by blake | Mar 15, 2017 | Prog Report
After premiering the The Shattered Fortress featuring an all-star Prog lineup on Cruise to the Edge in Feb, Mike Portnoy has now revealed a number of dates for the event in Europe and other countries including Israel and Russia. The line up consists of members of HAKEN and the NEAL MORSE BAND performing Dream Theater’s 12 Step Suite live in it’s entirety.
Portnoy explains on his Facebook page, “This is not “a new band or project”, it is “an exclusive EVENT” that will be making several exclusive live appearances in select markets throughout the world ONLY in 2017.”
The setlist at the show will be comprised of the 12 Step Suite and select other classic Mike Portnoy/Dream Theater songs
As of now, these are the ONLY Shattered Fortress shows…after 2017, this will NOT be happening again….So don’t miss this ONCE IN A LIFETIME event while you can!
All Tickets on Sale this evening! Wednesday March 15th at 7pm GMT
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Source:: Prog Report
by blake | Mar 14, 2017 | Prog Report
Supergroup KXM, featuring the trio of dUg Pinnick (King’s X), George Lynch (Lynch Mob), Ray Luzier (Korn), are back with a new album, Scatterbrain. The follow-up to their successful debut from 2014, finds the band continuing along a similar path but expanding upon their brand of Hard/Prog Rock with more intensity and a few musical surprises. There is no denying these three stellar musicians gel together like few side projects can. Interestingly, while Pinnick possesses the Prog cred, it is Luzier and Lynch that add just as much punch and technicality to the music, making for an intriguing mix.
The album opens with the hard hitting title track, a reference to the scattered nature of the band’s musical outlook. Immediately the outstanding production is noticeable, especially Luzier’s signature drum sound that emphasizes the bass drums. His use of double bass in unlikely moments adds to the aggressive nature of the track. Luzier’s talent as one of rock’s best drummers is not recognized enough.
One of the album highlights comes with the second track, “Breakout”. Generally, anything Pinnick sings will have a King’s X sound or vibe to it. This track particularly so, with its use of dissonant vocal harmonies during the chorus, one of the signatures of his home band. Pinnick sounds as good as ever belting out screams as if he was back in 1990. Lynch’s guitar solo is melodic and captivating, fitting perfectly. Luzier goes nuts on the drums during the fade out, worth checking out. This is an outstanding track.
Throughout the album the group tear thru a number of hard rock songs, each with their own dynamic moments, from the chorus in “Big Sky Country”, to the reggae breakdown in “Not a Single World” wear Lynch supplies a tremendous solo, to the bluesy closing ballad, “Angel”.
KXM are the real deal, a group of musicians that are brilliant musicians and songwriters. While not a Prog album necessarily, any fan of well played and produced rock will enjoy this album. Get Scatterbrain and play it loud.
Released on March 17th, 2017 on Rat Pak Records
Key Tracks: Scatterbrain, Breakout, Not A Single World, It’s Never Enough
Tracklisting:
01. Scatterbrain
02. Breakout
03. Big Sky Country
04. Calypso
05. Not A Single Word
06. Obsession
07. Noises In The Sky
08. Panic Attack
09. It’s Never Enough
10. True Deceivers
11. Stand
12. Together
13. Angel
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by blake | Mar 14, 2017 | Prog Report
Progtoberfest III goes on sale today, March 14th, with its biggest and best lineup. We caught up founder/organizer Kevin Pollack to find out all the details on this year’s event which runs from Oct 20-22.
What is the latest with Progtoberfest?
Plans are moving along swiftly! Tickets are now on sale. We will still be adding one more headliner for Sunday in due time, but wanted people to be able to buy tickets now. We started planning this lineup back in November 2016.
The lineup looks amazing. How hard was it to get so many great bands?
It wasn’t hard at all. I started early with the bands, and after last year’s fest, I promised people this year will be bigger and better! So I went after as many bands as I could fit in 3 days. You’d be surprised how great it all worked out!
What can people expect this year?
A very diverse lineup. What I like to do is explore outside of progressive rock and go into sub-genres, like Jazz Fusion and post rock. I like to make Progtoberfest a fun atmosphere for people, and Reggies is the best venue for it. We’ll be having bands overlapping in 2 rooms on stages throughout all 3 days, there’s a record store on the 2nd level where we will have meet and greets with the bands and there is a 3rd floor rooftop where people can hang with a full service bar, and an all you can eat BBQ. Reggies has great food so people will not be disappointed!
Who is headlining each night?
Friday night we have the Dave Kerzner Band performing a Tribute to Greg Lake & John Wetton, The Alphonso Johnson Band feat. Chester Thompson, and Aisles (from Chile).
Saturday night we have The Tangent (from UK), Karmakanic (from Sweden), CAST (from Mexico), Wobbler (from Norway), Mike Keneally & Beer For Dolphins, Necromonkey (from Sweden) and Bruce Soord of The Pineapple Thief (from UK).
Sunday we’re excited to have a very special and exclusive show of Jethro Tull’s Martin Barre Band performing the iconic Jethro Tull album Stand Up in its entirety plus an ALL TULL set!
Is the festival audience growing each year?
When we first had the festival in 2014, we only had about 200+ people, then in 2016, we grew even more. This year, with this lineup, we hope to sell out and get more people coming from all over.
Where can people get tickets?
People can buy tickets on Reggies’ website www.reggieslive.com or through the direct ticket link here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1450049?utm_source=MEL&utm_medium=214872
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Source:: Prog Report
by blake | Mar 14, 2017 | Prog Report
While the world sits and waits for a new album, Tool still make themselves available for touring. New North America dates have just been announced.
The tour kicks off at Fairfax’s Eaglebank Arena on May 24 and concludes at the Rosemont Allstate Arena on June 8.
Tickets will go on general sale from 10am local time on March 17 (Friday) with tickets for the Rosemont show going live at 11am.
The band is reportedly working on a new album.
May 24: Fairfax Eaglebank Arena, VA
May 27: Bangor Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, ME
May 28: Boston Calling Festival, MA
May 30: Rochester Blue Cross Arena, NY
May 31: Hamilton First Ontario Centre, ON
Jun 02: Montreal Bell Centre, QC
Jun 04: New York Randall’s Island Park, NY
Jun 05: Pittsburgh Petersen Events Center, PA
Jun 07: Clarkston DTR Energy Music Theatre, MI
Jun 08: Rosemont Allstate Arena, IL
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by blake | Mar 13, 2017 | Prog Report
Haken guitarist Richard Henshall has been very busy. Haken is preparing to tour in celebration of their 10 year anniversary, his side project Nova Collective just released their debut album to critical acclaim, and he is also a part of Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress touring group. In a recent interview with The Prog Report, Rich talked a little about getting to play with Portnoy on the Cruise to the Edge as part of The Shattered Fortress.
“It was crazy, like first to be asked by a legend as Portnoy is such an honor for us and yet a crazy, crazy ride. He told us about a year ago now, so on and off we’ve been kind of going over the songs and the hardest part was just the initial learning process. We learned the songs and then it was just a question of going over and over the songs until they become second nature. We’ve got a few more shows booked up for later this year with The Shattered Fortress stuff, so can’t wait to get out there and do that again.”
The lineup on the cruise was made of Portnoy, Eric Gillette, members of Haken – Henshall, Ross Jennings, Charlie Griffiths, Connor Green and Diego Tejeida, and guests vocalists Daniel Gildenlow and Ted Leonard.
“So Ted And Dan you see did the cruise but I’m not entirely sure if it’s a set up for the other shows. I know that Ross learned all of the songs say he’s got it in his arsenal to put them off but it would be awesome if Daniel and Ted could come along wince they’re such great singers.”
As for getting up to as many side projects as Portnoy, Henshall says doubtful. “I mean I’m totally open to just trying new things and playing with many people as I can really just enjoy playing music. So it’s great fun but I can never never get to his level.”
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Source:: Prog Report
by blake | Mar 11, 2017 | Prog Report
Here is the latest video from the upcoming live release from the Neal Morse Band for Morsefest 2015. The video is for the track “The Grand Experiment” performed on the 1st night of the 2 night event. The live set for Morsefest 2015 will be released on March 24th.
Read our review of the collection here.
Catch the band on tour during 2017 and at Morsefest 2017 on Sept 1-2nd.
March 22nd – Barcelona, Spain – Apolo
March 23rd – Milan, Italy – Magazinni Generali
March 24th – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7
March 25th – Aschaffenburg, Germany – Cola-Saa
March 26th – Berlin, Germany – Lido
March 28th – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja Music Zone
March 29th – Hamburg, Germany – Markthalle
March 30th – Limbourg, Belgium – Salle Le Kursaal
March 31st – Cologne, Germany – Stollwerck
April 1st – Malmo, Sweden – KB
April 2nd – Tilburg, Holland – O13
April 4th – Luxembourg – Rockhal
April 5th – Paris, France – Divan Du Monde
April 6th – Birmingham, England – O2 Academy 2
April 7th – Glasgow, Scotland – O2 ABC 1
April 8th – Manchester, England – O2 Ritz
April 9th – London, England – O2 Islington Academy
August 17 Minneapolis – Amsterdam Hall
August 18 Chicago – House of Blues
August 19 Detroit – St. – Andrew’s Hall
August 20 Pittsburgh – Mr. Smalls Theater
August 22 NYC – Gramercy Theater
August 24 Boston – Wilbur Theater
August 25 Ridgefield, CT – Ridgefield Playhouse
August 26 Philadelphia – Keswick Theatre
August 27 Baltimore – Baltimore Soundstage
September 1&2 Crossplains TN, MORSEFEST 2017
Photo credit: Joel Barrios
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Source:: Prog Report
