The new Refestramus single “I Ruined Christmas” is a wet blanket for the holidays, chronicling the perils of parental disappointment, political disagreements, sleeping with someone’s hot sister and smoking joints in the garage before Xmas dinner.
Refestramus composer/drummer/ leader Derek Ferguson says, “My favorite bit is the line ‘it’s like I told you before, it won’t happen again, my dear’ – we know that even as they apologize, they haven’t really learned anything from their mistakes and will undoubtedly be repeating them.”
The music video features clips of Refestramus’ rock video girl Agent M plotting mayhem on friends and family, who aren’t in very good moods at their holiday tables. It shows the band in the studio looking mighty ornery, too.
Along with Derek Ferguson, the band members are guitarist Derek Pavlic and producer Ian Beabout (Colouratura), with long time vocalist NIDA, and a host of festivity-spoiling guests: bassist Jerry King (Cloud over Jupiter), keyboardist Dyanne Potter Voegtlin (Potter’s Daughter), and saxophonist Mitch Lawrence.
The basic tracks of which were recorded at Aardvark Productions in Steubenville with engineering talents of Dan Bozek and Crack the Sky’s Rick Witkowski.
“I Ruined Christmas” comes to you hot off the heels of the critically divisive “Intouríst” album, released through Melodic Revolution Records. After ruining progressive art rock last May, the Grinche’s of Prog, Refestramus, have simply grown in ambition.
Hailing from Lakeview Chicago, Illinois, fans are calling Refestramus “the Punks of Prog” because “this song is out to spoil your holidaze next month,” says Derek Ferguson, “The good news is you can make everyone’s holidays better by gifting ‘I Ruined Christmas!’”
left to right Derek Pavlic, Derek Ferguson, Ian Beabout
The I Ruined Christmas Sessions NIDA – lead and backing vocals Mitch Lawrence – saxophones Derek Pavlic – guitar Dyanne Potter Voegtlin – piano, keyboards and Moog synthesizer Jerry King – bass Derek Ferguson – drums, sleigh bells, glockenspiel, bass drum
Agent M from the Music Video “I Ruined Christmas”
Additional Information: Produced by Ian Beabout and Derek Ferguson Mastering Engineer: Ian Beabout Recording studio: Aardvark Productions and The Rec. Room, Steubenville OH Record label: Melodic Revolution Records
Manuel Barbará, an acclaimed metal guitarist and composer, is pleased to announce the release of his new video for the single “Whisper in a Storm”. The track, featuring Thalia Tymowski of Among the Stars and guitarist Millisa Henderson, is the title track from Barbará’s latest EP, released on September 13, 2024. He comments on the collaboration:
“I’ve wanted to have Thalia Tymowski sing a song of mine ever since I met her in 2020. I’m super happy to be able to feature her on something as cool as this. It was very satisfying to pour my fascination with Cyberpunk into a song with Thalia’s help and Millisa’s guest solo at the end made me nervous to record mine.”
Barbará continues to explain that “Whisper in a Storm” is the most “traditional” of the four songs with a typical verse-chorus structure. It still features odd expanding and contracting rhythms and huge stacks of guitars with Tymowski’s powerful voice tying the whole thing together. The final bridge gives way to two melodic guitar solos and a final, crushing riff.
Inspired by the Cyberpunk genre and specifically the film “Blade Runner”, the single showcases Barbará‘s ability to weave complex narratives through instrumental music. His fascination with Cyberpunk as a genre grew out of a few authors in the 80s reinventing the noir genre to talk about the political, social, economic, and scientific shifts that were happening at the time.
The collaboration with Tymowski on vocals adds a new dimension to Barbará‘s typically instrumental approach and is recommended for fans of Keith Merrow, Monuments, and Meshuggah.
Watch and listen to the music video for “Whisper in a Storm” via its premiere on V13 HERE.
Track Listing: 1. Dead Hand (feat. Jody Miller) – 5:43 2. A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe) – 5:49 3. Aphelion (feat. Michael Nystrom Bala) – 4:13 4. Whisper in a Storm (feat. Thalia Tymowski & Millisa Henderson) – 4:51 5. Whisper in a Storm (instrumental) – 4:51 EP Length: 24:42
“the song (A Different Horizon (feat. Jake Howsam Lowe (Plini)) blends metal heaviness and classical music concepts to create something intricate, unique, and highly technical.” – Decibel Magazine “Berklee trained and steeped in metal music, composing, and shredding, the EP (Whisper in the Storm) is going to unite die-hard metal fans and guitar geeks alike. The first single off this EP is “Dead Hand,” which features Jody Miller, a renowned violinist in the video game music scene.” – Ghost Cult Magazine “If a sophisticated and often elegant variety of mainly instrumental progressive metal is a subject matter of particular interest, and you are fond of such creations exploring the entire span from gentle and melodic all the way towards the extreme, then you will find this EP quite the rewarding experience I’d imagine.” – Progressor “When I came across New Jersey based guitarist and composer Manuel Barbará and his solo debut album “Moonrise” in 2021, I saw myself blown away by his modern instrumental style, combining mighty heaviness with dreamful electronic sounds. Finding inspiration in a wide range of classical, neoclassical as well as contemporary artists and bands, his new EP, “Whisper in a Storm”, lines up here as well, offering epic shredding within a spacey atmosphere fitting to the Blade Runner theme. While the playing is highly sophisticated and not an easy listen due to its dissonance and complexity, there’s still this djenty grooviness that keeps me vibing with it. Recommended ffo modern Progmetal in the veins of Tesseract, Periphery and Meshuggah.” – The ProgSpace “It is no surprise that a composer and big-time guitar player as Manuel Barbará took care of everything on “Whisper in a Storm”: all songs were written and (almost) performed only by Manuel Barbará, and produced and promoted all by himself. The result of Barbará’s musical expertise resonates throughout all the sequences of this musical journey on “Whisper in a Storm”, full of guitar solos and complex string instrument arrangements and impressive drum tempo and captivating Djent riffs. But the cleverness of “Whisper in a Storm” is on the other side of the coin. Even though “Whisper in a Storm” is grounded by lavishing on melodies which are composed in the high level of mastery of Barbará, the fact is that “Whispers in Storm” brings to us five palatable songs. I guess that Manuel Barbará’s main goal was not only to mesmerize guitar-students-amazed-by-complex-solos-lovers on “Whisper in a Storm”, but also to relate with people who love just to listen to good songs. The Progressive harmonies on “Whisper in a Storm” seem to stroll by guitar riffs, with synchronized tempo that resembles experimental Metal bands like Tesseract and Devin Townsend, and shredders players as Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. 10/10” – Ever-Metal “Prog metal, with a pinch of metal/deathcore musically” – Moshpit Radio 89.9FM WORT (Madison, WI)
Progressive, psychedelic rock pioneers Gong have announced a new special edition of their highly praised 2023 release Unending Ascending today. The new release, a CD package with an 8-page booklet, includes 6 previously unreleased bonus tracks recorded live from the band’s superb 2024 show at Edinburgh’s Summerhall as part of the ‘Gong + Ozric Tentacles UK Tour’.
The release coincides with Gong’s extensive late-2024 North American & European tour which will see them play shows across the USA, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Poland, amongst others. “It’s been a long time coming but, following the release of Unending Ascending, Gong are delighted to be playing in the US. No minds left unblown or else” says Kavus Torabi.
“Cosmic rock of the highest order” – PROG
“If Unending Ascending is your first time encountering Gong, this is a spectacular introduction” – LOUDER THAN WAR
GONG UPCOMING SHOWS 15/08 Woodstock Forever ’24, Eisfeld – DE 16/08 The Forum, Tunbridge Wells – UK 17/08 A New Day Festival, Hernhill – UK 24/09 Chapel at Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA – USA 25/09 The Southern Music Hall, Charlottesville VA – USA 26/09 King’s Raleigh, Raleigh NC – USA 27/09 The Grey Eagle, Asheville NC – USA 28/09 Mockingbird Theater, Franklin TN – USA 30/09 The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids MI – USA 01/10 Reggie’s, Chicago IL – USA 02/10 Shank Hall, Milwaukee WI – USA 03/10 Token Lounge, Detroit, Westland MI – USA 04/10 Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati OH – USA 05/10 Irving Theater, Indianapolis IN – USA 06/10 Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland OH – USA 09/10 75 Stutson Street Auditorium Stage, Rochester NY – USA 10/10 Homer Arts Center, Homer NY – USA 14/10 Space Ballroom, Hamden CT – USA 15/10 The Iron Horse, Northampton MA – USA 17/10 The Strand Theater, Hudson Falls NY – USA 19/10 Orion Studios, Baltimore MD – USA 20/10 Progstock Festival @ Williams Center, Rutherford NJ – USA 07/11 O13, Tilburg – NL 08/11 Boerderij, Zoetermeer – NL 10/11 MS Stubnitz, Hamburg – DE 11/11 Hotel Cecil, Copenhagen – DK 12/11 Babel, Malmö – SE 13/11 Musikens Hus, Goteborg – SE 15/11 Debaser, Stockholm – SE 16/11 Rockland, Sala – SE 18/11 Validi Karkia Club, Pori – FI 19/11 Louhisali, Espoo – FI 21/11 Hybrydy, Warsaw – PL 22/11 Kuźnia, Bydgoszcz – PL 23/11 CK Zamek, Poznan – PL 24/11 Rialto, Katowice – PL 26/11 Kofferfabrik, Fürth – DE 27/11 KuBa, Jena – DE 28/11 Akropolis, Prague – CZ 29/11 Kino Ebensee, Ebensee – AT 30/11 Porgy & Bess, Vienna – AT 03/12 Backstage, Munich – DE 04/12 Das Rind, Rüsselsheim – DE 05/12 Jubez, Karlsruhe – DE 06/12 Cafe de la Danse, Paris – FR 07/12 Le Grillen, Colmar – FR 09/12 Harmonie, Bonn – DE
The universe of Gong began in 1969 when visionary Daevid Allen was inspired by a profound psychedelic vision. A founder member of Soft Machine, Allen incorporated his spiritual and metaphysical leanings into an evolving collective. More a mythology than a band in the conventional sense, Gong established itself as one of the most unique, innovative, and experimental rock groups of the seventies, through an exploratory mix of rock, jazz and psychedelia with elements of mysticism and surrealism, unafraid to deliver its messages directly, obliquely or whimsically.
The current incarnation, who were put together by Daevid for his swansong album with Gong, I See You, honour his intention that Gong do not die with him, urging the band to “carry it on into new unknown heights and depths far beyond anything I could ever imagine myself”.
Photo credit – Layla Burrows
The current lineup of Kavus Torabi, Dave Sturt, Fabio Golfetti, Ian East and Cheb Nettles is the most stable in Gong’s illustrious history, having written, recorded and toured together for eight years since Allen’s passing. A dynamic, powerful and explosive live band, their music draws from the credo of the original Gong while remaining committed to pushing the composition, performances and message into new realms, paying no mind to nostalgia.
The Unending AscendingSpecial Edition will be released on Kscope on 27th September on digipak CD with an 8-page booklet. Pre-order:https://gong.lnk.to/UA_special_edition
UK progressive rockers Frost* recently announced the release of their brand new double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’, due out October 18th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. “Every prog band worth their salt really should do a double album, shouldn’t they?” asks Frost* frontman Jem Godfrey. “We’ve always kind of had this idea of wanting to do one. So I sat down last summer and thought, well, I’m just gonna have to get my head down and go for it.”
Today sees the launch of the track ‘Moral & Consequence’, a song that appears later in the story, and you can watch it now here:
Jem Godfrey comments: “Moral and Consequence is a song of two halves, you’ll never guess what each section is called… In 2008, on our 2nd album “Experiments In Mass Appeal”, I sang – “The ideal and the innocence, the moral and the consequence. Core desire, it’s a real Livewire, setting my life on fire, oh it’s unreal.” It’s not a sequel to the song from 2008, but at the same time it is. It’s a bit complicated, all will be revealed on the new album.”
*** “It’s actually a continuation from Day and Age” explains Godfrey, “the first track on the new album starts with the end of the last track from that album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?”. I remember putting that in when we did Day and Age as a possible little hook for the future; a character somewhere out there in Day and Age land trying to be heard. What does he want to say? Can anybody hear him? Day and Age kind of sets up the world that this character lives in and Life In The Wires tells his story”.
The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom. Tune in at www.lifeinthewires.com and see if you can hear Livewire on the radio.
Helping create this parallel world are the “classic” Frost* lineup of guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell.
Fans of the band’s masterful debut album Milliontown (2006) will enjoy the band revisiting the style that made that debut album one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years, a fact that was not lost on Godfrey as he was writing this new record.
“With Day and Age, we made it a very specific point: we’re not doing any solos, we’ll do clever arrangements. And we enjoyed that discipline, but this time I thought it might be good to row back on that position a bit. Plus, I wanted to have a little bit of a nod to Milliontown with this album, because it’s been nearly 20 years since Milliontown came out and I’m still proud of it. The 15-minute title track has a few of those Milliontown moments in it which were great fun to do again.”
‘Life In The Wires’ will be available as a Limited 2CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP & as Digital Album, with subtle difference across the 3 formats for added interest. The album features artwork design by Carl Glover, who also designed the cover of ‘Day And Age’. The full track listing is as follows:
CD1:
1. Skywaving 1:57 2. Life in the Wires, Part 1 5:30 3. This House Of Winter 6:10 4. The Solid State Orchestra 6:35 5. Evaporator 8:09 6. Strange World 5:09 7. Idiot Box 4:59 8. Absent Friends 3:58
CD2:
1. School (Introducing The All Seeing Eye) 3:12 2. Propergander 5:34 3. Sign Of Life 5:44 4. Moral And Consequence 8:13 5. Life in the Wires, Part 2 15:51 Starting Fires 4:40
After more than a year of searching, prog rock group Aisles welcome their singer, Boris Seeder, with the song “The Dream.” This single was developed after all our lineup changes for the last year or so –says Germán Vergara, Aisles’ guitarist and producer- and when Boris joined, he brought new colors to the melodies, which we really enjoyed and thought were ideal for this new process we are living as a band.” Boris is replacing vocalist Israel Gil, who stepped down as frontman of Aisles in 2023.
“The Dream” was produced by Germán Vergara, mixed by Fernando Cubillos, mastered by Grammy award nominated producer & mix engineer Jacob Hansen (Vola, Arch Enemy, Katatonia, among many more), and the artwork was created by the Chilean design studio Medu1a. The track brings up the notion of never letting go of your dreams, and it was written after the creative process of their previous album, “Beyond Drama” (2023), with a strident heaviness inspired by Muse and Leprous. The track is available on all streaming platforms through Presagio Records.
Aisles’ new vocalist, Boris, is a music teacher and experienced singer who has performed with musicians such as Bobby Kimball (Toto), Eric Martin (Mr. Big) and with Brazilian heavy metal band Angra. “I’m happy to join Aisles, a band that is so consolidated, real and challenging -says the new member of the band- Aisles motivates me to grow constantly but also to trust in my own instinct.” After an intense audition process that included men and women of different musical backgrounds, Boris was chosen because of his discipline and talent, and because he shares the same work ethic with the band.
Aisles, formed also by Juan Pablo Gaete (keyboards, synth) Daniel Concha (bass), and Alvaro Poblete (drums) are working on new songs that will be released soon, taking a turn towards a heavier sound with a substantial use of sequences. “The Dream” brings the beginning of a new era in the band, and it is the first piece of original material released by the group since “Bahamut” came out, in June, 2023.
It’s the first song with our new singer, Boris
The day has come! Finally, we can introduce our new singer, Boris, whose performance shines on the single “The Dream”, that just came out on every streaming platform. We’re so proud of this new lineup (Boris, Germán, Juan Pablo, Daniel and Alvaro), and we are already working full steam on new material and rehearsing for upcoming shows.
BIOGRAPHY Having released five highly acclaimed studio albums, progressive rock band Aisles have created an unparalleled musical approach that combines intricate melodies and sonic openness. They have toured the Americas, Europe, and performed with prog legends Marillion, Focus, and Riverside.
In 2005, Aisles released their debut album, “The Yearning”, recognized for its elegant and delicate melodic work. In 2009, their second album, “In Sudden Walks”, inspired by existential literature and by theater, was nominated for Best Foreign Record at the Prog Awards in Italy. Their third record, “4:45 AM” (2013) was ranked among the best albums of that year in numerous publications specialized in progressive rock.
Their fourth studio album, “Hawaii” (2016), a conceptual double album that narrates the life of humanity in space after the destruction of the Earth, was called a “masterpiece”. The success of the album allowed Aisles to tour in Europe, the United States and Mexico.
In 2018, they released the EP “Live from Estudio del Sur,” complemented by four live-recorded videos available on YouTube. The band released their fifth album, “Beyond Drama,” on April 5, 2023, after the departure of three members and the reconfiguration of the group. On June 30, 2023, they released the instrumental suite “Bahamut,” inspired by the science fiction novel of the same name written by Chilean author Francisco Ortega. In May 2024, they released the EP “Obras de Los Jaivas”, where they tribute Chilean prog folk group Los Jaivas, featuring four guest singers. Four months later, they released the track “The Dream”, introducing the new singer Boris Seeder.
The first in an on-going series of 3 box sets focusing on the live collection of John Wetton. Out on November 15th, 2024
Spirit of Unicorn Music are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Concentus: TheJohn Wetton Live Collection, Volume I : the first in an ongoing series of 3 box sets celebrating the life and times of this incredible musician, focusing on his live canon.
The Concentus: Volume I box set features 10 CDs, the first selection of John’s live albums, all of which have been newly mastered by Andy Pearce. Also included is a selection of bonus material, including rare and hard-to-find cuts. The collection is presented in a compact box and comes with new and extensive sleeve notes from Prog Magazine editor, Jerry Ewing.
The collection has been specially curated by Rick Nelson, Wetton archivist and John’s close friend. Packaging and artwork has been designed by John’s long-time collaborator Michael Inns. The entire project releases with the blessing of John’s wife, Lisa and son, Dylan and has the full support of the Wetton Estate.
Wetton’s dear friend, song-writing partner and co-member of supergroup Asia, Geoff Downes commented “These songs and recordings will live forever and continue to bring joy to those who listen to them. John has left us all a gift and it is a very precious one.”
With a career spanning more than four decades, John Wetton’s rich baritone voice and accomplished bass playing has adorned many recordings. Concentus: Volume I is the second release by Spirit of Unicorn Music which pays tribute to this fine musician and fulfills the Wetton Estate’s commitment to uphold John’s musical legacy. Last year saw the release of AnExtraordinary Life, an 8-CD box set which featured Wetton’s solo studio albums.
John Wetton has a unique place in British music history. In a glittering career that spans more than forty years, Wetton was a member of several influential and much-loved bands, including Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, UK, Asia and Icon. He also appeared on a host of albums as a guest or session player, including for Bryan Ferry, Steve Hackett, Brian Eno, Renaissance, and Galahad.
Watch the trailer for Concentus: The John Wetton Live Collection, Volume I here:
Track Listing:
DISC ONE: Chasing The Dragon Heat Of the Moment Don’t Cry Rendezvous 6:02 Crime Of Passion Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money In The Dead of Night Thirty Years Only Time Will Tell Hold Me Now Starless Book Of Saturday Battle Lines Open Your Eyes The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
DISC TWO: Akustika Live in Amerika Voice Of America Hold Me Now Rendezvous 6:02 Christina Thirty Years Only Time Will Tell Book Of Saturday Don’t Cry Battle Lines The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Heat Of the Moment You’re Not the Only One
DISC THREE: Live in Argentina In The Dead of Night Sole Survivor Only Time Will Tell Voice Of America Book Of Saturday The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Quilmes Rendezvous 6:02
DISC FOUR: Live in Argentina Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money Battle Lines Heat Of the Moment Starless Don’t Cry
DISC FIVE: Hazy Monet The Circle of St. Giles Heat Of the Moment Book Of Saturday Sole Survivor The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Rendezvous 6:02 Quilmes The Night Watch Arkangel Battle Lines Starless Easy Money
DISC SIX: Live in Osaka Intro The Last Thing on My Mind Sole Survivor I Can’t Lie Anymore Battle Lines John Young’s Keyboard Solo Arkangel Emma The Smile Has Left Your Eyes The Night Watch Thirty Years Hold Me Now Only Time Will Tell
DISC SEVEN: Live in Osaka Rendezvous 6:02 Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Easy Money In The Dead of Night After All Heat Of the Moment Starless Don’t Cry
DISC EIGHT: ADAMA The Circle Of St. Giles In The Dead Of Night Sole Survivor Voice Of America Billy Liesegang’s Guitar Solo Battle Lines Arkangel The Night Watch The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Only Time Will Tell Quilmes
DISC NINE: ADAMA Rendezvous 6:02 Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money Starless Heat Of the Moment Don’t Cry Short Jam (soundcheck) All Along the Watchtower (soundcheck) Starless (soundcheck)
DISC TEN: AKUSTISCHA AKUSTISCHA Heat Of the Moment The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Hold Me Now Don’t Cry Open Your Eyes Battle Lines Rendezvous 6:02 Book Of Saturday (rehearsal) Lament (rehearsal) You’re Not the Only One (rehearsal) Starless (rehearsal) Thirty Years (rehearsal) PROGFEST 1997 In The Dead of Night Rendezvous 6:02 Sole Survivor Battle Lines Starless
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