About the video: “I wanted the visuals to remain still, whilst the music is so dynamic. The video is about how the physical elements of a human’s life are temporary and many are often taboo (birth, milking, death and turning to ashes, etc.) I think it echoes the subject matter of the EP, not just on ‘Latibulate’ but also ‘For You’ (‘The sky is blue, the sky is doomed but today it shines for you’) and ‘Ptichka’ (‘Nothing meets eternity, fly, little bird, fly’) In my lyrics for that EP I wanted to look at mortality as a reminder of how brief one’s presence in this world is and that there’s no reason not to spend this time in peace.” – Dikajee 2023
*****
It’s been a long and convoluted process but it’s finally here! Featuring sublimely evocative vocals from the ever-enchanting Dikajee, Quicksilver Night’s “Ptichka” EP is nearly thirty minutes in length across five captivating songs of progressive-influenced rock music with operatic and madrigal nuances set on fire by pyrotechnic solo contributions from special guest guitarists. “Ptichka” was first announced in December of 2021 as a collaborative single nearly eight minutes in length that we intended to initially release digital-only and later include on Quicksilver Night’s next full-length album but, in the manner of all best-laid plans, it didn’t quite pan out that way. The invasion of Ukraine by Russian-led forces in February 2022 and the ensuing sociopolitical and economic upheavals threw a huge figurative spanner into the “Ptichka” works. We eventually got things back on track and as we did the song “Ptichka” itself became the title track of what ultimately evolved into a discrete five-song EP.
“Ptichka”
1. “Monochrome Memories” featuring Marco Iacobini 3:31 2. “Ptichka” featuring Andrew N Project 7:51 3. “Nihil Tactum” featuring Andrew N Project 4:15 4. “For You” featuring Farzad Golpayegani 6:51 5. “Latibulate” featuring Andrew N Project 4:39
“Ptichka” Releases 9/9, Preorder Now!
Pre-order the physical CD or digital album at the following locations:
About Quicksilver Night is guitarist/composer Warren Russell and a small but widening circle of musical collaborators around the world. The music of Quicksilver Night is probably best described as “distilled progressive rock” because it often incorporates elements of progressive rock such as exotic modes and composite meters but it generally eschews extended song structures in favor of a more concise songwriting style than is usually associated with the genre. Visit https://quicksilvernight.com/
Dikajeelinks her connection with nature back to her childhood, having grown up near Lake Ladoga in northwest Russia. Dikajee’s compositions draw inspiration from the progressive music of Kate Bush, Nightwish, and Björk. Her pieces never stand still, driven forward by her own visions and the talent of her fellow musicians. Visit https://dikajee.bandcamp.com/
Founded by vocalist/songwriter Mark “Truey” Trueack (United Progressive Fraternity) and multi-instrumentalist Sean Timms (Southern Empire, Damanek, UPF) in 1996, Australian progressive fusion Unitopia has always been among the most renowned and distinctive bands of their ilk and era. Now the band is pleased to announce the new studio album Seven Chambers, due out on August 25th, 2023.
Unitopia has undoubtedly reached new creative, emotional, and intellectual heights with their latest opus, Seven Chambers (their first original collection on independent label Progrock.com’s Essentials). Comprised of seven tracks and lasting just over eighty minutes, it’s an incredible journey that finds Unitopiareturning at the peak of their artistic and technical prowess
Tracklist: 1. “Broken Heart” (8:30) 2. “Something Invisible” (6:39) 3. “Bittersweet” (7:20) 4. “Mania” (12:29) 5. “The Stroke of Midnight” (9:38) 6. “Helen” (19:14) 7. “The Uncertain” (18:33)
Unitopia: Mark “Truey” Trueack – vocals, songwriting Sean Timms – songwriting, keyboards, backing vocals, various stringed instruments Steve Unruh – songwriting, backing vocals, violin, flute, rhythm guitars, mandolin John Greenwood – songwriting, backing vocals, lead electric guitar, nylon-strung guitar, 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, mandolin, programmed orchestration Chester Thompson – drums Alphonso Johnson – bass
Plus, multiple color variations are available for the physical versions, as well as a special vinyl edition that features a die-cut cover revealing a portion of the sleeve behind it!
As the follow-up to 2010’s Artificial and 2012’s Covered Mirror Vol. 1 – Smooth as Silk (a superb assortment of classic/prog rock reinterpretations), Seven Chambers is Unitopia’s first new outing in over a decade. During the interim, each member kept busy with various other projects, and according to Progrock.com’s Essentials’ Mark Monforti, the method of getting the group going again was endearingly fortuitous:
“A few years ago, Steve Hackett was exploring studios and players for a show in Australia, and he contacted Timms about using the studio that he and Truey still owned. That got Sean and Truey talking about possibly working on new music together. Then, I reached out to them about doing some shows. They went exceedingly well, which sort of solidified the fact that Unitopia needed to come back.”
With Timms and Trueack reunited, the duo decided to expand Unitopia by bringing in fellow UPF maestro SteveUnruh, guitarist Dr. John Greenwood, drummer Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa, Weather Report, Genesis) and bassist Alphonso Johnson (Weather Report, Santana, David Gilmour).
Seven Chambers is a globe-spanning effort that began in 2021, with virtually every member working in their own studio in either America or Australia. Although things got off to a strong start, a few unexpected hiccups somewhat impeded the band’s headway.
“Progress was severely interrupted by Sean’s other commitments, such as moving into a renovated house and being in-demand with other projects and festivals. Then, Truey and Chester faced personal hardships. At more than one stage, it looked like the record might never happen. Luckily, the delays led to a few solo projects blossoming, and suddenly, our schedules began clearing in early 2023 and we began moving at a real pace again,” SteveUnruhexplains.
Thus, Seven Chambers is truly a testament to Unitopia’s chemistry and commitment, not only because it sees them triumphing over those setbacks but because it ended up being roughly twice as long as the original 40-minute plan (without a moment of filler!)
Discography: More Than a Dream (2005, Unicorn Digital) The Garden (2008, Inside Out Music) Artificial (2010, Inside Out Music) One Night in Europe (2011, live, Musea Records) Covered Mirror Vol. 1 – Smooth as Silk (2012, Musea Records) More Than a Dream – The Dream Complete (2017, Giant Electric Pea) The Garden (2020, compilation/boxset, Progrock.com’s Essentials) Seven Chambers (2023, Progrock.com’s Essentials)
The band already have a few dates lined up which you can see here:
2023 Tour Dates: 3 Sept. – 2Days Prog + 1, Veruno Novara, Italy 5 Sept. – Konzertfabrik Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland 9 Sept. – Neuberinhaus, Reichenbach im Vogtland, Germany 13 Sept. – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany 14 Sept. – Poppodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, Netherlands 15 Sept. – Chez Paulette Pub Rock, Pagney derrière Barine, France 8 Oct. – ProgStock, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
“Darkness Gives Shape to the Light” is the second music video from the album “Persistence of Vision” by US Progressive Instrumental art-rock band Edison Suit released on the Melodic Revolution Records label.
“Our pieces come together through improvisation and experimentation and the last thing we do is come up with a list of potential titles and then assign them to the songs. The titles all come from various books I’ve read, this one is from a book called Earthseed by Octavia Butler” – Barry Wood
Persistence of Vision Edison Suit’s third release and 1st new album in 17 years plunges further into their ethos of making electronic instruments seem organic and acoustic instruments seem electronic. Their penchant for unusual song structures and time signatures results in music that’s as surprising as it is ear-opening.
Edison Suit is the creative vision of Mark Smith and Barry Wood
Mark Smith: Electric, acoustic, 12-string guitar, EBow guitars, mando guitar, bass, and banjo Barry Wood: Keyboards, bass, Chapman Stick, lap steel, lap steel resonator, and programming Bret Wadams: Drums, and cymbals Paul McIntire: Violin
French prog rock band Nine Skies unveil a video teaser from their forthcoming album ‘The Lightmaker’.
‘The Lightmaker’ is due to be released on 18 September 2023.
Marco Minnemann, Adam Holzman, Kristoffer Gildenlöw,
John Mitchell, Riccardo Romano, Martin Wilson, Charlie Bramald, Arnaud Quevedo & Laura Piazzai have been announced as guests on the album.
Riccardo Romano has also been announced as lead vocalist on the upcoming French tour in October.
Tracklisting
1 Intro: An Fánai (2:38) 2 The Explorer (6:08) – feat. Riccardo Romano 3 The Dreamer (8:01) – feat. Martin Wilson 4 The Chaotic (7:18) – feat. Adam Holzman, Arnaud Quevedo & Laura Piazzai 5 The Lost (9:12) – feat. Kristoffer Gildenlöw 6 Interlude: The Wanderer (1:27) 7 The Haunted (11:25) – feat. Charlie Bramald 8 The Architect (11:18) – feat. John Mitchell & Marco Minnemann
Style: “Frogressive” Rock
Country: France/UK
Label: Independent Release Date: September 18, 2023
Critically acclaimed UK progressive alt-rockers Kyros return with the expansive new single ‘Illusions Inside (Feat. Dominique Gilbert)’ (July 28th).
Having built a reputation for their innovative sound, high octane live shows and fiercely DIY approach, the band have been gradually building hype with a unique sound which brings together the melodic hooks of pop with the musical complexity and depth of progressive rock and metal, Kyros has carved out a unique niche and built a feverish fanbase.
The new single ‘Illusions Inside’ offers another taste of the band’s unique ‘Synth-Prog’ sound. Featuring guest vocals from DMNIQ alongside the band’s vocalist Shelby Logan Warne, the band once again showcase their unique blend of expansive synths, punching drums, distorted guitar lines and driving bass to create an 80s influenced, explosive prog rock soundscape.
Topped with the bright, urgent yet considered, soaring dual lead vocals, the track is given a central melodic hook as it moves restlessly through emotive lyricism and infectiously catchy vocal lines.
A striking, complex yet accessible offering, ‘Illusions Inside’ offers a sense of the band’s uncanny ability to craft intertwining complex, playful musical ideas and riffs, with moments of virtuoso instrumentation delivered with a sense of infectious energy.
Speaking on the track, Kyros explain: “‘Illusions Inside’ is about that inner voice that reflects on your past and influences your current decisions in an attempt to capture those more innocent days. The track explores themes of inner turmoil, lost innocence and longing for simpler times. The difference between an easy and carefree existence versus feeling emotionally drained and broken.
The song was all written off the back of several bass riffs which eventually became the backbone for the song. It resulted in a track that feels very ’same but different’ for us.
As the song developed, we organically saw the need to get in a featured vocalist for the first time. Initially, we only wanted her for the choruses, but Dominique killed it so much that her role became something much more integrated through the song. One of those happy collaboration moments, for sure.”
Having already received widespread acclaim from the likes of Prog Magazine and Prog Rock Journal, the band have toured across Europe (with Spock’s Beard), supported the likes of Marillion and IQ, performed at festivals all over Europe as well as playing a joint headline tour of the east coast of America. These include ROS Fest in North America, Prog Dreams and A British Prog Invasion in the Netherlands, 2 Days Prog + 1 in Italy, and Night of the Prog IX in Germany to name a few.
Now back with more material, Kyros look to further solidify their place as one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming Prog bands.
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