This first radio show of August has a good selection of new releases by a variety of bands. First off is Fair to Midlan, an american band that was introduced to me by my good friend Andrew Wood (whom you might remember from last week's High Voltage re-cap special). Arrows & Anchors is their 4th release, a reviews are pretty positive.
Next up is argentinian band Uranian. How I came to discover this band is a funny story, one which I talk about during the radio show so I won't repeat it here. Suffice it to say that reviews of their first CD, three songs of which are played here, are overwhelmingly positive, and I add my own 5 stars to this excellent release.
Sweden's Wolverine has released their 4th CD this year, and at it's release I played only one song off of it. I remedy the situation by playing two more from this excellent prog metal band.
Germany's Shades of Dawn have also released their 4th CD, and Frequency Drift, also from Germany, have recently released their 3rd. Graffiti's Rainbow is Shades of Dawn's first ever epic track, clocking at 25 minutes. Frequency Drift, whose first two releases I absolutely loved, have had some personel changes, and Ghosts, this latest release, reflect that.
Three years after the "Who's the Boss in the Factory?", Sweden's Karmakanic comes back with "In a Perfect World", an excellent release from this Flower Kings offshoot. As for british guitarist Liam Davison of Mostly Autumn, "A Treasure of Well-Set Jewels" is his first solo release, and a great release it is. Very melodic with well written songs.
American band Circa's third release "And So On" (if you don't count "Overflow" which was release only thru iTunes) sounds like an offshoot of Yes, which they are. In fact, they continue in the tradition of the Yes album "Open Your Eyes" on which Billy Sherwood played guitars and keyboards.
Alternativ Quartet's second release "Aripi" is an excellent example of Eclectic Prog. This romanian band has many influences ranging from a classic space rock kind of atmospheres, with a modern, Tool-like sound, and a post-metal songwriting style. An excellent sophomore release.
Portugal's Daymoon is an unsigned band wich deserves greater airplay. Their first release "All Tomorrows" has excellent musicianship and interestingly complex music. This is a very interesting band that shows a lot of promise. And for 1 euro, this album it is truely a steal.
You can download the IPRS radio show number 82 here! (No longer available)
The playlist is as follows:
1. The Greener Grass, by Fair to Midland (Arrows & Anchors, 2011)
2. A Loophole in Limbo, by Fair to Midland (Arrows & Anchors, 2011)
3. Coppertank Island, by Fair to Midland (Arrows & Anchors, 2011)
4. 0 Bytes, by Uranian (La Cuidad de Los Sueños, 2011)
5. Alter Ego, by Uranian (La Cuidad de Los Sueños, 2011)
6. Un Tiempo Después, by Uranian (La Cuidad de Los Sueños, 2011)
7. Into the Great Nothing, by Wolverine (Communication Lost, 2011)
8. Embrace, by Wolverine (Communication lost, 2011)
9. Graffity's Rainbow, by Shades of Dawn (Graffity's Rainbow, 2011)
10. Dreams, by Frequency Drift (Ghosts..., 2011)
11. Sadness, by Frequency Drift (Ghosts..., 2011)
12. 1969, by Karmakanic (In a Perfect World, 2011)
13. Bite the Grit, by Karmakanic (In a Perfect World, 2011)
14. Into the Setting Sun, by Liam Davison (A Treasure of Well-Set Jewels, 2011)
15. Heading Home, by Liam Davison (A Treasure of Well-Set Jewels, 2011)
16. Aripi, by Alternativ Quartet (Aripi, 2011)
17. Speranta şi Grâu, by Alternative Quartet (Aripi, 2011)
18. And So On, by Circa (And So On, 2011)
19. Til We Get There, by Circa (And So On, 2011)
20. First Rain, by Daymon (All Tomorrows, 2011)
21. Arklow, by Daymoon (All Tomorrows, 2011)
As always, if you love the music, please encourage the bands by purchasing their releases by clicking on the links and visiting their websites.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
IPRS #81 Ready for Download
Hello Proggers! In this latest IPRS, my good friend Andrew Barnsley Wood sent his comments about last week's high Voltage Festival. Andrew went to the pre-show on Friday, and then spent the whole of Saturday on site. His views on what he saw and heard are a good indication of how the day went - from strength to strength.
In the second part of the show, I offer an interview I did with Mark Trueack of Unitopia. With the forthcoming release of the live DVD (which you can pre-order here), the Covered Mirror CD set to launch in October, Mark's solo project (Hope), and a small Australian tour in the fall, he is a busy guy! Thanks again to Mark for the time he spent out of his busy schedule!
You can download IPRS show #81 here! (No longer available).
The playlist is as follows:
1. The Thirteenth Hour, by The Reasoning (Adverse Camber, 2010)
2. 14, by The Reasoning (Adverse Camber, 2010)
3. Kiss a Wish, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Approach, 2006)
4. Freedom Fighter, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Love Remains the Same, 2008)
5. Trading Dark Matter on the Stock Exchange, by Amplifier (The Octopus, 2010)
6. Dissassociation, by Caravan (In the Land of Grey and Pink, 1971)
7. Everything, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
8. Universal, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
9. The Devils That I Keep, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
10. Festival, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
11. Breathe In Breath Out, by RPWL (The Live RPWL Experience, 2010)
12. Hole in the Sky, by RPWL (Live - Start the Fire, 2005)
13.Common Goal, by Unitopia (More Than A Dream, 2005)
14. The Garden, by Unitopia (The Garden, 2008)
15. Not Human Anymore, by Unitopia (One Night in Europe, 2011) - Forthcoming
16. The Great Reward, by Unitopia (One Night in Europe, 2011) - Forthcoming
17. The Silent Mirror, by Unitopia (Covered Mirror, 2011) - Forthcoming
18. What Kinf od World, by Unitopia (Artificial, 2010)
19. More Than a Dream, by Unitopia (More Than a Dream, 2005)
20. Backbone, by Ennis Tola (Backbone CDS, 2011)
As always, if you like the music the purchase the CDs. Simply follow the links!
In the second part of the show, I offer an interview I did with Mark Trueack of Unitopia. With the forthcoming release of the live DVD (which you can pre-order here), the Covered Mirror CD set to launch in October, Mark's solo project (Hope), and a small Australian tour in the fall, he is a busy guy! Thanks again to Mark for the time he spent out of his busy schedule!
You can download IPRS show #81 here! (No longer available).
The playlist is as follows:
1. The Thirteenth Hour, by The Reasoning (Adverse Camber, 2010)
2. 14, by The Reasoning (Adverse Camber, 2010)
3. Kiss a Wish, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Approach, 2006)
4. Freedom Fighter, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Love Remains the Same, 2008)
5. Trading Dark Matter on the Stock Exchange, by Amplifier (The Octopus, 2010)
6. Dissassociation, by Caravan (In the Land of Grey and Pink, 1971)
7. Everything, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
8. Universal, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
9. The Devils That I Keep, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
10. Festival, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
11. Breathe In Breath Out, by RPWL (The Live RPWL Experience, 2010)
12. Hole in the Sky, by RPWL (Live - Start the Fire, 2005)
13.Common Goal, by Unitopia (More Than A Dream, 2005)
14. The Garden, by Unitopia (The Garden, 2008)
15. Not Human Anymore, by Unitopia (One Night in Europe, 2011) - Forthcoming
16. The Great Reward, by Unitopia (One Night in Europe, 2011) - Forthcoming
17. The Silent Mirror, by Unitopia (Covered Mirror, 2011) - Forthcoming
18. What Kinf od World, by Unitopia (Artificial, 2010)
19. More Than a Dream, by Unitopia (More Than a Dream, 2005)
20. Backbone, by Ennis Tola (Backbone CDS, 2011)
As always, if you like the music the purchase the CDs. Simply follow the links!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
IPRS # 80 Ready for Download
This is becoming a yearly tradition, the High Voltage Festival IPRS Special. This year I concentrated on the Prog Stage events. Today you'll hear music by bands old and new, established and up-and-coming. All interesting. So here, for your listening enjoyment is the link to download this past Friday's International Prog Rock Show #80 (No longer available). Next week I'll have on-the-spot comments from everone's favorite brit - Andrew "Barnsley" Wood - as he sees and hears most of the shows at High Voltage (and I'll play some of the songs he mentions... if he mentions any!), plus an interview with Mark Truack of Unitopia about upcoming releases, shows, and everything under the sun.
The playlist is as follows:
1. Endless, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Approach, 2006)
2. Miracle, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Stars Aligned, 2011)
3. O Fortuna, by Amplifier (Insider, 2006)
4. White Horse at Sea, by Amplifier (The Octopus, 2010)
5. Nine Feet Underground, by Caravan (In the Land of Grey and Pink, 1971)
6. A Simple Mistake, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
7. Summernight Horizon, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
8. Break of Day, by Neal Morse (Testimony, 2003)
9. Supernatural, by Neal Morse (Testimony 2, 2011)
10. Titles, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
11. Hymn, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
12. The Alien Messiah, by Pallas (XXV, 2011)
13. XXV, Part I, by Pallas (XXV, 2011)
14. Mockingbird, by The Enid (Risen, 2011)
15. The Tower, by The Enid (Risen, 2011)
16. Midnight Wire, by Curved Air (Midnight Wire, 1975)
17. Over and Above, by Curved Air (Phantasmagoria, 1973)
18. Half the Mountain, by Mostly Autumn (Live 2009, 2009)
19. Carpe Diem, by Mostly Autumn (Live 2009 Set II. 2010)
20. In the Mouth of Madness, by Spock's Beard (The Kindness of Strangers, 1997)
21. Their Names Escape Me, by Spock's Beard (X, 2010)
22. My God, by Jethro Tull (Live at Montreux, 2010)
23. Locomotive Breath, by Jethro Tull (Live at Montreux, 2010)
As always, if you like the music, purchase the CDs, either from the artists by clicking on the links above, or through your favorite CD vendor.
The playlist is as follows:
1. Endless, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Approach, 2006)
2. Miracle, by Von Hertzen Brothers (Stars Aligned, 2011)
3. O Fortuna, by Amplifier (Insider, 2006)
4. White Horse at Sea, by Amplifier (The Octopus, 2010)
5. Nine Feet Underground, by Caravan (In the Land of Grey and Pink, 1971)
6. A Simple Mistake, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
7. Summernight Horizon, by Anathema (We're Here Because We're Here, 2010)
8. Break of Day, by Neal Morse (Testimony, 2003)
9. Supernatural, by Neal Morse (Testimony 2, 2011)
10. Titles, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
11. Hymn, by Barclay James Harvest (Nexus, 1998)
12. The Alien Messiah, by Pallas (XXV, 2011)
13. XXV, Part I, by Pallas (XXV, 2011)
14. Mockingbird, by The Enid (Risen, 2011)
15. The Tower, by The Enid (Risen, 2011)
16. Midnight Wire, by Curved Air (Midnight Wire, 1975)
17. Over and Above, by Curved Air (Phantasmagoria, 1973)
18. Half the Mountain, by Mostly Autumn (Live 2009, 2009)
19. Carpe Diem, by Mostly Autumn (Live 2009 Set II. 2010)
20. In the Mouth of Madness, by Spock's Beard (The Kindness of Strangers, 1997)
21. Their Names Escape Me, by Spock's Beard (X, 2010)
22. My God, by Jethro Tull (Live at Montreux, 2010)
23. Locomotive Breath, by Jethro Tull (Live at Montreux, 2010)
As always, if you like the music, purchase the CDs, either from the artists by clicking on the links above, or through your favorite CD vendor.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Radio Show 79 Ready for Download
The latest edition of the International Prog Rock Show has aired today on UK70s Prog Rock. Unfortunately it aired an hour later than scheduled. This was beyond my control, and I hope that listeners didn't mind hearing the end of the Keith Emerson Band live in Moscow before my show aired (I certainly didn't mind hearing Tarkus live again).
This week the featured band is Lazuli, a French band in the Eclectic Prog genre. Their latest release, 4603 Battements (meaning 4603 Beats), has enchanted me. From the opening clock sounds of "(", followed by the unrelenting "Je te laisse ce monde", with chords that resemble Genesis' Tonight Tonight Tonight, to "Festin ultime" wich ends with a reprise of "Je te laisse ce monde" in the form of the closing parenthesis ")", this whole album is a must for any prog fan. All the songs are sung in french, obviously, but this shouldn't scare off fans who don't understand the language.
This is not to mean that the other bands featured here are not worthy of your attention.
You can download show 79 here (Podcast no longer available).
The playlist is as follows:
1. GK contramundum, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
2. Awaiting the Call, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
3. Ramblin' Sailor, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
4. Dance No More, by Frequency Drift (Ghosts, Forthcoming)
5. A Life's Work, by Magic Pie (The Suffering Joy, 2011)
6. Kodac Moment, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
7. Colors in Stereo, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
8. Summer Solstice, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
9. Shroud, by Prospekt (Prospekt, 2011)
10. Iconoclast, by Symphony X (Iconoclast, 2011)
11. The End of Innocence, by Symphony X (Iconoclast, 2011)
12. Right in Two, by Tool (10000 Days, 2006)
13. Je te laisse ce monde, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
14. L'azur, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
15. Festin ultime, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
16. ), by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
17. 2012 Light Years from Home, by Apocalypse (2012 Light Years from Home, 2011)
18. To Where the Maps End, by Rainbow Danger Club (Where Maps End, 2011)
19. Live on in Photographs, by Rainbow Danger Club (Where Maps End, 2011)
20. Primera Luz, by Jaime Rosas (Flashback, 2011)
As always, if you love the music, I encourage you to purchase the CDs by following the links above, or by going to your favorite CD vendor, be it close to home or over the internet.
This week the featured band is Lazuli, a French band in the Eclectic Prog genre. Their latest release, 4603 Battements (meaning 4603 Beats), has enchanted me. From the opening clock sounds of "(", followed by the unrelenting "Je te laisse ce monde", with chords that resemble Genesis' Tonight Tonight Tonight, to "Festin ultime" wich ends with a reprise of "Je te laisse ce monde" in the form of the closing parenthesis ")", this whole album is a must for any prog fan. All the songs are sung in french, obviously, but this shouldn't scare off fans who don't understand the language.
This is not to mean that the other bands featured here are not worthy of your attention.
You can download show 79 here (Podcast no longer available).
The playlist is as follows:
1. GK contramundum, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
2. Awaiting the Call, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
3. Ramblin' Sailor, by Advent (Cantus Firmus, 2006)
4. Dance No More, by Frequency Drift (Ghosts, Forthcoming)
5. A Life's Work, by Magic Pie (The Suffering Joy, 2011)
6. Kodac Moment, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
7. Colors in Stereo, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
8. Summer Solstice, by Moonlit Sailor (Colors in Stereo, 2011)
9. Shroud, by Prospekt (Prospekt, 2011)
10. Iconoclast, by Symphony X (Iconoclast, 2011)
11. The End of Innocence, by Symphony X (Iconoclast, 2011)
12. Right in Two, by Tool (10000 Days, 2006)
13. Je te laisse ce monde, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
14. L'azur, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
15. Festin ultime, by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
16. ), by Lazuli (4603 Battements, 2011)
17. 2012 Light Years from Home, by Apocalypse (2012 Light Years from Home, 2011)
18. To Where the Maps End, by Rainbow Danger Club (Where Maps End, 2011)
19. Live on in Photographs, by Rainbow Danger Club (Where Maps End, 2011)
20. Primera Luz, by Jaime Rosas (Flashback, 2011)
As always, if you love the music, I encourage you to purchase the CDs by following the links above, or by going to your favorite CD vendor, be it close to home or over the internet.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Unitopia pre-sale of DVD
My friend Truey of Unitopia has, with his band, just complete the mix of their latest output, a DVD of their show of 15 October 2010 at the Boerderij, in Zoetermeer, The Netherlands. Pre-sale starts next Monday on the 18th of July on the Unitopia website only. The DVD will be released on the 15th of September. A Double CD of is also available for pre-order. When pre-ordering, you also get a free download of a new song off of their "More Than A Dream - A Dream within a Dream" CD.
For information about the track list, and to see the beautiful covers done by Ed Unitsky, drop by their website, and pre-order both, as I will!
BTW, I will have a chat with Truey next week for inclusion in an upcoming IPRS. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: Link fixed! You can now reach the Unitopia website. Thanks!
For information about the track list, and to see the beautiful covers done by Ed Unitsky, drop by their website, and pre-order both, as I will!
BTW, I will have a chat with Truey next week for inclusion in an upcoming IPRS. Stay tuned!
UPDATE: Link fixed! You can now reach the Unitopia website. Thanks!
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