Archive for prog rock

NEKTAR – UK Prog Legends To Release Highly Anticipated New Studio Album ‘Time Machine’ On June 18 , 2013

Posted in classic rock, Music, prog rock, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on June 10, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Nektar - Time Machine - promo cover pic

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Nektar return with their triumphant 13th album Time Machine on June 18, 2013 on Purple Pyramid Records – the first album of new material in over 4 years – that band leader and founding member Roye Albrighton is calling “The best album Nektar has ever made!” ‘Time Machine’ showcases a new depth of songwriting, melodic complexity and musical exploration that hearkens back to early Nektar releases such as ‘Remember The Future’ and ‘A Tab In The Ocean’.

Nektar, featuring Albrighton, founding drummer Ron Howden, keyboardist Klaus Hentasch and bassist Lux Vibratus, is British, but was formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1970. Their early albums featured a heady, exhilarating mix of progressive, experimental rock sounds that soon caught on worldwide at the height of the international prog-rock boom. Touring the world behind numerous album releases throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s helped to cement the band’s reputation as an influential prog-rock legend.

Having undergone a variety of personnel changes over the past decade or so, the band now boasts its strongest lineup in years and is ready to prove so yet again to its many fans throughout North America. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original release date of the band’s classic album, ’Remember the Future’, Nektar is looking to perform in its entirety this most heralded release from its vast catalog, a rarity in that the band has not performed the entire album live in years.

______________________________________

Nektar Time Machine CD is available for pre-order now at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Time-Machine-Nektar/dp/B00CGUSM16

Nektar / Son’s Of Hippies US Tour Dates:

June 20 – Sully’s – Chantilly, VA

June 21 – Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA

June 22 – Sellersville Theatre – Sellersville, PA

June 23 – B.B. King Blues Club & Grill – NYC

June 26 – The Winchester Music Hall – Cleveland, OH

June 26 – The RockPile Bar & Nightclub – Toronto, ON, Canada

June 28 – Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI

June 29 – Viper Alley – Lincolnshire, IL

June 30 – Famous Dave’s Blues Club – Minneapolis, MN

July 02 – Rogue Pizza Co. – Fayetteville, AR

July 03 – Cheer Up Charlie’s – Austin, TX

July 04 – The Grotto – Fort Worth, TX

For more information visit Nektar’s official website: www.nektarsmusic.com

_____________________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE NEKTAR.

Stone.

About these ads

UK Modern Prog Ensemble SANGUINE HUM Release Eagerly Awaited New Studio Album: ‘The Weight Of The World’

Posted in Music, prog rock, progressive rock, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on May 6, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Sanguine_Hum_Album - The Weight Of The World - promo picjpg

London, UK – Esoteric Antenna is pleased to announce the release of the eagerly awaited new studio album by Modern Progressive Rock ensemble Sanguine Hum. ‘The Weight of the World’ sees Oxford, UK’s Sanguine Hum expand their musical horizons on all fronts with a seven-track collection of diverse compositions – technically challenging and exciting yet always melodic and direct. Songs such as “From the Ground Up”, “Cognoscenti” and “System for Solution” pursue the Porcupine Tree meets Radiohead approach of their debut record ‘Diving Bell’ with powerful yet intricate riffs propelling the songwriting that continues to make ever more inventive use of surprising twists and turns in the arrangement.

“Best prog rock album so far this century. The kind of record that prog rock bands 40 years from now will try to copy…” - Michael Bjorn, Strange Days (Japan)

Surprises are to be found as well in the instrumentation as the band open up the sound and more explicitly reference a love of electronica and the music of artists such as Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, best heard in the song “Day of Release” as synthetic percussion and rumbling synths give way to chiming acoustic guitar and a soaring vocal melody. As a counterpoint, the album also features the highly atmospheric “Phosphor”, which sees Sanguine Hum break new creative ground.

____________________________________

Perhaps even more exciting for a band that perhaps held some of their progressive influences in check on their debut album, is the 15-minute title track that manages the task of combining effective and emotional songwriting with thrilling musical developments that push the band to the limit. ‘The Weight of the World’ breaks new ground for a band at the forefront of truly “progressive” music.

Recorded at Oxford’s Evolution studios, Joff Winks (vocals, guitars, programming), Matt Baber (keyboards, percussion, programming), Brad Waissman (bass) and Andrew Booker (drums, percussion) have pushed the creative boundaries of Sanguine Hum to produce one of THE truly progressive and landmark albums of 2013.

In support of the release of ‘The Weight of the World’, Sanguine Hum will be performing at The Borderline in London on Friday June 7th with TIN SPIRITS and MATT STEVENS. The band will also be playing at Band on the Wall in Manchester on June 21st – same line-up as at the Borderline.

ESOTERIC RECORDINGS LOGO Promo HI RES

SANGUINE HUM – ‘The Weight of the World’ CD can be purchased at http://www.cherryred.co.uk/esoteric-exd.asp?id=4017

SANGUINE HUM - ‘The Weight of the World’ Limited Digipack 2 disc deluxe edition with Bonus DVD (NTSC Region Free): The Making of ‘The Weight of the World’ home movie.

Cherry Red Records logo

For More Information:

www.troopersforsound.com

www.esotericrecordings.com

Esoteric Antenna is a Cherry Red Records label

______________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE SANGUINE HUM.

Stone.

NEKTAR – UK Prog Legends Nektar To Tour The US Summer 2013!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Music, prog rock, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on May 4, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Nektar - Time Machine - promo cover pic

London, UK – One of the summer’s most highly anticipated tours, “Legends of U.K. Classic Rock”, will feature progressive rock legends Nektar, beginning in June 2013. After a bit of an absence from U.S. Stages, Nektar is sure to be a treat for concert-goers who will be fortunate enough to catch one of the shows!

Nektar founding member Roye Albrighton (guitars/lead vocals) says, “We can promise you high quality performances wherever we play. I know I speak on behalf of the band when I say we are all looking forward to it.”

Nektar, featuring Albrighton, founding drummer Ron Howden, keyboardist Klaus Hentasch and bassist Lux Vibratus, is British, but was formed in Hamburg, Germany in 1970. Their early albums featured a heady, exhilarating mix of progressive, experimental rock sounds that soon caught on worldwide at the height of the international prog-rock boom. Touring the world behind numerous album releases throughout the ‘70s & ‘80s helped to cement the band’s reputation as an influential prog-rock legend.

Nektar cleo photo - promo - 2013

Having undergone a variety of personnel changes over the past decade or so, the band now boasts its strongest lineup in years and is ready to prove so yet again to its many fans throughout North America. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original release date of the band’s classic album, Remember the Future, Nektar is looking to perform in its entirety this most heralded release from its vast catalog, a rarity in that the band has not performed the entire album live in years.

Nektar’s new album, Time Machine, featuring the band’s first album of new original material in several years, will be released on Cleopatra Records on June 18.

__________________________________________

Nektar Tour Dates:

June 20 – Chantilly, WV – Sully’s

June 21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar

June 22 – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theatre

June 23 – New York City – B.B. King’s

June 26 – Cleveland, OH – The Winchester Music Hall

June 28 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall

June 29 – Lincolnshire, IL – Viper Alley

June 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Famous Dave’s Blues Club

_______________________________________________

For Further Information:
 

Nektar facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nektar/198355536955655

Nektar website: http://nektarsmusic.com/nn/home/home_new.asp

_______________________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

For more info on NEKTAR, click on the link below!

http://www.cleopatrarecords.com

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE NEKTAR.

Stone.

Prog Legends SPOCK’S BEARD Film New Video In Support Of Newly Released Album ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’

Posted in Hard Rock, Music, prog rock, progressive rock, rock albums, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on April 26, 2013 by Metal Odyssey

Spocks Beard cover - Brief Nocturnes

Los Angeles, CA – Prog legends Spock’s Beard, in support of their newly released and critically acclaimed album, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, are filming a video for the track Submerged. The three-day shoot is based in Los Angeles, and inside sources say it is a full-on music spectacle! Released on April 2nd, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, marks the return of Spock’s Beard to the InsideOut Music label, and the two-disc set has been garnering rave reviews from fans and critics alike worldwide.

Founding band member Alan Morse comments about the video: “’Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is a new and exciting direction for us, and when we read the director’s treatment for the video, we immediately knew we had found the perfect person to help us bring our musical vision to the screen. It is equal parts performance and concept, and  there will be as many twists and turns in the video as there are in our music. You’ll never hear ‘Submerged’ the same way again.”

Spocks Beard - video pic - promo - #1

In their 20 years together, Spock’s Beard have built a reputation for invention, musicality and sheer restive energy. Yet perhaps nothing they have done before can properly prepare you for their 11th studio album. ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is an album that will constantly surprise. Featuring the recording debut of long-time tour drummer Jimmy Keegan (Santana), and vocalist/guitarist Ted Leonard (Enchant, Thought Chamber), it also sees the return of a familiar name to the song-writing credits – Neal Morse, who has co-written two tracks, his first since leaving the band more than a decade ago.

Gary Brown of Classic Rock Radio Dot EU raves about Spock’s Beard’s ’Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’, “Perfect album from start to finish…one of the best hard rock/mainstream prog albums I’ve heard in a long time!” Ytsejam touts, “In the end, it is the Spock’s Beard album we all have been waiting for, as Morse, Meros, Okumoto, Leonard and Keegan have produced another excellent offering of musical mayhem. A true testament to what progressive rock is in the 21st Century and beyond.”

Co-produced by Alan Morse, Rich Mouser and John Boegehold, ‘Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep’ is described by Meros as, “quirky, edgy, and reminding us a little bit of older times in the band, but also taking us further forward.” In regards to the song the band is filming the video to, “Submerged”, Dave explains, “Ted had originally written and recorded this for his solo album ‘Way Home’ (released in 2007), and it’s a real stadium rocker. We’ve adapted it to our own sound but stayed faithful to Ted’s original arrangement. I wouldn’t say it’s strictly Prog Rock, but fits what we do and is a great song.”

Spocks Beard - video pic - promo - #2

Spock’s Beard Is:

Alan Morse – guitar, vocals

Dave Meros – bass guitar, vocals, keyboards

Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals

Jimmy Keegan – drums, vocals

Ted Leonard – vocals, guitar

 ___________________________________

In closing Dave has this to impart about ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’, “I am proud of what we’ve done. I believe this is the way Spock’s Beard should sound in 2013.”

Spock’s Bears ‘Brief Nocturnes & Dreamless Sleep’ (2CD)(INO0647-2):

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brief-nocturnes-dreamless/id628629207

http://www.amazon.com/Brief-Nocturnes-and-Dreamless-Sleep/dp/B00C40DJ1G/ref=sr_1_6?s=dmusic&ie=UTF8&qid=1364924098&sr=1-6&keywords=spock%27s+beard

___________________________________

For more information on SPOCK’S BEARD, visit:

www.spocksbeard.com

www.facebook.com/spocksbeard

www.twitter.com/spocksb

www.youtube.com/Spocksbeard 

www.insideoutmusic.com

_______________________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE SPOCK’S BEARD.

Stone.

DREAM THEATER – Re-Signs With Roadrunner Records

Posted in classic rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, prog rock, progressive metal, progressive rock, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on December 28, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Dream Theater - Large Band Logo - White!

As reported on Roadrunner Records by Phil Freeman, back on December 3rd, 2012:

Grammy-nominated band Dream Theater, one of rock’s most musically fearless and adventurous bands, has re-signed with Roadrunner Records. The group first signed with Roadrunner in January 2007 and has so far released three critically acclaimed albums with the label. The label first issued Dream Theater’s ninth studio album, Systematic Chaos,in 2007 and went on to release Black Clouds & Silver Linings in 2009, as well as their most recent album, A Dramatic Turn of Events in September 2011. The band will soon begin recording a new album as part of the new agreement with Roadrunner Records.

In 2012, the band received their first-ever Grammy nomination for “On The Backs Of Angels” in the Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance category. The song was the first single from their 11th studio album, A Dramatic Turn of Events, which had 14 Top 10 debuts around the world, including the U.S., where it entered at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. 2009’s Black Clouds & Silver Linings also charted strongly, debuting at #6 on the Billboard Top 200, the highest-charting record of the band’s career.

They have also won several awards while at Roadrunner Records including Rollingstone.com’s readers’ poll for “Your Favorite Prog Rock Albums of All Time” (2012), several awards from the leading Japanese rock magazine BURRN! (2012) and the”Spirit of Prog” achievement award at the 2009 Classic Rock Awards. Overall, the legendary progressive metal masters have sold in excess of 10 million records and DVDs worldwide.A powerhouse live act, they’ve headlined and sold out shows all over the globe.

Dream Theater - Group Publicity Pic - 2011 - #1

The band commented, “We are all very excited to be re-signing with Roadrunner Records! Over the past 5 years from the release of Systematic Chaos to our latest A Dramatic Turn of Events, we’ve developed strong creative and professional bonds with everyone at Roadrunner as well as many great friendships along the way.”

The band adds, “Roadrunner’s dedication and commitment to Dream Theater has been evident to all of us from the very beginning, and is consistent in all departments and on all levels, right on through to the top. Roadrunner is a record label that is not only great at what they do but who truly understand what Dream Theater is all about as well as the amazing people who support us all around the world whom we proudly call our fans. They are a record company we relate to as an organization firmly rooted in its ideals and mission, while always pushing the envelope in an effort to keep things moving ever forward. We’ve reached many career defining milestones while at Roadrunner and are all incredibly pumped in anticipation of our continued future together!”

Dream Theater formed in 1985 under the name Majesty. The lineup has evolved to become John Petrucci (guitar, founding member), John Myung (bass, founding member), James LaBrie (vocals), Jordan Rudess (keyboards and continuum) and drummer Mike Mangini.

Dream Theater recently wrapped up a massive worldwide headline tour in support of A Dramatic Turn of Events and is heading back into the studio to record their next album. The next chapter in Dream Theater’s storied career begins in 2013.

_______________________________________________________________

For more info on DREAM THEATER, click on the links below!

http://www.dreamtheater.net

facebook: Dream Theater

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com

Stone - Motorhead Tee  pic:small

LONG LIVE DREAM THEATER.

LONG LIVE ROADRUNNER RECORDS.

Stone.

Australian Prog Legends Unitopia To Release Highly Anticipated New CD ‘Covered Mirror’

Posted in Music, prog rock, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 28, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Sept., 2012 – Australia – Much to the excitement of progressive rock fans around the globe, legendary Australian prog ensemble Unitopia is releasing a new CD of cover songs titled Covered Mirror on October 31, 2012. The most well-known and respected progressive rock band to emerge from Down Under, Unitopia is back with a ground breaking, powerful new release!
 
“Making a covers album is always a challenge,” confesses lead vocalist Mark Trueack, “and reproducing classic songs and making them ours was always going to be difficult.We spent a great deal of time coming up with ideas and we are very proud of the results. We wanted to take the listener on a journey or experience, if you like. We fused together progressive, pop and rock music into one smooth sound.”
 
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, Unitopia endeavours to draw from the heart and soul of the listener thought-provoking topics such as environmental awareness, political and social upheaval and the hectic pace of life and human relationships in a positive and uplifting light. Using progressive themes as a framework, Unitopia’s music includes elements of world, classical, jazz, heavy rock and groove.
_________________________________
Mark Trueack (composer/lead vocals/producer), Sean Timms (composer/keyboards/backing vocals/producer) and Matt Williams (guitars/backing vocals/producer) form the nucleus of the band. To complete the line-up, they chose the combined drum/percussion batteries of David Hopgood and Tim Irrgang, Craig Kelly on bass and Daniel Burgess (sax/clarinet/flute/piccolo/didgeridoo).
 
Unitopia released their first album ‘More Than A Dream’ in 2007 on the Canadian label Unicorn Digital. The band signed a three-album deal with InsideOut Music in Germany in 2008; the only Australian band to have signed with the label to this day. Unitopia’s second album ‘The Garden’, released that year, established the band as one of the premier progressive rock acts in the world. With the release of their critically acclaimed third CD ‘Artificial’ and a subsequent successful tour of Europe in 2010, the critics were unanimous. “Unitopia has been one of the best live acts on the Progressive Rock scene in the last few years!”
 
The band’s performance at the Boerderij, Zoetermeer in the Netherlands during the 2010 European tour was filmed and recorded. A subsequent live CD and DVD ‘One Night In Europe’ were released in 2011, successfully capturing the excitement of Unitopia in concert. Adding another dimension to Unitopia’s conceptuality, renowned artist Ed Unitsky was brought into the fold, touted as the “fourth Unitopian”. Says Mark in a recent interview with Prognaut, “We found each other on the net. He liked our sound so we started the process of getting to know his art, before engaging in his work.”
 
And now Unitopia has taken their music to another level with their new CD of cover songs. “Both Sean and I chose songs that we both liked and wanted to give them our Midas touch,” says Mark. “We wanted to bring these songs together, by bridging nice musical segways.”
_________________________________
 
Tracks Include:
 
1.  Signs of Life (Prelude) Sean Timms
2.  Calling Occupants (Klaatu)
3.  Easter (Marillion)
4.  Man of Colours (Icehouse)
5.  Genesis Medley (Genesis)

  • The Silent Sun
  •  Suppers Ready
  • Dancing with the Moonlit knight
  • Lamb Lies Down on Broadway
  • Carpet Crawlers

6.  Rain Song (Led Zeppelin)
7.  Even in the Quietest Moments (Supertramp)
8.  Can We Still be Friends (Todd Rundgren)
9.  Speaking The Truth (Dan Burgess/Matt Williams)
10. Everybody’s Gotta learn Sometime (Korgies)
11. Yes Medley (Yes)

  • And You and I
  • Awaken
  • Close to the Edge
  • Soon
  • Onward
  • South Side of the Sky
  • Owner of a lonely Heart

12. To one in Paradise (Alan Parsons)
13. The Way the Waters Moving (The Flower Kings) Bonus Track Remix 2012

 
To purchase Unitopia ‘Covered Mirror’:
As of September 24th - www.unitopiamusic.com 
As of October 31st – Musea Records - www.musearecords.com 
As of December 1st – Bird’s Robe Records - www.birdsrobe.com
 
For more information: http://www.unitopiamusic.com/fr_intro.cfm
_______________________________________________________________
(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

LONG LIVE UNITOPIA.

Stone.

YES – This Day In Rock Music History, February 19th, 1971

Posted in classic rock, classic rock albums, Hard Rock, Music, progressive rock, progressive rock bands, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , , , on February 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

YES – Back on February 19th, 1971, the third studio album from Yes was released in the UK on Atlantic Records. Conveniently titled The Yes Album, it boasts three songs that catapulted Yes into the stratosphere of Rock and Progressive Rock notoriety. Yours Is No Disgrace, Starship Trooper and I’ve Seen All Good People became eventual permanent listening fixtures on FM radio. These are easily the three songs from Yes that triggered me to become a fan of their music, so many years ago.

The Yes Album is without question, my favorite album from the Yes catalog. The Yes Album I regard as a 100% Progressive Rock and Rock classic, from a seriously legendary band that helped pioneer Progressive Rock. Yes belongs nominated and inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame… what an obvious scandal that this iconic band has not been given membership from that confusing “establishment” as of yet.

The Yes Album was released in the United States one month after its UK release. This was the first Yes album that featured the (eventual) legendary guitarist: Steve Howe. For me, I find it so amazing, that The Yes Album was released over 40 years ago and it still sounds so fresh and brilliant to this day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve escaped stress while listening to The Yes Album. As fine of an introduction to Progressive Rock as you’ll hear, The Yes Album stands alone. Simply timeless to my ears is The Yes Album.

_________________________________________________

YES (as they appeared on The Yes Album):

Jon Anderson – lead vocals

Steve Howe – guitars, vocals & vihuela

Chris Squire – bass & vocals

Tony Kaye – organ, piano & moog

Bill Bruford – drums

For more info on YES, click on the links below:

http://yesworld.com

FRONTIERS RECORDS

LONG LIVE YES.

Stone.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 1,608 other followers

%d bloggers like this: