quarta-feira, fevereiro 20, 2019

DarWin Releases Debut Concept Album “Origin Of Species” Internationally Featuring Drum Legend Simon Phillips

Featuring Simon Phillips, Matt Bissonette, Greg Howe, Jeff Babko, Dennis Hamm & others! 

4911196a-13b2-494b-827a-a296e0e524d4.jpg

"We Have 12 years to Limit Climate Change Catastrophe" Warns the United Nations IPCC 

"Earth's Carbon Dioxide Levels are Likely the Highest They've been in 15 Million Years" University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences 

"Technologies built for our survival,  
Back on Earth made us a dominant rival.  
Working as one, we conquered all nations,  
All networks now under our communications.  
Resources rationed, ideas controlled,  
An intelligent regime to save our souls.  
Children of the future,  
Return to the light,  
Saving our Planet from our self-inflicted plight."  
— DarWin, For Humanity 

"The Revolution will come in waves."— DarWin, Artificial 

Welcome to the near-future: the world of DarWin. An intricate musical fantasy concept that launched in November 2018 in the UK only with the ambitious single release of "Escape The Maze," followed by the full length album "Origin Of Species."

The album is now available internationally on all major digital distribution platforms, with an epic cinematic video of "Escape the Maze" available on YouTube, Facebook and iTunes. More DarWin videos can be found on YouTube and Facebook.

Who is DarWin?: An Introduction to the "Escape the Maze" video saga.

It's roughly ten years from now into the future, 2028. An exhausted ecology, and global conflicts, have led to a huge upheaval of the world order, straining and diminishing human populations. The lives of everyday people and families have been turned upside down by the intense ecological pressures related to climate change. No longer just a theory discussed by scientists and politicians, climate change is wreaking havoc on the world. Chaos and confusion reign as fighting for basic resources continuously escalates. "Day Zero" has occurred, when nuclear attacks punctuated what had for many years been a civility between nations and people. As Earth rejects life, those of us who remain struggle to survive.

f5b9b7a3-510b-49c8-922b-727d062da2da.jpg

"Escape The Maze" is the first installment in an evolving saga that addresses the challenges of mankind in our coming era. It depicts the role of a changing planet, and the potential, as well as limitations, of technology to help solve mankind's greatest challenges. The story of "Origin Of Species" is represented through music, graphic storytelling and videos.

A complex project that's eschews the hollow immediacy of much contemporary art. A narrative that demands attention and imagination. With music sweeping in scope, at times evoking hard rock virtuoso shredding, alongside grand orchestral compositions, warm harmonies and soaring choruses.

The music seeks to capture the listener in the spirit of the greatest concept albums that have helped to define the history of rock. Heavy riffs and killer grooves lead way to delicate ensembles, only to pick up the pace again with searing guitar solos. The genre is decisively Prog Rock, but DarWin begs to be appreciated by a large global audience of music enthusiasts. Key tracks to discover the narrative include: For Humanity, Walk Away from Earth, the Last Chance and Artificial. Emotionally powerful songs for a wide audience include One Horizon, Cosmic Rays, and Forever.

It's time to enter the saga. It's time to join DarWin on his journey…

The "Origin Of Species" album features legendary drummer and producer Simon Phillips, who, in addition to playing drums, percussion and keyboards, also engineered, mixed and drove the production on the album. Veteran bass player and singer Matt Bissonette performed a rich array of lead and background vocals and bass. DarWin himself drove the songwriting and conceptual vision while playing various guitars.

The album features guest performances from the likes of Jeff Babko (keyboards and quartet arrangements), Greg Howe (blazing lead guitar solos), Dennis Hamm (keyboards), Ernst Tibbs (bass), Katisse Buckingham (Flute, Soprano Sax), Samuel Sim and Peter Nickalls (orchestral and quartet arrangements), The Origin of Species Quartet (Los Angeles), The Reykjavik String Quartet (Iceland), and The Chamber Orchestra Of London (Conductor Matt Dunkley)

The album was recorded at Simon Phillip's Phantom Recordings, Sherman Oaks, CA, with additional recording at Abbey Road Studios (Studio 2, the "Beatles Room"), London, United Kingdom, Sundlaugin Studio in Reykjavik, Iceland, The Doghouse, Woodland Hills, CA, Rose Lane Studios, Carpenteria, CA, and Megatrax, Ventura, CA.

The album was produced by DarWin and Simon Phillips. They are continuing to work on new music together at an undisclosed location. The saga will continue...

Watch Simon Phillips discuss the making of  "Origin Of Species": https://youtu.be/_X69FxuHsVc 

Full tracklisting: 

1 FOR HUMANITY
2 THE LAST CHANCE
3 TAKING CHANCES
4 ESCAPE THE MAZE
5 WALK AWAY FROM EARTH
6 GUMMY BEAR
7 FOREVER

Intermission

8 WAR AGAINST MY MIND
9 ARTIFICIAL
10 ONE HORIZON
11 MODERN INSANITY
12 COSMIC RAYS
13 LIFE IS A MYSTERY
14 SLOWLY MELTING
15 RISE
16 JUST ONE MORE DAY
17 PROLOGUE

The album will also feature a stunning graphic comic-style layout telling the story visually. A sample page is below: 

348fd91a-dc39-4098-a115-6de709f774af.png

The epically cinematic video for the "Escape The Maze" single is available here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tHBGwyN46o 

The album is released by Origin Of Species LLC.

To purchase: 

D2C Store (Pre-order the CD) - https://darwin.tmstor.es 
25th February 2018 is the physical CD release date on D2C and Amazon.

For further Information: 
Official website: http://www.darwin.is/ 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Instrumental Riff-Rock Masters APE SHIFTER To Release Sophomore Album APE SHIFTER II

ca396e26-6bad-4dd8-86a1-f689385ccdfd.jpg
Since releasing their self-titled debut in March 2017, APE SHIFTER have completed two European club tours encompassing Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. They have shared the bill with Loudness, The Skull, White Cowbell Oklahoma, and Mörglbl, among others. Festival performances have included Zytanien (main stage), Burg Herzberg Festival, OBOA, Free n Easy, Festival Kult!, and others.

On Friday, March 29, 2019, APE SHIFTER release their follow-up album to their debut with their sophomore release APE SHIFTER II.

From rockin' 70's riffs played with punk rock ferocity to creeping metal grooves and all out bashers, APE SHIFTER give new meaning to intense simian instrumental rock from the nasty pits of the Hellabrunn Zoo.

Born on Friday the 13th in Washington, D.C. and raised in Laurel, Maryland, Jeff Aug is a cool underground guitarist who lives at the foothills of the Alps in Southern Germany for the last 20+ years. He has toured with Allan Holdsworth, Soft Machine, Greg Howe, Stu Hamm, Albert Lee, and has performed shows with Jawbox, Shudder To Think, and Ice-T & Bodycount with his old band. He's worked with John Stabb from Government Issue, has been touring and recording with Anne Clark for the last 15+ years, and has been touring as a solo guitarist for the last 25+ years. Jeff can also be heard on the Atari Teenage Riot album Is This Hyperreal? (Dim Mak Records / Digital Hardcore Records). Jeff is also a Guinness™ world record holder setting the world record for the "most concerts performed in different countries in 24 hours" twice (2009, 2012)!

Featuring: 

Jeff Aug : guitar  
Florian Walter : bass
Kurty Münch : drums

Side 1  
 
01 GRAVITY    
02 HASKETT    
03 MASK OF THE ANCIENT WARRIOR  
04 SHOEGAZER    
05 AMERICAN EAGLE    
06 7 YEARS FAT, 7 YEARS LEAN    
 
Side 2  
 
07 DIE RAUSSCHMEIßER    
08 FU MANCHU    
09 8 SHOT              
10 NO CHORDS ALLOWED, JONATHAN
11 STEVEN AVERY IS INNOCENT    
12 JIGGY JIGGY BOOM BOOM    
13 MATILDA           

Recorded on 29./30.June and 01.July 2018 by Tim Hecking at Sounzz in Seifen, Germany.
Mixed in Fall 2018 by Alec Empire at The Hellish Vortex Studios in Berlin, Germany.
Mastered by Calyx in Berlin, Germany.
Artwork & layout graphics by Chris Lakriz.
Band photos by Andreas Tittmann.
all compositions by Jeff Aug (except "Gravity" by Aug, Münch, and Walter) and published by Protozoa Music.
Violin on "Matilda" performed by Kilian Kayser.

RELEASE FORMATS: 

APE SHIFTER I & II Double Vinyl (Ape Shifter I & II as one double-vinyl set!)
APE SHIFTER II CD
APE SHIFTER II Digital

APE SHIFTER Tour Dates: 

30.03.2019 DE-Immenstadt, Rainbow (w/ Andy Susemihl & Superfriends)
14.04.2019 AT-Salzburg, Rockhouse
15.04.2019 DE-Bamberg, Live Club
16.04.2019 DE-Jena, Rosenkeller
17.04.2019 DE-Fürstenwalde, Club Im Park
18.04.2019 DE-Hamburg, Bambie Galore (w/ Odcult, Electric Hydra)
19.04.2019 DE-Berlin, Supamolly (w/ JUD)
20.04.2019 DE-Hannover, Strangriede Stage
23.04.2019 DE-Stuttgart, Kap Tormentoso
24.04.2019 DE-Frankfurt, The Cave
25.04.2019 DE-Köln, Club Helios (w/ Pinski)
26.04.2019 DE-Oldenburg, Club Cadillac
27.04.2019 DE-Karlsruhe, KOHI (w/ Far Behind The Sun)

Here's what the press has said about APE SHIFTER: 

"Hard rockin' guitar instrumentals that deliver a real PUNCH. Good solid stuff that'll make the walls and floors SHAKE." - http://www.babysue.com/2017-Aug-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor160774 

"With no deficit of trios that drive metal wedge into fusion context, guitarist Jeff Aug has a special edge to stand out on: his experience in punk zip and acoustic flip alongside regular rock moves. All of this informs the American expat's new venture whose debut, recorded in only two days to seize the moment's immediacy, is a charming, if complex, endeavor." - http://dmme.net/ape-shifter-ape-shifter/ 

"In some ways they remind me of Trapeze, at others Taste, with an overblown rich guitar sound, and the rhythm section just trying to hold it together while Jeff goes nuts. Sure, there are progressive influences here and there as well, but mostly this is about good solid Seventies instrumental rock, with the emphasis on ROCK." - Kev Rowland, 05.05.2017 

"The eponymous debut album is filled with powerful electric compositions, riff-based over clear playing and drenched in a very pleasant, dirty sounding well of electric effects. Nasty post rock influenced songs with hunches of fusion, brought in the most beautiful way. Ape Shifter is a very strong instrumental rock album, that shows elements from post to shred added with a QOTSA desert touch." - Pedro Bekkers (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) http://www.backgroundmagazine.nl/CDreviews/ApeShifterApeShifter.html 

"Hard hitting instrumental progressive rock that wears all the influences of the last 40 years of rock hell raising proudly on it's sleeve. Merrily taking you from hell to heaven, this power trio just plain isn't here to screw around. A crew of proven chopmeisters, this is where the real underground begins.  Simply killer stuff."  – MIDWEST RECORD, http://www.midwestrecord.com/MWR1190.html 

"'Ape Shifter' the album is an 11 track celebration of how prog rock sounds today. Chock full of all instrumental tracks, it brings together those rockin' 70's riffs, but here plays them off against a punk rock ferocity, adds in swirls of arching metal grooves, and presents an eclectic prog rock album quite like none I've encountered in the past decade." - Exclusive Magazine  http://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=2196 

"Musically, (Jeff) Aug's style of playing is very reminiscent of Joe Satriani, Gary Hoey, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, with minor hints of Tony MacAlpine thrown in for good measure. There are 11 cuts of groove and riff powered instrumentals on this self titled debut album, and there is not a single dull moment to be found here. The style of songwriting found here, is heavy at times, packed with plenty of catchy grooves, hooks, and an overall sound, which just gets you into the mood to rock out to Jeff's talented and skillful playing." - Sarjoo Devani, http://www.explicitlyintense.com/reviews/cd-review/ape-shifter-instrumental-rock-music-album/ 

"... shares a lot of DNA with fret wizards like Joe Satriani, Tony MacAlpine and Steve Vai. So it's definitely one for the widdlers out there. It's also on the heavy side with some chunky seventies styled riffs in there." - http://www.the-rocker.co.uk/ 

"The trio does a fantastic job in terms of displaying stupendous musicianship. There's sincere chemistry and understanding all over the place, but the real charm here are the visceral landscapes the threesome projects, thus making this not just another clinically executed exercise in pretentious overindulgence, but a musical essay enhanced with passion and grit. The album's hallmarks – drums shifting time signatures, face slapping bass lines and crusty guitars are all present and correct. Each of these 11 songs offers an intriguing snapshot of the enormous breadth of talent. But perhaps the biggest achievement of this album is that although it's an instrumental record, there's not a dull moment to be found. 8 out of 10." - http://www.therocktologist.com/ape-shifter---ape-shifter.html 

"Animalistic and aggressive are two ways to describe Ape Shifter a new intense, progressive and loud instrumental species of rock that is set to be uncaged upon the world..." http://www.sightsandsoundsofnote.com/ 

To pre-order: 
Paypal purchase to jeff@netMusicZone.com and CD will be delivered after March 29th. 
Also, available here:  https://apeshifter.bandcamp.com/ 

Artist Management & Booking by MAXIMUM Booking: info@MAXIMUMBooking.com 

For more information:  www.ape-shifter-com, www.facebook.com/apeshifter/ 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Veteran Blues Guitar Rocker Joey Stuckey Rolls His Progressive Americana Energy Into Memphis For His Epic Full Length Album "In The Shadow Of The Sun"

3439e2cc-bd97-4d5a-b74b-c0f2cc400b9d.jpg

Macon, GA - When blind guitar legend Joey Stuckey gives inspirational talks about overcoming odds and helping people define success on their own terms, he's big on the concept of living a life of intention. Yet when the veteran blues rocker booked his progressive Americana trio into the legendary Sun Studio for a three hour session on an off day from their tour, he had no specific plan except to record a few originals and covers. Letting the legendary spirits in the room (Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Elvis, et al), the vintage 50's-60's equipment and the refreshing spontaneity of a live in the studio opportunity take over, Stuckey created In The Shadow of the Sun, the most unexpected and amazing full length album of his career.

Titled with a double entendre referring to both the historic room where the session took place and the singer/guitarist's own Shadow Sound Studios in his hometown of Macon, GA, the 40 minute collection features five powerful originals and fiery re-imaginings of three classics that are among his trio's most popular live performance songs. Stuckey is rolling the release out in multiple formats, including vinyl for the first time.

The vinyl version includes the original and radio edit versions of the set's lead single "You're So Wrong," "Troubles Come in Threes" (featuring Hammond B-3 great Randal Bramblett (Steve Winwood Band, Traffic), "Still Me Sane and Free" and "Truth is a Misty Mountain" (a tune Stuckey wrote in the 90s but never recorded before). Stuckey also recorded blistering first take, no mistake versions of Van Morrison's "Domino," Danny O'Keefe's "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues" and The Allman Brothers' "Whipping Post" – which Stuckey concludes, as he does when he performs it live, by shouting, "Good night, thank you, and may your God go with you!"

Another highlight is "Ain't It Good to be in Love," which features a 30 piece children's choir from Howard Middle School in Macon, where Stuckey's bassist Nestor Jaenz is choir director, and a special guest performance by trumpeter Al Chez, best known for his work with Tower of Power and the Paul Shaffer Band. Stuckey released the original version of the track in 2017 under the name "Joey Stuckey and the Shadow Bandits." It is a co-write with his dear friend Charlie Hoskyns, a UK based producer Stuckey met while performing in England. The two wrote an entire album together, and Stuckey wanted to include a freewheeling new version as a tribute to his friend, who passed away in September 2017.

The CD version of In the Shadow of the Sun, which runs about 70 minutes, is an exciting package that has both stereo and mono versions of all eight songs and the radio edit of "You're So Wrong. "At the original Sun Studio, everything was mixed in mono," Stuckey says, "and I thought it would be cool to present recordings in that format as an homage to those that were done there in the 50's and 60's. My thought was, since you're hearing the classic room and some of the gear from that era, let's see what it would sound like as if we had recorded it then. There is a bit less articulation in mono, but the groove, the kick drum and bass, is heavier and fatter." 

Although it's not on the album, the track from the session that means the most to Stuckey is the Hank Williams standard "Your Cheatin' Heart," which was the first one he and his trio (which also includes drummer Charles Arnold) laid down when their session started at 7 p.m. It was a way to get his dad, an amateur guitarist and a huge lifelong inspiration, involved. Stuckey's wife Jennifer also contributes vocals.

"My dad had a heart attack back in 2016 and so I also thought this would be a priceless memory for us to play together in the place where Elvis and so many other stars did back in the 50's and 60's," Stuckey says. "So I asked him to join the band on a song. This track isn't for the public, just a family treasure. But it was something really different than what I am used to in a good way! As a producer, studio owner and professor of music technology for Mercer University, I use as many as 10 to 14 mics on just the drums alone. So this was a cool experience just having a hand full of mics for the entire band and everyone in one room, where I usually separate everyone e in ISO booths."

In addition to his decades as an indie recording and touring artist with hundreds of live performances under his belt, Stuckey - who has spent most of his life successfully dealing with various physical limitations, including blindness - has owned the popular Shadow Sound Studio in Macon since 1996 and has worked as a radio and TV personality, music columnist, educator and sound engineer. Besides doing radio, TV and print music journalism, he has a long history teaching students guitar, voice, music theory and sound engineering. He is currently professor of Music Technology at Mercer University and an official mentor for the Recording Connections School in Los Angeles. The Joey Stuckey Band has opened for everyone from Bad Company and Trisha Yearwood to James Brown and Smash Mouth. Behind the scenes as a producer, composer, musician and sound engineer, his resume includes work with Alan Parsons, Chuck Leavell, Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and many others.  

"I'm one of those guys who generally uses a click track and is known as a 'must get everything perfect' producer," Stuckey says. "In the Shadow of the Sun is not that. There's no click track or safety net, no way to fix a mess, and everything I'm doing here is something I don't typically do in the studio. Which made it a totally liberating experience for everyone. The best thing about the session is that we went in there with a bunch of songs, but no specific mission or agenda, doing it for fun and without much stress. Our attitude was, if it works out, great. If not, we had a blast. It completely reflects my longtime aesthetic in my home studio and with my band. Everything for me is about keeping focused and staying joyful."

1f519482-c351-47d9-a995-6b1046ea6570.jpg

terça-feira, fevereiro 12, 2019

O.R.k. Premier New Single & Video “Black Blooms” Featuring System Of A Down's Serj Tankian

765c89b7-88d2-480c-b185-df7c8f3cad21.jpg

8c3dfb1a-9a85-4b2a-acd9-ed1144eb7252.jpg

Taken from forthcoming new album Ramagehead (Release: Feb. 22, 2019 - Kscope) 

O.R.k., featuring Italy's celebrated vocalist, producer and award-winning film score composer Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari a.k.a LEF (lead vocals), King Crimson's Pat Mastelotto (drums), Porcupine Tree's Colin Edwin (bass), Marta Sui Tubi's Carmelo Pipitone (guitars) have revealed their new single & video for "Black Blooms" which features their collaboration with the iconic System Of A Down frontman, Serj Tankian.

WATCH "BLACK BLOOMS (feat. SERJ TANKIAN)" HERE: https://youtu.be/NEJleqOXiuw 

O.R.k bassist Colin Edwin explains how the collaboration with Serj Tankian came about "The involvement of Serj Tankian came about through legendary producer Bill Laswell, who played bass on Lef's 2018 solo album 'Hypersomniac'. Laswell passed a copy of 'Hypersomniac' to Serj, who was impressed enough to also check out O.R.k. and our previous two albums. This led directly to Lef and Serj connecting and discussing potentially collaborating at some point; it was just at the time we were working on 'Ramagehead', so of course a suggestion had to be made. Lef sent him the tracks as a 'work in progress' and from this, Serj himself chose 'Black Blooms' as the song he wished to sing and work with us on." 

Colin continues "The development of 'Black Blooms' took a few unexpected turns as we all contributed along the way, Pat Mastelotto's masterful drumming added an underlying aspect of urgency I hadn't anticipated on the original demo, and Carmelo Pipitone manages to strike a superlative balance between sensitivity and total fireworks as the song progresses. The atmosphere was always going to be a great context for Lef's vocals, but the biggest surprise was Serj Tankian's involvement, which really amazed me when I first heard it, he's added, not simply a great vocal performance, but the exact amount of extra depth to the framework, to turn it into something truly special, and if I didn't know better, I would have thought 'Black Blooms' was made with him in mind." 

The forthcoming album Ramagehead was created from the band's collective vision, unique influences and a multi-layered reflection of their powerful and engaging live experience. The resulting epic contains all the ingredients of a fiery O.R.k. performance with dark and heavy riffing, mesmeric atmospheres. Recorded during 2018 at LefMusicStudio (Italy), The Wormhole (USA) and Nightspace (UK). The mixing for Ramagehead was handled by Adrian Benavides and three-time Grammy-winning engineer Marc Urselli (U2, Foo Fighters, Nick Cave), the mastering by Michael Fossenkemper, engineering by Benavides and Bill Munyon (King Crimson), cover art by Adam Jones (TOOL) and design by Denis Rodier (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). The recordings, and involvement of SOAD's Serj Tankian on a forthcoming single, solidifies the band's serious intent to use their musical chemistry in exploring the hard-edged possibilities within rock.

db5d2b93-e158-4855-8912-15b483e05e52.jpg

Ramagehead tracklisting: 
Kneel to Nothing (instant download on digital pre-orders)
Signals Erased
Beyond Sight
Black Blooms (feat. Serj Tankian)
Time Corroded
Down the Road
Some Other Rainbow Part 1
Strangled Words
Some Other Rainbow

Ramagehead will be released on 22nd February on CD / 180g Black vinyl LP / Digital and is available to PRE-ORDER HERE https://ork.lnk.to/RamageheadPR 

O.R.k. have an extensive live campaign planned in support of Ramagehead which will begin in February 2019 with a European and UK head line run as well as being special guests on the continuing "Dissolution Tour" from new label mates The Pineapple Thief.

Colin Edwin comments "'Ramagehead' is our most intense, ambitious and accessible work to date and I am really looking forward to exploring the new material in a live environment and sharing our unique collective energy together. For me, O.R.k. is always a completely immersive and unforgettable experience in the live arena, so with new tracks to play and an opportunity to reach places and people we've yet to get to, this tour will be our best yet." 

Tour Dates: 
** show with The Pineapple Thief
15.2 Ravenna (IT) - Bronson
16.2 Lugagnano di Sona/Verona (IT) - Il Giardino
17.2 Pisa (IT) - Lumiere
21.2 Bari (IT) - Garage Sound
22.2 Roma (IT) - Largo Venue**
23.2 Milano (IT) - Santeria Social Club **
24.2 Pratteln (CH) - Z7 **
26.2 Stuttgart (DE) - LKA Longhorn **
27.2 Frankfurt (DE) - Batschkapp **
28.2 Strasburg (FR) - La Laiterie **
1.3 Zoetermeer (NL) - Borderij **
2.3 Hamburg (DE) - Grosse Freiheit 36 **
3.3 Copenhagen (DK) - Store Vega **
5.3 Stockholm (SE) - Nalen **
6.3 Oslo (NO) - Rockefeller **
8.3 Iserhagen/Hannover (DE) - Blues Garage
10.3 Cologne (DE) - Yard Club
12.3 Munich (DE) - Backstage
13.3 Budapest (HU) - Durer
14.3 Nove Mesto nad Vahom (SK) - Blue Note
15.3 Berlin (DE) - Music & Frieden
17.3 Paris (FR) - Petit Bain
19.3 London (UK) - Borderline
20.3 Newcastle (UK) - o2 Academy **
21.3 Glasgow (UK) - St. Luke's **
22.3 Manchester (UK) - o2 The Ritz **
23.3 Birmingham (UK) - o2 The Institute 2 **
24.3 Bristol (UK) - SWX **

bcea330b-d4a8-4aba-a6c0-f3bb1e03b71a.jpg

O.R.k. are: 
Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari a.k.a LEF - lead vocals
Pat Mastelotto - drums
Colin Edwin - bass
Carmelo Pipitone - guitars

Follow O.R.k. 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

UK Music Legends Strawbs 50th Anniversary 3 Days Celebration in Lakewood, NJ - April 26, 27 & 28

92ef9f94-10b4-4775-a680-966d2a5169bb.png
Featuring special guests Tony Visconti, Annie Haslam, Larry Fast and others! Weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band.  

In celebration of their 50th anniversary, UK music legends Strawbs, plus a host of guest performers, former Strawbs, and Strawbs-related artists, will be performing at the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJon  April 26-28, 2019!

Come join a weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band Strawbs! 

Strawbs are Britain's most successful international progressive folk-rock band. They are mentioned in the same breath as progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson and The Moody Blues. Strawbs have a devoted fan base that continues to grow on the strength of their incredible live performances together with their classic albums over the years including "Grave New World", "Bursting at the Seams", "Hero & Heroine" and "Ghosts." The band has achieved sales of over three million albums, seven consecutive Strawbs albums have featured in the US Billboard Top 200 albums.

Many top musicians have featured in the Strawbs line up over the years, including Sonjia Kristina, Blue Weaver, Don Airey and as well as Rick Wakeman , both his classically trained sons Adam and Oliver have been featured, a certain compliment to the band's talent. After several years of touring in both acoustic and electric lineups, in 2017 Strawbs released "The Ferryman's Curse," their first studio album of original material in eight years. The album returned to the album charts and garnered rave reviews worldwide!

The current Strawbs line-up comprises David Cousins, lead guitarist Dave Lambert, bass player Chas Cronk, and drummer Tony Fernandez, who recorded and toured together in the 1970s. They are joined by keyboard and guitar virtuoso Dave Bainbridge of Iona - a band who created a mystical blend of rock, folk, Celtic and ambient music - a perfect match for Strawbs.

2902f862-511b-438b-9b64-9a045c6ce777.jpg
ARTISTS: 

STRAWBS (Present) 

David Cousins (1968 - present)
Dave Lambert (1972 - present)
Chas Cronk (1973 - present)
Tony Fernandez (1978 - present)
Dave Bainbridge (2016 - present)

With
TERRA NOVA ORCHESTRA - 30 PIECE ORCHESTRA

STRAWBS (Past) 

Blue Weaver (1971 - 1973) (subject to visas) – Amen Corner, Mott the Hoople, Bee Gees (Played on "Saturday Night Fever" and the 1970s hits)
John Ford (1969 – 1973) – Velvet Opera, Hudson Ford (Writer of Strawbs biggest single "Part of the Union")  
John Hawken (1973 - 1976) – Nashville Teens, Renaissance, Illusion
Brian Willoughby (1978 - 2092) – Mary Hopkin, The Monks, Nanci Griffith

SPECIAL GUESTS 

Tony Visconti – David Bowie, T Rex, Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, Angélique Kidjo
Annie Haslam – Renaissance
Larry Fast – Nektar, Synergy, Peter Gabriel
Eric Bazilian – The Hooters, Joan Osborne
Wesley Stace – John Wesley Harding, Cabinet of Wonders
Cathryn Craig – Bill Medley

HIGHLIGHTS 

Tony Visconti – conducts Strawbs with the Terra Nova Orchestra for the first orchestral performance of "Oh How She Changed", the band's first single, featuring a new Tony Visconti arrangement.     

David Cousins, Blue Weaver, John Ford will play the whole of Strawbs classic album "Grave New World" with Eric Bazilion and narrator Wesley Stace.

Annie Haslam – sings Sandy Denny's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes" with the Terra Nova Orchestra, featuring a brand new arrangement by Tony Visconti.

Eric Bazilion – sings "What If God Was One Of Us," the hit he wrote and produced for Joan Osborne, with Strawbs and the Terra Nova Orchestra.

Sandy Denny and the Strawbs – the classic songs recreated by Annie Haslam and Acoustic Strawbs.

Larry Fast and David Cousins – Peter Gabriel's synthesizer master and the complete songwriter put a new edge on Strawbs lesser known material.

15b814e4-4030-4c43-b33d-37de34b7a874.jpg
WHERE: 

Strand Theater  
Center for the Arts 
400 Clifton Avenue 
Lakewood 
New Jersey 08701 
Phone: (732) 367-7789 

Historic 1922 theater for the Jersey Shore.
60 minutes from Newark Airport
90 minutes from Manhattan

DATE AND TIME: 

Friday - 26 April 2018
Performances 6pm - 10.30pm

Saturday - 27 April 2018
Performances 1pm - 10.30pm

Sunday - 28 April 2018
Brunch (VIP) 10am - 12 noon

TICKETS: 

VIP $300 (sold out)
All performances plus Sunday brunch with artists

Weekend $200
All performances

For more information: 
Strawbs official website: www.strawbsweb.co.uk/ 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Classic Rock Icons Humble Pie's Long Lost Vintage Album "Joint Effort" Finally Sees The Light Of Day!

a443f8aa-2a19-4544-8bd0-fdb7ab990bea.jpg
Los Angeles, CA - In 1974, one of the biggest and best blues rock bands of all-time, the great Humble Pie, began recording an album at their own home-built studio called Clear Sounds. The result was a raw and fiery collection of originals and covers that was promptly and unceremoniously shelved by the band's label, never to see the light of day…that is, until now! Joint Effort, a title given to the project early on that reflected the collaboration between Humble Pie founders Steve Marriott and Greg Ridley, is a reunion album of sorts in that Marriott had recently walked out of the group. But a near miss at taking Mick Taylor's spot in The Rolling Stones plus renewed interest in the band Stateside coaxed Marriott back into the Pie alongside guitarist Dave Clempson and drummer Jerry Shirley.

With never before heard original compositions plus blazing covers of James Brown ("Think"), The Beatles ("Rain") and soul icon Betty Wright ("Let Me Be Your Lovemaker"), Joint Effort is a must own for any self-respecting Humble Pie fan. The album comes packaged with full liner notes and rare photos on both CD as well as vinyl in your choice of purple or white! Available everywhere February 8.

Track List:
1. Think
2. This Ol' World
3. Midnight Of My Life
4. Let Me Be Your Lovemaker
5. Rain
6. Snakes & Ladders
7. Good Thing
8. A Minute Of Your Time
9. Charlene
10. Think 2

bd757cb1-c3cf-489f-a23a-011133a7759a.jpg
DEADLINE MUSIC, a division of Cleopatra Records, Inc. 
Facebook @DeadlineMusicRecords
Instagram @deadline.music
Twitter @Deadline_label
Youtube @Deadline Music
Deadline Music Store
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour Resumes March 1st; Kansas returning to studio in August



Photo credit: EMily Butler Photography

KANSAS INTRODUCES KEYBOARDIST TOM BRISLIN AS NEWEST MEMBER OF ICONIC BAND

KANSAS RETURNING TO STUDIO IN AUGUST

ATLANTA, GA - KANSAS is excited to announce keyboardist Tom Brislin as the newest member of the band.  Brislin replaces departing keyboardist David Manion.
 
An internationally acclaimed musician, Brislin has performed and toured with a variety of artists, including Yes (appearing on Symphonic Live), Meat Loaf, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Camel, Renaissance, Dennis DeYoung formerly of Styx, and many others. For years he fronted the band Spiraling and produced his debut solo album Hurry Up and Smell the Roses.
 
Most recently, Tom co-founded the progressive rock group The Sea Within. Along with guitarist Roine Stolt of The Flower Kings, bassist Jonas Reingold of the Steve Hackett band, and drum star Marco Minnemann, they released their first album in 2018 on Sony/Inside Out Music, joining KANSAS on the label's roster. Tom has also formed Gold Rotation, a collective of diverse musicians and songwriters who premiered with a performance at Progstock Festival in 2018.
 
KANSAS original member and drummer, Phil Ehart comments, "We are extremely excited for Tom Brislin to be the newest member of KANSAS.  We think KANSAS fans will really enjoy what Tom brings to the band.  Rehearsals for the spring have been going great.  We cannot wait to get back out on the road and perform for KANSAS fans. Then, it's into the studio in August to begin a new KANSAS album, and back out on tour in September."
 
Brislin adds, "It's an honor to be asked to join a such legendary band as KANSAS. Their music has been in the soundtrack to so many of our lives, and their repertoire has enduring depth, beauty, and power. I'm thrilled to perform the classics and I'm equally excited to be a part of the new music that KANSAS creates."
 
Brislin's first performances with KANSAS will be aboard the Rock Legends Cruise in February, followed by March 1 in Baltimore, MD at the Modell Lyric where the band will be resuming the Point of Know Return Anniversary Tour.  The band will perform a set of KANSAS Classics at shows throughout the summer, before returning to the studio to begin a new KANSAS album in August 2019.
 
A complete list of announced 2019 KANSAS tour dates is listed below.  Ticket & VIP Package information can be found at KansasBand.com
 
SPRING 2019 KANSAS POINT OF KNOW RETURN TOUR DATES
March 1         Baltimore, MD     The Modell Lyric
March 3         Wilkes-Barre, PA     F.M. Kirby Center
March 8         Des Moines, IA        Hoyt Sherman Place
March 9         Peoria, IL        Peoria Civic Center Theater
March 15       Salina, KS        Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
March 16       Salina, KS        Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
March 21       Charleston, WV     Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences
March 23       Louisville, KY         Louisville Palace Theatre
March 29       Beaver Creek, CO    Vilar Performing Arts Center
March 30       Denver, CO       Paramount Theatre
                       
April 2            Tucson, AZ          Fox Tucson Theatre
April 4            San Diego, CA     Balboa Theatre
April 6            Los Angeles, CA      The Orpheum Theatre
April 7            Santa Barbara, CA    The Arlington Theatre
April 10          Oakland, CA      Paramount Theatre
April 12          Portland, OR     Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 13          Seattle, WA      Paramount Theatre
April 24          Vancouver, BC, Canada       The Orpheum
April 26          Edmonton, AB, Canada       Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
April 28          Calgary, AB, Canada            Jack Singer Concert Hall
April 30          Saskatoon, SK, Canada       TCU Place
                       
May 1             Regina, SK, Canada       Conexus Arts Centre
May 3             Winnipeg, MB, Canada    Burton Cummings Theatre
May 10           Rockford, IL            Coronado Performing Arts Center
May 11           Fort Wayne, IN        Foellinger Theatre
                       
SUMMER 2019 KANSAS CLASSICS DATES            
                       
May 17          Ocala, FL              Square Cultural Center
May 18          Coconut Creek, FL      Seminole Casino Coconut Creek
May 24          Biloxi, MS             Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
May 30          Bethlehem, PA      Sands Event Center
May 31          Atlantic City, NJ           Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
June 1           Atlantic City, NJ           Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
 
KANSAS online:
 
INSIDEOUT MUSIC online:
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Prog Ensemble Shumaun To Release Anticipated Second Album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” - February 22, 2019

7936feaf-65bb-4d9c-85fb-b23c74a40552.jpg
If you like Rush–Porcupine Tree-Dream Theater, Shumaun is a must for you! 

Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album "One Day Closer to Yesterday" on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. "One Day Closer to Yesterday" touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through... the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.

Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, "Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term 'surprisingly' because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that's the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora's bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim's guitar textures throughout the album."

Watch the Lyric video for first single off new album called "Go": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kav4WtLCFvA 

Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain. After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. The band released their self-titled debut album on Nov 13, 2015 to rave reviews, and supported it with several shows. Both Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) played drums on the first record. Shumaun made it on many lists for best records of 2015 such as Decibel Geek, ProgMetal Zone, Metal Asylum, Rockway.Gr, Progressive Music Planet and The Deli DC Magazine.
733263ca-ac21-4e78-8eb0-c76cac8cc5f3.jpg
Shumaun  
Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora: Bass
Tyler Kim: Guitars
Tanvir Tomal: Drums

Track listing:  
Sensus Divinitatis
The Writing's on the Wall
Fear Is
Nafsi Ammara
City of Gold
Central Station
Prove Yourself
Go
Remember Me and I Will Remember You
One Day Closer to Yesterday

Mixing: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio (Pain of Salvation, Cynic)

Here's what the press has said about Shumaun: 

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC PLANET REVIEW 
"Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It's a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience."  

BACKGROUND MAGAZINE REVIEW 
"Shumaun have recorded a perfect debut album that might appeal to a large audience. The music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant." 

METAL ASYLUM REVIEW 
"Every part of the journey brings unexpected twists and fresh rewards, blending multi-cultural rhythms and sounds for one of the best rock/metal/prog songs of 2015."  

THE GRIM TOWER REVIEW 
"It's rock music with a lot of replay value, and some strong messages at heart. Shumaun is REAL music with REAL effort and REAL values put behind it. There's a definite positivity here, and it comes off as a rather heartfelt and passionate moment that I'm thankful to have been able to recommend your way." 

DECIBEL GEEK REVIEW 
"AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year. A new band in age, this is a set of serious musos, with chops that your local butcher would envy. If you like the axis of Rush–Genesis-King Crimson, Shumaun is a must for you." 

METAL AT THE GATES REVIEW  
Bringing something fresh and invigorating to the world with their debut self-titled album, Shumaun paints a beautiful soundscape with progressive, rock, pop and touches of delectable South Asian flair. The writing ranges from outright gorgeous with ear-catching progressive rock grooves to straight forward pop-influenced rock." 

In closing Farhad has this to impart, "The message we want to convey through our music is that no matter how different we might view one another; our similarities far exceed those differences. We have the potential of exuding a profound love for one another, as we are all united in more ways than we might think."

Shumaun is currently playing gigs in the Washington DC area to promote the new record and will start planning an east coast tour of the US in the late Spring of 2019.

Release Date: February 22, 2019 

To purchase: www.shumaun.com/store 

Website: www.shumaun.com 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

FATES WARNING – North American tour with Queensryche and additional dates!



Progressive Metal pioneers FATES WARNING have recently announced a next and much overdue tour of North America alongside Queensryche in March-April and have now also added a string of complimentary headline dates to the run. Here is a full list of the upcoming dates:
 
FATES WARNING – Live 2019:
Sa March 2nd - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live - w/ Queensryche
Su March 3rd - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room - w/ Queensryche
Mo March 4th - Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbit's *
Tu March 5th - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade - w/ Queensryche
Th March 7th - Baltimore, MD - Sound Stage - w/ Queensryche
Fr March 8th - Sellersville, PA - Sellersville Theater *
Sa March 9th - New York, NY - Irving Plaza - w/ Queensryche
Su March 10th - Worcester, MA - Palladium - w/ Queensryche
Tu March 12th - Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts - w/ Queensryche
We March 13th - Detroit, MI - Diesel - w/ Queensryche
Th March 14th - Chicago, IL - Concord - w/ Queensryche
Fr March 15th - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave - w/ Queensryche
Sa March 16th - Medina, MN - Medina Entertainment Center - w/ Queensryche
Su March 17th - Lincoln, NE - Royal Grove *
Tu March 19th - Tulsa, OK - The Shrine *
We March 20th - Dallas, TX - House of Blues - w/ Queensryche
Th March 21st - Houston, TX - House of Blues - w/ Queensryche
Fr March 22nd - San Antonio, TX - Aztec - w/ Queensryche
Sa March 23rd - Albuquerque, NM - El Rey - w/ Queensryche
Su March 24th - Tucson, AZ - House Of Bards *
Tu March 26th - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee - w/ Queensryche
We March 27th - San Diego, CA - Observatory - w/ Queensryche
Th March 28th - Los Angeles, CA - Fonda - w/ Queensryche
Fr March 29th - San Francisco, CA - Slim's - w/ Queensryche
Sa March 30th - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades - w/ Queensryche
Mo April 1st - Redding, CA - The Dip *
Tu April 2nd - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom - w/ Queensryche
We April 3rd - Seattle, WA - Neptune - w/ Queensryche
* FATES WARNING headline show
 
FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder checked to comment about the upcoming touring as follows:
"FATES WARNING are hitting the road again in support of our latest album "Theories Of Flight". But this time we're touring the U.S. with our good friends in Queensryche. The last time we all toured together was a blast, and we expect this time may be even better. We also look forward to playing some cities that we have not been able to visit in quite a while. We hope to see you all at the shows!"
 
FATES WARNING are currently promoting their "Live Over Europe" and their latest, much acclaimend studio album "Theories Of Flight", both released via InsideOutMusic worldwide.

Gathered during a European headlining run for "Theories Of Flight" early 2018, FATES WARNING's "Live Over Europe" includes audio recordings from 8 different cities (Aschaffenburg / Germany, Belgrade / Serbia, Thessaloniki and Athens / Greece, Rome and Milan / Italy, Budapest / Hungary as well as Ljubljana / Slovenia) and a total of 23 songs in over 138 minutes of playing time, spanning 30 years of the group's seminal career.

"Live Over Europe" was mixed by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Kreator, Symphony X) and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden and is available as limited 2CD Mediabook, Gatefold 3LP + Bonus-2CD or as Digital Album. In its week of release, "Live Over Europe" entered the official sales charts in Germany on a stunning # 31 position,

Singles for "Live Over Europe" can be checked out here:
"The Light And Shade Of Things": https://youtu.be/rvT6GyrrhG4
"Life In Still Water": https://youtu.be/FRHc7QEw2qQ
 
Order "Live Over Europe" here:
 
Or get the 2CD or 3LP (+ 2CD as bonus) from the InsideOutMusic webshop here:
 
An unboxing video for "Live Over Europe" can be seen here:
 
FATES WARNING – Line-Up 2019:
Ray Alder – Vocals
Jim Matheos – Guitars
Joey Vera – Bass
Mike Abdow – Guitars
Bobby Jarzombek – Drums
FATES WARNING Online:

INSIDEOUT MUSIC online:
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Consider The Source - NEW ALBUM Announcement, Video, Tour Dates & More!!!

Our Album Announcement is here!!!! "You Are Literally A Metaphor" will be released Friday, March 1st. You can pre-order your download, CD or Vinyl at https://considerthesourcemusic.bandcamp.com/ as well as stream our 11 minute single "Enemies of magicK" and view the tracklising. 

We've also released a video for "Enemies of magicK" which you can watch below. We hope you enjoy and to see you on on our 2019 MetaTour. More dates coming soon!!!

~ CTS

1.31 Brothers Drake Meadery - Columbus, OH
2.01 Winter Werk Out @ The Bluestone - Columbus, OH
2.02 King's Rook Club - Erie, PA
2.21 The Press Room - Portsmouth, NH
2.22 Putnam Place - Saratoga Springs, NY
2.23 Buffalo Iron Works - Buffalo, NY
2.28 The 8x10 - Baltimore, MD
3.01 Rough Trade NYC - Brooklyn, NY
3.02 Strange Brew Pub - Norwich, CT
3.06 Beachland Tavern - Cleveland, OH
3.07 The Stache @ The Intersection - Grand Rapids, MI
3.08 Octave - Covington, KY
3.09 Reggies - Chicago, IL
3.13 Whiskey Junction - Minneapolis, MN
3.14 Redstone Room - Davenport, IA
3.15 Encore Room @ Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
3.16 Reverb Lounge - Omaha, NE
3.20 Mohawk - Austin, TX
3.21 Last Concert Cafe - Houston, TX
3.22 Sundown @ Granada - Dallas, TX
3.23 Dan's Silverleaf - Denton, TX
3.28 Fox Theatre - Boulder, CO
3.29 Lost Lake - Denver, CO
4.03 Aisle 5 - Atlanta, GA
4.05 The Pour House Music Hall - Raleigh, NC
4.06 Visulite Theatre - Charlotte, NC
5.17 Proper Family Picnic - Norridgewock, ME
5.25 StrangeCreek Campout - Greenfield, MA
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Avant-Garde Prog Ensemble HOIA Feat. Indian Guitar Virtuoso Prateek Rajagopal To Release Debut Album “Scavenger”

Featuring Colin Edwin of "Porcupine Tree"! 

Experimental beyond expectations, HOIA is an infusion of musical interests by Prateek Rajagopal. Popularly known for being a virtuoso guitarist, budding film composer and writer/producer for death metal legions  "GUTSLIT" & Indian/Amercian prog metal supergroup  "The Minerva Conduct," his interest in genres and art forms beyond metal gave rise to HOIA, inspired by Avant-garde, progressive rock, experimental and industrial music.

After releasing two EPs with HOIA, Prateek is all set to release his debut album titled "Scavenger." The record has a more sophisticated songwriting approach compared to his previous releases, albeit still very 'prog,' and also features Prateek as a vocalist for the first time. The instruments used on the album are unlike his other projects, using samples of rotating fans and vehicle sounds, analog synthesizers and digital manipulation along with organic instruments like guitars (acoustic, electric), piano and strings.

Says Prateek, "The album deals with human-sentimentality concepts like nostalgia, demise, anxiety and the need to 'scavenge' to survive, bubbled in fictitious concepts as individual stories. It isn't a concept album, but there's a loose relation across the individual stories."
 
261bd7d7-b6c1-41d0-bfe2-49bf395f4747.jpg

Although he is the primary songwriter, Prateek approached Colin Edwin of "Porcupine Tree" & Wojtek Deregowski (a reputed session musician from Poland) to perform bass and drums respectively.

"In a world full of guitarists, I am lucky enough to somehow work with a steady flow of really interesting and unique players, so I am very happy to be involved with Prateek Rajagopal's new HOIA album, a solid collection of inspiring tracks across an ever-evolving deep sonic landscape. Lots of unexpected elements which fuse together really well, with a some great twists for the adventurous listener, top stuff." - Colin Edwin 

"Even though I know all the tunes from the new HOIA album really well, I like to come back and listen to them again. It's just a very good music in which you may always find something new that surprises and catches your attention. Fresh sounds, a lot of space and emotions at the same time. I'm really happy that I could contribute to the music by recording drum parts. Prateek gave me a lot of freedom in expressing my own style of playing so I improvised much hoping to give the music even more feelings and interesting ideas." - Wojtek Deregowski  

HOIA's "Scavenger" has been in the works for over 2 years and clocks in at 33 minutes. The track-list is as follows:

1. Write Across
2. Escape Orb
3. Electric Wizard
4. Part II
5. Scavenger

"An all-out prog fest, going from intricate chilling melodies to odd-time riffs and shattering drum-work.'' - Rolling Stone (India)  

In support of the release Prateek has plans to tour and the members are also willing to perform, but his multiple commitments in Mumbai and other projects are holding it back. A music/visualization video (by illustrator/director Aniruddh "Thebigfatminimalist" Mehta) for "Write Across," a drum play-through of "Electric Wizard," and an album stream video are all ready.

In closing Prateek has this to say, "The album deals with simple human emotions. However, writing them as stories felt natural and subtle, and thinking about characters/plots made the process very enjoyable. I hope that people understand the metaphors and Easter eggs too, since everyone goes through similar human emotions. So if people relate with the stories, they might feel better and less lonely, and in turn feel hopeful about life and this world."

Release Date – April 19, 2019  

Listen to the first single "Electric Wizard" here: 

Pre-order links : 

For more information: 
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

The Last Detail - At Last... The Tale and Other Stories



We are pleased to present to you the re-release of The Last Detail's 1990 album 'At Last... The Tale'. The new release is extended with all officially released tracks by the band between 1987 and 1991 and is dubbed 'At Last... The Tale and other Stories'. The album is released on FREIA Music on 1 February 2019. 
The Last Detail were one of the few highlights in the Dutch progressive history during the 80's of the last century. Between 1987 and 1991 they released two cassette albums (both on the bonus disc) and one full length CD and various tracks on a couple of compilation albums.
To commemorate 35 years 'FREIA' the label has decided to remaster all the band's official recordings and re-release the music on one double album in a limited edition of 300 copies.
-- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine

Heavy-Psych Trio BRIGHT CURSE Joins Ripple Music, New Album On the Way - Coming May 2019.

pexels-photo-60125 (1).jpeg

Preparing to deliver on the promise of their 2016 album Before the Shore, heavy psychedelic trio BRIGHT CURSE has signed with US purveyors of riff-heaviness Ripple Musicto bring the band's latest mesmerizing slab to the world.

Bright Curse formed in 2012 with an ear toward weaving heavy rock (in its most classic form) together with tendrils of bluesy doom and trance-like psychedelics. 

They quickly released their debut EP and embarked on a series of tours and festival appearances, including a slot at Up in Smoke in 2013 and a co-headline tour with brothers-in-riffs Elephant Tree through Europe in 2015.

With the release of the stunning Before the Shore album in 2016, Bright Curse earned massive recognition on a global scale.  

The band established themselves on the road with intense touring and hit festival stages at Hellfest, DesertFest Berlin and Keep it Low, and the likes of Metal Hammer called Before the Shore, "a refreshingly uplifting blast of gutsy, 70s-inspired stoner rock, played with passion and high energy that puts the power back into the classic power-trio formula."

Following the dissolution of their former label, Bright Curse found new enthusiasm for their take on riffage at the US bastions of all things fuzz-fueled, blues-laden and guitar forward, Ripple Music. 

"Working with Ripple is just gonna be rad, having a label that really cares for its bands, that motivation will make the difference," says frontman/guitarist Romain Daut.  "We've got loads of friends working with them, and I can already see all the crazy parties we're gonna have on tour."

Of the upcoming new album, he adds, "It's a come-back to a doomier version of Bright Curse, more like the first EP.  The songs are a bit longer and more developed, each relates a story, and all of them work together to create some kind of tale. I didn't want to just have another heavy album, so we added some "exotic" instruments and I think it serves the story really well.  But I don't want to say too much about it yet."

Be on the lookout for spring tour dates and an official release date for the new Bright Cursefull-length in the coming weeks!  (And get an advance peek at the cover art below:)
  
pexels-photo-60125 (1).jpeg

Ripple Music is widely regarded as one of the world's leading purveyors of heavy psych, stoner, doom, and heavy rock.  Releases are distributed worldwide across all digital platforms and the Ripple Bandcamp, with retail distribution via MVD (North America, Australia and Japan), Plastic Head (UK and Europe), H'art (Germany, Austria and France), Suburban (Benelux), Border Music (Sweden), Goodfellas (Italy) and the Ripple Music Webstore. 

Info and news on all Ripple Music releases can be found at the Ripple Website

full size image
 -- 
Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal - E-Zine