quinta-feira, outubro 02, 2014

Haken launch 'Darkest Light' video

London-based progressive metallers Haken recently announced the release of the 'Restoration' EP on October 27, 2014 (US digital release date: November 11), coinciding with their UK & Ireland tour with label mates Leprous & Maschine. Now the band are pleased to reveal a brand new video for the track 'Darkest Light' taken from that EP, and you can view that here:

 
The band had this to say: ''Darkest Light' was our first chance to work creatively with our new bass player Conner Green. It was a natural fit right from the start as not only did he bring with him some insanely cool bass playing, but also a great positive energy that made the whole Restoration EP incredibly fun to make.' 
 
Ray adds: ''Darkest Light' is based on 'Blind', one of our favourite tracks from the original 07/08 demo. We've managed to chop the old song in half, cut away all the excess fat and produce a 6 minute rowdy riff roller-coaster that will surely find a home in the heavier side of our live show.' 
 
'Restoration' is comprised of three reworked and updated songs which originally appeared on their 2007/08 self-produced demo, and the release has been mixed & mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios. It will be released as a digital download, and a vinyl LP including CD. 
 
Vocalist Ross Jennings explains: 'Redoing a few of our favourite tracks from the demo is something we've talked about doing for ages and the fans have been asking for it constantly. We were also excited about working creatively with our new bassist Conner Green, so this seemed like the perfect way to welcome him aboard.'
  
Guitarist Charlie Griffiths continues: 'merely re-recording the demo songs would have felt musically redundant and dishonest, since three of us didn't play on the original recordings. The band's sound has evolved considerably in the last few years so we used the demo tracks as a starting point and gave ourselves free reign to reimagine them and make them relevant to who we are today. These are now the definitive versions and we couldn't be happier with how they turned out'.
 
The track list and playing times are as follows:
 
1. Darkest Light (6:44) 
2. Earthlings (7:52) 
3. Crystallised (19:23) 
 
The final track is a no holds barred epic including guest 'cameo' appearances by Pete Rinaldi (Headspace) and Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic / Flying Colors). 
 
The vinyl with CD is now available to pre-order from the following places:
 
 
The band also recently announced a run of UK & Irish dates with label-mates Leprous & Maschine for later this year. This will be the band's biggest run of dates in their own country yet and they can be found below: 
 
Haken, Leprous & Maschine:
Presented by Prog Magazine
23rd October, 2014 - London, The Garage
24th October, 2014 - Leamington Spa, Assembly
26th October, 2014 - Bristol, The Fleece
27th October, 2014 - Wolverhampton, Robin 2
29th October, 2014 - Dublin, The Village
30th October, 2014 - Liverpool, O2 Academy 2
31st October, 2014 - Manchester, Club Academy
1st November, 2014 - Edinburgh, The Liquid Room
2nd November, 2014 - York, The Duchess
  
HAKEN online:
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Michael Schenker announces December UK Tour

The award-winning, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will embark on a nationwide UK tour at the Newcastle O2 Academy on Wednesday 10th December. Tickets are available from the 24 hour box office on 0844 478 0898 or from thegigcartel.com.  Four days before his UK tour kicks off, Schenker will headline Planet Rockstock at Trecco Bay in South Wales on Saturday 6th December. 
 
Schenker will perform songs from the new album, which features the new single, "Lord Of The Lost And Lonely," plus all the MSG, UFO and Scorpions rock classics. The Bridge The Gap UK tour will feature Schenker's "Temple of Rock" band, comprising ex-Scorpions Herman Rarebell (drums) and Francis Buchholz (bass), Wayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards), and ex-Rainbow vocalist Doogie White.
 
Michael Schenker – December 2014 UK Tour 
 
Planet Rockstock                                             Saturday 6th  December 
Newcastle O2 Academy                                Wednesday 10th December 
Glasgow O2 ABC                                              Thursday 11th December
Nottingham Rock City                                    Friday 12th December 
Manchester Ritz                                               Saturday 13th December 
Leeds O2 Academy                                         Monday 15th December 
Bilston The Robin                                            Tuesday 16th December 
Norwich Waterfront                                      Wednesday 17th December 
Bristol O2 Academy                                        Friday 19th December 
London O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire       Saturday 20th December 
 
To read the official UK press release and download hi res photos, click HERE
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Osada Vida – new album recorded with a string quartet!

Osada Vida, one of the most interesting Polish bands on the rock/metal scene, is in the final stage of working on their fifth studio album. "The After-Effect" is scheduled for release on November, 3rd in Europe and December, 2nd in North America (via MVD).
 
Their highly acclaimed previous album "Particles" made the band work even harder on the follow-up material. An up-to-date info from the studio is available on the band's facebook profile: www.facebook.com/osadavida
 
The new album will bring surprises. One of them is a guest appearance of a string quartet. Osada Vida comment: "'The After-Effect' will feature a guest performance by the string quartet of Agnieszka Sawicka, Jakub Kowalski, Anna Krzyżak, and Wojciech Skóra. The recordings were handled by Janek Mitoraj. However, there's no need to worry that the album will turn out excessively poetic or romantic, as the string parts serve rather to infuse the songs with heaviness and incredible energy. So far, it sounds terrific!".
 
Photos from the studio are available HERE.
 
Osada Vida is one of the most interesting Polish bands on the prog-rock/metal scene. Their discography includes three demos and four well received official releases - "Three Seats Behind a Triangle" (2006/2007), "The Body Parts Party" (2008), "Uninvited Dreams" (2009) and "Particles" (2013). Their albums feature elaborately beautiful music in the vein of Yes, Porcupine Tree, Pain Of Salvation and Riverside. In early July, Osada Vida released their first live DVD entitled "Where The Devils Live" featuring the recording of their live appearance at the Wyspianski Theater in Katowice, Poland in Autumn 2011. In 2012 the band debuted in a new improved line-up - they have added a new vocalist Marek Majewski, previously known from the band Acute Mind. In Autumn 2013 the band replaced guitarist Bartek Bereska with young and talented musician – Jan Mitoraj. In Summer 2014 drummer Adam Podzimski left the band and his place was taken by Marek Romanowski.
 
 
Osada Vida - current line-up:
Marek Majewski - vocal
Łukasz Lisiak - bass guitar
Janek Mitoraj - guitars
Rafał "r6" Paluszek - keyboards
Marek Romanowski - drums
 
Osada Vida – official websites:
 
Metal Mind Productions


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Connecting Music: MAGGIE'S MADNESS

MAGGIE'S MADNESS
Waking Up The Dead
 
Label: Starlight Sound
Style: Hard Rock
Release: 02. October 2014
 
Specials: Just pure Rock and Roll… Nothing more to say! The legendary 80's band from Nürnberg / Germany is back. Ltd. initial pressing with a bonus CD!
 
This is the 40th Anniversary of „Maggie's Madness". Nuremberg's Heavy Rock Sensation returning as Rock'n'Roll Zombies!
 
Finally! The album „Waking Up The Dead" contains 18  of their highly explosive melodic hard rock diamonds of the  wild 80's. Those tracks…written in the 80's, finally recorded 2014. New sound, new arrangements, a breath of fresh air in the smelly Rock'n'Roll jungle. Straight, melodic, highly addictive choruses, 2 lead guitars. Just pure Rock and Roll… Nothing more to say!
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Connecting Music: COGNITION & AUDIO PORN

COGNITION 
Cognition

 
Label: JK Records
 
Style: Extreme Metal
 
Release: 10. October 2014
 
Specials: For fans of the heaviest of the heavy!
  
West Virginia is not usually known for its bombastic Metal but in this case COGNITION is just that and more. With its self titled release this band comes out of Fairmont blistering speakers and not asking questions.
 
This 9 track effort was produced by Jeff Westlake in Ashland Ky at his Ridgeline Productions studio. The band tapping Westlake for his background and previous works got exactly what they had hoped for.  With the creative process behind them the band is looking to tour everywhere to bring their brand of METAL to the world. If you are a fan of the heaviest of the heavy then these guys are what you are looking for. Excellent musicianship and an unusual live show in the works will make for a great experience.
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Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-ZINE
 
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Whitesnake announce new live DVD/CD with classic and rare performanc​es

To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of WHITESNAKE's multi-platinum
'Slide It In' album, Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian-based label,
will release "Live In '84 - Back To The Bone", a complete celebration
of the group's awe inspiring line-up during what many feel was the
incredible beginning of what David Coverdale called his desire to make
Whitesnake more 'electrifying' on record and on stage.

Set for release in Europe on November 7th, in the UK on November 10th,
and in North America on November 11th, this release will be available
in DVD and a Deluxe CD/DVD edition.

Culled from audio and video recordings and unheard demos from the
private collection of WHITESNAKE leader and vocalist, David Coverdale,
the release offers an ultra-rare collection of material, performed by
the band's acclaimed 83-84 line-ups. Featured on the record is the
awesome Cozy Powell on drums (ex-Jeff Beck Group, Rainbow, MSG and
later on Gary Moore and Black Sabbath); unique guitarist John Sykes,
whom Coverdale credits with inspiring a whole generation of six
stringers after his breathtaking work on the WHITESNAKE '87' album and
bassist exceptionnnel, Neil Murray. Bonus content features legendary
keyboardist Jon Lord performing his last show ever with WHITESNAKE on
video and also the bonus CD.

"It's still hard for me to find the words when remembering that half
the incredible band who originally recorded the 'Slide It In' album
with me have passed away," says Coverdale. "It's incredibly difficult
to articulate: Cozy Powell, Mel Galley, Jon Lord - all amazing people
and amazing musicians. Their memories live on in our hearts and in the
music they made. I miss them beyond words."

Coverdale and co-producer Michael McIntyre launched a worldwide search
for the best quality video footage and audio tracks from the 1984
tour. Among the gems found was a set from: 'Super-Rock', recorded at
the first Japanese rock festival at Seibu Stadium in Tokyo and an
invaluable video of Jon Lord's final appearance with WHITESNAKE
recorded live in Sweden.

"All of the features have been treated lovingly and respectfully, with
no expense spared, utilizing technology to improve sound and picture
quality," says Coverdale, who personally oversaw all elements of this
release. Concludes Coverdale - "These are memories I treasure and
delight in sharing with you as we continue our celebration of the 30th
Anniversary of WHITESNAKE's 'Slide It In'.

For details of the DVD and CD track listing, and to download archive
Whitesnake photos, please visit

http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/whitesnake/back-to-the-bone.htm.

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http://www.progressiverockbr.com
http://progrockmetal.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/carlosvaz.ferreira
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Connecting Music: AXENSTAR

AXENSTAR 
Where Dreams Are Forgotten
 
 
Label: Inner Wound Recordings
 
Style: Power Metal
 
Release: 28. November 2014
 
Specials: Swedish power metal of the highest class! Mixed by Axenstar and Pelle Saether [Wolf, Harmony, Månegarm] at Studio Underground and mastered by Daniel Beckman [Månegarm, In Mourning, Deals Death] at Ridge Street Studios. Artwork by Felipe Machado Franco [Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Iced Earth].
 
Axenstar was formed as a metal cover band in 1998 under the name Powerage, but shortly switched name to Axenstar and started to write their own material. In October 2002 the debut album "Perpetual Twilight" was released on the Spanish label Arise Records. The album got really good reviews all over the world and Axenstar got the chance to play at Motala Metal Festival, the biggest gig so far in their career.
 
The second album "Far From Heaven" was recorded during May of 2003 and just about a week after the recordings were done Axenstar played at the mighty Sweden Rock Festival, which was a great experience for the band. In January 2004 the opportunity was given to go ahead on their first European Tour as the opening act to Falconer.
 
The third album "The Inquisition" saw the light of day in 2005, and after that Axenstar signed with Massacre Records and released their fourth album "The Final Requiem". 
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ENCHANT - The Great Divide title-track launched online Album out now

ENCHANT, the Bay Area's long-running Prog Rock institution, have just released their comeback album, The Great Divide, via the band's longtime label partner InsideOutMusic.
 
In celebration of this long awaited date, ENCHANT are now streaming its title-track on the following location: https://soundcloud.com/officialinsideoutmusic/enchant-the-great-divide
 
The Great Divide is ENCHANT's much anticipated 8th studio album and their first new recordings in almost ten years, following their acclaimed latest studio album Tug Of War in 2003 and the Live At Last double-album / live DVD release in 2004.
 
A comprehensive EPK-styled interview with ENCHANT about the album can be seen here:
 
The album's first full song sample, the track "Within An Inch", can be heard here:
 
An online video teaser featuring samples of various album songs can be checked here:
 
A previous first online teaser can still be viewed here:
 
A nine-song jewel case CD version of "The Great Divide" is available here:
 
 
ENCHANT Discography:
A Blueprint Of The World - CD 1993
Wounded - CD 1996
Time Lost - CD 1997
Break - CD 1998
Juggling 9 Or Dropping 10 - CD 2000
Blink Of An Eye - CD 2002
Tug Of War - CD 2003
Live At Last - 2CD/2DVD 2004
The Great Divide - CD 2014
 
ENCHANT Line-Up 2014:
Ted Leonard - Lead vocals (Spock's Beard / Thought Chamber)
Douglas A. Ott - Guitars and backing vocals
Ed Platt - Bass guitar and bass pedals
Bill Jenkins - Keyboards (Sound Of Contact / Thought Chamber)
Sean Flanegan - Drums (Cynthesis)
 
 
ENCHANT online:
 
INSIDEOUTMUSIC online:
 
Visit the new InsideOut Shop:
 
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Devin Townsend launches ZTV

Devin Townsend has announced the launch of ZTV, a brand new video series starring the inimitable Ziltoid, as well as a brand new interactive site dedicated to him. Following on from the announcement of the Z² double-album, which is due for release on the 27th October 2014 in Europe and 28th October 2014 in the US, the newest glimpse into the Ziltoid story can be viewed here:
 
Devin had this to say: Hey guys! Devin here... been a few weeks since the Z2 album was delivered, and we've been getting everything ready for the upcoming tours and the release of the records. As I've mentioned, Z2 is an experiment for me in trying different mediums to illustrate a concept, and as such...I'm really excited to present to you the new Ziltoid website, and the first of three ZTV episodes leading up to the album release! The crowd-funding campaign has allowed me to actualize Ziltoid and its music in ways I'd always hoped for, and the idea with the three web episodes is to set up the concept of the album. This first one is less over the top than it gets by episode three, but it needs to establish the whole story before it gets more absurd. It is a great pleasure to be able to do this, and was an awesome experience (other than having to explain to management and family why I spent so much money on puppets =)
Thank you for the support and allowing me to continue =)
Devin
 
Pre-orders for the Z² album are also now available from the following places:
InsideOutMusic Shop: http://smarturl.it/dtpIOM
 
 
 
Devin Townsend Project have already confirmed US tour dates for later this year, co-headlining with Animals As Leaders with support from Monuments. The full list of dates are as follows:
 
11/17 Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
11/18 Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
11/19 Kelowna, BC @ Level Nightclub
11/21 Edmonton, AB @ Union Hall
11/22 Calgary, AB @ The Gateway
11/23 Saskatoon, SK @ O'Brians Event Centre
11/24 Winnipeg, MB @ The Garrick Centre
11/25 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
11/26 Chicago, IL @ Metro  (Toontrack sponsored with show recording)
11/28 Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall
11/29 Cleveland, OH @ House Of Blues
11/30 Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre
12/1 Montreal, QC @ Club Soda
12/3 Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
12/4 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
12/5 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
12/6 New York, NY @ Webster Hall
12/8 Atlanta, GA @ Center Stage
12/10 San Antonio, TX @ Backstage Live
12/11 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar N Grill
12/13 Englewood, CO @ Gothic Theatre
12/14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater
12/15 Mesa, AZ @ The Nile Theatre
12/16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Mayan
12/17 San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom
 
Next year will also see Devin Townsend Project hit the road in Europe with Periphery and Shining, as well as an already sold out show at the Royal Albert Hall in London:
 
5/3/15 - La Cigale, Paris, France
6/3/15 - Substage, Karlsruhe, Germany
7/3/15 - Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland
8/3/15 - Live Club, Milan, Italy
10/3/15 - Backstage Werk, Munchen, Germany
11/3/15 - Arena, Vienna, Austria
12/3/15 - A38, Budapest, Hungary
13/3/15 - Majestic, Bratislava, Slovakia
14/3/15 - Roxy, Prague, Czech Republic
16/3/15 - Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
17/3/15 - Gruenspan, Hamburg, Germany
18/3/15 - Voxhall, Århus, Denmark
19/3/15 - Rockefeller, Oslo, Norway
21/3/15 - Rytmikorjamo, Seinajoki, Finland
22/3/15 - The Circus, Helsinki, Finland
24/3/15 - Debaser Media, Stockholm, Sweden
25/3/15 - Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark
26/3/15 - Matrix, Bochum, Germany
27/3/15 - Effenaar, Eindhoven, Holland
29/3/15 - O2 Academy, Bristol, England
30/3/15 - O2 ABC, Glasgow, Scotland
31/3/15 - Academy, Manchester, England
13/4/15 - Royal Albert Hall, London, England SOLD OUT
  
DEVIN TOWNSEND online:
 
INSIDEOUTMUSIC online:
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UPF announce release of debut album in the US November 24 via InsideOut Records

United Progressive Fraternity recently announced the release of their debut album 'Fall In Love With The World' for the 24th of November, 2014 in the US. The release will arrive as a jewel case CD and digital download. The full track-listing can be found below:
 
1.  We Only Get One World (Overture)
2.  Choices 
3.  Intersection 
4.  The Water 
5.  Don't Look Back - Turn Left 
6.  Travelling Man (The Story Of ESHU) 
7.  Fall In Love With The World
8.  Religion Of War 
9.  The Water (Alternative Mix) (CD only) 
 
You can check out a video for the track 'The Water' featuring Jon Anderson (Yes) here: http://youtu.be/Fz2nYmeG7R0
 
Formed from the ashes of respected Australian progressive rockers Unitopia, the band sees Matt Williams, Dave Hopgood, Tim Irrgang & Mark 'Truey' Trueack joined by Guy Manning (Manning, The The Tangent), Daniel Mash (Maschine, The Tangent), & Marek Arnold (Toxic Smile, Seven Steps to the Green Door, Cyril, Flaming Row). The forthcoming album also features guest appearances from Jon Anderson of Yes, as well as Steve Hackett of Genesis.
 
The band will embark on their first live dates later this year, starting with Summer's End Festival in the UK and continuing into Europe in October. The full list of dates can be found below:
 
27th September 2014 - Summer's End Festival, Chepstow - England 
2nd October 2014 - The Barge Antipode, Paris - France 
3rd October 2014 - Poppodium Nieuwe Nor, Heerlen - Netherlands 
4th October 2014 - Chez Paulette, Nancy - France 
5th October 2014 - T Blok, Nieuwekerk Aan Deijsel - Netherlands 
7th October 2014 - Blues Café Nieuwstraat 74A, Apeldoorn - Netherlands 
10th October 2014 - The Bedford Balham, London - England 
11th October 2014 - The Wesley Arts Centre, Maltby - England 
12th October 2014 - Cathouse, Glasgow - Scotland 
 
Look out for more information in the coming weeks! 
 
UNITED PROGRESSIVE FRATERNITY online: 
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Re-release of the selected albums by Voivod, Sinister & Samael!

On Monday, October 6th (December, 2nd in North America) Metal Mind Productions will re-release selected albums taken from the discography of such classic bands as Voivod, Sinister and Samael. The list of re-issues includes:
 
Voivod – Katorz
Voivod – Infini
Samael – Solar Soul
Sinister – Aggressive Measures
Sinister – Afterburner
 
All albums are re-released on Golden Discs, limited and numerated to 2000 copies.
 
Voivod – Katorz
The fourteenth album by the immensely influential Canadian prog metal band Voivod! Released back in 2005, after the tragic death of the guitarist, and one of the band's founding members, Piggy, the album was for the most part composed around Piggy's guitar parts, which he managed to record before his passing. The album, finished by the remaining trio of Snake, Away, and Jason "Jasonic" Newstead (ex-Metallica) and produced by Glen Robinson, constitutes, arguably, Voivod's best sounding release up to that point and features 10 compositions recorded in the unique style the band's fans have come to cherish.
 
Tracklist:
 
1. The Getaway
2. Dognation
3. Mr. Clean
4. After All
5. Odds & Frauds
6. Red My Mind
7. Silly Clones
8. No Angel
9. The X-Stream
10. Polaroids
 
Voivod – Infini
The fifteenth album by the immensely influential Canadian prog metal band Voivod! Released in 2008, "Infini" is based on demo recordings of the guitarist Piggy, one of the band's founding members, who died of cancer before the recordings of Voivod's previous album "Katorz" (2005) were concluded. The songs feature Piggy's original guitar tracks in their unaltered form, and were finished by the remaining trio of Snake, Away, and Jason Newstead (ex-Metallica). A must-have for all the fans of Voivod's unique style.
 
Tracklist:
 
1. God Phones
2. From The Cave
3. Earthache
4. Global Warning
5. A Room With A V.U.
6. Destroy After Reading
7. Treasure Chase
8. Krap Radio
9. In Orbit
10. Deathproof
11. Pyramidome
12. Morpheus
13. Volcano
 
Samael – Solar Soul
A re-issue of an album by the widely acclaimed, dark and unpredictable act from Switzerland. Assaulting the broadly defined metal scene for more than a quarter of a century now, Samael has on more than one occasion proved its wild and innovative nature, winning over the hearts of fans and the esteem of critics alike. Released in 2007, the "Solar Soul" album showed for once more the amazing artistic prowess of Vorph, Xy, Mas, and Makro. A definite must for all Samael fans.
 
Tracklist:
 
1. Solar Soul
2. Promised Land
3. Slavocracy
4. Western Ground
5. On the Rise
6. Alliance
7. Suspended Time
8. Valkyries' New Ride
9. Ave!
10. Quasar Waves
11. Architect (Bonus Track)
12. Olympus
 
Sinister – Aggressive Measures
A re-issue of the fourth studio album by the death metal veterans from the Netherlands! Originally released in 1998, this masterpiece of death metal mayhem still holds up as a prime representative of the genre at its absolute best. Brutally concise and uncompromising, full of the devastating drumming of Aad Kloosterwaard (later, the band's singer), the crushing guitar riffs of Bart van Wallenberg, and crowned with Eric de Windt's massive and furious growl, Sinister's ˶Aggressive Measures" must be seen as nothing less than an absolutely timeless death metal classic.
 
Tracklist:
 
1. Upcoming
2. Aggressive Measures
3. Beyond the Superstition
4. Into the Forgotten
5. Enslave the Weak
6. Fake Redemption
7. Chained in Reality
8. Emerged with Hate
9. Blood Follows the Blood
 
Sinister – Afterburner
A re-issue of the seventh studio album by the death metal veterans from the Netherlands! An outstanding album marking the reunion of the band, which split up in 2004, their latest album at that point being ˶Savage or Grace" from 2003. Released in 2006, ˶Afterburner" showed the band reborn with an altered line-up, with their drummer Aad Kloosterwaard switching over to vocals, Alex Paul switching from bass to guitar, and introducing a brand new member: Paul Beltman (drums). Recorded at Stage One Studios in Germany with the producer Andy Classen, more diversified musically than ˶Savage or Grace", though just as dark and brutal, and boasting excellent production, the album showed the band once again firmly stand their ground.
 
Tracklist:
 
1. The Grey Massacre
2. Altruistic Suicide
3. Men Down
4. Afterburner
5. Presage of the Mindless
6. Into Submission
7. The Riot Crossfire
8. Flesh of the Servant
 
Metal Mind Productions


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Connecting Music: BLACK FATE

BLACK FATE
Between Visions & Lies
 
           
 
Label: Ulterium Records
Style: Progressive Power Metal
Release: 28. November 2014
 
Specials: Inspired by the giants in the genre, Black Fate have managed to create a very memorable album filled with crushing guitar riffs, haunting melodies, furious technical and melodic solos and songwriting that will satisfy even the most demanding metal fans. Led by the incredible vocalist Vasilis Georgiou and the very talented young guitar player Gus Drax, Black Fate are ready to make a mark in the metal scene! Perfect for fans of Kamelot, Symphony X, Conception and Evergrey.
 
Black Fate was formed in 1990 in Larissa Greece by Nikos & Elias Tsintzilonis, Heracles Fanarakis and Stelios Papakostas. They released two demos called "Black Fate" and "A Piece of Dream" which earned great reviews from the Greek metal media and the band started playing their first shows.
 
In 2000 after a few line-up changes the debut album "Uncover" was released by Secret Port Records and two years later the two first demos were also re-released together on an album with the title "A Piece of Dream".
 
In 2007 Nikos Tsintzilonis met Vasilis Georgiou and decided to put Black Fate back on track. They started working on new material and writing new songs for a new album and began to make plans for a new beginning of the band. The result of all this work was the album "Deliverance of Soul" that was released in 2009 by Asiral Records. 
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Connecting Music: NEONFLY

NEONFLY
Strangers in Paradise
 
Label: Inner Wound Recordings
Style: Melodic Metal
Release: 28. November 2014
 
Specials: "Strangers in Paradise" is produced, mixed and mastered by Dennis Ward [Pink Cream 69, Unisonic, Angra, Primal Fear, Krokus]. Neonfly have previously supported acts like Alice Cooper, Magnum, Sonata Arctica, Freedom Call, Pagan's Mind and others and will support Dragonforce on their UK headlining tour during September/October this year!
 
Mighty new hard driving melodic metal rockers Neonfly are set to release their awesome, hotly anticipated second studio album 'Strangers In Paradise', produced by Dennis Ward (Angra, Michael Kiske, Krokus, Pink Cream 69, Unisonic), on Inner Wound Recordings on November 28th in Europe and December 2nd in North America.
 
Neonfly, a dynamic young band who have already won a slew of eyebrow-raising high profile support slots on tours with the likes of Alice Cooper, Magnum, H.E.A.T, Sonata Arctica, Pagan's Mind and Freedom Call, have now been confirmed as special guest act on Dragonforce's (mostly sold out already) upcoming September / October UK tour.
 
Neonfly, who comprise Willy Norton on vocals, Frederick Thunder on guitars, Patrick Harrington on guitars, Paul Miller on bass and Boris Le Gal on drums, won hordes of new fans over in the UK when they went down a storm on Magnum's Spring 2014 UK tour. Powerplay reviewed them at Nottingham's Rock City, the night after their van had been broken into and nearly all their gear, (worth about £10K), had been stolen; despite this, they soldiered on, having borrowed, begged or hired replacement kit earlier that day, and completed the tour. "I can't remember when I last saw a support band enjoying themselves this much. Their jollity was catching too, and by the end of their set, they had won a lot of new friends" (Martin Howell, June 2104 issue). Classic Rock's Adam Aiken reviewed them at Norwich Waterfront in July's issue, noting "Neonfly's heavy riffs are complemented by the soaring vocals of frontman Willy Norton. With nods to Evanescence and Rush, they grow in confidence throughout the set, and closer 'Morning Star' – complete with pleasantly catchy chorus – provides the highlight, as this exciting five-piece show that a new generation is keeping prog alive and well."  
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Connecting Music: SLEARS & KIM KRONMAN

SLEARS
Far Away From Getting Somewhere
 
 
Label: Enghardt Media
 
Style: Hard Rock
 
Release: 31. October 2014
 
Specials: Finest Rock From Germany!
 
New line up!  New Album!  No Compromises!
 
Equipped with experiences from other bands, Slears can concentrate on the essentials. Just pure rock, straight tforward and modern. Two guitars, a good groove, and a necessary dose of hard rock result in songs, that are full of energy and, above all, good for one thing: having fun.
 
Founded by Tom Käser back in 2007 with the idea, of finally making music focused just on the songs and not on the whole shmear. After countless live shows and several album productions (including "A Life Divided" and "Silentdecay"), the time was right to mount something new. From the first with sidekick Gustl Berauer, who importantly characterises the sound of SLEARS with solo guitars like a shot. Both know each other since the school days where they started their first band back in 1996.
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Connecting Music: HARMONY

HARMONY
Theatre Of Redemption

 
Label: Ulterium Records
 
Style: Melodic Metal
 
Release: 28. November 2014
 
Specials: Impressive third album from the Swedish melodic metal band Harmony, feat. Daniel Heiman [ex. Lost Horizon, Heed] on vocals on all tracks! Mixed by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman [At The Gates, In Flames, Hammerfall] and mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson [Scar Symmetry, Watain]!
 
Harmony was formed in 2000 in Borås, Sweden by Markus Sigfridsson [guitars] and Tobias Enbert [drums]. The two were also joined by Henrik Båth on vocals. They recorded a demo in 2001 that received great reviews and also got them signed to German label Massacre Records in 2002.
 
Their debut album "Dreaming Awake" was recorded during 2002 and released in 2003 through Massacre. The band had created an album full of great melodic metal and at this time they had a complete line-up with Magnus Holmberg on keyboards and Andreas Passmark [Royal Hunt, W.E.T., Work of Art, Narnia] on bass. After the release of the album Harmony played a good number of shows in Sweden, but also in Norway and Finland.
 
After a few years of recording silence Harmony signed with the Swedish label Ulterium Records and finally released their second album "Chapter II: Aftermath" in 2008, an album that was received really well around the world. The album featured guest vocals by Daniel Heiman [ex Lost horizon, Heed] on the track "Inner Peace", and Kristoffer Gildenlöw [ex. Pain of Salvation, Dial] performed all bass on the album.
 
Markus, Tobias, Magnus and Henrik also played together in the progressive metal band Darkwater, and when the second Darkwater album "Where Stories End" was released in 2010 Henrik felt that he wanted to put more focus into Darkwater, so they all decided that it was best if he left Harmony, and so did Magnus. No hard feeling involved at all, and all the guys are still in Darkwater.
 
Markus and Tobias was eager to get to work on the third Harmony album, and they started to select which tracks that would appear on the album, and they decided to start recording it, even though Harmony didn't have a complete line-up yet.  
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Dream Theater Releases 'Breaking The Fourth Wall'

Breaking The Fourth Wall

Dream Theater - Breaking The Fourth Wall
Dream Theater have released Breaking The Fourth Wall (Live from The Boston Opera House), a live Blu-Ray / DVD set of the band's March 25th performance. The 2+ hour collection was produced by the band's own John Petrucci and features guest performances from The Berklee College of Music Orchestra and Choir.
 
The collection is available now in multiple configurations including Blu-Ray, a 2 DVD set, and a webstore deluxe exclusive Blu-Ray/3 CD set with poster, all available via the Roadrunner Records webstore.

 
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Romanian ethno-meta​l pioneers Dirty Shirt will release a new groundbrea​king record in 2015

Romanian ethno-metal pioneers Dirty Shirt will release a new groundbreaking record in 2015
 
 
 
The sounds of the world were bound to permeate, sooner or later, the thick layer of sonic heaviness which is metal music!
 
Romanian ethno-metal pioneers DIRTY SHIRT will definitely take this genre to its peak with their next groundbreaking record "Dirtylicious" which mixes unique influences that have rarely, if ever, found themselves in the same soundscape.
 
By combining the strength of metal with the vibrancy of East-European traditional music and the diversity of world music – from tribal rhythms to Latin percussion and Celtic melodies – "Dirtylicious" has the potential of becoming an important album in the international rock scene.
 
Thus far, the band has finished recording acoustic instruments in studio and the rock/metal parts in demo format. You can listen to a preview below:
 
 
In order to emphasize the authentic nature of the sonic eclecticism found on "Dirtylicious", DIRTY SHIRT have collaborated with a five-piece Romanian traditional music band (taraf) playing under the name Transylvanian Folkcore Orchestra. Marius Sabo (violin), Andrei Oşan (clarinet), Leonard Negrea (cimbalom), Ciprian Ghiaţă (accordion) and Cserey Csaba (percussion) have brought their share of pure Balkan spirit to DIRTY SHIRT's specific brand of metal, displaying their great skills and sharing the spirit of their enticing art.
 
"Dirtylicious" is currently being recorded at 7 Cats Studio, in Baia Mare, Romania. The album will be mixed by Mihai Tivadar (MT Sound Studio, Grenoble, France) and Charles "Kallaghan" Massabo (Kallaghan Records, Los Angeles, USA).
 
DIRTY SHIRT, as a unique and daring rock band, will certainly bring a fresh musical perspective with their next album "Dirtylicious", created in a highly multicultural environment. Not only will it make you get up and party like crazy, but it will also stir some serious headbanging sessions, all the while showcasing the beauty and richness of the East-European spirit!
 
This year, DIRTY SHIRT stunned international audiences at the world's biggest metal festival, Wacken Open Air, by winning second place at the prestigious Wacken Metal Battle competition.
 
Make sure to catch DIRTY SHIRT on their European tour this autumn. Dates can be found below:
 
13/11 Replugged, Vienna (A)
14/11 Bremer Metal Fest, BluesClub, Bremen (D)
15/11 TBA, (D)
16/11 Le Garage, Lieges (B)
17/11 Underground, Koln (D)
18/11 El Diablo, Lille (Fr)
19/11 TBC, Paris (Fr)
20/11 Brin de Zinc, Chambery (Fr)
21/11 L'Amperage, Grenoble (Fr)
22/11 Korigan, Aix en Provence (Fr)
 
DIRTY SHIRT are available for interviews via e-mail!
 
Check out Dirty Shirt on the Internet:
 
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TesseracT signs to Kscope

TESSERACT SIGNS TO KSCOPE
 
Third studio album coming in 2015
 
 
 
ENGLAND - Kscope is thrilled to announce that the U.K.'s master of modern progressive heaviness, TesseracT, will be joining the family.
 
Amos Williams, TesseracT bass player, commented on the signing: "Really looking forward to discovering the possibilities of working with such a creative label. We admire everything Kscope's done with bands like Anathema, Katatonia and Steven Wilson, and can't wait to see where they will guide TesseracT in this new chapter of the band. Very excited!"
 
Over the course of the last six years, TesseracT has been at the forefront of flourishing part of the ever-evolving metal scene. Originally formed as a studio project by guitarist Acle Kahney, TesseracT immediately eschewed all well-established notions of what metal should sound like and swiftly became a unique and daring entity. Kahney had recruited a line-up worthy of his ground-breaking compositions, and the band embarked upon a quest to inject some originality and excitement back into an often myopic and lazy British metal scene.
 
The longstanding line up of drummer Jay Postones, guitarist James Monteith and bassist Amos Williams has recently welcomed back vocalist Dan Tompkins, whose first show back with the band was on the main stage at this year's U.K. Sonisphere Festival. The band has already found a new creative energy having reunited with singer Dan Tompkins, and has already written half of its third album, the follow up to Altered State, slated for a 2015 release.
 
TesseracT's debut album One in 2011, featuring Dan Tompkins on vocals, received widespread critical acclaim, not least due to the album's staggering six-part centrepiece "Concealing Fate," which brilliantly showcased the band's pioneering sonic approach and unstoppable arsenal of off-kilter riffs, soaring melodies and disorientating atmospherics.
 
The primarily acoustic 'Perspective' EP emerged in May 2012 to an effusive response from critics and fans alike, and shortly after the band's status as progressive metal's most fascinating new creative force was very publicly celebrated when TesseracT picked up the Best New Band trophy at 2012's inaugural Progressive Music Awards in London.
 
Not wasting any time, TesseracT released its second album Altered State in early 2013 again to worldwide media acclaim.
 
Fans can experience the band's thrilling live shows across Europe as it begins an extensive tour with co-headliners Animals As Leaders.
 
Stay tuned for more information on TesseracT.
 
TesseracT online...
 
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Elephants of Scotland - Cruise to the Edge?







HELP US GET ON THE CRUISE (PLEASE)
Elephants of Scotland have been nominated to play on one of next year's Cruise to the Edge events. There are so many great bands up for consideration so please help us rise from the pack with your vote on this Facebook poll:
 
 
I just double-checked the poll a second ago and our votes are really starting to add up. This type of exposure could really help us push through to the next level. Thank you for helping us out!

 
PROJECT UPDATES
Work on the Rosfest 2014 live album has finally started to pick up speed. The more I listen to the tracks I can't help but think that these performances feel like the definitive versions of these songs.
 
We're currently rehearsing for our upcoming show at Dover Brick House (New Hampshire) on Saturday, November 8, 2014 with Circuline. We have a new original song and a really cool cover song that we're planning to premiere there.
 
Stay tuned for announcements regarding possible upcoming shows in Boston, New Jersey, and Montreal. More show information here.
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Burnt Belief (Porcupine Tree), PopMatters premiere new track "Precis"

 Exibindo
 
BURNT BELIEF, POPMATTERS.COM PREMIERE NEW TRACK "PRECIS"
 
Instrumental collaboration between U.K. bassist Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree) and U.S. guitarist Jon Durant "Etymology" out October 21 on Alchemy Records

 Exibindo
 
COHASSET, MA - World-renowned bassist Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree, Metallic Taste of Blood, Ex-Wise Heads) and guitarist/composer Jon Durant have once again teamed up under the moniker Burnt Belief for the release of a new album of progressive ethno-ambient fusion instrumentals, titled Etymology. Today, the duo has teamed up with PopMatters to stream the first offering, "Précis," from the upcoming collaboration at: http://www.popmatters.com/post/186331-burnt-belief-precis-audio-premiere/. 
 
"'Précis' seemed like an appropriate title, as it condenses the ingredients that make Burnt Belief what it is: deep atmospheres, unexpected twists, dynamic changes and the evidence of Jon and myself reacting to each other," Colin Edwin told PopMatters. 
 
Etymology, due out on October 21 via Alchemy Records, can be pre-ordered now through Burning Shed at:

htps://www.burningshed.com/store/exwiseheads/collection/19/ and JonDurant.com at: http://jondurant-com.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/burnt-belief-etymology in addition to Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/Etymology-Burnt-Belief/dp/B00NAZX8BA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1410294068&sr=1-1&keywords=burnt+belief. The first 200 pre-orders through Burning Shed and JonDurant.com exclusively will receive a download code to receive five Etymology bonus tracks, including unreleased music from the two musicians' individual libraries and collaborative works. 
 
The compositions which unfold across Etymology's 70 minutes showcase the duo's fruitful symbiosis and clear developmental path across their shared musical landscape. Assimilating diverse elements ranging from polyrhythms, deep ECM styled atmospherics and even angular nu-jazz abstraction, the result is an immersive, multi-layered and engrossing documentation of a remarkably sympathetic musical connection. 
 
Etymology is further enhanced by sensitive, deep electric violin performances from highly regarded classical musician Steve Bingham, also known for his evocative work with U.K. art-rock band No-Man. 
 
The album's title is a metaphor for the pair's working methodology, in which compositions evolve from an initial germ of an idea into a fully realized piece. The resulting work is often very different from its original concept yet still maintains the initial elements at its core. 
 
"We feel like we've progressed within our shared approach, including some new harmonic, rhythmic and melodic elements," commented Jon Durant. 
 
"Much of our compositional approach remains consistent from the first Burnt Belief record," he added. "For instance, a number of the pieces began as ambient cloud guitar atmospheres, which Colin would then explore and find rhythmic grooves to play over or with the clouds. Then, I would maybe re-arrange, construct melodic ideas, and send back to Colin for further input from him. In this way, the pieces evolve, sometimes very far from their original state." 
 
For a taste of the new, 11- track offering, an Etymology teaser video can be seen on YouTube at:

 
Exibindo
1. Chromatique 
2. Dissemble 
3. Précis 
4. Hraunfossar 
5. Convergence 
6. Rivulet 
7. White Keys 
8. Not Indifferent 
9. Hover 
10. Chimera 
11. Squall
 
Edwin and Durant first teamed up for Durant's 2011 album Dance of the Shadow Planets, a wholly live in the studio documentation of their nascent musical chemistry centered around Durant's atmospheric compositions and featuring also the talents of violinist Caryn Lin and multi-percussionist Jerry Leake.
  
The follow-up to Dance of the Shadow Planets, 2012's eponymously titled Burnt Belief, was distance recorded, but a fully collaborative compositional affair with Edwin taking equal responsibility for the writing process. Having confidently cemented their working methods and musical connection with the well-received Burnt Belief, the duo undertook some live dates in the U.K. and Ukraine with Kiev-based female vocal duo Astarta (as Astarta/Edwin), a project Colin has been working on for some time, but presently on ice due to the current instability in the country.
 
Energized by working together in a live environment again in late 2013, Edwin and Durant reconvened to create the present album, Etymology. Whilst still retaining the strong sonic identity laid down on Burnt Belief, Etymology represents a considerable expansion and natural evolution of their sound, not least because of the additional input of three marvelous drummers (Vinny Sabatino, Dean McCormick and Jose Duque) to complement and reinforce the programmed electronic rhythms.
  
"Colin and I both felt that after two records utilizing hand drums exclusively, it was time to change it up and go with a live drum kit to augment Colin's rhythm programming. It ended up giving the pieces a much harder edge to them, and this in turn allowed me to push my guitars a little more over the top."
  
Follow Burnt Belief on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BurntBelief and Twitter at: @BurntBelief3 for more information on Etymology.
 
Burnt Belief online... 
 
About Jon Durant... 
 
Guitarist Jon Durant brings a unique sense of texture and melody to his instrument. His distinctive "cloud guitar" soundscapes and engaging lead work have graced numerous CD recordings and film soundtracks. As executive producer of Alchemy Records, he produces recordings for internationally acclaimed artists in his small Massachusetts studio. Along with longtime collaborators Tony Levin (bassist with King Crimson and Peter Gabriel), percussionist Vinny Sabatino, pianist Michael Whalen, and guitar/synth master Randy Roos, Jon has recorded with electric violinist Caryn Lin, percussionist Jerry Leake, singer/songwriter Porter Smith, soul singer Ray Greene (Tower of Power) and many others. Etymology is Jon's third recording with Colin Edwin. 
 
About Colin Edwin... 
 
Colin Edwin is best known as a founder member and bass player of the internationally successful progressive rock band Porcupine Tree. In addition, he has a long running collaboration as Ex-Wise Heads with avant multi-instrumentalist Geoff Leigh (Henry Cow/Hatfield and the North) with six albums blending ethnic, world music, improvisation and ambient and experimental influences. Colin is also a member of Metallic Taste of Blood, a genre-defying group whose intense and cinematic music draws from dub, metal, progressive, free jazz and ambient music. In 2013 Colin recorded the critically acclaimed bass duo album Twinscapes with Italian bassist Lorenzo Feliciati. 
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