Following the success of four highly-praised albums with Iamthemorning, the lyricist, singer and co-songwriter Marjana Semkina releases her spellbinding debut solo album, Sleepwalking on 14th February 2020 through Kscope. The album will be released under an alternative spelling – Mariana Semkina.
Characterized by her composed and unique voice, complex melodic lines and poetic lyrics with literary references, Semkina has often compared favorably with Kate Bush. The new material draws from the Iamthemorning soundscape but exists fully in Marjana’s world; a compelling mixture of alternative folk, pop, drama, beauty, and emotionally purging lyrics.
Marjana explains the motivation behind releasing a solo album “It wasn’t my plan to ascribe any profound meaning or concept to creating Sleepwalking, its purpose was more personally therapeutic, it was supposed just to help me get through some dark times, and at the end of that period in my life I found myself, not only renewed but with a collection of songs that were too personal to release under any other name other than my own.”
She continues “I wanted to use Sleepwalking as a way to translate emotions in the most sincere and unrefined way. No sugarcoating, no filters, just creative, honest thought caught in the moment. Turning those dark times and feelings into pure creative energy, something beautiful, something that has a purpose”
Sleepwalking is a musical blend akin to the darker folk of Aldous Harding, Marissa Nadler, Sumie and Florist. To aid her vision for Sleepwalking, Marjana invited renowned keyboardist, drummer and bassist Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Craig Blundell and Nick Beggs (Steven Wilson), as well as the St. Petersburg Orchestra “1703” and frequent collaborator Vlad Avy.
Marjana is teasing fans with a glimpse into what to expect with this trailer featuring four songs from Sleepwalking – “Am I Sleeping Or Am I Dead”, “Invisible”, “Turn Back Time”, “Mermaid Song” and “Still Life”.
The stunning album artwork makes reference to Semkina’s love for classical art, unifying photography with the 17th-Century Vanitas movement; “I am a big lover of classical art, and with this cover, I wanted to create some sort of a unity between medium of photography and the Vanitas art movement, a genre of still life painting. The paintings of the genre usually contain collections of objects symbolic of the inevitability of death and the transience and vanity of earthly achievements and pleasures; it exhorts the viewer to consider mortality, which is extremely close to where this album came from.”
1. Dark Matter 2. Am I Sleeping Or Am I Dead 3. Turn Back Time 4. Ars Longa Vita Brevis 5. Invisible 6. Lost At Sea 7. Skin 8. How to Be Alone 9. Everything Burns 10. Mermaid Song11. Still Life
Strings Ensemble: St.Petersburg Orchestra “1703” (Санкт-Петербургский Оркестр 1703)
Vocals recorded by Mark Knight Guitars on all tracks & drums on 8 & 9 recorded by Vlad Avy Drums on 3 & 7 recorded by Craig Blundell Bass guitar on 3 & 7 recorded by Nick Beggs Bass guitar on 8 & 9 recorded by Grigoriy Losenkov Strings recorded by Fedor Naumov at LenDoc Studios, St.Petersburg
All songs were written by Marjana Semkina String arrangements by Grigoriy Losenkov All songs arranged by Vlad Avy, Grigoriy Losenkov, Marjana Semkina Except 2, 5, 8 (Grigoriy Losenkov) and 3, 6 (Vlad Avy) Produced by Vlad Avy, Grigoriy Losenkov, Marjana Semkina Mixed & mastered by Vlad Avy
Cover photography by Eggor Kree, Booklet photography by Maria Yureva Construction of curiosities by Doppelgangerart
US Progressive Metal pioneers and innovators PSYCHOTIC WALTZ return in full original line-up with their highly anticipated 5th studio album and first new music in 23 years. Entitled ‘The God-Shaped Void’, the upcoming new album and InsideOutMusic debut will be released on February 14th, 2020.
The band will be premiering the new album at a listening party at the Burning Beard Brewing Company (785 Vernon Way, El Cajon, CA) on February 13th at 7:30 pm.
Join members of the band to hear the album in its entirety, as well as a raffle for some band goodies. Free entry. https://burningbeardbrewing.com/
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ – “The God-Shaped Void” 1. Devils And Angels (06:29) 2. Stranded (04:49) 3. Back To Black (03:52) 4. All The Bad Men (03:59) 5. The Fallen (05:49) 6. While The Spiders Spin (05:49) 7. Pull The String (04:54) 8. Demystified (05:12) 9. Season Of The Swarm (05:57) *** Bonus Track 10. Sisters Of The Dawn (06:41) 11. In The Silence (05:16)
The album’s bonus-track “Season Of The Swarm” will be available on the limited Mediabook CD (which comes with expanded booklet and an exclusive logo patch), on the vinyl edition as well as on the Digital versions. A standard Jewelcase CD edition is available as well.
The vinyl edition of “The God-Shaped Void” comes as 2LP on 180gr. vinyl with gatefold packaging and with the entire album on CD as bonus in the following versions: – vinyl, there will also be the following strictly limited coloured editions available: – Black 2LP + CD: Unlimited – Lilac 2LP + CD: 200x copies from IOM Webshop – Transparent Blue 2LP + CD: 200x copies from Nuclear Blast – Dark Green 2LP + CD: 300x copies from CM Distro
(Left to right on photo by Axel Jusseit) Dan Rock – guitars & keys Devon Graves – vocals Ward Evans – bass Norman Leggio – drums Brian McAlpin – guitars
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ– Studio album discography:
A Social Grace (1990) Into The Everflow (1992) Mosquito (1994) Bleeding (1996) The God-Shaped Void (2020)
Imagine you could send your latest favorite rock record on a journey through time and into the past – what would it sound like? That’s exactly what A Life Divided had in mind when creating their new album “Echoes”.
“It was during the 80s when we first came into contact with music. At that time I bought my first Adidas Allround sneakers, let my hair grow and played the songs of my metal heroes on guitar”, recalls vocalist Jürgen Plangger. Songwriter and producer Erik Damköhler was more of a synth-wave fan back then. “That’s how we came up with the idea of mixing our A Life Divided-style with the typical synth-sounds of the 80s. ‘Echoes’ as a result was something completely new: 13 songs that combine our dark alternative rock with the zeitgeist of the 80s.”
After German radio hits like “Feel”, “Space” and “Heart on Fire”, an award for the best newcomer from one of the biggest radio stations in Germany, tours with Apocalyptica, Eisbrecher, Unheilig, and Oomph as well as sold-out headliner club tours, it is without a doubt that A Life Divided and their blend of rock music with electronic elements are known across all scenes. The band currently consists of vocalist and songwriter Jürgen Plangger (also guitarist for Eisbrecher), guitarist Tony Berger (ex-Lacrimas Profundere) and bass player Tobias Egger as well as songwriter Erik Damköhler.
The songs on the new album “Echoes” revolve around the theme of finiteness and the echo that is left from all of us. “Finiteness is threatening when we love and live, but it can also be comforting when we grieve, experience hurt or have been disappointed. But there is always an echo, a quiet reminder, of what was.” – Jürgen Plangger (A Life Divided) “Echoes” will be released on January 31st via AFM Records.
Tracklisting: 01. Hello Emptiness 02. Dry Your Eyes 03. Addicted 04. Confronted 05. Enemy 06. Rock ’N’ Roll Star 07. Far 08. Anybody Out There 09. Push 10. Servant 11. The Ordinary 12. Circles 13. Forevermore (Digipak Bonus)
OPEROSE is a new symphonic progressive metal band from the United Kingdom, featuring the voice of rising opera sensation Jennifer Coleman.
How would you describe your new album Musically? We really took the feedback from the first album on board and as such OCEANS OF STARLIGHT is a lot more commercial and in line with what is expected in the Symphonic Metal genre. The debut possibly tried too hard to be different and it was, therefore, important to transform what was a classical/metal cross over concept into a fully-fledged symphonic outfit. Experienced musicians were added to the line-up and production team and a lot of work went into writing new tracks. The end product is heavier with a lot more symphonic elements and variety. The whole album tells a story from start to finish and work also went into making sure there was space for the listener to take a breather rather than being bombarded with heavy track after heavy track.
And please tell me something about the lyrical concept of the album: One thing that did work well in the debut was the concept story, paying tribute to the Opera theme of the band. We, therefore, wanted to involve the fans and held a vote for them to decide what the lyrical concept should be for our new album. It was a landslide victory for Cleopatra. We then based the whole album on this and focused on the Battle of Actium and subsequent demise of Cleopatra.
How long did it take to record and write this album? The whole process was a little over a year. After identifying that we wanted to work with Markus Teske for the production, we booked a realistic studio slot that gave a year deadline to write and record everything. I actually tend to commission the artwork first as it always inspires me to write music that fits the concept. We recorded the vocals at the end in August 2019 before being mixed and mastered in Germany in September.
What was the goal of making this album? The ultimate goal of this album is to be enjoyed and accepted in a fantastic symphonic metal genre and we really hope it achieves this. The first album was about trying to do something different in a crowded genre, this was about showing we can still be unique but in a way that is true to the genre. We are hoping it resonates with a lot of new fans, especially as the vocals are catchier and layered more with a bigger overall production. The debut deliberately had a solo tracked vocal to be in line with a more classical genre but it has been layered where necessary on this album to add more dynamics and suit the new sound we wanted to achieve. The whole dynamic of guitars and vocals also collaborates more rather than competes, which was a challenge at times in the debut.
What would you say are your musical Influences? The album is maybe not as progressive as the first and was trying to take inspiration from many sources. Prog is my go-to genre but some great symphonic bands such as Nightwish, Kamelot, Amberian Dawn, and Stratovarius no doubt inspired. Many classical composers also played a huge role in the neoclassical instrumental track to close the album.
How have band member changes affected the band’s sound and dynamics i.e. what have the new members brought to the band? The new members made an immediate impact, bringing experience and fresh impetus. We recruited Steve Hauxwell as a new drummer and Mike Bridge in on bass and I felt it very important to give them free reign to add their own stamp onto the tracks and it worked very well. The sound is so much bigger than the debut with regards to production but the performance also benefited from the fact that we each had clear roles, time and space to add value to the tracks.
TRACKLISTING: 1- Battle Swan 2- Oceans of Starlight 3- Lost Horizon 4- This Life of Mine 5- Nothing Left 6- On Sleeping Tides 7- Octavian 8- The Actium Suite
The Stunning New Studio Album From Legendary Nektar – Released January 24, 2020, on Esoteric Antenna
Esoteric Antenna is delighted to announce the release of the stunning new studio album by the legendary band Nektar. Throughout the 1970s Nektar released a series of acclaimed albums, scoring chart success in Germany (where the British band was based) and later in the USA (where the band relocated). Following the passing of original guitarist/vocalist Roye Albrighton in 2016, fellow founder members Derek “Mo” Moore (bass, vocals), Ron Howden (drums, vocals) & Mick Brockett (lyrics, visual conceptions) reunited in late 2018 along with Randy Dembo (bass, 12-string guitar), Ryche Chlanda (guitar, vocals) & Kendall Scott (keyboards) to begin work on a new album.
Ryche Chlanda originally recorded with Nektar in 1978, and for “The Other Side” the band updated some of those ideas which evolved in the basement of Mo Moore’s house in Chatham, New Jersey. Ron Howden, Mo and Ryche collaborated on much of the music heard on the album. The 1978 unrecorded song “Skypilot” has evolved into “Skywriter” in 2020. With new lyrics by Mick, Mo and Ryche
“I’m On Fire” is the musical adaptation of a poem written by Mo for his soon-to-be wife, Nicki, during that same time period of 1978. The closing track, “Devil’s Door”, was originally performed live in 1974, but never featured on a Nektar album. Updated and recorded for this album, the song features the presence of the late Roye Albrighton on the introduction to the track, whose wonderful guitar part was taken from a live soundboard recording made in 1974.
Kendall Scott’s distinctive & versatile keyboard presence has enhanced this considerably, whilst Randy Dembo, who originally joined Nektar in 2004, brings a uniting presence on 12-string and bass guitars, rounding out the instrumental arrangements. Ron Howden has been a continual driving force of the band, weathering all versions of Nektar since its conception in 1969. With Mick Brockett now back in the fold (with his visual concepts and ideas as an essential part of the band making the music and light theatre a reality). “The Other Side” is a stunning album from a legendary band.
TRACK LISTING 1. I’m On Fire 2. SkyWriter 3. Love is / The Other Side 4. Drifting 5. Devil’s Door 6. The Light Beyond 7. Look Through me 8. Y Can’t I B more like U (2020)
Nektar US Tour Dates JANUARY 8 – Sellersville, PA (Sellersville Theater) JANUARY 9 – Kennet Square, PA (Kennet Flash) JANUARY 10 – Dunellen, NJ (NJ ProgHouse @ Roxy & Dukes) JANUARY 11 – Baltimore, MD (Orion Studio) JANUARY 12 – Baltimore, MD (Orion Studio) JANUARY 14 – New York, NY (The Iridium) JANUARY 15 – New York, NY (The Iridium) JANUARY 16 – New York, NY (The Iridium) 2 shows FEBRUARY 09 – Manchester, NH (Roxy Theater) FEBRUARY 10 – Cambridge, Boston, MA (The Middle East Upstairs) FEBRUARY 11 – Northampton, MA (The Iron Horse) FEBRUARY 12 – Pawling, NY (Daryl’s House) FEBRUARY 20 – Albany, NY (Linda WAMC) FEBRUARY 21 – Auburn, NY (Auburn Public Theater) FEBRUARY 22 – Hamburg, NY (Hamburg Palace Theater) FEBRUARY 23 – Toronto, ON (The Garrison) FEBRUARY 25 – Westland Detroit MI (The Token lounge) FEBRUARY 26 – Cleveland, OH (Beachland Ballroom) FEBRUARY 28 – Cincinnati, OH (Ludlow Garage) FEBRUARY 29 – Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater) MARCH 01 – Chicago, IL (Reggie’s) MARCH 02 – Milwaukee WI (Shank Hall) MARCH 03 – Minneapolis, MN (Granada Theater) MARCH 04 – Kansas City KS (Record Bar) MARCH 05 – Edwardsville, IL (Wildey Theater) (SOLD OUT) MARCH 06 – Edwardsville, IL (Wildey Theater) MARCH 07 – Edwardsville, IL (Wildey Theater) 2 shows (BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT) MARCH 08 – Fayetteville AR, (George’s Majestic Lounge)
For the uninitiated, Magic Sword might seem like a conceptual quagmire. But we assure you, their universe (or, multiverse as they would say) is rich with lore and next-level artistry.
Comprised of three inter-dimensional / interplanetary beings–The Keeper (keyboards), The Seer (guitar) and The Weaver (drums)–Magic Sword encompasses graphic novels, soundtracks, and live performances. Armed with a musical and visual aesthetic that has its roots unabashedly buried deep in the golden era of the ‘70s and ‘80s fantasy and sci-fi, the trio has helped give rise to the emerging “retro wave” and “synth-wave” movements.
Their second full-length album, Endless, is a 50-minute 11-song album of instrumental epics. Released on the heels of 2019’s 30-minute EP Awakening, Endless chronicles the trio of Immortals as they lead the charge against evil in the ongoing Magic Sword multiverse. On March 27, the multiverse will align to bring the people of the land together for the birth of their album, followed by a tour of the realm searching for the greater good. Or so we’re told.
The VIP Edition is limited to 400 hand-numbered copies on the badass Empress Blue & Black Galactic Swirl vinyl with Red splatter (pictured below) and comes with 10″x6″ Comic Book.
Magic SwordEndless(March 27, 2020) 1. Depths of Power 2. Invincible 3. Aftermath 4. Empress 5. Shores of Oblivion 6. Prophecy 7. Corruption 8. Ritual 9. A New Quest 10. Hope 11. Endless
DO NOT SNOOZE ON SEEING THIS BAND LIVE
March 27 – Treefort Festival – Boise, ID* March 29 – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ* March 31 – Barracuda – Austin, TX* April 01 – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill – Dallas, TX* April 03 – Masquerade – Atlanta, GA* April 04 – Soundbar – Orlando, FL* April 05 – Motorco – Durham, NC* April 07 – Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD* April 08 – Music Hall of Williamsburg – Brooklyn, NY* April 10 – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA* April 11 – The Sinclair – Boston, MA* April 13 – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles – Quebec City, QC* April 14 – Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC* April 15 – Mod Club – Toronto, ON* April 16 – The Loving Touch – Ferndale, MI* April 17 – Bottom Lounge – Chicago, IL* April 18 – Turf Club – Minneapolis, MN* April 19 – The Granada – Lawrence, KS* April 20 – Bluebird Theater – Denver, CO* April 22 – Urban Lounge – Salt Lake City, UT* April 24 – Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA* April 25 – Teragram Ballroom – Los Angeles, CA* May 01 – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR* May 02 – El Corazon – Seattle, WA
** w/ Dance With The Dead
Dig deeper into the lore:
Magic Sword is an ageless tale of good and evil told through an ever-expanding graphic novel with each volume accompanied by an original, synth-heavy soundtrack as well as immersive live performances. With the three mediums intertwined from conception, together they create an epic experience for those bold enough to bear witness and come away with a deeper understanding of the ultimate hero’s journey. Armed with a musical and visual aesthetic that has its roots unabashedly buried deep in the golden era of the ‘70s and ‘80s fantasy and sci-fi, Magic Sword’s followers are called to another plane of existence where the struggle between light and shadow becomes all too real. The multiverse has aligned to bring the people of the land together for the birth of their album Endless, followed by a tour of the realm searching for the greater good.
The Immortals are: The Keeper of the Magic Sword – red, keyboards The Seer of All Truths – blue, guitar The Weaver of all Hearts and Souls – yellow, drums
The Immortals give a direct account of their vision:
“In the beginning there was light… and darkness. A creation of perfect balance. As time passed, evil spread over the land like a plague, slowly consuming everything in its path. In the final moments, before the light was lost to the shadow for all time, a weapon of infinite power was created, the Magic Sword. Thus, restoring balance to the universe.
The genesis of things is often small. As the single seed grows to a mighty oak, so too did the path of the Keeper begin as a single choice in an age long past. Once a humble king, they were manipulated into unknowingly unleashing the Dark One. All of reality was torn asunder as the Lord of Shadow was released from their ancient prison, having been bound only by the power contained within the Magic Sword. From that day forth, the King was cursed to be the immortal Keeper of this powerful key. He has been relentlessly compelled for millennia to find the Chosen One who will one day unleash the true power of the weapon and cannot rest until the grand design is seen complete with the Darkness bound once again.
Little is known of The Lord of Shadow but death and decay. Since the release from his ancient prison by the hapless Keeper of the Magic Sword, he has pulled all of the existence slowly toward himself in a vortex of darkness and destruction. Any wayward soul that he touches is corrupted to their ultimate demise. He uses his followers, acolytes of death, with no more regard than any other, for his reason for being is simply to end all things. Ensuingly, the forces of good have been searching for the Light to push him back into his eternal prison. The key to operating this cell is the Magic Sword; when wielded by the Chosen One, it has the power to return balance to the Universe.
The Keeper of the Magic Sword searches endlessly for the Chosen One. With the help of the other Immortals, The Seer of All Things and The Weaver of Hearts and Minds, they are ever trying to stem the tide of the Great Shadow from engulfing all life. Through time and space itself, The Immortals are pulled by the power of the Magic Sword to those who hunger for true justice. Whenever the need is great, they appear with the Magic Sword and a high stakes proposition for those who are pure of heart, perpetually hoping that their search is finally over.
This prophesied being contained the ability to wield the power of the Magic Sword and seal the prison that holds Dark One for all eternity. Only then will The Keeper, The Seer, and The Weaver be able to rest. Until the chosen one is revealed, the search continues in this realm and many others throughout all of time and space. In what form will the Magic Sword manifest? Who is the Chosen One? Will it be you? Answers will reveal themselves as the need arises. A tale of high adventure as old as time itself.”
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