Oct. 16, 2012 – Los Angeles, CA – Much to the excitement of Progressive Rock fans worldwide, multi-instrumentalist, producer/engineer, singer/songwriter Billy Sherwood is releasing his new solo CD ‘Art Of Survival’ on October 5, 2012. As well as being band member/producer of bands such as CIRCA:, YES, World Trade, Conspiracy and more recently The Prog Collective and The Fusion Syndicate, this CD marks the 6th solo release from Sherwood, who performs all instruments and vocals, as well as delivering his signature sonic spectrum in the production.
Billy broaches a number of controversial and topical subjects in ‘The Art Of Survival’. Songs with titles such as “Drone Decipher”, “Chosen By Divinity”, “The Military Industrial Complex” and “Whose Side Are We On” explore topics such as the idea of extremes in surveillance, paranoia, propaganda, geo-politics, modern age warfare, technology, faith and the art of survival. “The idea of the CD is how the integration of politics, technology, faith and zealotry mix and mingle,” explains Billy.
In other news, along with the release of ‘The Art Of Survival’, Billy has been producing a number of projects including the latest release by UK prog legends Nektar, The Prog Collective and The Fusion Syndicate projects, Days Between Stations second release and others. “I produced/recorded/mixed Nektar’s new studio record called ‘Time Machine’, coming soon,” says Billy. “The Prog Collective is an all original record I wrote/produced/mixed and then played on, featuring many great artists from the prog genre. It is a very special record containing some of progs biggest names. I am currently writing the next PC record as we speak.” The Fusion Syndicate is a similar production as The Prog Collective, following the same model except in the fusion-jazz genre. Also, CIRCA: recently performed a series of successful shows in Brazil. Says Billy, “We are assembling music from various live performances and looking forward to releasing a live record as the next CIRCA: CD. We are discussing making a new studio record as well.” Lastly, Billy will be producing and writing material for legendary actor William Shatner’s new solo CD; a concept album featuring amazing guest artists!
Join Billy Sherwood and the Prog Collective on the Moody Blues’ Moodies Cruise! Setting sail to Jamaica March 20-25, 2013, along with the Moody Blues, the Prog Collective (featuring Billy Sherwood and Tony Kaye) will be joined by The Strawbs, The Zombies, Little River Band, Ambrosia, Stephen Bishop, Asia Feat. John Payne and Joe Williams of Toto. For more information on this unique cruise check out the website at http://moodiescruise.com/
In conclusion, Billy has this to impart to his fans and listeners: “I appreciate the support and hope you enjoy this new record.”
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Please visit the online store to purchase ‘The Art Of Survival’ along with other Billy Sherwood solo works: www.billysherwoodhq.com
“Whose Side Are We On?” video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUpVAhSCOi4&list=PL5A6348E726E47AA2&index=2&feature=plcp
Billy Sherwood’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/billysherwoodhq
Billy Sherwood’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/billy.sherwood.54?ref=tn_tnmn
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(Source: Glass Onyon PR)
LONG LIVE BILLY SHERWOOD.
Stone.
I have come to the conclusion, that Progressive Metal and Progressive Hard Rock are the genres that keep me grounded. Dream Theater offers me the best of two worlds, like a one-two Metal punch… this band makes me want to Rock out, then again, I have many moments with their music when I want to chill, in a Metal sort of way. I am not at all stating that Dream Theater can be easy listening Progressive Music… no way. They offer the segues, interludes, intro’s and instrumentals that serve as that musical cushion to fall back on, while awaiting the heavy parts. This is what draws me into their music, to always expect the unexpected with the Progressive nature of Dream Theater. Dream Theater has for me, come so far, paid their Metal dues, to be now recognized as a Progressive Metal super power. It is difficult to dispute the vast landscape of progressive musical ingenuity that Dream Theater bestows. listening to their new music is a reminder to me, that you can erase any other thoughts in your mind and escape into an album of songs.
“A Rite Of Passage” is an amazing song, it reminds me of what maybe Rainbow would sound like, in 2009. The keyboards in this song is what has me thinking of vintage Rainbow, the melody also has a deep, rich, Classic Rock flavor. “A Nightmare To Remember”, the opening song, has all the dynamics I come to expect from Dream Theater, musically and lyrically. I am very glad the story line to this song has a happy ending, despite the child mentally reliving such a personal experience that is the referred nightmare. “Black Clouds & Silver Linings”, (released on June 23, 2009), has most certainly eclipsed my expectations of what to expect, both musically and lyrically. This new Dream Theater release deservedly reached #6 on the Billboard album charts on the initial week of it’s release. It is clear that new fans have embraced Dream Theater and all of their epic Progressive Metal.
I have been riding on a rather enjoyable, Progressive Metal & Progressive Hard Rock wave of music as of late. Am I complaining? Not when bands like The Mars Volta release the Progressive elasticity of songs that they have titled – “Octahedron”. It is Hard Rock music like this, that challenges the outer reaches of my very own musical senses. I suppose that is what Progressive Music is meant to do? I am not going to fib here, it took me well into my third listen of “Octahedron” to have “it” finally hit me. The “it” is the focused energy and streamlined patience and musical precision, that are consistent, musical nuances I hear in these songs from The Mars Volta. Let’s be real, these artistic lined, Hard Rock songs, with all of their progressiveness, were not written over night. Is it considered to be uncool these days, to have a thought process and spacial intellect towards music? Not in my realm of listening to Hard Rock – or Metal for that matter. The Mars Volta has thrown “Octahedron” to the progressive wind, it has blown my way and this is what I have to say.
“Since We’ve Been Wrong” has my inner psyche floating somewhere out there in 1979, the retrospective, ambient rays of melody I hear in this song, has me laying on a freshly mowed lawn, staring up at a clear blue sky. “Teflon” does not stray too far away from this dreamy type of feeling either, it only Rocks a little harder. “Halo Of Nembutals” has me agreeing with the assertion that lead vocalist Cedric Bixler Zavala really does sound like the living legend – Geddy Lee of Rush. (This comparison has been thrown around quite a bit, it should be construed as a compliment, much better than being compared to the vocals of Jim Nabors, aka Gomer Pyle). With this song, carrying it’s way into “With Twilight As My Guide”, I tend to realize that I have fallen victim to a cascade of Progressive Hard Rock sanctity. I refuse to just stand pat and not let my feelings be known, about a band that is able to grasp the flexibility and open mindedness of song writing, both lyrically and musically. The Mars Volta apparently were either born as collaborative musicians or they visited some type of mystical being, in a tropical rain forest, who granted them the ability to eradicate themselves of any staleness and ego – thus anointing them with Progressive Musical powers.
“Cotopaxi”, “Desperate Graves” and “Copernicus” are three songs in a row, that I swear are a path that lead me to believing that the words status quo are not in The Mars Volta vocabulary. Omar Rodriguez Lopez has given new meaning to the phrase – lead, not follow – for if this musician were to follow, I would probably be listening to a band that wants to fit in and play it safe, like so many bands who don’t follow their hearts and instincts do. The same goes for Cedric Bixler Zavala, as both a vocalist and lyricist. If anything, I am completely guilty of being passionate about the music that moves me. The Mars Volta are just as guilty for being passionate in creating the music that stands up and above, so much so, the “Octahedron” CD cover does not even bear their name. It is the music that really matters, the music that stands alone, it is not a name of a band, the physicality or gender of it’s members, nor the image. “It” is really all about the finished product, the music and what it says. “Octahedron” speaks more if you give “it” the space and respect is so justifiably deserves.
There is no disguising the fact, I have been an ELO fan my entire life. The Electric Light Orchestra has music that actually fits into any type of mood I am in. From the more mellow “Eldorado” album to the rather upbeat “Discovery” album, ELO has always been there for me. Certainly, Metal Music (including all of it’s incredible sub genres of Extreme Metal Music) is my mainstay, #1 always and forever – still, there are those many moments in my life where I turn to ELO for inspiration and musical enjoyment. ELO is music. ELO is a Progressive Rock giant that in my Metal opinion, has always been cutting edge, if you will, with their musical arrangements and overall sound. Here are 12 cool facts for ELO fans to savor over, new fans of ELO just might find these facts to be of interest too.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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