by Markmon40 | Jan 22, 2018 | News
The words Rush fans have hoped not to hear came from guitarist Alex Lifeson in a recent interview with The Globe And Mail: “It’s been a little over two years since Rush last toured. We have no plans to tour or record any more. We’re basically done. After 41 years, we felt it was enough.
This comes as no surprise really, as the band seemed to be heading in that direction on the documentary Time Stand Still from 2016. Other than releasing a few reissues, most recently A Farewell to Kings 40th Anniversary set, the band has been out of the limelight.
Lifeson however has kept himself busy as he explains, “But I’ve actually been busier lately than I have been in a while. I’m writing a lot. I’m writing on four or five different little projects. I get these requests to do guitar work with other people. It’s really a lot of fun for me. It’s low pressure: I get to be as creative as I want to be and I can work a little outside of the box, which is really attractive to me.”
Let’s hope this changes in the future.
by Markmon40 | Jan 22, 2018 | News
Kino have announced the release of their new album ‘Radio Voltaire’, arriving 13 years after the band’s much-loved debut ‘Picture’ back in 2005. Out on March 23rd, 2018, it sees John Mitchell (It Bites, Lonely Robot) & Pete Trewavas (Marillion) teaming up once more, with Craig Blundell (Steven Wilson) on drums & John Beck (It Bites) guesting on keyboards.
Recorded at the end of 2017, writing began at the end of that Summer. “We actually began the writing process in late August” says John Mitchell. “Pete had a few tunes and so did I, and we went from there.” Mitchell and Trewavas were both a crucial part of the original band more than a decade ago, with the former providing lead vocals and guitar parts, while the latter played his trademark bass lines and also contributed backing vocals.
Keyboard player John Beck, who is also a bandmate of Mitchell’s in It Bites, has been brought back. But while he was fully involved on the debut album, this time his role is that of a guest musician. “Yes, I am delighted to say we’ve gone John on board. His keyboard playing is splattered throughout the album, and I’ve also done the odd keyboard part myself.” The task of drummer this time fell to Craig Blundell, as Mitchell explains: “This time around Craig was the obvious choice to be the drummer, as far as I was concerned. I have worked with him so much that there was nobody else in the frame.”
Of the albums direction, Mitchell illustrates: “The title sounds very cool and obviously there’s a connection with the band Cabaret Voltaire. But Voltaire himself (the 18th century French philosopher) had a fascination with death, which appealed to me. He also stood for freedom of speech and freedom of religion. On top of that, I love the idea of a radio station that would reflect his views on life and cut through the bullshit which seems to be all over politics. Now, that is the type of radio station I think would reflect what a lot of us want to hear.”
The album cover has been designed by Paul Tippett, who is one of the most in demand artists of the modern era. “I like what he’s done with this sleeve. It reminds me of Moulin Rouge meets ‘Live And Let Die’. It is very striking, and I am sure everyone will have their own interpretation of what it reminds them of.”
The album will be available on Limited CD Digipak (including bonus tracks), Jewel Case CD, Gatefold 180g Double Vinyl (incl. CD) & Digital Download.
The tracklisting can be found below:
1.Radio Voltaire
2.The Dead Club
3.Idlewild
4.I Don’t Know Why
5.I Won’t Break So Easily Any More
6.Temple Tudor
7.Out of Time
8.Warmth of the Sun
9.Grey Shapes on Concrete Fields
10.Keep The Faith
11.The Silent Fighter Pilot
Bonus Tracks
12.Temple Tudor (Piano Mix)
13.The Dead Club (Berlin Headquarter Mix)
14.Keep The Faith (Orchestral Mix)
15.The Kino Funfair
by Markmon40 | Jan 18, 2018 | News
The landmark album, Brave, released in 1994 by Marillion, will be released on 4CD/Blu-ray, 5LP and through digital platforms on March 9 via Rhino Records. The set includes the original studio album which has been newly remastered by Steven Wilson, and will include a complete recording of the band’s April 29, 1994 performance from La Cigale in Paris, which has been expanded with nine previously unreleased tracks.
The CD and Blu-ray will feature the original album mix by Dave Meegan alongside the 96/24 audio of Steven Wilson’s remix in stereo and 5.1. Included are illustrated booklets describing the story behind the sonic experiments that led to the album’s atmospheric as well as promo videos for “The Great Escape,” “The Hollow Man” and “Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury,” along with the documentary ‘It All Began With The Bright Light – Recollections Of Brave.’
It features live footage and interviews with the band’s Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, and Ian Mosley. The live performance from Paris originally featured on Marillion’s 1996 album Made Again, but has been newly mixed by Michael Hunter.
More on the making of Brave can be found in the book ‘Essential Modern Progressive Rock Albums,’ available here.
by Markmon40 | Jan 11, 2018 | News
We are in a new era of guitar virtuosity with some incredible players making names for themselves. Add Al Joseph to ths list. The Berklee grad is getting ready to release the debut album from his band Hymine and it showcases not only his insane guitar chops but also his powerful voice.
Formed in the heart of Los Angeles, HYVMINE is the brain child of world-renown progressive-metal guitarist and virtuoso, Al Joseph. After nearly five full years of flooding the scene with guitar mayhem Al sets out in efforts to make yet another mark on the metal scene by not only chopping trees with his axe, but now blowing down houses as the lead vocalist and front-man of this new guerrilla army.
HYVMINE is now set to release its debut album ‘Earthquake’ on Jan 19th.
AJ says, ”This new music is not only about bringing the house down but about uplifting the soul. Now with the collective and creative efforts of his newest members he hopes to express a completely raw side to his music for years to come. Choose your weapons wisely and get ready for war!”
The album’s first single “Shogun” combines a barrage of thunderous double bass drums with prog metal guitar rhythms accompanied by Al Joseph’s soulful voice and out of this world solos.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8brRZIIkIU]
by Markmon40 | Jan 11, 2018 | News
Ayreon Universe is the Best of Ayreon Live – A unique performance featuring 16 singers, 28 songs, 2+ hour performance, 9000+ fans and a special appearance by Arjen Lucassen. All of this captured by 30 cameras!
It’s proof that you should never say ‘never’. After creating rock operas in the studio for more than 20 years, prog mastermind Arjen Lucassen, aka Ayreon, finally took his Universe to the stage in September 2017. Three shows sold out within hours after announcing. 9000+ Fans from all corners of the world flocked to the 013 venue in Tilburg, the Netherlands to see this long-awaited show live.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0GPJ_FqJLU]
This unique performance features 16 singers, 28 songs, an 8 piece band and a special appearance by Arjen. The duration of the show was more than 2 hours. It was filmed with 30 cameras and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray with 5.1 surround audio, with an extensive list of extras, including a behind-the-scenes documentary with interviews with every singer and musician, and a compilation of the try-out show performed a few weeks earlier.
Two years in the making, Ayreon Universe is a full on rock extravaganza, featuring songs from all Ayreon albums, including 2017’s The Source, plus a few fan favorites from Star One. An amazing array of singers appeared on stage to bring the Ayreon Universe to life: Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Damian Wilson (Headspace), Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian), Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Anneke van Giersbergen (The Gentle Storm), Marco Hietala (Nightwish), Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Mike Mills (Toehider), Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion), Irene Jansen, Robert Soeterboek (Star One), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Edward Reekers (ex-Kayak), Jay van Feggelen, Maggy Luyten (Nightmare) and Lisette van den Berg (Scarlet Stories).
This is the show every Ayreon fan wants to see and hear!
Out on March 30 via Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group
Pre-order date: January 30
AYREON UNIVERSE will be released on the following formats:
5-Disc Earbook with 2CD, 2DVD and Blu-ray
Blu-ray
2DVD
2CD
3LP (Black vinyl)
3LP (Gold vinyl – Ayreon webstore exclusive – Limited to 500 copies)
Digital download / streaming
Full specs will be announced in the coming weeks.
by Markmon40 | Jan 5, 2018 | News
Legendary Dutch progressive rock band KAYAK will release their seventeenth studio album entitled “Seventeen” next Friday on January 12th, 2018. Today they have launched an animated video for the track ‘La Peregrina’, the second single to be taken from the album, and you can watch that here:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3kyZ50Ibqo?iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=1&autoplay=0]
Founding member Ton Scherpenzeel comments: “‘La Peregrina’ is the story about the merciless passing of time and the vanity of man, as observed by the legendary pearl that represents eternal beauty. It watches the rise and fall of kings and serves to enhance the status of queens who wear it, and knows all their secrets. An intriguing idea that inspired me to write this longest epic – the album version is almost 12 minutes long – on the new KAYAK album.”
Ton comments on the upcoming new record:
“Who would have thought that the quirky Dutch prog band that began its journey in 1973 (the year “See See The Sun” came out) would still have a future some 45 years later. Yes, we have had our share of ups and downs. Often it seemed the band would either break up for good or fade into oblivion. But we didn’t. So here we are, a new line up, but as dedicated to the music as we were in the beginning. If there is a secret to KAYAK’s longevity, it must be that. Writing this, I realize that the album title does not only mark the number of studio albums KAYAK has made up until now. It also represents that exciting feeling of being 17 all over again, embarking on a musical journey, full of expectations. And just like in 1973, I don’t know where it will lead us, but we’re on our way. Here’s to new horizons.”
“Seventeen” is now available to pre-order on 2CD Digipak (featuring an extra disc with 36 minutes of demo material), gatefold 2LP + CD & digital download at www.insideoutmusicshop.com.
Digital pre-orders through iTunes & Amazon receive the track ‘Feathers & Tar’ immediately and you can also stream the track on Spotify, Apple Music & other services: http://smarturl.it/KAYAKSeventeen
The full track-listing is as follows:
Disc 1
1. Somebody (3:04)
2. La Peregrina (11:42)
3. Falling (3:08)
4. Feathers And Tar (3:14)
5. Walk Through Fire (10:23)
6. Ripples On The Water (3:40)
7. All That I Want (3:47)
8. X Marks The Spot (1:58)
9. God On Our Side (3:30)
10. Love, Sail Away (3:12)
11. Cracks (8:50)
12. To An End (3:32)
Disc 2
1. Cracks (Demo 2016) (10:16)
2. La Peregrina (Demo 2016) (12:21)
3. Falling (Demo 2016) (3:00)
4. Walk Through Fire (Demo 2016) (10:41)
