter Carlsen, Long Distance Calling celebrated the 10th anniversary of their debut album 'Satellite Bay' with 'An Evening With' shows in Germany. This was the first step in the band for returning to a solely instrumental sound, going back to the core of what the band are about and realising that the band were happiest with just the 4 of them together.
 
The band reveals: "We wanted to focus on what we started with. Maybe that's why Boundless turned out so hard - we all started with metal back in the days." If 'Boundless' sounds like anyone at all, it's Long Distance Calling. Four musicians, four totally different but strong characters. The band adds: "This time we worked very intuitively. Someone starts, and something develops from this. This way, you achieve an enormous sonic scope - and you can hear that on the album."
 
Long Distance Calling tear everything down and let it blossom again. 'Boundless' sounds like freedom found again, sometimes weightless, sometimes oppressively heavy.

Prior to the headlining dates in February, Long Distance Calling will support progressive metal veterans Fates Warning for two shows in Germany in January 2018. You can find those dates below:
Jan 18th 2018 - Turock, Essen, Germany
Jan 19th 2018 - Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany

LONG DISTANCE CALLING online:
 
INSIDEOUTMUSIC online: 
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Galahad - ‘Seas of Change’, which is the follow up to the 2017 ‘Quiet Storms’ album which contained fifteen short(ish) tracks and was a much more mellow affair whereas ‘Seas of Change’ is the polar opposite and consists of just one forty three minute track, creating, what we think is a full on no holds barred prog/rock rollercoaster of an album.

'Seas of Change' is a kind of hybrid in terms of musical style, featuring more traditional, occasionally pastoral, elements reminiscent of the 'older' Galahad sound whilst also incorporating the heavier guitar and more modern 'techno' keyboard sounds of the last few studio albums. 

'Seas of Change' is also the first album to feature Lee Abraham on all guitars following his re-joining of the band in the Spring of 2017. Lee is already familiar to the band and a fully paid up part of the Galahad family having been the band's bass player from 2005 to 2009 and appearing on one of their most critically and commercially successful albums 'Empires Never Last' as well as on a couple of live albums.

We feel that Lee has added his own stamp and expanded the Galahad sound palette whilst still retaining the Galahad feel and overall sound. 

'Seas of Change' is also Tim Ashton's first appearance on a Galahad album containing completely brand new material since he appeared on 'Nothing Is Written' back in 1990! 

As ever the album was pulled together mixed and mastered by engineer/producer extraordinaire Karl Groom (Threshold/Dragonforce/Pendragon/Arena etc.) at Thin Ice Studios in Surrey.

Musically, as well as the core Galahad members 'Seas of Change' features long term honorary member Sarah Bolter who makes an appearance on flute, clarinet and soprano sax.

This album will be available in several formats including three 24 bit vinyl LP versions:

Standard black 180g LP in a gatefold cover including CD version in a clear plastic wallet.
Limited edition turquoise 180g LP in a gatefold cover including CD version in a clear plastic wallet.
Very limited edition and rather beautiful full colour picture disc which will be available in an unusual and striking die cut sleeve which will also include a CD version.
Digipack CD containing two extra 'extended edits'
High resolution WAV Download also including two 'extended edits'

'Seas of Change' will be available to pre-order directly from our official band website (www.galahadonline.com/merchandise) on Monday the 18th December 2017, The CD version will be officially released on 15th January 2018 followed by the download version (available from our Bandcamp page at: https://galahad1.bandcamp.com/ on 29th January 2018 followed by the Vinyl LP versions soon after, dates TBC. CD Pre-sale orders will be sent out during the first and second week of January 2018, vinyl LPs will follow in due course. 

There will also be various 'bundle' deals available to order, however, if anyone would like to order a variation not listed on our merchandise page feel free to get in touch to tell us what you'd like and we will get in touch and give a bespoke quote, as long as the items are in stock of course. 

Track listing:

LP (Black/Turquoise/Picture Disc)

Seas of Change – Part One (20:57)
Seas of Change – Part Two (21:54)

Digipak CD

Seas of Change (42:43)
Dust (Extended Edit) (5.57)
Smoke (Extended Edit) (7.14)

Download

Seas of Change (42:43)
Dust (Extended Edit) (5.57)
Smoke (Extended Edit) (7.14) 

LIVE SHOWS
We also have a few live shows lined up for 2018, our first in over two years: 

11 March – The Talking Heads, Southampton with Peter Jones Tiger Moth Tales (acoustic) as special guest

17 March - Prog Rock Fest IV – Legionowo near Warsaw, Poland

28 April - Winter's End Festival, The Drill Hall, Chepstow

9 June - Mattfest, The Iron Horse, Sidcup, Kent

22 June - Serious Music Festival, Alphen aan Den Rijn, The Netherlands 

There are also a few others in the pipeline still to be confirmed! J

That's about it for now, short and sweet , more news to follow early in 2018.
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly release Rumbling Box (2006-2016)


Following the release of this years acclaimed new album 'On Her Journey To The Sun', Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly are pleased to announce a limited 5CD boxset celebrating 10 years of Rikard's history titled 'Rumbling Box' out March 16th, 2018. The set includes the albums Cyklonmannen (2006), Please Be Quiet (2009), Lamentations (2011), The Unbendable Sleep (2016) as well as the unreleased album 'Att För Barn Som Tror På Sagor Läsa Högt När Kvällen Kommer' from 2015.

Rikard has also put together extensive liner notes on all the albums, and you can find an excerpt here: "I'm gonna try to remember how Rikard Sjöblom's Gungfly came about. I'm gonna start off by discussing (with myself that is, in true schizo behaviour) why I've chosen to change history and rename the four albums that were released as Rikard Sjöblom (me) or Gungfly (also me) and rather join the two names together. It's an effort to make things easier. When I recorded 'Cyklonmannen' in early 2003 I didn't have a thought about a moniker because it was just me alone in a room doing that album so I did it under my own name. If we jump to 2016 and ask why on earth I decided to do an album as Rikard Sjöblom again after doing two Gungfly albums I can only say that I thought it was a wise choice because of Beardfish and Big Big Train, a band I had just joined (and still play with, unlike Beardfish), and the fact that people who knew these bands also knew my name, but they most likely didn't know Gungfly. In the early-to-mid 2000's I loved recording so much that I would very often lock myself in a rehearsal studio in an old gothic looking Sea Men's Church that had been turned into a place called Musikhuset. I would stay through the night, go home, have breakfast and sometimes even start mixing straight away. In early December 2017 I returned my personal key to Musikhuset that I'd had since 2002. So, it feels quite fitting to be putting the final touches on this box set the same week that I returned the key to the very place where most of it was recorded and close the door on that chapter of my life."

"'Att För Barn...' is a previously unreleased album that consists of ten tracks, all of them with Swedish lyrics. It's quite a pop oriented album that we spent a lot of time recording and we're really proud of it, just like all the others of course."
Watch a video for the track 'On and On' from 'Please Be Quiet' here: https://youtu.be/_kLdtpp04fI 

As mentioned, the album 'On Her Journey To The Sun' was released earlier this year, and you can watch a brilliant animated video for the track 'He Held An Axe' here: https://youtu.be/dMdxu9FHKFA 

 'On Her Journey To The Sun' is available as a special edition 2CD digipak, including a second 'best-of' disc featuring a hand-picked selection of tracks from earlier Gungfly releases. It will also be available as gatefold 2LP + CD & digital download. Buy your copy here: http://smarturl.it/RSGungflyOHJTTS 



Rikard Sjöblom is perhaps best known as the multi-instrumentalist frontman of Beardfish, who established themselves as one of the most consistently brilliant modern-day progressive rock bands over the course of eight studio albums. In recent years, he has also become known for his work with English progressive collective Big Big Train, playing live with them as well as performing on their 2016 album 'Folklore' & 2017 release 'Grimspound'.

GUNGFLY online:
 
INSIDEOUTMUSIC online: 
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

THOUGHT CHAMBER - Launch video for "Psykerion: The Question"; Working on new album!




U.S. Progressive Metal/Rock group THOUGHT CHAMBER are not only working on a new, third studio album to follow up 2003's "Psykerion" effort, but are now in the meantime also launching another video clip for the track  "Psykerion: The Question" off the previous release.

Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/ZCTfzlmiOfw 

 THOUGHT CHAMBER are currently at work in the studio for their upcoming new album release, expected for later in 2018 via InsideOutMusic and the band checked in with the following comment:

"THOUGHT CHAMBER is hard at work in the studio recording their as yet untitled 3rd album. Although not a concept album like their previous "Psykerion" release, it may include the continuation of that record's storyline. New songs include "Myst Of Lyriad", "Rainless", "Identity Theft", "Blinded", "A Modern Tragedy", and yet another instrumental in the continuing saga of "Mr. Qwinkle". In the meantime, a video for the band's song, "Psykerion: The Question", has popped up out of nowhere!"

A first short teaser preview clip of the new song "Rainless" can be checked out here:

THOUGHT CHAMBER features vocalist Ted Leonard (Spock's Beard, Enchant), drummer Mike Haid (David T. Chastain, Michael Harris, Joe Stump), keyboardist Bill Jenkins (Enchant), bassist Jeff Plant (Agrat) and guitarist Michael Harris (Darkology, Vitalij Kuprij).

"Psykerion" contained 16 tracks / 64 minutes of superb true progressive metal with a technical sci-fi twist, likely to appeal to fans of Dream Theater, Yes, Rush or Planet X.
 The album's cover artwork was designed by John E. Holland / MistyMountainGraphics.com. The album was recorded in various locations between 2012 and 2013 and finally mixed and mastered by Tom Size (Y&T, Aerosmith, Mr. Big, Enchant) at Tomland Studios, Pacheco, CA.

The first pressing European CD edition of "Psykerion" comes with an O-Card packaging and two additional bonus tracks ("Isle of Bizen [acoustic version] and "Recoil [instrumental version]"). It can still be ordered from the IOM webshop in Europe here: http://smarturl.it/thoughtchamberiom 

THOUGHT CHAMBER - "Psykerion" samples:

"Transcend" (Video clip): http://youtu.be/i5VaB8HhqKM
"Psykerion: The Question" (Track): http://youtu.be/soAOinOZZEk

THOUGHT CHAMBER Line-Up:
Ted Leonard - Lead vocals
Michael Harris - Guitars, keyboards, harmony vocals
Jeff Plant - Bass
Bill Jenkins - Keyboards
Mike Haid - Drums

THOUGHT CHAMBER Online:

INSIDEOUTMUSIC online: 
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

FATES WARNING - Launch tour trailer for January 2018 dates; To mix live album with Jens Bogren!



U.S. Progressive Metal pioneers FATES WARNING will be playing a string of shows both in Europe and in the USA/Mexico next month in support of their much acclaimed latest album "Theories Of Flight".

Here is a trailer with a message by FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder for the shows:

And here is a list of the exact dates coming up, which also include German post rockers LONG DISTANCE CALLING as special guests for the shows in Germany:

FATES WARNING - "Theories Of Flight" - Live 2018:
Fri January 05 - Seattle (USA) - Studio Seven
Sun January 07 - Mexico City (Mexico) - Circo Volador
Thu January 11 - Las Vegas, NV (USA) - Count's Vamp'd
Fri January 12 - Phoenix, AZ (USA) - Club Red
Sat January 13 - San Diego, CA (USA) - Brick By Brick
Sun January 14 - Los Angeles, CA (USA) - The Whisky

FATES WARNING - "Theories Of Flight" - Live over Europe 2018 - Support: Methodica
Thu January 18 - Essen (Germany) - Turock
+ Special Guests: LONG DISTANCE CALLING
Fri January 19 - Aschaffenburg (Germany) - Colos-Saal
+ Special Guests: LONG DISTANCE CALLING
Sat January 20 - Milan (Italy) - Legend
Sun January 21 - Rome (Italy) - Orion
Tue January 23 - Ljubljana (Slovenia) - Orto Bar
Wed January 24 - Budapest (Hungary) - A38
Thu January 25 - Belgrade (Serbia) - Dom Omladine
Fri January 26 - Thessaloniki (Greece) - Principal Club Theater
Sat January 27 - Athens (Greece) - Fuzz Club

As previously announced, all of the upcoming European shows will be recorded for a live release to be mixed by Jens Bogren, who last worked with FATES WARNING on their "Theories Of Flight" studio album. The band commented the live release plans as follows:

"It's been 20 years since we released our only live album, "Still Life". It's time for an update! In January we'll be recording a series of shows in some of our favorite European cities. The best of these will be included in a live album to be released in 2018. While we haven't decided on the final set list yet we're planning on about a 2 hour set with as little overlap as possible with the "Still Life" album. Hope to see you all there!" - Jim Matheos / FATES WARNING
 
FATES WARNING's 12th studio album, "Theories Of Flight", was released worldwide via InsideOutMusic and not only gathered critical acclaim (Some soundcheck results being:
Deaf Forever / Germany - # 1, Metal Hammer / Germany - # 2, Rock Hard / Germany - # 2,
Aardschok / The Netherlands - # 2, Eclipsed / Germany - # 4, Powermetal.de /Germany - # 1), but also entered the sales charts in several countries across the globe with the following highest positions: Germany: # 12, Italy: # 80, The Netherlands: # 70, Belgium (Flemish): # 175,
USA: # 2 Billboard Heatseekers / # 62 Current Top 200 Albums
 
Check out FATES WARNING's "Theories Of Flight" here:
"Seven Stars" video clip: https://youtu.be/0hguUU-VYug
"White Flag" (Guitar play-through video):https://youtu.be/oIGnVSX1sT0
"White Flag" (Drum and bass play-through video): https://youtu.be/dwtknUNsCx0
"From The Rooftops" (Lyric video): https://youtu.be/8kkJ8qtgLBY
Album teaser clip (excerpts of all songs): https://youtu.be/q1O7W9PKMEE
 
Next to the standard CD and Digital Download, "Theories Of Flight" is also available as limited edition Mediabook 2CD (with 6 acoustic bonus tracks) and as Gatefold 2LP (with full standard album on CD and the 6 acoustic tracks as bonus on Side D!).

All physical album formats are available from the IOM webshop here: www.insideoutmusicshop.com/

FATES WARNING Online:

INSIDEOUTMUSIC online:
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

ORION DUST (Progressive Rock ) - 'Duality' album re-release !

Orion Dust is a French rock/progressive rock band. Modern time storytellers, sonic painters, they release their first effort "Duality" in March 2017. The album is such a success than by the month of September, it's already sold out. The band thus decides to re-release it on the 19th of January 2018. If you haven't discovered them yet, now is the time !

The album takes us, throughout the songs, to different places, different times, different stories.
These stories, while separate, follow the same red line, telling the progression of a single character in a universe of introspection.
They tell the sorrows, the pain, the complexity of human being, and the descent into hell of our main character.

A fight against himself and against the world around him, in order not to fall into madness and depression.


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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Original Alice Cooper Group Guitarist/Songwriter Michael Bruce “No More Mr. Nice Guy” Biography Limited Edition Box Set



London - Much to the excitement of Alice Cooper group fans worldwide, Gonzo Multimedia will be releasing Michael Bruce's critically acclaimed biography "No More Mr. Nice Guy" in a Limited Edition Box Set! The Box set contains a signed certificate, book, 1996 interview CD, and reproduction of Alice Cooper group memorabilia. Limited to 250 Units, and signed by Michael Bruce.

Written by Alice Cooper group guitarist, keyboard player and main songwriter, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" is an anthology of the band that encapsulated the decadent spirit of the 1970s. Following the group on their journey from Arizona garage band to eventual rise to stardom, it reveals the truth behind the drinking and the rock 'n' roll. This "true life" story includes the hangings, the executions, the ghoulish makeup, the egos and of course, the rock 'n' roll. Revised and updated it includes previously unseen photographs and memorabilia.

"Its not often we get a chance to redo, remake or in this case re-release a book.....my book. It is with much thought, great enjoyment,  many thanks and heartfelt appreciation for family,  friends and fans that I present the re-release of 'No More Mr Nice Guy.' A compilation of hilarious rock 'n' roll stories and life events that made me the man I am today." - Michael Bruce

This release comes on the heels of the recent highly publicized Alice Cooper group reunion concerts in the UK!




The "No More Mr. Nice Guy" book is also available separately!

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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

MILE MARKER ZERO Release Prog Cover "Sleigh Ride" for the Holidays!

MILE MARKER ZERO RELEASE PROG ROCK COVER OF
 "SLEIGH RIDE" FOR THE HOLIDAYS


BAND REVEAL PLANS FOR NEW ALBUM IN SPRING 2018


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
DECEMBER 22, 2017

Connecticut-based prog rock outfit MILE MARKER ZERO are celebrating the holidays with their very own prog inspired cover of the festive single, "Sleigh Ride". 

The single is now available for digital download and/or streaming via:

Vocalist Dave Alley commented on the track:
"Here's an early present for you guys! We did a RUSH/Prog Rock inspired cover of the holiday classic "Sleigh Ride"! We had a blast recording this, and we hope you enjoy it!" 

Alley also revealed, "Our new album will be out in the Spring of 2018, and we will begin releasing details very soon!"

Formed in 2005, MILE MARKER ZERO's previous EP, "Young Rust" is "a must-listen for fans of commercial progressive music" (Metal Insider), and saw the band tour with a who's who of prog trailblazers such as Periphery, Porcupine Tree, Spock's Beard, Scale The Summit, Fair To Midland, Queensryche's Geoff Tate, and many more.

Stay tuned for news on their upcoming Spring 2018 release in the coming weeks!
Facebook.com/milemarkerzero
Twitter.com/mmzofficial
Instagram.com/mmzofficial
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

terça-feira, dezembro 19, 2017

New Book “Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon” By Bill Kopp To Be Released February 15, 2018!



Asheville, NC - Available February 15, 2017 from Rowman & Littlefield Publishing: Bill Kopp's new book "Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to the Dark Side of the Moon." In celebration of the 45th anniversary of The Dark Side of the Moon, Bill Kopp explores ingenuity with which Pink Floyd rebranded themselves following the 1968 departure of Syd Barrett. Not only did the band survive Barrett's departure, but it went on to release landmark albums that continue to influence generations of musicians and fans.

"Reinventing Pink Floyd" follows the path taken by the remaining band members to establish a musical identity, develop a songwriting style, and create a new template for the manner in which albums are made and even enjoyed by listeners. As veteran music journalist Bill Kopp illustrates, that path was filled with failed experiments, creative blind alleys, one-off musical excursions, abortive collaborations, a general restlessness and—most importantly—a dedicated search for a distinctive musical personality.

"Knowledgeable, well-informed, conscientious, and sensitive. Bill has written about what really matters. Bill's book is a great read, and well worth the price of admission."— Jerry Shirley, drummer for Humble Pie

This exciting volume guides readers through the works of 1968 through 1973, highlighting key innovations and musical breakthroughs of lasting influence. Kopp places Pink Floyd into their historical, cultural, and musical contexts while celebrating the test of fire that took the band from the brink of demise to enduring superstardom. 

"Bill Kopp's excellent analysis of Pink Floyd's post-Syd, pre-arenas era performs a valuable service to the Floyd canon."— Joel McIver, bestselling rock author

The book draws on archival interviews and reviews as well as many new and exclusive interviews with Peter Jenner, Ron Geesin, Steve Howe, Jerry Shirley, Davy O'List, Willie Wilson, Robyn Hitchcock and many others.

"Combining research into their classic albums and a wealth of little-known and unofficial recordings with astute and entertaining analysis, Kopp generates fresh insight into Pink Floyd's formative years. Even longtime fans of the band will be surprised and enlightened."— Richie Unterberger, author of "Unknown Legends of Rock 'n' Roll"

Bill Kopp is a lifelong music enthusiast, musician, collector, and music journalist. His writing has been featured in music magazines including Bass Guitar, Record Collector, Prog and Shindig! (all in Great Britain), as well as Billboard, Electronic Musician, Goldmine, Trouser Press, Ugly Things and more than a dozen alternative weekly newspapers. He is the Jazz Desk Editor and Prog Editor at BLURT online, and has written liner note essays for 20 albums, including titles by Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, Larry Coryell, Edgar Winter, Rick Wakeman, The Ventures, Dave Mason and Iron Butterfly. He has interviewed several hundred musicians and music industry figures of note, and his musoscribe.com blog has features thousands of music reviews, essays, interviews and features.

"Reinventing Pink Floyd" will be available February 15 from independent bookstores and Amazon, but pre-ordering direct from the publisher saves 30%.

Author Bill Kopp is available now for interviews, and will be scheduling readings and book store appearances around the publishing date.

More information: 
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Hard-rockers Rockstar Frame release single 'Christmas Rape' feat. Kiara Laetitia



After having announced that singer KIARA LAETITIA (ex Skylark, Virgin Steele) has joined the band, hard rockers ROCKSTAR FRAME are set to release a Christmas single, "Christmas Rape", today via Musicarchy Media.

"Christmas Rape" will mark the first single with KIARA LAETITIA on vocals. It will also be the first single with a revamped line-up.

ROCKSTAR FRAME drummer and founder Max Klein was recently very open on Facebook about issues with previous line-up: "You have probably noticed that Rockstar Frame has been quiet for quite some time now. This was due to some changes inside the band. In fact, for most members in the past year, RSF was not a priority anymore which led to a huge waste of time and resources including having to cancel some shows. This after a while was not acceptable to me anymore".

 
Always on Facebook, Klein stated he is very happy that Laetitia has joined the band: "I thought it was pretty natural for RSF to have her as the new singer. She's experienced both on and off stage and also writes songs".

KIARA LAETITIA is best known for being the singer of Italian symphonic metallers Skylark from 2003 to 2011 and her cooperation with David DeFeis from VIRGIN STEELEin 2013. Laetitia recently published Xtreme Makeover Music, an e-book on the music business.

"Christmas Rape" was written by Laetitia, Klein, Bryan in ten days and produced in November by Klein. The main theme of the song is controversial as the title itself. "Starting from the story of a rape that happen on Christmas, a little girl, now a woman, thinks about her condition and more generally on how values have been raped in modern world, including a tradition like Christmas" explains Laetitia.


ROCKSTAR FRAME have also announced that the new album, follow-up of critically acclaimed "Rock N Roll Mafia" in 2015, will see the light on February 2018 and that a European tour will follow.

segunda-feira, dezembro 18, 2017

“Greg Lake Live In Piacenza” Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl Now Available!



Manticore Italy Records is proud to announce the release of "Greg Lake Live In Piacenza" Limited Box Set, CD & Vinyl! Recorded in sound-demonstration quality this is the documentary of Greg Lake's last tour, recorded on November 28, 2012 in a sold out Teatro Municipale in Piacenza. It was a very special, magical evening, as Greg remembered in his outstanding autobiography, Lucky Man. The audience was so warm and he gave such a passionate performance. The Mayor of Piacenza and all the municipality attended the concert and went on stage thanking Mr. Lake for opening the "Musiche Nuove in Piacenza" festival. The concert was a triumph and eventually on January 9, 2016 the trustees of Conservatorio Nicolini of Piacenza gave Greg Lake the first honorary degree ever given by a Conservatorio.

This is a wonderful record, bringing the "Songs Of A Lifetime" project to its highest point. Exclusively for this concert, Greg performed with 3 special guests: Le Orme's leader Aldo Tagliapietra, ex PFM and Acqua Fragile's great vocalist Bernardo Lanzetti and the young talented Annie Barbazza, making the Piacenza show even more special and rare. It was Greg's wish that a precious, audiophile limited edition would re-launch his Manticore Label.

One outstanding memory I have of performing Songs Of A Lifetime show in Europe was on 28 November 2012 in the small city of Piacenza in Italy. The concert took place at a wonderful theatre there, the Teatro Municipale, which looks rather like La Scala in Milan with beautiful gold balconies and crystal chandeliers. I love Piacenza, and the Conservatorio di MusicaGiuseppe Nicolini there awarded me an honorary degree in 2016 for the way that King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer helped to bring classical music into young people's lives - what an honour.

The show at Teatro Municipale was recorded and I decided to release a special collector's edition of it on vinyl. Somehow the event, the feeling of the music and the atmosphere all seem to be suited to being reproduced in this analogue way.

Max Marchini recorded and produced the concert in Piacenza and together with Max I decided to restore Manticore Records label for the production and distribution of high-quality vinyl recordings. - Greg Lake, from "Lucky Man - The Autobiography"

(photo by Franz Soprani)

"Greg Lake Live In Piacenza" is available as:
1) very limited double premium audiophile vinyl in 700 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
2) very limited CD in 1600 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering.
3) very limited Box Set in 500 hand-numbered copies, gold hot foil lettering containing: double vinyl in clear audiophile edition, CD in audiophile gold limited edition, 10 in-folio photographic prints, original concert poster and ticket, exclusive video DVD documentary of the concert, Greg Lake logo sticker.

Produced by Greg Lake and Max Marchini
Recorded by Alberto Callegari
Mixed and mastered at Elfo Recording Studios, Tavernago (PC)
Post Productions by Greg Lake and Annie Barbazza.

Tracklist:
01. 21st Century Schizoid Man
02. Lend Your Love To Me Tonight
03. From The Beginning
04. Heartbreak Hotel
05. Epitaph/In The Court Of The Crimson King
06. I Talk To The Wind
07. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
08. Touch And Go
09. Trilogy/Still... You Turn Me On
10. I Believe In Father Christmas
11. Shakin' All Over
12. C'est La Vie
13. People Get Ready
14. Lucky Man (featuring Annie Barbazza, Bernardo Lanzetti and Aldo Tagliapietra)
15. Karn Evil 9 (1st Impression, part II)

Visit Manticore Italy Records to purchase "Greg Lake Live In Piacenza": www.manticorerecords.com

Metalmania Festival 2018 – full line-up revealed

Metalmania, the biggest indoor metal festival in Eastern Europe returns to Spodek Hall (Katowice, Poland) on 7th April 2018. It will be one of the most important musical events of 2018, a real treat for metal maniacs! One day, two stages, several bands from all around the world and thousands of fans!
 
The 24th edition of this iconic festival will be headlined by Emperor! The line-up of the main stage is now completed with Wolf Spider, Skyclad, Mekong Delta and Blaze of Perdition, while the second stage will see performances by Roadhog, Viscera///, Voidhanger and Anima Damnata.
 
Tickets are on sale!
 
Wolf Spider - one of the most acclaimed thrash metal bands formed in Poznań, Poland in 1985. Throughout the years their breathtaking releases became legendary, and their status as Polish thrash metal heroes still remains unbroken. In 1991 the band disbanded for over 20 years. Their last studio album "V", released in 2015, features a high-octane technical thrash metal with many surprising rhythmic and melodic solutions.
Line-up:
Piotr "Mańkover" Mańkowski - guitar  
Mariusz "Maryś" Przybylski - bass  
Beata Polak - drums
Łukasz Szostak - vocal
Przemysław Marciniak – guitar
Official website:
 
Skyclad - a British heavy metal band with heavy folk influences in their music. They are considered as one of the pioneers of folk metal. The band was founded in 1990 by then former Sabbat vocalist Martin Walkyier and Satan/Pariah guitarist Steve Ramsey. Skyclad's 13th studio album Forward Into The Past was released on 28th April 2017.
Official website:
 
Mekong Delta is a German technical thrash/thrash metal band, formed in 1985. They have released 10 studio album with "In A Mirror Darkly" from 2014 being their most recent one.
Official website:
 
Blaze of Perdition is one of the best black metal bands in Poland. Founded in 2007 in Lublin the band released four studio albums.
Official website:
 
Roadhog - a classic heavy metal act from Poland, formed  in Cracow in 2012. Their music is a real tribute to great, old school metal bands like Accept, Running Wild, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest or Grave Digger with a fresh approach! Unique vocals, super catchy riffs and melodic solos are band's trademark. "The Oppressors", their most recent album, was released in August 2017.
Official site:
 
Viscera/// is a psychedelic post-metal trio from Cremona, Italy. Since starting in 2000 the band has been experiencing with the combination of grindcore, black/death metal, ambient, drone and psychedelic music. Heavily influenced by late Carcass & Nasum and artcore/post-metal bands like Isis, Pelican or Neurosis, Viscera/// made their own solid and spine crushing sound which united their blasting grindcore roots with drone experiments and slow, low-tuned heaviness of extreme post-metal and sludge.
Official site:
 
Voidhanger is a Polish band that creates an infernal mixture of black, thrash and death metal. The band was formed in 2010 by Zyklon (Infernal War, Iperyt), Warcrimer (Infernal War, Iperyt) and Priest (Massemord, Medico Peste) and so far released two studio album "Wrathprayers" (2011) and "Working Class Misanthropy" (2013).
Official site:
 
Anima Damnata is a Polish death metal band formed in late 1996 as the embodiment of blasphemous scorn to Christianity and society's moral laws. Since the beginning the band glorifies perverse debauchery through the most extreme musical expression. „Nefarious Seed Grows To Bring Forth Supremacy of the Beast" is considered as one of the best albums of 2017.
Official site:
 
Metalmania 2018
 
7.04.2018
 
Katowice - Spodek
 
Main Stage:
Emperor
Napalm Death
Asphyx
Destroyer 666
Kat&Roman Kostrzewski
Mekong Delta
Dead Congregation
Skyclad
Xentrix
Wolf Spider
Blaze Of Perdition
 
Second Stage:
Anima Damnata
Ragehammer
Voidhanger
Viscera///
Alastor
Terrordome
Kult Mogił
Inverted Mind
Shodan
Minetaur
Roadhog 
 
Special guests:
Christophe Szpajdel - Lord Of The Logos
Krzysztof "Prosiak" Owedyk
 
 
TICKET PRICES (PRE-SALE):
FAN - 666 PLN
VIP - 355 PLN
Red seats H, J – 260 PLN
Red seats & blue seats (rows I-X) – 220 PLN
Blue seats (rows XI and up) – 180 PLN
Standing floor – 190 PLN
 
Tickets available from:
➡️ http://shop.metalmind.com.pl (collectors edition)
➡️ www.eventim.pl 
➡️ www.ebilet.pl 
➡️ www.biletin.pl  
 
More info:
 

sexta-feira, dezembro 15, 2017

GEMINI - Instrumental Metal Album OUT NOW!


GEMINI is an instrumental metal album which collects 13 songs written and/or arranged by Mistheria in the metal, neo-classical, prog-metal genres. The album includes full Mistheria's career from the beginning to today, 25-year career in the Metal, Classical, Prog, Symphonic and Neoclassical Metal music. The record features a stellar line-up made of well-known international musicians! 

DIGIPAK CD 

You can also join me at Artistco and get GEMINI + three of my previous albums for free as digital version and win an XKEY mobile keyboard! 

Original and cover of Classical masterpieces are both featured in this long-awaited release. 

"The tracks in Gemini are a combination of my original songs and classical covers and a blend of them. Gemini collects my instrumental songs composed along my career, therefore I titled it Gemini which is my astrological sign. That's me and my music fully represented. Songs range from metal and symphonic metal to prog including some new-age atmospheres. That's basically my vision of music, quite open and wide." (Mistheria) 

LINEUP  
Mistheria – music, arrangements, keyboards
Roger Staffelbach – guitar  
Leonardo Porcheddu – guitar  
Ivan Mihaljevic – guitar  
Steve Di Giorgio – bass  
Dino Fiorenza – bass  
John Macaluso – drums 

SPECIAL GUESTS 
Chris Caffery – guitar  
Roy Z – guitar 

TRACK-LIST (playing time: 60 min.)
01 - Hands Of Fire 
02 - Angels In The Shadow  
03 - Fight Of The Bumblebee  
04 - Moonlight Sonata  
05 - Air "The Day After"  
06 - Devil's Steps  
07 - Prayer To God  
08 - Prog Fantasy  
09 - Falling Stars  
10 - My Dear Chopin  
11 - Asturias  
12 - Adagio in G minor  
13 - Metal Piano Sonata op.13 

Mixed and mastered by Ivan Moni Bidin at Artesonika Recording Studio (Pordenone, Italy). 

Artwork and graphic design by Alexis Van Houcke. 

PRODUCED BY MISTHERIA
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

CARLOS VAZ - PROGRESSIVE ROCK & PROGRESSIVE METAL - E-ZINE - Recommends DAM KAT - "Alawn"

Dam Kat live in Brittany, (France). Musician, author, composer & producer, she writed two records (Esyllt & Morrigan) for Children in Paradise (prog rock band co-produced with Gwalchmei, guitarist). ALAWN her new solo record is avalaible. Recorded by Martial Baudoin, composed & mixed by Dam Kat, masterised by Daniel Cardoso (Anathema). Their sound, follows merrily around many atmospheric and gothic ambient, blending musical styles such as traditional Celtic Music, Progressive Rock, Melodic Metal, adding some gothic, psychedelic flavor, everything especially combined, engaging in a harmonious and melodic arrangement, the main focal point, on the musical arrangements are all vocal tones well developed, interpreted and very well led by a talented female singer/songwriter called Dam Kat (Kathy Millot), her voice sound round many different tones, an amazing blending of incredible vocals nuances, Dam Kat developed a new way to sing her poems and ideas, an amazing debut album by Dam Kat, enjoyable and adventurous music, giving the listener a complete sense of satisfaction.
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Sony Music Signs Dream Theater to a Long-Term Deal via its InsideOutMusic Imprint

Photo by Mark Maryanovich

In a career that has spanned in excess of 30 years and during which they have sold more than eight million albums, two-time Grammy-nominated US progressive-metal band, Dream Theater, has never done the predictable. This was evident with the release of their ambitious 2015 concept album The Astonishing and the elaborately-produced tour that followed.

Now Dream Theater is pleased to announce that they have signed with Sony Music worldwide, through Sony's leading progressive music label imprint InsideOutMusic, for the release of the band's forthcoming 14th studio album. They join an impressive roster of bands, many of which wouldn't exist without Dream Theater blazing a trail before them, and inspiring young musicians since the early '90s.

The band comments: We are all really excited about signing a brand-new record deal with InsideOut/Sony! We've known Thomas Waber for a very long time and it's great to finally get a chance to work together. Thomas' enthusiasm, energy, music industry expertise and positive outlook towards the future of DT's recording career has been incredible to witness, and we have no doubt that being part of the InsideOut/Sony family will be an amazing creative and professional experience for all of us!

InsideOutMusic Label Head / A&R Thomas Waber adds: "This is what the term 'coming full circle' was invented for. We've followed the band closely ever since they started touring in Europe in 1993, and there has been a lot of history and friendship between DT and us for close to 25 years. Stepping up to the plate to join with them for this next important chapter in their career feels like the natural and right thing to do. I can't wait to get started!"

Sony Music Germany CFO Philip von Esebeck continues: "This is an important signing in our goal to support and grow the InsideOutMusic label as a brand, and we are very excited at Sony Music to welcome Dream Theater to our roster of top-tier artists!"

Since completing the theatrical stage presentation/fifteen-month touring cycle for The Astonishing, Dream Theater have been circling the world in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the band's much-loved and gold-selling record Images & Words, their breakthrough album which spawned the Top 10 hit "Pull Me Under."

Beginning in February 2017, the band has played in Europe, Japan, Australia, India, South East Asia, and the Middle East and just finished up their tour in North America.

For almost 25 years, InsideOutMusic has been one of the leading labels worldwide for progressive music and is part of the Century Media Label Group, a division of Sony Music.
 
Dream Theater is:
James LaBrie - Lead Vocals
John Petrucci - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Jordan Rudess - Keyboards
John Myung - Bass Guitars
Mike Mangini - Drums, Percussion
 
Find Dream Theater online:

InsideOutMusic online:
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

New PledgeMusic Campaign To Support the Recording & Filming of Rick Wakeman's “Live Portraits”

Pre-order experiences, albums, merchandise and much more! 

Keyboard legend Rick Wakeman will be recording a live version of his critically acclaimed album "Piano Portraits" at the Lincoln Cathedral in London on March 7th, 2018. "Live Portraits" be released on CD/DVD later this year. A new PledgeMusic campaign has been started to help fund the recording & filming of the event!

Hello everyone.

Last year I released the studio album Piano Portraits which was really well received and went Top 10 in the UK for several weeks. . Over the past year I have been touring "Live Portraits" to sell out audiences, so as a lasting record I have decided to film and record a very special performance of "Live Portraits" at Lincoln Cathedral on 7th March 2018.

After the success of the "The Myth & Legends of King Arthur" campaign in 2016 here on PledgeMusic I have decided to again work directly with you the fans on bringing this one off concert and recording to life.

By working this way I can offer so much more in the way of experiences, signed memorabilia and different formats, and create exactly what I would like everybody to see and hear.

The concert will be based on many of the tracks from the Piano Portraits album plus many additional pieces, all embellished as can only be achieved in a staged live setting,.

Thank you in advance for supporting the campaign and I hope you enjoy what we create together.

Rick
The Lincoln Cathedral in Lincoln, England is the seat of the Anglican bishop. Building commenced in 1088 and continued in several phases throughout the medieval period. It was the tallest building in the world for 238 years (1311–1549), and the first building to hold that title after the Great Pyramid of Giza. The cathedral is the third largest in Britain (in floor area) and is highly regarded by architectural scholars. Part of the blockbuster film "The Davinci Code" was filmed there.

For more information and special packages being offered: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rick-wakeman-live-portraits

Rick Wakeman's official website: http://www.rwcc.com/
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine