Australian progressive metal outfit Caligula’s Horse are back! The four-piece from Brisbane is ringing in a new chapter with a new single and video release for Golem and album announcement for Charcoal Grace, which is set for release in January 2024 via InsideOutMusic.
Golem is the first taste of the new album and gives a glimpse of the thematical depth of Charcoal Grace. The band says about the new single:
“Golem is about how we all struggled with the weight of expectation through the pandemic. We felt that weight acutely as musicians, being trapped with no notion of when, or even if, we would return to the life we knew, all while feeling the pressure to create our next work rising. While that’s our specific experience, the themes of Golem are something we can all relate to. It’s a heavy song with an emphasis on riffs and driving rhythms.”
Charcoal Grace is the 6th studio album of the band, and it combines raw rock power with immense emotional depth. Charcoal Grace is borne of the static hopelessness that the pandemic forced upon the band and, indeed, much of the world, these past few years. It is an album reckoning with the experiences and outcomes of this time geared, ultimately, towards catharsis – moving towards a more hopeful future.
The title Charcoal Grace is described by the band as “the grim allure and strange beauty in stillness, silence, and loss”. This can be heard through the album’s 10-minute opening track “The World Breathes With Me,” a mission statement for the album’s main themes. Musically, it’s a work of contrasts, moving from the lightest ebb to the heaviest flow. Meanwhile, the second track and first single from the album, “Golem,” examines struggling with the weight of expectation through the pandemic. It’s a heavy song with an emphasis on riffs and driving rhythms.
At the center of the album is the 4-part title track suite, a 24-minute opus that pushes deeper into the album’s foundational themes: connection, alienation, and the ways humanity acts under duress. Musically, it covers every facet of the band’s vocabulary, from heavy and dense orchestral-accompanied intensity embodying the song’s darkest lyrical ideas, through to soft acoustic-driven moments and introspection.
Tracklist:
Side A
The World Breathes With Me (10:00)
Golem (05:20)
Side B
Charcoal Grace I: Prey (07:48)
Charcoal Grace II: A World Without (06:48)
Charcoal Grace III: Vigil (03:22)
Charcoal Grace IV: Give Me Hell (06:13)
Side C
Sails (04:31)
The Stormchaser (05:57)
Mute (12:00)
Charcoal Grace is available as Ltd. CD Digipak, CD Jewelcase (US only), Gatefold 2LP in various colours & Digital Album.
The band recently played tours in both Europe and America to fully present their 2020 release “Rise Radiant” for the first time after the pandemic. Caligula’s Horse are now supporting Devin Townsend for three gigs in Australia before returning to the US next year in support of their new album.
Australia:
10/11/2023: The Forum, Melbourne
11/11/2023: The Metro, Sydney
12/11/2023: The Tivoli, Brisbane
US:
31/01/2024: DC, Washington, Union Stage
01/02/2024: Philadelphia, PA, Underground Arts
02/02/2024: Boston, MA, Brighton Music Hall
03/02/2024: New York, NY, The Gramercy Theatre
04/02/2024: Montreal, Le Studio TD
06/02/2024: Toronto, The Axis Club
07/02/2024: Pittsburgh, PA, Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall
“We are thrilled to share the exciting news that Progressive Art Rock band Refestramus is embarking on a new musical journey with Melodic Revolution Records.
Over the years I have heard the same thing over and over that music is dead, and there is nothing new that’s worth listening to. I would have to disagree, every day I discover so much great music, whether I discover it on social media, streaming services including the likes of YouTube, or even by word of mouth which just happens to be the case here. As we were gearing up for a return of Colouratura for their latest album WTF Was That?! Ian Beabout mentioned that he was involved with another band called Refestramus, I was intrigued as I love the music Ian’ is involved in. Ian then introduced me to Derek Ferguson of Refestramus who also worked on the WTF Was That?! release.
After listening to some demos from the upcoming album Intourist and listening to previous work on streaming sites, I knew that we had to work with the band, they have everything that we look for to be part of the MRR family. So please join me in welcoming an extraordinary band with a fresh sound for fans of not only prog but abroad.
The imminent signing of this record contract marks a significant milestone in our artistic evolution. Our forthcoming album, ‘Intourist,’ set to be released just before Spring next year, takes its name from the Soviet travel agency, ‘Intourist,’ responsible for guiding foreign tourists through the enigmatic and ever-changing landscapes of the Soviet Union during the mid-20th century. ‘Intourist’ serves as a metaphor for the lyrical themes explored in the album, as we delve into the enigmatic and ever-changing landscapes of love, loss, and personal transformation, all set against the backdrop of a world in flux. As we take this next step in our musical odyssey, we’re honored to join forces with a label that shares our passion for timeless and genre-defying soundscapes. Stay tuned for an unforgettable musical experience that will transport you on a journey through our music’s heart and soul.” -Derek
‘Intourist’ will be released in the early months of 2024.
About Refestramus
The band was started in May of 2020 by Derek Ferguson as a home studio project during the height of the global COVID pandemic. Derek had previously been in a series of progressive rock bands in his native Chicago and used the extra time afforded by the era of lockdowns to write and record new material. Having been an avid listener of Ian Beabout’s Internet radio program “Prog Rock Deep Cuts”, he reached out to Ian to mix and master the recordings.
Ian introduced Derek to Jerry King, a Wisconsin-based composer and multi-instrumentalist primarily known for his guitar and bass work with Clouds Over Jupiter, Moon Men, and Moon X. Jerry has played bass on all Refestramus recordings including Refestramus’ debut album, Decoupage, which was released in December of 2021.
Besides Jerry, Decoupage featured an international assembly of musicians recruited primarily through the Internet gig website, Fiverr.com. It was warmly received by the Progressive Rock music press, with Peter Thelen of Exposé declaring the album a “solid opening move,” before concluding that he “… look[ed] forward to what comes next.”
Flash forward to 2023 and the ranks of Refestramus have been joined by Derek Pavlic, of Colouratura fame. Ian Beabout, also of Colouratura, is the official producer of the band’s forthcoming album, Intouríst, as well as a part-time flutist and vocalist, as the need arises. Brazilian session keyboards maestro Rogelio Navarro, blues rock vocalist NIDA, and heavy metal vocalist Craig Cairns complete the picture.
The band issued multiple singles in 2023 to give its fans a taste of the new, even “proggier” direction being charted on Intouríst. After the album’s release, they plan to tour extensively in support of it.
Artist: Gingerbass Release Title: Lake City Kid Label: Self-Released Release Date: 20th October 2023 Format: Digital, CD Genre: Instrumental Progressive/Fusion Rock Country: Ireland
Line-up:
Ralf W. Garcia – Bass, Keyboards, Notation & Concept
David O’Donovan – All lead and rhythm guitars
Tracklist:
Oh Yes!
Lake City Kid
Writer’s Block
Turtleneck
Finally…
The EP “Lake City Kid” serves as Gingerbass’s heartfelt nod to non-heavy metal influences that shaped Ralf W. Garcia’s musical journey. Its title pays respect to Garcia’s roots in the city of Konstanz by Lake Constance in Germany. Every track tells a unique story, shedding light on Garcia’s experiences and insights, and fans can delve deeper into these tales on his social platforms. Garcia’s commitment to music, evident from his vast discography and live performances, finds new expression in this EP. Beyond this, there’s an anticipation of a 2024 release, promising Fretless Bass-centric compositions. As for Garcia himself, his career that started in the late 1980s showcases a passionate musician and tutor. His diverse experiences, from studying in multiple countries to working with international bands, all lead to this moment. For those who cherish the sounds of bands like Steve Morse Band and Pink Floyd, this EP is a must-listen. Every song was carefully crafted in Cork, Ireland, with additional touches from professionals in Greece and the UK, and the cover, adorned with original photography, echoes the personal touch that defines this release.
Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train), Neal Morse (Transatlantic, NMB) & Ross Jennings (Haken, Novena) return with their ‘Sophomore’ album out today, continuing their exploration of more acoustic-led music and three-part vocal harmonies. To celebrate, the band have launched a live session video for the track ‘The Weary One’, recorded at Neal’s studio earlier this year.
You can watch the full clip here:
‘Sophomore’ is available on Limited CD Edition (incl. 2 bonus tracks), Ltd Gatefold Transparent Red LP, Ltd Gatefold Transparent Blue LP & as Digital Album. Order now here: https://dvirgiliomorsejennings.lnk.to/Sophomore
The band comment of the album release: Ross Jennings: “I’m so glad the three of us got to do this again and I couldn’t be happier with how our ‘Sophomore’ record successfully continues to expand upon what we set out to achieve with ‘Troika’.”
Neal Morse: “It’s release day for DMJ album number 2! If you enjoyed the first one, there’s lots more for you to dive into in album number two. We’ve combined the vocals – which is what this band is all about – with many diverse musical styles. And all the guys brought their songwriting A game to this one. I can’t wait for you all to hear it!”
Nick D’Virgilio: “I love record release day! It’s always very exciting knowing that the thing you worked so hard to create can now be shared with the whole world. Although “worked so hard” are not really the right words to use. It was a total “labor of love” creating Sophomore with Ross and Neal. Those are the right words. I hope you enjoy the music as much as we did making it!”
Track-list 1.Hard To Be Easy 2.Linger At The Edge Of My Memory 3.Tiny Little Fires 4.Right Where You Should Be 5.The Weary One 6.Mama 7.I’m Not Afraid 8.Weighs Me Down 9.Walking On Water 10.Anywhere The Wind Blows 11.Right Where You Should be (Alternative Version)* 12.The Weary One (Alternative Version)* *CD bonus tracks
The three musicians began trading song ideas in late 2022, before choosing 10 of those to record in January 2023. “I think there was always a plan in the back of everybody’s minds about doing a second one. We just got the conversation started and then started checking out some tunes. There were a lot of songs that were a little less fleshed out than with the first album, but once we got the ball rolling, it kind of went really fast”, says Nick D’Virgilio.
For the three members, this group serves as something different for all of them. Morse explains, “I’ve never been part of a group that was like this one. Most people know I’m a big CSN fan and I love Yes’s three-part harmonies and The Beatles as well. My dad was a choir director, so harmonies are in my blood! DMJ is a special group that is its own unique cup of tea and has such a nice flavor. Great blend. The main thing for me is to be working on good songs; it doesn’t matter to me who writes them or necessarily that much about styles. If the songs are good, then I’m all about it.”
Jennings agrees, “I’m a huge fan of country and folk music, I love the three-part harmony style. As a vocalist known for progressive metal releases, prior to forming the band I could never have predicted that I’d be considered to be part of a group making music like this. It’s still mind-blowing to me since I’d never officially recorded and released any music of this genre to prove that I can do it. Making these records with Nick and Neal has been such a pleasant and rewarding experience. It’s funny how things work out sometimes!”
“Peace A Dream” is the first single and music video from the 8th and upcoming solo record from Robert Schindler (Robeone). Robert is signed to Transglobal Records (The Orchard/Sony).
Robeone’s goal with his composition, “Peace A Dream” is to bring peace of mind in these troubling times. The Video and music are meant to carry you away to a peaceful place even just for a few minutes.”
Paul Miritello praises “Peace A Dream” on YouTube, “What a wonderful piece of music, puts me in a tranquil mood but with a bit of excitement thrown in for good measure!! The landscape images and music meld together perfectly like a beautiful little song book, fantastic work indeed Robert!!!”
Watch the video at
Recently Robert performed at the ProgStock music festival to support The Bob Moog Foundation. Robert’s last video, “Hollow,” from his most recent album, “Dream Suite,” won first Prog UK Magazine’s Video of The Week.
Robert’s also been busy as a member of Red32 on Melodic Revolution Records and Tony Romero’s Vortex Zen, plus Joe Mac’s American Garage. (MRR Records). As a keyboardist, Robert’s played live with artists and bands including States, Mayson, Blue Angel, Ruth Copeland, Ronnie Spector, Rhett Tyler. His studio work has included working with Johnny Nash, Star Cruiser, Rian Adkinson. Robert wrote and composed “The Fiery Narrows-Following The Path of John Charles Fremont,” which received “The Filmmaker’s Choice Award” in Wyoming Short Film contest. (View it at youtube.com/watch?v=-Ap5vZikS6s
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