Beardfish’s Rikard Sjöblom Announces Solo Album

 

Over the past few months, Beardfish's Rikard Sjöblom has been working on a solo album which will be released in February 2016. Titled The Unbendable Sleep, the record brings eight songs which certainly possess quality to appeal to music fans of different genres. Rikard has once again created a diverse album, but in a more intimate format than we are accustomed to.

 

Speaking about his decision to release an album under his name at this point of his career, Rikard says:

“There are a number of reasons why I did this, but the main one is that Gungfly which started out as a solo project later became more of a band with members and all that and it’s a really good band and I love it and all that but I guess to really be solo you almost have to use your birth name?"

 

Thematically, The Unbendable Sleep goes around the usual subjects: love, life, death, and it deals a lot with self-esteem and believing in yourself.

“Sounds cheesy, I know, but it’s pretty important stuff,” Rikard continues. “I found myself singing about mirrors quite a lot and that’s also referring to just that, looking into the mirror and not recognizing the person staring back at you.”

 

The Unbendable Sleep will be available starting February as digital download and CD via Gungfly Productions. The vinyl version of the album will be available from Plane Groovy.

 

The Unbendable Sleep track listing:

 

01. Love and War, Part One: I Am Who You Are
02. Realm of You and Me
03. Rhyme and Reason
04. Will We Cry?
05. Under Northern Skies (Villemo's Song)
06. Building a Tent for Astor
07. Anna-Lee
08. Love and War, Part Two: Lucky Star

 

Rikard Sjöblom on the net:

https://www.facebook.com/rikardsjblom
http://rikardsjoblom.com/

http://www.beardfishband.com/

District 97 Lineup Change and 2016 Tour

There have been some major changes for District 97 in the past few months, Rob Clearfield (keyboards) and Patrick Mulcahy (bass) have both parted ways with the band. The split is amicable and everyone remains on good terms.

Luckily, two very talented Chicago-based musicians are ready and eager to join Leslie, Jim and Jonathan in moving the band forward: Andrew Lawrence (keyboards) and Tim Seisser (bass).

District 97 will also be launching a Kickstarter on Wednesday, November 18th so that the new lineup can take the world by storm in 2016!

Here are the confirmed dates so far:

26 March 2016 - The Borderline, London, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
27 March 2016 - The Musician’s Pub, Liecester, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
28 March 2016 - The Robin 2, Bilston, UK (with Dave Kerzner Band) - tickets
29 May 2016 - Sound Control, Manchester, UK - tickets
1 April 2016 - Art Rock IV Festival, Reichenbach, DE (with IQ, RPWL and many more) - tickets
3 April 2016 - Progdreams Festival, Zoetermeer, NL (with Three Friends, Focus, and many more) - tickets

US dates to come in May 2016 !

Dream Theater’s New Album Will Be Concept Album

As Dream Theater were announcing a new European tour for early 2016, one in which they announced that they'll be performing their forthcoming album in its entirety, promoters were leaking the new album's title. Dream Theater confirmed that the new opus will be called The Astonishing. This will be the first concept album they've written since 2002's Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence.

We now know a little more about the album itself, thanks to Dream Theater's own newsletter sign-up.

The Astonishing will relate the story of a rebellion against the Great Northern Empire of North America, led by the Ravenskill Militia. It is 2285, the people of North America live under the rule of Lord Nafaryus, emperor of the Realm. Ravenskill, a small town on the outskirts of the Realm, is trying to start a rebellion against the tyrant by sending a message via the implants all the inhabitants of the Realm have.

When you go to their main website, you have to choose one of two sign-up pages. One is for the Great Northern Empire, the other is for the Ravenskill Rebel Militia. Go and sign-up to both to receive both the Emperor's message and the Militia's message, and learn more about the upcoming battle.

Dream Theater will be releasing the album in early 2016, and will present it live on the following dates (more dates to come):

Feb 18, 2016 – Palladium – London, United Kingdom
Feb 19, 2016 – Palladium – London, United Kingdom
Feb 22, 2016 – Carre Theatre – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb 27, 2016 – Oslo Concert Hall – Oslo, Norway
Feb 28, 2016 – Oslo Concert Hall – Oslo, Norway
Mar 2, 2016 – Cirkus – Stockholm, Sweden
Mar 5, 2016 – Le Palais des Congrès – Paris, France
Mar 6, 2016 – Le Palais des Congrès – Paris, France
Mar 18, 2016 – Teatro Degli Arcimboldi – Milan, Italy
Mar 19, 2016 – Teatro Degli Arcimboldi – Milan, Italy
Mar 23, 2016 – Kongresshaus – Zurich, Switzerland

Arcade Messiah II Album Preview and Release Date

John Bassett from Psychedelic Prog band KingBathmat just announced the upcoming release of his second solo effort under the name of Arcade Messiah.

Arcade Messiah's first released a self titled debut album last year and introduced us to a heavier sound with experimental and post metal sounds.

Arcade Messiah II builds upon the elements of the first release with the genre blending of metal, stoner, doom, prog, math rock, and ambient post rock continuing into an ever increasing dynamic storm of controlled chaos.

Preview the album with the complete track Read the Sky, online from forthcoming second album Arcade Messiah II, which can be heard here: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIieaGcm6LM

Arcade Messiah II will be released on November 27th on Stereohead Records.
Pre-Order here: https://arcademessiah.bandcamp.com/album/ii

1. Moon Signal
2. Red Widow
3. Black Dice Maze
4. Gallows Way
5. Fourth Quarter
6. Via Occulta
7. Read The Sky
8. Start Missing Everybody
9. The Four Horsemen (CD only)

Here is another sampler:

Headspace Announce Release of Second Album

Headspace, the band featuring Damian Wilson (Threshold) & Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Snakecharmer), have announced they will release their second album All That You Fear Is Gone on February 26th, 2016.

The band, completed by guitarist Pete Rinaldi (Hot Leg) & bassist Lee Pomeroy (It Bites, Steve Hackett), have also announced a new drummer in the shape of Adam Falkner (Babyshambes, Dido, One Eskimo).

Damian Wilson comments on the new album:

"The conforming individual represented in the first album that breaks away, is reflected in All That You Fear Is Gone. Free thinking, fighting against natural grouping, what appears as destructive rebellion is in fact evolution. Written to make the listener think, whilst capturing the ear with complexity and simplicity combined."

The band has previously posted video updates from the studio, and you can view those below.

Studio Diary 1:

Studio Diary 2:

All That You Fear Is Gone is the follow-up to 2012's debut album I Am Anonymous which was described by Prog Magazine as 'one terrifically exciting ride' and by Powerplay as 'a feast for both the ears and the mind.'

Headspace Online:
www.headspaceonline.com
www.twitter.com/headspaceonline
www.adamwakeman.co.uk
www.twitter.com/wakemanofficial

Allan Holdsworth's Live Pay-per-View Streaming

Don't miss this once in a lifetime event: guitar legend Allan Holdsworth will be doing something he’s never done before in his 40 year interstellar career: Streaming Live.
 
As Holdsworth’s fans know all too well, Allan’s live appearances in recent years are few and far between and in this once in a lifetime event, Allan will be streaming live his show from Jazziz Nightlife in Boca Raton, Florida on November 21st at 8:00 PM EST. There will be no DVD made from this live event.

As Allan winds down the touring part of his amazing career, future live shows will be limited to no more than a few dozen in next few years and in a very selected key markets. So this will be one of the last chances to catch Allan live!
 
Allan’s current trio lineup features drummer extraordinaire Virgil Donati and the incomparable Jimmy Haslip on bass.  This concert will be available worldwide as a pay-per-view event only for $14.95 on NMB Live at www.numubu.com/allanholdsworth. For more info: www.numubu.com/172420-profile-allan-holdsworth.html
 
Should you miss the event live or choose to watch more than once, the video will also be made available to watch as many times as you like from the NuMumBu archives until November 28th of this year. After that, this show will no longer be available to the pay-per-view audience.

Allan Holdsworth Band's Pirates of the Caribbean Tour
featuring Jimmy Haslip and Virgil Donati
 
Nov. 15-19, 2015: Cruise to the Edge  (Miami, Bahamas, Key West)
Nov. 21, 2015: Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center, upstairs from Jazziz Nightlife, Boca Raton, FL
Nov. 22, 2015:  Largo Cultural Center, Largo, FL
Nov. 24, 2015: The Plaza Live, Orlando,FL
Nov. 26, 2015: Riviera Maya Jazz Festival, Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Voivod Announce 2016 Tour of the USA

 

 

Voivod are excited to follow up the success of the Napalm Death tour of USA last winter with a new tour with Vektor and Eight Bells as support. This will be part 1 of a 2 leg tour with West coast dates in mid 2016.

 

Voivod + Vektor + Eight Bells - US Tour 2016:

02.06.16 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom
02.07.16 New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
02.08.16 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
02.09.10 Morgantown, WV - Mainstage
02.10.16 Pittsburgh, PA - Altar Bar
02.11.16 Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
02.12.16 Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
02.13.16 Washington, DC - Black Cat
02.14.16 Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
02.16.16 Raleigh, NC - Kings
02.18.16 Charlotte, NC - Neighborhood Theatre
02.19.16 Sanford, FL - West End Trading Co.
02.20.16 Ybor City, FL - The Orpheum
02.21.16 Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
02.22.16 Knoxville, TN - The Concourse
02.24.16 Chicago, IL - The Abbey Pub
02.25.16 Cudahy, WI - The Metal Grill
02.26.16 St Paul, MN - The Amsterdam
02.27.16 Omaha, NE - Waiting Room
02.28.16 St. Louis, MO - Firebird*
02.29.16 Louisville, KY - Zanzabar*
03.01.16 Valpariso, IN - Big Shots*
03.02.16 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar*
03.03.16 Ferndale, MI - The Loving Touch*
03.04.16 Toronto, ON - Mod Club*
03.05.16 Hamilton, ON - This Aint Hollywood*

 

* = Vektor and Black Fast supporting Voivod

 

The Canadian progressive metal pioneers are currently touring Europe until the end of November as part of the heavyweight "Deathcrusher 2015" tour alongside Carcass, Obituary, Napalm Death and Herod.

In the light of tour dates worldwide, Voivod have also released their split 7" EP together with labelmates Napalm Death. The 7" EP features the new Voivod track Forever Mountain as well as Napalm Death's exclusive track Phonetics for the Stupefied.

 

This special vinyl-only release is limited to 2,500 copies in the following versions/colors:

Black: 1200 copies (CM Distro Europe / USA)
Solid White: 300 copies (CM Distro Europe)
Transparent Red: 700 copies (CM USA)
Neon Yellow: 300 copies (Only available from the bands at the Deathcrusher tour!)

The Split 7" comes with classy artwork (both bands have an A side with own artwork!) created by Voivod drummer Michel "Away" Langevin and can be ordered here: http://smarturl.it/ndvCMDISTRO


Stick Men Live Featuring David Cross

In April of this year, Stick Men featuring Tony Levin, Markus Reuter & Pat Mastelotto, put on four historic concerts in Japan, with special guest, legendary King Crimson violinist David Cross. The live recording of the 2 Tokyo shows, titled Midori, will be released as a double CD in Japan only, but you can pre-order the digital download of both shows now, from the iapetus store. Simply follow the links below.

Live at Billboard, Tokyo, Japan, April 10, 2015, Show 1

Live at Billboard, Tokyo, Japan, April 11, 2015, Show 2

In other news Stick Men is on the tour in Europe as of today, September 29, for 3.5 weeks.

Tony Levin and Pat Mastelotto have just finished the first leg of King Crimson shows and as soon as the Stick Men tour is over, King Crimson is on tour again. MoonJune Music is currently booking USA/Canada dates for Stick Men in April and May 2016. The tour will start on April 14, and it will end by June 4.

Sep. 29 - Verona (Italy) - Il Giardino
Sep. 30 - Verona (Italy) - Il Giardino
Oct. 1 - Sofia (Bulgaria) - HDK Hall 11 (Lumiere Cinema)
Oct. 2 - Delemont (Switzerland) - Centre Culturelle Regional
Oct. 3 - Sala (Switzerland) - Rockland
Oct. 5 - Oslo (Norway) - Buckley's
Oct. 6 - Malmo (Sweden) - Moriska Pavijongen
Oct. 7 - Göteborg (Sweden) - Nefertiti
Oct. 9 - Bergen (Norway) - Sardinen USF
Oct. 10 - Opole (Poland) - Dom Expo
Oct. 11 - Wroclaw (Poland) - Zaklete Rewiry
Oct. 12 - Prague (Czech Republik) - Lucerna Bar
Oct. 13 - Reichenbach (Germany) - Bergkeller
Oct. 15 - Bonn (Germany) - Harmonie
Oct. 16 - Zoetermeer (Netherlands) - Cultuurpodium Boerderij
Oct. 17 - Münster (Germany) - Hot Jazz Club
Oct. 18 - Hertogenbosh (Netherlands) - W2
Oct. 20 - Verviers (Belgium) - Spirit of 66
Oct. 21 - Karlsruhe (Germany) - Substage
Oct. 22 - Reutlingen (Germany) - Kulturzentrum FranzK

Confirmed dates for 2016 (venues to be announced soon):
April 14, Thu - Dunellen, NJ (USA)
April 15, Fri - New York, NY (USA)
April 16, Sat - New York, NY (USA)
April 21, Thu - Northampton, MA (USA)
April 22, Fri - Natick, MA (USA)
April 23, Sat - Schenectady, NY (USA)
April 27, Wed - Montreal, Quebec (Canada)
April 28, Thu - Québec City, Québec (Canada)

Pope Francis: Prog Star?

It seems like a joke, but given the number of prog artists who proudly display their Christianity (think Neil Morse, Kinetic Element, Supernal Endgame, Iona, to name a few), all I have to say is why not.

Though it would be disingenuous to say the Pope has made a prog rock album. He is the inspiration, even the lyricist if you will, since all the lyrics are snippets of his speeches to different communities. But the majority of the music IS progressive rock thanks to the implication of Tony Pagliuca.

Tony was the founder and keyboardist of Italian prog band Le Orme. He worked on some of the best known albums from their catalogue, including the masterpiece Felona and Sorona.

Tony was approached by producer and artistic director Don Giulio Neroni, who is no stranger to papal recordings, having recorded the speeches of John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Tony was asked to add music and to work with the speeches of Pope Francis I, and what resulted is an inspiring prog album called Wake Up!

Hear one of the tracks, Wake Up! Go! Go! Forward! here:



The complete track list is:

1. Annuntio Vobis Gadium Mangum
2. Salve Regina
3. Laudato Sie…
4. Poe Que' Sufren Los Ninos
5. Non Lasciatevi Rubare La Speranza!
6. La Iglesia No Puede Ser Una Ong!
7. Wake Up! Go! Go! Forward!
8. La Fa Es Entera, No Se Licua!
9. Pace! Fratelli!
10. "Per La Famiglia
11. Fazei O Que Ele Vos Disser

The album will be released on November 12th.

Steve Hackett Contributes to Charity Prog CD

Progressive Gears Management, formed in 2014 specifically to look after the interests of Canadian progressive rock band Machines Dream, has recently created PG Records.

Their first release, the CD Voices for Hospices, will be a charity CD to raise money for The World Hospice & Palliative Care Alliance in order to help them in under-resourced countries around the world. The theme for this year is Hidden Lives/Hidden Patients and you can read more about this at www.thewhpca.org.

The CD brings together artists in progressive rock - from established to indie - from those you know to those you might want to know - and would make a fantastic addition to any collection. All of those involved have given their time - and their talent - for free to help make this happen.

The CD is now available for pre-order in both physical and digital formats and will be released on 10th October 2015 to coincide with World Hospice & Palliative Care Day.

Progressive Gears are delighted to have Steve Hackett involved in this project and he has kindly contributed a brand new track!

The tracklist is as follows:
1- Clusters, by Steve Hackett (New track)
2- Trading Stars for Solitude, by Machines Dream (Newly recorded)
3- A Painter Lost at Sea, by Gandalf's Fist (New track)
4- Celestine, by Nathan J Tillett
5- The Light Before, by Looking-Glass Lantern (New track)
6- Guarding the Spark, by Crystal Palace (New track)
7- Man in the Balloon, by Maze of Sound
8- Made-Up Reality, by The Opposite of Hate (New track)
9- Last Chance, by IT (New track)
10- Blindness, by Violent Attitude If Noticed (New track)
11- Haunted Memories, by Edison's Children
12- Northern Flight, by Greylevel (New track)
Buy now from Bandcamp.

Allan Holdsworth's Tales from the Vault Pledge

Tales from the Vault is a series of single bi-monthly releases from Allan Holdsworth digging into his vault of recorded material that has never been released or heard before. It spans many different trios and quartets (including Ernest Tibbs, Chad Wackerman, Jimmy Johnson, Gary Husband, Jimmy Haslip, Virgil Donati, Austin Peralta, Joel Taylor) recorded between 2000-2012.

This campaign enables Allan to finish these tracks with new solos, track tweaks and mixing. Tracks are ONLY released via PledgeMusic and you must pledge to receive them. Available in 320kbs MP3, FLAC via download from Allan's PledgeMusic page and high res 96k 24bit format via special download link.

$15 basic pledge level gets you digital tracks from Tales from the Vault. Earth was the first released track of this campaign (released August 22nd) and is now available to all pledgers who already pledged, And for those who didn't pledge yet, now is time to pledge, to support Allan Holdworth and to hear his amazing nw music, the first new recorded music in almost 15 years.

Earth is composed by Virgil Donati (drums), arranged by Allan and features Jimmy Johnson on bass with Allan on guitars and synthaxe. It’s a stunning 10 minute track with virtuoso performances by Virgil, Jimmy and Allan… a trio that has never recorded or played together before and now released for the first time.

Once Allan has finished at least 6 tracks and released them as “singles" to pledgers there will be a special booklet for Tales from the Vault. The booklet will have 12-16 full color pages and will be available via download in high res PDF once the entire Tales is completed.

For more info: www.pledgemusic.com/projects/allanholdsworth

IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION

Tales from the Vault is NOT the new album from Allan! There will be a new album (as yet untitled) coming from Allan slated for mid-2016.

Mike Oldfield's "The Space Movie Original Soundtrack" to Be Released on CD

Gonzo Multimedia will be releasing a newly restored and (finally) complete edition of Mike Oldfield and Tony Palmer's The Space Movie. For the very first time the original soundtrack featuring all the talk-back between the astronauts and ground control, as well as orchestral versions of music by Mike Oldfield will be released on CD.

This classic film was originally commissioned by London Weekend Television and Virgin Films in 1979 to mark the 10th Anniversary of the first landing on the moon, July 21st 1969. A recent discovery of a print in mint condition has enabled us to issue the film in a sparkling new and complete edition.

Producer Tony Palmer explains:

“The invitation to make the film came out of the clear blue sky from NASA in January 1978. I was invited to Washington and shown the mountain of film NASA had collected from the very beginnings with John Glenn, the first astronaut to orbit the earth in February 1962, until Apollo 17 December 1972. Use whatever I wanted, I was told, plus all the talk-back between ground control in Houston and the various space missions. NASA's extraordinary and spectacular images made me realize I had access to a treasure house beyond imagination.

“From the beginning, I wanted Mike Oldfield to write the music, and the soundtrack which emerged – a combination of hitherto unreleased recordings including the orchestral versions of Oldfield's early masterpieces, Tubular Bells and Hergest Ridge - is remarkable, perfect in every way; evocative, powerful, an inspiring match for the images. And I'm sure it is that, plus of course the astonishing NASA footage and the sound of the astronauts chatting away in space. Virgin Films may have long gone, but together these elements made and make the film what it is - something rather special.”

This version comes complete with Director's Cut Bonus DVD of the movie.

For more information:
https://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/search/product_details/15883/Mike_Oldfield-The_Space_Movie_Original_Soundtrack.html

Release Date: 16th October 2015

An exclusive screening of the 80-minute restored version of The Space Movie will be held at Cinema 2 at The Barbican in London on Sunday 15th November at 6 pm. http://www.barbican.org.uk/film/new-cinemas

Spock's Beard Celebrates 20 Years with Best Of

Legendary Californian progressive-rockers Spock’s Beard are set to release The First Twenty Years collection on the 20th November 2015. Arriving as a special 2CD & DVD package, it includes a selection of the best tracks from their entire career, as well as a brand new 19-minute long track titled Falling for Forever that features every member of Spock’s Beard past and present performing, including Neal Morse (who also wrote the track), Nick D’Virgilio & current vocalist Ted Leonard. All the tracks have also been re-mastered by long-term collaborator Rich Mouser, and the DVD portion of the release will feature old, live and archival footage from the band’s impressive 20+ year career.

Dave Meros talked about the album:

"We were adamant about not wanting to just release a bunch of our earlier material in a new package, especially to loyal fans who probably own most, if not all of our albums already. With that in mind, Neal came up with the new epic Falling for Forever which clocks in at almost 20 minutes and was written specifically to include all current and past members of the band. Luckily, everyone’s schedule lined up to be able to record it and even better, Rich Mouser was available to record and mix it as well as remaster all of the earlier songs. Add to that a DVD with a lot of previously unseen video footage from the early days of the band and we think we have a package our fans will really get into."

Neal Morse had this to say about the release:

"As we were kicking around the idea of a Spock's Beard Best Of', the idea of having some kind of an additional track came up. I felt, as always, like it would be more exciting to do something new than to rehash something we had already done. Then one morning I got inspired and wrote the music that would become Falling for Forever. It was a lot of fun writing for the Spock's gang including Ted and Nick's voices… I definitely had them all in my mind… and I think the end result is really, really cool. Al is killing it on guitar, Dave's bass tone will take the paint off your walls, Ryo is ripping on the keys as usual, and both Jimmy and Nick trade off drum solos toward the end of the song! Ted sings the choruses, Nick sings the middle section, and I sing the verses. It's truly a team effort. The SB fans are going to love it!"

The First Twenty Years showcases just how important Spock’s Beard have been to progressive rock since their formation in 1992, and how consistently brilliant they remain to this day.

Disc 1
1. The Light (from The Light)
2. Thoughts (from Beware of Darkness)
3. The Doorway (from Beware of Darkness)
4. June (from The Kindness of Strangers)
5. Day for Night (from Day for Night)
6. At the End of the Day (from V)
7. Solitary Soul (from Snow)
8. Wind at My Back (from Snow)

Disc 2
1. The Bottom Line (from Feel Euphoria)
2. She Is Everything (from Octane)
3. On a Perfect Day (from Spock's Beard)
4. Jaws of Heaven (from X)
5. Waiting for Me (from Brief Nocturnes and Dreamless Sleep)
6. Tides of Time (from The Oblivion Particle)
7. Falling for Forever

Enchant Prepares for European Tour

After almost a decade, Enchant, the Bay Area's long-running Prog Rock institution, are soon to return to Europe for live appearances next month in promotion of their acclaimed comeback album The Great Divide, which was released last year via InsideOutMusic.

Therefore, the band has checked in with a special video message about the upcoming tour:

The tour will be a double-headlining bill featuring Enchant as well as Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion, kicking off (for Enchant) at the 2015 edition of ProgPower Europe festival in The Netherlands on October 4th.

Enchant + Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion - European Tour 2015:
Oct 4 - Baarlo, The Netherlands - ProgPower Europe (Enchant only!)
Oct 5 - Berlin, Germany - Magnet (Tickets)
Oct 6 - München, Germany - Kranhalle (Tickets)
Oct 7 - Oberhausen, Germany - Zentrum Altenberg (Tickets)
Oct 8 - Rüsselsheim, Germany - Das Rind (Tickets)
Oct 9 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schocken Club (Tickets)
Oct 10 - Zoetermeer, The Netherlands - De Boerderij (Tickets)
Oct 11 - London, UK - The Underworld (Tickets)
Oct 12 - Bilston, UK - The Robin 2 (Tickets)
Oct 13 - Paris, France - Backstage (Tickets)

Additionally, Enchant have confirmed the following appearances in North America:
Oct 23 - Houston, TX - BFE Rock Club
Oct 24 - Austin, TX - Empire Control Room & Garage
Nov 15-19 - Cruise To The Edge

Enchant Line-Up:
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:
www.enchantband.com
www.facebook.com/enchantband
https://twitter.com/Enchantband

Odin's Court Launch Crowd Sourcing Campaign

US based progressive rock and metal band Odin's Court announced a crowd sourcing campaign to release 2 albums: Deathanity (R3) and Turtles All the Way Down Vol, II. Deathanity (R3) is a “reboot” of the original ProgRock Records album released in 2008, consisting of a remix (original recording), new recording (e.g., vocals), and a re-master. Turtles All the Way Down, Vol. II continues the concept started in 2015’s album by the same name.

Rewards for campaign backers include CDs, digital releases, shirts, signed drum heads, vinyl banners, coasters, picks, an invitation to a listening party, and more. Samples and more details may be found at the following link:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/odinscourt/odins-court-deathanity-reboot-and-turtles-ii

By launching this crowd sourcing campaign, the band wishes to continue the momentum gained from the positive press received on their latest album Turtles All the Way Down.

Band leader Matt Brookins commented on the decision to revisit Deathanity:

“This was an important album to the band – we worked hard independently, and then shopped it to labels. It was picked up by ProgRock Records in 2008, and to date remains our best selling and most popular release. While we were, and still are, proud of what we did, there are some factors that made us want to revisit and improve the quality of the album…mainly, the addition of Dimetrius LaFavors (lead vocals), but also my improvements as an engineer and producer. Additionally, the concept of the album is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, so hopefully we will reach even more ears with this re-release. Stylistically, this album is heavy, progressive, and artsy.”

Turtles All the Way Down, Vol. II continues where the last album left off, exploring the concept of infinite regression and individuals’ methods of finding their place and coping in such a vast universe.

Odin's Court is:
Matt Brookins – Guitarist, Keyboardist, Vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist
Rick Pierpont – Guitarist and Backing Vocalist
Dimetrius LaFavors – Vocalist
Gary Raub – Drummer, Percussionist, and Backing Vocalist
Jason Pierpont – Bassist

Odin's Court on the web:
Band: www.OdinsCourtBand.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/odinscourtband
YouTube: www.youtube.com/odinscourt

The Aaron Clift Experiment to Release Sophomore Album

The Aaron Clift Experiment will be releasing Outer Light, Inner Darkness this September. This is the second CD by the Austin, Texas ensemble and marks a musical plateau for the group with its intricate compositions, complex arrangements and virtuosic performances.

Band leader, Aaron Clift explains:

“Outer Light, Inner Darkness is a concept album about duality: light vs. darkness, individual vs. group, hope vs. despair, etc. Songs in the first half of the album detail the conflict between these opposing forces, while the songs in second half of the album are a journey toward reconciling the extremes. The album culminates with Bathed in Moonlight, a song about how humanity can learn to embrace its outer light and inner darkness and become one with both sides of its nature.”

Watch the new video for Kissed by the Sun:

The Aaron Clift Experiment combines elements of classic and cutting-edge music into an innovative whole by drawing from a wide range of influences – from classic progressive rock acts like Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Rush to modern groups like Porcupine Tree and Opeth to classical and jazz composers like Beethoven, Schubert, and John Coltrane.

In 2012, the band released its critically acclaimed debut album, Lonely Hills, to rave reviews from both fans and the music press and was named one of the best unsigned bands of 2013 by Prog Magazine.

Says Aaron:

“Although The Aaron Clift Experiment started as my solo project, Outer Light, Inner Darkness marks the birth of ACE as a full-fledged band.”

The Aaron Clift Experiment:
Aaron Clift – Vocals/Keyboards
Eric Gutierrez – Guitar
Joe Resnick – Drums
Devin North – Bass

To purchase Aaron Clift Experiment's Outer Light, Inner Darkness CD:
www.aaronclift.com/shop

For more information:
http://aaronclift.com/

 

Fughu to Kick Off European Tour

Prog metal gauchos from Buenos Aires, Fughu are coming to Europe later this month for their first European tour. The band that opened for Dream Theater at the Luna Park in 2008 will play in Vienna (Austria), Subotica (Serbia), Novi Sad (Serbia), Belgrade (Serbia), Szeged (Hungary), Cluj-Napoca (Romania), Bielsko-Biala (Poland), Wroclaw (Poland), Poznan (Poland), and Berlin (Germany). The Argentinians will be joined by Polish post/prog rock band Abstrakt on select dates.

For the full tour dates check below.

Fughu released three studio albums so far: Absence in 2009, and in 2013 they put out two fantastic albums simultaneously Human (The Tales) and Human (The Facts), which were received very well by fans and media. The records feature guest contributions by guitarist Jeff Kollman, and singers Dario Schmunck and Damian Wilson (Threshold, Headspace, Landmarq, Maiden United, Ayreon, Star One).

The band is currently readying their fourth studio record, but they will take a break from September 17th to September 27th and visit Europe for the first time.

Fughu 2015 European tour dates:

Sept 17 – Vienna (AUT) @ Reigen Live with Tsar Alliance and Palindrome
Sept 18 – Subotica (SRB) @ Clash Club
Sept 19 – Novi Sad (SRB) @ Firchie Think Thank Studio with Gernika and Counterfate
Sept 20 – Belgrade (SRB) @ Danguba with Nula
Sept 21 – Szeged (HUN) @ Live Music Club with Taine and Dramatic Morals
Sept 22 – Cluj-Napoca (ROM) @ The Shelter with The Hourglass and Vespera
Sept 23 – DAY-OFF
Sept 24 – Bielsko-Biala (POL) @ Rudeboy Club with Abstrakt
Sept 25 – Wroclaw (POL) @ Od Switu Do Zmierchu with Abstrakt
Sept 26 – Poznan (POL) @ Blue Note with Abstrakt
Sept 27 – Berlin (GER) @ Cortina Bob with Abstrakt and Jordi Kuragari

Fughu online:
http://www.fughu.com
https://www.facebook.com/fughu

4th Annual Prog Award Winners

Prog Magazine unveiled the winners of the 4th Annual Prog Music Awards. This year the awards were presented at the Underglobe venue beneath Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London on September 3rd 2015.

And the winners are:

Limelight Award (Newcomer)

Heights (UK)

Vanguard Award (Breakthrough artist)

Purson (uk)

Anthem Award (Best song)

Gagarin, by Public Service Broadcasting

Live Event (Best show)

Marillion Weekends 2015

Best Band or Artist Award

Opeth (se)

Best Album Award

hand.cannot.erase, by Steven Wilson

Outer Limits Award

Roy Wood

Commercial Breakthrough

Steven Wilson (uk)

The Storm Thorgerson Grand Design Award

hand.cannot.erase Deluxe edition, by Steven Wilson

The Chris Squire Virtuoso Award

Danny Thompson

Visionary Award

Bill Nelson

Guiding Light Award

Roger Dean

Lifetime Achievement Award

Gentle Giant

Prog God Award

Tony Banks

Congratulations to all the winners!