by Nick | Oct 18, 2016 | Featured Artist
The Dear Hunter is a Providence, RI and Port Angeles, WA progressive rock band originating in Providence, Rhode Island. It began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo, formerly of The Receiving End of Sirens. The band’s sound features a wide variety of instruments and styles.
About The Dear Hunter
The band began as a side project of Casey Crescenzo when he was a full-time member of The Receiving End of Sirens. The Dear Hunter was originally intended as a vehicle for music Crescenzo had written that didn’t fit with the sound of The Receiving End of Sirens. Crescenzo affirmed that:
The idea was to take the creative overflow from The Receiving End of Sirens and bottle it up into something that I could keep with me. There was never a plan to take it on the road, or to release it. It was only when things with them went awry that I was given the opportunity to really make it into a traditional sort of thing.
In the winter of 2005 Casey recorded the Dear Ms. Leading demos. He created 10 copies on burned CDs that were circulated amongst his friends and posted online for download. While elements and characters featured on the demos would reappear on the subsequent Acts, Crescenzo has confirmed that there was a transformation in how he represented these themes and persons; while the story had its origins in his personal life, the Acts removed most autobiographical elements in favor of fiction:
The reason I originally wrote it is obviously because I was bitter. The demos were almost all thematically interchangeable with one another. They are all kind of bitter and about a guy falling in love with a prostitute and stuff. When people call those demos an album, I just think it is a little ridiculous, because if I was to release that, I would be ashamed of myself. There is nothing to it – it’s just one subject. I went through something with a girl, and like most immature artist people, you write about it and complain a lot…And that is why I didn’t want anyone to hear those (songs from the demo)…I think I did what any writer does – they include themselves in their work to an extent as much as they can, since that is your only real link to humanity – what you experience. So if I am going to try to make anything realistic, all I have to go on is what I learned on my own…It is more that every character is a collection of experiences and feelings I have had about people in the past.
(Info from Wikipedia)
The Dear Hunter
Casey Crescenzo • Vocals / Guitar
Rob Parr • Guitar
Nick Sollecito • Bass
Max Tousseau • Keys
Nick Crescenzo • Drums
The Dear Hunter just released its latest album: Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional (2016)
Act I: The Lake South, The River North (2006)
Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading (2007)
Act III: Life and Death (2009)
The Color Spectrum (2011)
Act IV: Rebirth in Reprise (2015)
Act V: Hymns with the Devil in Confessional (2016)
The Color Spectrum Live (2013)
The Dear Hunter – Live (2015)
by Nick | Oct 10, 2016 | Featured Artist
Photo by Victor Vassiliev and Anya Vassilieva. Custom Tie Dye Garments by TJ Indigo
Half Past Four is one of the best progressive rock bands to have emerged from Canada. Over nearly two decades, they have developed a unique sound, employing traditional prog-rock music laiden with folk, country, jazz, heavy metal and classical genres, among others.
Each member of Half Past Four is a virtuoso in their own right. Together, they form somewhat of a familial gestalt. Each band member brings a proficiency, originality and respect for the whole that propels their combined efforts into a place beyond simple classification.
Half Past Four has been compared to early-80s King Crimson. Yet any comparisons can only truly function on a per-track basis. While one piece might sound reminiscent of late-70s Yes, listeners might feel the influence of early Pink Floyd in the next piece, followed by a piece that harkens Primus in the 1990s. Or Kate Bush in the mid-80s. Like the best of progressive rock music, the listener cannot predict where the band will take them next.
It is this shifting flow of sound and feeling that distinguishes Half Past Four. They are an aural tapestry, weaving 50+ years of musical influences into mellifluous melodies and rhythmic resonances that take their listeners on a journey to states that are both fresh and familiar.
Members:
Constantin Necrasov: Guitar
Dmitry Lesov: Bass & Chapman Stick
Igor Kurtzman: Keyboards
Kyree Vibrant: Vocals
Marcello Ciurleo: Drums
Discography:
Land of The Blind – September 17, 2016
Good Things – April 13, 2013
Rabbit in the Vestibule – October 25, 2008
Follow:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Music
Bandcamp
CD Baby
Soundcloud
by Nick | Oct 3, 2016 | Featured Artist
Glass Hammer is an American progressive rock band from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They formed in 1992 when multi-instrumentalists Steve Babb and Fred Schendel began to write and record “Journey of the Dunadan”, a concept album based on the story of Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. To their surprise, the album sold several thousand units via the Internet, The QVC Shop-At-Home Network, and their own toll-free order number. As such, Babb and Schendel were convinced that the band was a project worth continuing. The stage was then set for a successful career that now includes numerous albums, DVDs and an enthusiastic, world-wide fan base that continues to grow at a steady rate.
While many musicians have appeared on Glass Hammer albums over the years, Babb and Schendel have remained the core creative force of the band. Both play a variety of instruments, but Babb is better known as the bassist while Schendel is the primary keyboardist. And though they also sing, a number of other vocalists (most notably Michelle Young, Walter Moore, Susie Bogdanowicz, Carl Groves and Jon Davison) have also handled lead vocal duties.
Lyrically, Glass Hammer is inspired mostly by their love of literature (most notably Tolkien, C. S. Lewis and John Krakauer) and Babb’s love of Victorian prose and medieval mythology. Musically, they lean towards 70′s driven symphonic rock, focusing on epic-length songs anchored by Babb’s distinctive bass guitar work and strong keyboard playing from Schendel; specifically Hammond organs in the tradition of ELP. They have a superb melodic flow to the music they make, encapsulating real power and dynamics without ever becoming overpowering. Their most apparent influences are Yes, ELP, Genesis, and, to a less noticeable extent, Camel. Fans and critics are usually quick to attest that Glass Hammer have managed to combine those influences into a unique style all their own.
Critically acclaimed albums have continued to flow from the Glass Hammer studio, with the most successful and noteworthy being “Chronomtree” (2000), “Lex Rex” (2002), “The Inconsolable Secret” (2005) and “IF” (2010). Vocalists and fan-favorites Carl Groves and Susie Bogdanowicz took a temporary hiatus from the band after 2009 and vocalist Jon Davison took over as lead vocalist for three studio albums; “IF”, “Cor Cordium” and “Perilous”. Kamran Alan Shikoh joined the band at the same time taking on the role of guitarist.
During the recording of “Perilous”, Davison also assumed the role as front-man for Yes. This led to Carl Groves rejoining the Glass Hammer in 2013 for live performances and recording. Aaron Raulston joined at the same time as drummer for the group. Susie Bogdanowicz rejoined in late 2013 and appeared along with Raulston, Groves and Shikoh in 2014 concerts.
Glass Hammer’s “Ode To Echo” release for 2014 featured performances by many of the band’s vocalists, including Bogdanowicz, Young, Moore and Davison, though Carl Groves was handling the lion’s share of the vocal duties for the band. “The Breaking Of The World” followed in 2015 along with the two CD one DVD set “Double Live” which was recorded and filmed at ROSFest in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Carl Groves and Susie Bogdanowicz fronted the group throughout 2015.
2016’s “Valkyrie” saw the lineup shift somewhat as Carl Groves departed and Susie Bogdanowicz stepped to the fore. Before recording sessions began, Babb, Schendel, Shikoh and Raulston rehearsed the music of “Valkyrie” for several weeks, as if they were preparing for a live concert. This was a new approach for Glass Hammer album production. According to the band, this was done in order to better capture the live energy of an actual Glass Hammer performance. “Valkyrie” was also conceived as a “full-blown concept album” in the tradition of “Lex Rex”, and “The Inconsolable Secret”.
Current Members
Fred Schendel: Keyboards, Guitars, Backing Vocals & Drums
Steve Babb: Bass, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals & Percussion
Susie Bogdanowicz: Lead Vocals
Carl Groves: Lead Vocals
Aaron Raulston: Drums
Studio Albums
Journey of the Dunadan (1993)
Perelandra (1995)
On to Evermore (1998)
Chronometree (2000)
The Middle Earth Album (2001)
Lex Rex (2002)
Shadowlands (2004)
The Inconsolable Secret (2005, re-recorded in 2013)
Culture of Ascent (2007)
Three Cheers for the Broken-Hearted (2009)
If (2010)
Cor Cordium (2011)
Perilous (2012)
Ode to Echo (2014)
The Breaking of the World (2015)
Valkyrie (2016)
Live Albums
Live and Revived (1997)
Live at Nearfest (2004)
Double Live (2015)
Live DVDs
Lex Live (2004)
Live at Belmont (2006)
Live at the Tivoli (2008)
Double Live (2015)
Others Releases
David & Goliath – the Musical – Babb and Schendel (2002)
One – Old recordings by Babb and Schendel from 1991-1992 (2010)
The Stories of H.P. Lovecraft – collaborative album of different artists (2012)
Links:
Official Website
Facebook
Twitter
Glass Hammer Forum
YouTube
Bandcamp
by Nick | Sep 26, 2016 | Featured Artist
Griot is a multinational rock band formed by musicians João Pascoal and Sérgio Ferreira in 2014.
Griot’s sound evokes a style of progressive rock that explores and creates different textures and soundscapes. The bands song-writing style revolves around self-published literature included in each album’s concept.
According to Wikipedia
A griot (; French pronunciation: [ɡʁi.o]), jali or jeli (djeli or djéli in French spelling) is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet and/or musician. The griot is a repository of oral tradition and is often seen as a societal leader due to his traditional position as an advisor to royal personages. As a result of the former of these two functions, he is sometimes also called a bard.
According to Paul Oliver in his book Savannah Syncopators, “Though [the griot] has to know many traditional songs without error, he must also have the ability to extemporize on current events, chance incidents and the passing scene. His wit can be devastating and his knowledge of local history formidable”. Although they are popularly known as “praise singers”, griots may use their vocal expertise for gossip, satire, or political comment.
Griot recently released Gerald a concept album portraying the journey of Gerald, a man with many questions and fewer answers. It’s an immersive journey about himself and something more, something grand, something new…
Concept by:
João Pascoal, Sérgio Ferreira
Artwork by:
Maria Branco, Sérgio Ferreira
Written by:
João Pascoal, Sérgio Ferreira
Instrumentation by:
João Pascoal, Sérgio Ferreira
Recorded by:
André Roque, Gabriel Marques (Bliss Recordings), João Pascoal, António Branco, Alexandre Veiga
Mixed / Mastered by:
André Roque, João Pascoal
Musicians:
João Pascoal – Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards, Programming, Composing (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Sérgio Ferreira – Drums, Percussion, Composing (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Nuno Aleluia – Vocals (tracks 1,3,4 and 5)
António Branco – Backing Vocals (tracks 1,3,4 and 5)
Pedro Marques – Backing Vocals (track 5)
Eduardo Ferreira – Violin (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Carolina Resende – Violin (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Rita Fernandes – Violoncello (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Paulo Bernardino – Clarinet (track 3)
Andy Panayi – Tenor Saxophone (track 2)
André Loureiro – Flute (tracks 2,3,4 and 5)
João Baião – Acoustic Steel String Guitar (track 3 and 5)
Alexandre Veiga – Electric Guitar (tracks 1,2,3,4 and 5)
Filipe Salgueiro – Electric Guitar (track 5)
Bruno Miguel – Electric Guitar (track 2)
Vikram Shankar – Synthesizer (track 1)
Diogo Santos – Moog Synthesizer (track 5)
André Barros – Piano, Composing (track 5 introduction)
[bandcamp width=100% height=120 album=1395868804 size=large bgcol=333333 linkcol=0f91ff tracklist=false artwork=small]
Follow Groit on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/griotofficial/
by Nick | Sep 19, 2016 | Featured Artist
About Steve Rothery:
Steve Rothery is an English musician, Rothery is the founding member of Marillion in1979. Marillion, which is one of the most successful band to emerge from Britain’s 80s neo-progressive rock scene, having sold over 15 million albums. Steve’s melodic and atmospheric style has been an integral part of Marillion’s eighteen albums. Fuck Everyone and Run (F E A R) Marillion’s 18th studio album was released on September 23, 2016.
Rothery has recorded two albums as part of the duo with his side project The Wishing Tree. On Steve’s long awaited solo album, the music is brimming with his trademark guitar solos and melodic chordal work. It also sees a rockier side return to Steve’s playing. Rothery’s instrumental solo album “The Ghosts of Pripyat” was released in September 2014 and Live at the Band on the Wall (2015) with the Steve Rothery Band.
According to Guitar Player, Rothery “specializes in crafting lush sonic atmospheres with layered guitars and effects processing”. In 2001, Rothery was voted Yorkshire and Humberside’s best guitarist in a poll in Total Guitar magazine. He has been hailed by MusicPlayers.com as one of the great progressive rock guitarists, describing him as “never one to go for major flash, he always plays for the song and not his ego, but when he shines, he shines brightly”, and comparing him favourably with John Petrucci, David Gilmour and Alex Lifeson.
Marillion Studio Albums
- Script for a Jester’s Tear (1983)
- Fugazi (1984)
- Misplaced Childhood (1985)
- Clutching at Straws (1987)
- Seasons End (1989)
- Holidays in Eden (1991)
- Brave (1994)
- Afraid of Sunlight (1995)
- This Strange Engine (1997)
- Radiation (1998)
- marillion.com (1999)
- Anoraknophobia (2001)
- Marbles (2004)
- Somewhere Else (2007)
- Happiness Is the Road (2008)
- Less Is More (2009)
- Sounds That Can’t Be Made (2012)
- Fuck Everyone and Run (F E A R) (2016)
Wishing Tree Albums
- Carnival of Souls (1996)
- Ostara (2009)
Steve Rothery Solo Albums
- Live in Plovdiv (December 2013)
- Live in Rome (August 2014)
- The Ghosts of Pripyat (September 2014)
Steve Rothery Band
- Live at the Band on the Wall (2015)
Guest Appearances
- Jadis – Jadis (1989, Production)
- Arrakeen – Patchwork (1990, Guitar)
- Rock Against Repatriation – “Sailing” (1990, Guitar)
- Enchant – A Blueprint of the World (1994, Production, Guitar)
- John Wesley – Under the Red and White Sky (1994, Guitar)
- Arena – Crying for Help, The Cry (1994, Guitar)
- Mr. So and So – The Overlap (1998, Production, Guitar)
- John Wesley – The Emperor Falls (1999, Guitar)
- Ian Mosley & Ben Castle – Postmankind (2001, Guitar)
- The Reasoning – Awakening (2007, Guitar)
- Gazpacho – Firebird (2005, Guitar)
- Swallow the Sun – Servant of Sorrow (alternate version from the single New Moon) (2009, Guitar)
- Edison’s Children – In The Last Waking Moments (2011, Guitar)
- Steve Hackett – Genesis Revisited II (2012, Guitar)
Information Source’s
by Nick | Sep 12, 2016 | Featured Artist
Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side is a Progressive rock project from Stockholm, Sweden founded in 2012 by bass player, songwriter and producer Jonas Lindberg.
Current lineup:
Jonas Lindberg – bass, keyboards, vocals
with:
Jonas Sundqvist – lead vocals
Jenny Sandgren – vocals
Michael Ottosson – keyboards
Jonathan Lundberg – drums
Nicklas Thelin – guitars
Calle Stålenbring – guitars
Maria Olsson – percussion
New album Pathfinder was released on September 1, 2016
