Set to make their worldwide live debut at ProgPower USA XXI on June 3rd, Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra have released a heavy new single appropriately titled “Sic Riff”. The track is the second single to be released in advance of an upcoming album due out later this year.
Jason Bieler had this to say about the new single: “It is about time for the musical high wire act of the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra to take the stage this week for our worldwide debut at the Progpower Festival in Atlanta! In keeping with a long history of storied prog traditions, we will be wearing sequined capes and playing versions of songs that sound nothing like the ones from the record. In fairness, we couldn’t figure out how to get the backing track machine to work…so we said…let’s just leap the breach and plow through the music like an Amish run farm! We also won’t have in-ear monitors…again not because we don’t have them…but sticking with BVBO tradition, we couldn’t figure out how to get them to work either.
“Ohh, yes…to the point, we are going to be playing two new songs from the unreleased record, “Postcards From The Asylum”…because if I know one showbiz thing, nothing pleases music fans more than new tunes, especially live! So to attempt to remedy this blasphemous display of self indulgence we’ve ( when I say “we” I mean “me” and the “voices”) decided to release one of the songs June 1st…it is called “Sic Riff,” it is technically in 12/4, which is really 4/4…but you have to admit for a sec you were like…”this Baron Von Bielski cat is entirely off the mental reservation!” I don’t like to really discuss my lyrics…but this tune is not about “Monkeypox”…although there is a new song on the upcoming record, called Flying Monkeys…which has Marco Minnemann on it, and to my knowledge, as of this writing at least, he has no primate based illnesses…for that matter he doesn’t even own a monkey.
“I personally would love a monkey…but I digress. New tune out everywhere June 1st! Featuring the brilliance of Andee Blacksugar on guitars and noises and Edu Cominato on drums, he is from Brazil and I’m not really sure he actually knows that he played on the record, as I used google translate to chat with him, but it was accidentally set to English to Uzbekistan…so in hindsight all he knows I said is “does your goat have global entry” or something to that effect. If you see Edu, please tell him thanks and that I was referring to the TSA, not his goat being a hussy.”
ProgPower USA will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, June 1-4, 2022. Please visit www.progpowerusa.com for further details.
ason Bieler & The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra recently shared a lyric video for a new track titled “Human Head.” It features a return guest appearance by Andee Blacksugar (KMFDM, Peter Murphy, and Blondie).
Tracklist
1. Gas Tanks
2. Coffin Confession
3. Going Down
4. Once I Had Illusions (Part 1)
5. I Like Games
6. Shining Brightness
7. The Blues and Messing Round
8. Long Long Road
9. Once I Had Illusions (Part 2)Line-up
Arthur Brown – vocals, guitars, piano
Rik Patten – multiple instrumentsRecording at Sonic Scoops Studios UK Produced by Arthur Brown with Rik Patten Arrangements by Arthur Brown and Rik Patten Mix&engineering by Rik Patten Mastering by Marc UrselliArtwork by Laurie Avon Photography and imagery by Harvey Waller Layout & design by Jean Valnoir Simoulin
Available formats “Long Long Road” is available as a box set including a 48-page hardcover 2CD artbook, a gatefold 180g orange marble vinyl-LP, a bonus 7″ vinyl single, a wall flag, 4 30×30 cm art prints, and a certificate of authenticity personally signed and hand-numbered by Arthur Brown. The 2CD artbook is also available separately and includes liner notes by Arthur Brown, enhanced artwork and photography, and two exclusive studio recordings. “Long Long Road” is furthermore available on black 180g vinyl LP, on transparent red 180g vinyl LP, and as a Digipak CD.
WHO IS ARTHUR BROWN?
Pretty much everyone into rock music knows ARTHUR BROWN. Be it via listening to or watching The Who’s rock opera “Tommy” or spending time with The Alan Parsons Project’s classic debut album “Tales of Mystery and Imagination”, most people have encountered Arthur – even if they might not have realized it.
Yet when it comes to THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN’s iconic, career-defining 1968 transatlantic hit single ‘Fire’, everybody knows that this is Arthur – the self-proclaimed God of Hellfire!
But, we are getting ahead of ourselves, when we really ought to start with Arthur’s new full-length masterpiece “Long Long Road”.
Wild, vibrant, and crammed with rich musical textures, his new album is quintessentially ARTHUR BROWN, and can easily be construed as the apex and summary of a fascinating career that has spanned no fewer than seven decades.
Scheduled for release on Arthur’s 80th birthday on June 24, “Long Long Road” effortlessly shifts from progressive rock and soul to pristine blues rock, with the much-loved singer summoning his full vocal range with a mature mastery that comes only with the experience of a lifetime.
Make no mistake; ARTHUR BROWN is a true rock legend – luckily, one whose star still burns very brightly, making audiences’ jaws drop whenever he takes to the stage.
Born in 1942, this outstanding vocalist and pioneering performer have recently been experiencing a renaissance. Arthur’s ground-breaking work over several decades was honored at the 2019 Prog Awards when he received the Visionary Artist Award. In 2021, Arthur was given an HRH Legend Award that celebrates the best of British rock music. Prior to these, Classic Rock magazine bestowed a “Showman Award” on Arthur in 2005. This renewed attention by fans, media, and peers in the autumn of his artistic endeavors can be recognized as a long-overdue tribute to an iconic musician, similar to that enjoyed by JOHNNY CASH late in his expansive career.
ARTHUR BROWN‘s legacy has been long appreciated by fellow musicians, writers, and dedicated rock fans far beyond the vast shadow cast by his gigantic number 1 hit single ‘Fire’. The iconic track from his 1968 album “The Crazy World of Arthur Brown” still maintains its mesmerizing power with audiences and peers today. At the same time, it could be argued that the omnipresence of ‘Fire’ has partly obscured Arthur’s many outstanding accomplishments over the 54 years since its release.
To understand the massive impact and influence of ARTHUR BROWN‘s wild stage persona, flamboyant theatrical performances, and charismatic multi-octave voice, one only needs to listen to these rock icons:
“Without Arthur Brown, there would be no Alice Cooper.” ALICE COOPER
“Now there’s a man who was ahead of his time.” ELTON JOHN
“Arthur Brown was a big influence of mine… Arthur Brown has the voice of death.” Bruce Dickinson, IRON MAIDEN
“Arthur Brown is as much a dancer as he is a singer.” Pete Townshend, THE WHOARTHUR BROWN is widely recognized as a pioneer of shock rock and progressive rock, and a significant influence on heavy metal. His live performances include iconic classics, dance, poetry, visuals and a subliminal soundtrack of new electronic music. Whenever he plays, Arthur still brings the dramatically elegant and always extravagant style that he established as the gold standard onstage.During his long and distinguished career, Arthur has been the lead singer of various groups, most notably THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN and KINGDOM COME, along with a cameo in the cult film “Tommy”, in which his dramatic vocals were backed by ERIC CLAPTON and THE WHO. Collaborations include the debut album of THE ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, DAVID GILMORE, THE PRODIGY, BRUCE DICKINSON, THE STRANGLERS, KULA SHAKER, DIE KRUPPS, and many more.
With each note on “Long Long Road”, ARTHUR BROWN makes the impressive statement that he remains as authentic, challenging, creative, and compelling as he was at his career’s fiery beginning. This record is not a swansong, but the thrilling beginning of the final phase of an utterly singular career.
22nd May 2022: YES Management have announced today that due to current health issues Alan White will not be taking part on the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Close to the Edge UK & Eire Tour. Alan was really looking forward to playing live again preparing to celebrate 50 years with Yes, having joined the band for the July 1972 Close to the Edge Tour, coming full circle in 2022. Alan’s close friend Jay Schellen will be taking on drumming duties in Alan’s place.
The Album Series Tour 2022 which willcelebrate the 50th anniversary of YES’ iconic album Close to the Edge and will feature the album, performed in full, along with other classic tracks from YES’ extensive catalogue.
The tour line-up will feature Steve Howe (guitars), Geoff Downes (keyboards), Jon Davison (vocals), Billy Sherwood (bass guitar and backing vocals) with Jay Schellen (drums and percussion).
The show will comprise full production and a high-definition video wall directed by Roger Dean who will also be joining the tour with an exhibition of YES related art.
A full performance of the Relayer album will now be featured in a future UK tour in The Album Series. European dates were recently announced for rescheduled dates in 2023.
The 10 date UK and Eire tour starts on 15th June – full dates are:
Wed 15th JuneGlasgowRoyal Concert Hall
Fri 17th JuneManchesterBridgewater Hall
Sat 18th JuneNottinghamRoyal Concert Hall
Mon 20th JuneLiverpoolPhilharmonic Hall
Tues 21st JuneLondon Royal Albert Hall
Wed 22nd JuneYorkBarbican
Fri 24th JuneBirminghamSymphony Hall
Sun 26th JuneNewcastle O2 City Hall
Tues 28th JuneDublinVicar Street
Wed 29th JuneCorkOpera House
Tickets remain valid for the rescheduled shows. For full details and to book tickets for all shows go to venue website or http://yesworld.com/live where you can also book Meet and Greets with the band.
About YES
Steve Howe: guitars, backing vocals (1970 –1981, 1990–1992, 1995–present) Alan White: drums, percussion (1972 – present) Geoff Downes: keyboards (1980–1981, 2011–present) Jon Davison: lead vocals, acoustic guitar (2012–present) Billy Sherwood: guitar, backing vocals ((1994, 1997–2000), bass guitar, backing vocals (2015–present)
Formed in 1968 by Jon Anderson and the late, and much-missed, Chris Squire, YES have been one of the most innovative, influential and best-loved bands in rock music history. Their 1970s albums The Yes Album, Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs (a triple live album set), Tales From Topographic Oceans,Relayer and Going For The One were ground-breaking in musical style and content. Their music also became synonymous with artist Roger Dean whose distinctive YES logo design and artwork adorned the lavish gatefold presentation sleeves of many YES albums.
With sales of over 50 million records, the Grammy-award winning YES were inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017 where they performed Roundabout from the album Fragile and the FM radio-friendly Owner Of A Lonely Heart from the 1985 album 90125. In 2021 YES released their 22nd Studio album, The Quest, produced by Steve Howe, which went to No.1 in the UK rock chart and entered the Official UK Album Chart at No. 20.
Recorded in 2009, this album is available in multiple different formats, including swirled vinyl and a CD/DVD set etc. As one may be able to work out from the album title, this is a live run through of one of his most controversial albums, at least when it was first released back in 1973. His previous album, ‘Something/Anything/’ had charted well in multiple countries, and spawned some hit singles, but this saw him undertaking far more inventive paths, something which was exacerbated by his experimentation at the time with psychedelic drugs. Many Todd fans now look back on this very favourably indeed, while I have always felt there is some very strong material contained within but others which are not as good, so a rather inconsistent release.
Needless to say, this means that this album contains the same flaws and strengths as the original, but he has surrounded himself with a strong band and there is no doubt that the crowd in Akron, Ohio, had a great time. Mind you, whether they would say the same about this release would be another matter altogether. Todd has released a great many live albums over the years, both under his own name and Utopia, and I have a few different boxed sets so it can be said I am quite a fan, but what has been done with these recordings is quite unforgiveable. The production is great, as is the performance, but whoever messed with this needs to be sacked. I know that in these days of people using Spotify (I don’t) and shuffling albums (I don’t do that either), there are few of us who like to play an album from beginning to end, but surely when it comes to live albums everyone does? Whoever mutilated this album obviously does not, as what has happened is that each track fades out and then back in again, even though this is taken from a single night performance of a complete album. But worse than that, sometimes as it fades back in, we get a few seconds of the previous song again. Did no-one listen to this? Did Todd sign it off?
The end result is an album which in many ways should be a masterpiece, but instead it is an annoyance, and incredibly frustrating. To me this is a great opportunity ruined – I guess it would be okay if I played it on shuffle, but I can’t bring myself to do so. A real shame. 6/10 Kev Rowland
Detroit-based ‘Progressive Super Metal’ quintet IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION have
unveiled a new lyric video for the title track to their new album, ‘The Sun Will Always Set’. Fans can watch the video (created by Ross Morgan) at the link found here.
The band’s third studio album was released on April 15th and features multiple guest appearances, including Battlecross guitarist Tony Asta and touring cellist for Leprous, Raphael Weinroth-Browne.
Speaking about the track “The Sun Will Always Set”, Tony Piccoli (vocals/guitar) comments:
“This is the best song I’ve ever written. When I write music, I have a vision of what I want the song to be, and with this song I not only met my expectations, I exceeded them. Lyrically, this song is meant to provide comfort in endings. We always find comfort in the next day’s sunrise, and I want people to know they can find comfort in the consistency of the day’s sunset, and that it’ll be OK.”
Watch New Album Title Track “The Sun Will Always Set”
About IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTION:Originally formed in 2007 as “mellotrön_”, Imminent Sonic Destruction features the same lineup today that they started with: Pat DeLeon on Drums, Pete Hopersberger on Keyboards & Vocals, Bryan Paxton on Bass & Vocals, Tony Piccoli on Guitar & Vocals, and Scott Thompson on Guitar & Vocals. Imminent Sonic Destruction’s influences range from Genesis, Devin Townsend, Rush, and King’s X, to Pantera, Dream Theater, and Meshuggah.
In 2012 I.S.D. paired up with producer/guitarist ROY Z (Bruce Dickinson, Rob Halford, Tribe of Gypsies) and recorded their first full-length album ‘Recurring Themes’. The album led the band to their first national tour, pairing up with Sweden’s PAIN OF SALVATIONand Italy’s KINGCROW. In 2015 they were offered the opportunity to tour with progressive metal legends FATES WARNING, which they acted on, gaining lifelong hardcore fans along the way. In 2016 Imminent Sonic Destruction released their second album ‘Triumphia’, a concept record featuring songs like “The Fog”, and the 23-minute epic “Arborous Calm.” The album of course turned the prog metal world on its head, which led to a tour with Norway’s CIRCUS MAXIMUS, and a co-headlining run with NYC’s EDENSONG.
A number of years and one pandemic later, I.S.D. are poised to release their third full-length album, ‘The Sun Will Always Set’. The new album was produced by Nick Hagen, guitarist of Michigan-based progressive metal band ENTRANSIENT. With Nick at the helm, I.S.D. was able to fully actualize the album the new LP in the way they intended. TSWAS features the heavy riffs, non-standard arrangements, and vocals you’ve come to expect from I.S.D., but in fresh new contexts. The new record features guest appearances from guitarist Tony Asta of BATTLECROSS, cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne of LEPROUS, vocalist Lady Luna from LADY LUNA AND THE DEVIL, and vocalist Kevin Wroebel of DRAGGED BENEATH.
IMMINENT SONIC DESTRUCTIONare: Peter Hopersberger – Vocals, Keyboard Tony Piccoli – Vocals, Guitar Scott Thompson – Guitar Pat DeLeon – Drum Bryan Paxton – Bass, Vocals
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