The long awaited Stick Men album Prog Noir is now available for pre-sale in 3 formats: 1- Signed Limited Edition Combo Package - Deluxe Box Set (2LP/2CD/Poster) with T-Shirt 2- Regular CD 3- Download (WAV, FLAC, ALAC and/or MP3-320 formats)
The double CD version of this album will only be available in the Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set. Moreover, all Box Sets will be signed by all three members of the band (Tony Levin (stick), Markus Reuter (touch guitar), Pat Mastelotto (drums)).
The Deluxe Box Set has a pre-order cost of $140 USD / 120 EUR plus shipping. Those who contribute $200 USD / 180 EUR or more, will have their names included in credits inside of the box set. The single CD costs $17 USD / 15 EUR plus shipping. The Download costs $10 UDS / 9 EUR plus shipping.
Prog Noir tracklist: CD1 1. Prog Noir 5:37 2. Mantra 5:46 3. Plutopnium 4:47 4. The Tempest 5:42 5. Schattenhaft 4:31 6. A Rose in the Sand / Requiem 4:36 7. Leonardo 4:56 8. Trey's Continuum 4:02 9. Embracing the Sun 4:53 10. Never the Same 6:29
CD2 (only with the Deluxe Box Set): 1. Plutonium (Instrumental) 4:48 2. Hintergasse 1 2:28 3. The Tempest (Viced Edit) 4:55 4. Never the Same (Instrumental) 6:05 5. Hintergasse 2 0:41 6. Prog Noir (Instrumental) 5:37 7. Embracing the Sun (Ambient Mix) 5:08 8. Dystopia 11:04
Stick Men will also be touring the album: Prog Noir Tour 2016 - Chapter Two Oct 11 - Lomme, France (Maison Folie Beaulie) Oct 12 - Tilburg, The Netherlands (Paradox) Oct 13 - Heerlen, The Netherlands (Nieuwe Nor) Oct 14 - Wiesbaden, Germany (Alte Schmelze) Oct 15 - Weingarten, Germany (Kulturzentrum Linse) Oct 18 - Kiev, Ukraine (The Caribbean Club) Oct 19 - Tel Aviv, Israel (Barby) Oct 21 - Nove Mesto Nad Vahom, Slovakia (Blue Note) Oct 22 - Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republik (Usti Nad Labem Jazz and Blues Festival) Oct 23 - Brno, Czech Republik (Sono Centrum) Prog Noir Tour 2017 - Chapter Three Jan 10 - Seattle, WA (The Triple Door) Jan 11 - Seattle, WA (The Triple Door) Jan 12 - Portland, OR (Mississippi Studios) Jan 13 - Eugene, OR (Hi-Fi Music Hall) Jan 18 - Oakland, CA (Yoshi's) Jan 20 - Santa Cruz, CA (Kuumbwa) Jan 22 - Agoura Hills, CA (The Canyon Club) Jan 24 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato) Jan 25 - Los Angeles, CA (The Baked Potato) Jan 26 - San Juan Capistrano, CA (The Coach House) Jan 27 - San Diego (Brick By Brick) Jan 28 - Mexicali, BC, Mexico (Bol Bol) Jan 29 - Phoenix, AZ (The Crescent Ballroom) Feb 1 - Santa Fe, NM (The Bridge) Feb 7-11 - Tampa, FL & Cozumel, Mexico (Cruise to the Edge 2017) More announced and confirmed dates coming soon!
Dutch music legends Focus are known around the world for their iconic albums, including the hits Hocus Pocus, Sylvia and House of the King. After the reunion of Focus and the release of the Focus 8 album, the band toured the world and was introduced to new musical styles and influences. The line-up on this album features Thijs van Leer, Pierre van der Linden, Bobby Jacobs, and Jan Dumée.
The sessions for the album were all recorded in between South American tour commitments during 2005, and every track is a previously unreleased composition by the members of Focus or producer Marvio Ciribelli.
Thijs van Leer said of the album:
“For Focus it was a thrill to first jam with Marvio and Marcio in a club in Niteroi and then end up in Rio de Janeiro in order to compose and record these beauties. Having one of the best drummers in Europe with Pierre van der Linden and one of South America’s best drummers with Marcio Bahia on the same album makes the world a better and happier place! Here they are!”
The album features all-star Brazilian musicians including Arthur Maia and Mario Seve joining Focus on new recordings, and vice versa, plus a drum duet with Marcio Bahia… as musicianship once again goes Beyond the Horizon…
Focus 8.5: Beyond the Horizon tracklist: 1. Focus Zero 2. Hola, Como Estas 3. Rock 5 4. Millennium 5. Inalta 6. Talking Rhythms 7. Surrexit Christus
To purchase: Amazon CD: http://geni.us/ZTRWj3 iTunes: http://geni.us/RDPEAsO
Sweden-based progressive rockers Karmakanic are set to release their fifth album DOT on July 22nd, 2016. Now they are pleased to reveal the first lyric video for an edit of the originally 23-minute epic track God the universe and everything else no one really cares about, Pt. I (Edit),
You can see the lyric video edit here:
Jonas Reingold had this to say about the track, which also features his colleague from The Tangent, Andy Tillison, on Hammond organ:
"When you are trying to compress a 30-minute prog epic into 6 minutes, you know that you are up for a difficult task. What parts should be in it? Will the fans get the lyrical content? Can I somehow make a coherent piece of music in this format? Well, that's really up to the listener to decide but I feel strongly that the parts I put together really work well in combination with this fantastic video. I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did while working on this. Soon you all will hear the whole song, but until then, enjoy!!!"
The album is available for pre-order at these links: http://smarturl.it/KarmaDOTIOMshop http://smarturl.it/KarmaDOTitunes http://smarturl.it/KarmaDOTamazonMP3 The is the band's first studio album since 2011's much-praised In A Perfect World and the current line-up includes Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), Morgan Ågren (Casualties Of Cool, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai), Lalle Larsson (Agents Of Mercy), Nils Erikson, Krister Jonsson, Andy Bartosh and Ray Aichinger For more info on the upcoming release, read here. Karmakanic Online http://www.facebook.com/karmakanic-55405124891/ http://www.reingoldrecords.com/
Renowned singer / songwriter & guitarist John Wesley has announced he will release his forthcoming 8th studio album 'a way you'll never be' on October 7th, 2016.
John had this to say:
"'a way you'll never be' was fairly big step for me in that I have worked extremely hard at bringing the two sides of my writing together; the "acoustic singer songwriter" and the "electric heavy guitar" elements. This album is most certainly the set of songs that has successfully combined my introspective lyrics with the aggressive type of guitar playing and writing that I love. Mark Prator and Sean Malone brought the songs to life as an amazing rhythm section. The themes of the lyrics, the melodies, and the playing make these my favourite, most cohesive and adventurous set of tracks to date. Stylistically the songs revisit some of the guitar music of the 70's that grabbed me and made me want to be a guitarist. Sonically I combined those 70's big guitar tones with the modern sounds available to us as guitarists today."
In support of the album, John will head out as support to Marillion & Steven Wilson in the US & Canada: With Marillion Oct 21 2016 - The Regency Ballroom San Francisco, CA, USA Oct 22 2016 - Saban Theater Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, CA, USA Oct 25 2016 - Paramount Theatre Denver, CO, USA Oct 27 2016 - Vic Theatre Chicago, IL, USA Oct 28 2016 - Vic Theatre Chicago, IL, USA Oct 29 2016 - Hard Rock Live Northfield, OH, USA Oct 31 2016 - Danforth Music Hall Toronto, ON, Canada Nov 1 2016 - Virgin Mobile Corona Theatre Montreal, QC, Canada Nov 2 2016 - L'Impérial Bell Québec, QC, Canada Nov 4 2016 - Royale Boston Boston, MA, USA Nov 5 2016 - 9:30 Club Washington, DC, USA Nov 6 2016 - Keswick Theatre Philadelphia, PA, USA Nov 8 2016 - Playstation Theater New York, NY, USA With Steven Wilson Nov 17 2016 - Center Stage Atlanta, GA, USA Nov 18 2016 - The Plaza Live Orlando, FL, USA Nov 19 2016 - State Theatre Tampa, FL, USA Nov 20 2016 - Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA 'a way you'll never be' was produced by Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Studios and sports a cover by renowned artist Carl Glover.
Progressive metal outfit Next To None are taking a break from working on new music to hit the road on a mini-US tour. The tour kicks off this Wed. July 13th in Fort Atkinson, WI.
Based out of the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, the band features Max Portnoy on drums, Ryland Holland on guitar, Kris Rank on bass, and Thomas Cuce on keyboards and lead vocals.
Their album A Light in the Dark, released in Jun 2015, was recorded when the band members were 15 and 16 years old, and was produced by Mike Portnoy.
The complete set of dates: Jul 13 - HIJYNX Fort Atkinson, WI Jul 15 - The Back Bar Janesville, WI Jul 16 - Skyway Theatre Minneapolis, MN Jul 17 - Agora Cleveland, OH Jul 21 - State Theatre St Petersburg, FL Jul 22 - Cabana Inn Sarasota, FL Jul 29 - Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia, PA
Next To None are: Max Portnoy - Drums Ryland Holland - Guitar Kris Rank - Guitar Thomas Cuce - Keyboards, Bass
After 8 wonderful albums and 15 years together, Swedish eclectic prog band Beardfish has called it quits. The band posted this statement on their Facebook:
After a longer hiatus and some disagreements and various difficulties within the band we have decided to call it quits. This was not an easy choice to make. Beardfish has always been our main musical outlet - a proper garage band - the kind that meet up in the rehearsal studio and try out new material together for long, massive sessions at a time. Some of the best times of our lives have been spent together on the road, in the studio and just hanging out.
Growing up, having families and all that has made that particular way of working very difficult, leading to long periods where we haven't been able to rehearse.. And we LIKE to play.
We've had a very good run though; eight albums in fifteen years, nine if you include "The early years" (ten if you count "The Sane Day" double album as two!). We've toured with some great bands. We've met amazing people and found friends in places we'd never been before.
We want to thank everyone who has supported us throughout the years, you guys are fantastic and the prog community is a very special place to be a part of.
We spent our youth and our early adulthood as Beardfish and we grew up within the band.. Individually we will now venture out into other musical projects. No matter what, Beardfish has been very special and we will all hold it close to our hearts, but right now it's time for new adventures.
"So real, it's surreal" A Love Story - The Sane Day (2005)
Beardfish Rikard, David, Robert & Magnus
Rikard Sjöblom will still attend the Uppsala Prog Festival on August 13, in Uppsala, Sweden, as a solo artist with his band.
Santiago prog rockers Aisles have just released Upside Down, the second single off their fourth studio album Hawaii. Aisles’ guitarist and producer, Germán Vergara explains:
"Upside Down talks about a future society that has gained awareness of the tragedy that is losing the planet Earth and decides to begin again, living life in a completely different way. Emotionally it's a song about regret, but at the same time hope, happiness, and freedom.
Musically we wanted to convey the feeling of vertigo because these humans will live in cylinders that rotate on their axes generating gravity. It's a powerful song. Its energy comes mainly from the vocal performance and the piano lines to transmit the idea of change, transformation and freedom. It has one of the most original guitar solos we've ever written".
Hawaii is a two-disc concept album about human colonies established in space after the destruction of the Earth. The LP will be released on July 29, 2016 via Presagio Records on CD and digitally, while the vinyl edition will be available in November. Preorder available in various formats and bundles on Aisles official website.
Legendary Jazz-Rock-Fusion band Brand X has reunited and is preparing to celebrate their reunion with a Fall 2016/Spring 2017 U.S. tour, including a headline performance at Progtoberfest in Chicago on October 21st. Also on this initial run will be shows in Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Boston to name a few.
Brand X are recognized as true musical pioneers, as they helped create an entire musical genre and influenced a broad spectrum of musicians and bands, from Phish to Dream Theatre. They are unrivaled in their creativity, originality and approach. Their contemporaries include bands such as Weather Report, Headhunters, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jaco Pastorious and Chick Corea, all crafting a unique blend of Jazz, Rock, and Ethic influences now widely known by fans worldwide as Fusion.
After years of rumors of a potential reunion, it is finally happening. Three of the four main members came together recently in New York, and according to sources present at the rehearsals, listening to them play was “...like traveling back in time to the legendary Livestock album – there was no question this was Brand X! Their sound was uncannily identical to the Brand X of Livestock – and that in itself speaks volumes”
The Band: John Goodsall (Guitars): Original Brand X guitarist says, “It's a better version now. We’re all a lot more experienced – a lot more skilled… And that goes for every one of us.” Percy Jones (Bass): Original Brand X bassist says, “This music takes us back to a certain space – which was really cool. I wasn't sure I’d ever feel that feeling again – and yet here it is!” Kenwood Dennard (Drums): Original Brand X drummer who’s also played with Sting and Jaco Pastorious says, “When we used to play this music, it felt eternal. We used to get into a zone where it felt so deep. Now that's exactly how it felt again.” Chris Clark (Keyboards): Formerly of John Entwistle Band (The Who), and Richie Cannata's Band (Billy Joel). Scott Weinberger (Percussionist): Sessions with Adrian Belew, and live with The Security Project (Jerry Marotta, formerly of Peter Gabriel and Trey Gunn formerly of King Crimson)
London-based progressive metal band Haken have just completed the European leg of their Affinitour in support of their latest release Affinity. Now they are pleased to announce the North America tour for this Fall. The tour kicks off in Chicago, IL on Aug. 30th and concludes in Portland, OR on Sept. 21st. The group will also make a stop at major US festival ProgPower in Atlanta, on Sept 10th. New Jersey Prog outfit Thank You Scientist join the group on this 17 date trek. The band had this to say about the upcoming tour:
"After last year's success in North America, we've been eager to get back and play to our amazing fans over there and also travel to new territory in Texas, Arizona and the west coast. To make things even more exciting, we're taking one of our favourite bands out with us - Thank You Scientist. If you haven't heard these guys, you've been missing out!"
North America Tour Dates w/Thank You Scientist United States Aug.30: Chicago, IL - Reggie's Aug.31: Niagra Falls, NY - Rapid's Theater Canada Sept.1: Toronto, ON - Mod Club Sept.2: Montreal, QC - Club Soda Sept.3: Quebec City, QC - L'Imperial United States Sept.4: Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall Sept.6: New York, NY - Marlin Room Sept.7: Philadelphia, PA - Founday Sept.8: Frederick, MD - Café 611 Sept.9: Richmond, VA - Canal Club Sept.10: Atlanta, GA - ProgPower USA Sept.13: Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar & Grill Sept.14: San Antonio, TX - Rockbox Sept.16: Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto Sept.17: Los Angeles, CA - Complex Sept.20: Seattle, WA - El Corazon Sept.21: Portland, OR - Ash Street Saloon Affinity has been receiving great reactions from press. You can now order the album at these links: InsideOut Music Shop: http://www.insideoutmusicshop.com/b/haken/ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/affinity/ Amazon: http://smarturl.it/affinityAMAZON Haken online:www.hakenmusic.com www.twitter.com/Haken_Official http://www.facebook.com/HakenOfficial
Polish prog masters Riverside are pleased to announce the release of a 5.1 mix version of their current album Love, Fear and the Time Machine. This special edition of the band's latest, much acclaimed 6th studio album will be released worldwide via the band's longtime label partner InsideOutMusic worldwide on July 22nd, 2016 as CD+DVD Digipak with slightly modified artwork with the following tracklisting:
Disc 1 / CD -"Love, Fear and the Time Machine" Album: 1. Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened By a Hat?) (05:51) 2. Under the Pillow (06:47) 3. #Addicted (04:52) 4. Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire (06:56) 5. Saturate Me (07:08) 6. Afloat (03:11) 7. Discard Your Fear (06:42) 8. Towards the Blue Horizon (08:09) 9. Time Travellers (06:41) 10. Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching) (04:03)
Disc 2 / DVD-AV - "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" Album: 1. Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened By a Hat?) (05:51) 2. Under the Pillow (06:47) 3. #Addicted (04:52) 4. Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire (06:56) 5. Saturate Me (07:08) 6. Afloat (03:11) 7. Discard Your Fear (06:42) 8. Towards the Blue Horizon (08:09) 9. Time Travellers (06:41) 10. Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching) (04:03)
"Video Clips": 1. Love (Trailer) (01:38) 2. Fear (Trailer) (01:58) 3. Time Machine (Trailer) (01:07) 4. Found (Video Clip) (04:06)
The bonus DVD is a hybrid disc (DVD-AV), which has a DVD-Audio and a DVD-Video session on the same disc.
Riverside commented as follows about the upcoming release:
"We had never been in favor of releasing our albums in 5.1 until we recorded LFTM. It's our best sounding release and we thought it would be an interesting experience to hear it in a new version. And so the thoughts have materialized, Bruce Soord has done a brilliant job and I'm fairly sure you're going to like the new sound of LFTM."
As last communicated, Riverside's founding member and guitarist Piotr Grudziński tragically and unexpectedly passed away of natural causes on February 21st, 2016. Rivertside recently issued the following comprehensive update in regards to their activities:
"In our statement we wrote that we had decided to cancel all concerts confirmed for this year and that hasn't changed, Riverside won't play any gigs this year. But we are going ahead with our other plans for 2016.
Many months ago, before Piotr died, we made a plan to release one of our albums in 5.1 in the early summer of 2016 and a compilation of our instrumental tracks in the autumn of 2016. We also have individual plans and guest appearances with other musicians. Our biography has been in the making for over two years and it will be published towards the end of this year - we just didn't expect that it would contain an additional chapter and that its character would change.
We've always been like a family, we have stuck together and always taken care of that bond both on and off the stage. We have also said many times that we have the best fans in the whole world. Our band wouldn't exist without you, without your commitment and all the emotional links that have been created between us over the years. Your reactions and support we have received from you have surpassed our most daring expectations. We'd like to thank you for that from the bottom of our hearts."
In other news, UK's Prog Magazine has announced that Riverside are nominated in two categories for this year's Progressive Music Awards. Their song "Towards the Blue Horizon" is nominated in the "Anthem" category and Riverside are nominated in the "Band/Artist Of The Year" category.
The awards are held on September 1st, 2016 and further details as well as voting options can be found here: www.progmagazine.com/awards
The Neal Morse Band will be releasing a new live 2CD/DVD set and Blu-ray on August 5, 2016 titled Alive Again. Riding on the tremendous success of their breakthrough album, The Grand Experiment, The Neal Morse Band set out on a tremendously successful world tour in the spring of 2015. Neal Morse and Mike Portnoy have teamed up with Randy George, Eric Gillette, and Bill Hubauer to create one of the greatest progressive rock bands of all time. Full stop.
Alive Again will be available as a DVD/2CD set and a standalone Blu-ray and shows the band at the top of their form performing for a rousing audience in The Netherlands on March 6, 2015.
Says Neal:
“The Alive Again tour and this DVD/Blu-ray is one of the finest we have ever done. In my humble opinion… It's really great! I think you all are really going to dig it. Check it out and you'll understand how amazing this band is! I love it!”
Track Listing: CD 1 1. Alive Again Intro 2. The Call 3. Leviathan 4. The Grand Experiment 5. Harm's Way 6. Bill's Keyboard Solo 7. The Creation 8. There Is Nothing That God Can't Change CD 2 1. Waterfall 2. Eric's Guitar Solo 3. In the Fire 4. Alive Again 5. Rejoice 6. Oh Lord, My God 7. Reunion 8. King Jesus To purchase the The Neal Morse Band's Alive Again 2CD/DVD set or Blu-ray: www.radiantrecords.com For more information:www.nealmorse.com/ www.facebook.com/nealmorse/
Sweden-based progressive rockers Karmakanic recently announced the release of their fifth album Dot for July 22nd, 2016. Now they are pleased to reveal the first album teaser video, which you can see below:
The band, who originally formed in 2002, have returned with their first studio album since 2011's much-praised In a Perfect World and the current line-up includes Jonas Reingold (The Flower Kings), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen), Morgan Ågren (Casualties Of Cool, Frank Zappa, Steve Vai), Lalle Larsson (Agents Of Mercy), Nils Erikson, Krister Jonsson, Andy Bartosh and Ray Aichinger Jonas Reingold had this to say about the album and its themes:
"I got my inspiration to start writing Dot when I stumbled upon a text by the famous American author and astronomer Carl Sagan a while ago. He was talking about how small and insignificant we are in this vast universe.
It's fascinating to think that this little dot is all we are and all we'll ever be. It gives us perspective. And I think perspective is a great tool for making good choices."
Dot also features a track co-written with Jonas' old buddy and colleague from The Tangent, Andy Tillison, and he also contributes Hammond organ on the epic track God, The Universe and Everything Else No One Really Cares About which clocks in at nearly 30 minutes.
Dot tracklist: 1. Dot 2. God the Universe and Everything Else No One Really Cares About, Part I 3. Higher Ground 4. Steer by the Stars 5. Travelling Minds 6. God the Universe and Everything Else No One Really Cares About, Part II The artwork for Dot was created by Hugh Syme, who has previously made covers for Rush, Aerosmith & Iron Maiden. The album will be available as a CD/DVD Jewel case (featuring The Making of Dot, Karmakanic Live in the US and Interviews), LP with CD & digital download. Look out for more info in the coming weeks! Karmakanic Online www.facebook.com/karmakanic-55405124891/ http://www.reingoldrecords.com/
