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
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
InsideOutMusic is delighted to announce that it has signed Big Big Train to a multi-album deal for new studio releases. The band are currently working on a new studio album, expected to be released in spring 2024, and have recently been recording in Trieste, Italy, where lead vocalist Alberto Bravin is based.
Big Big Train bassist/founder Gregory Spawton comments: “We have ambitious plans for Big Big Train and are very pleased to have signed this deal with InsideOut. Having run our own record label, English Electric Recordings, for a lengthy period, it’s clear that the music industry has changed enormously in recent years and we believe that we are best positioned to grow BBT further by becoming an InsideOut band. Over the last decade we had received offers from various labels. When we considered the different options, signing up with the premier label for progressive music was the logical choice. We’re very excited about this new era for the band and working with InsideOut/Sony.”
Drummer Nick D’Virgilio adds: “It’s an absolute thrill for me that Big Big Train has become an InsideOut band. Over the years, previously as member of Spock’s Beard and more recently alongside Neal Morse and Ross Jennings, I’ve worked extensively with Thomas Waber and his team at InsideOut/Sony. From experience I know that there is no better label for Big Big Train to be working with. It’s wonderful to join a roster that includes the biggest names in the prog genre such as Dream Theater, Steve Hackett, Jethro Tull, Kansas, Devin Townsend and Yes. We’ve got a lot of new Big Big Train music in the works and with InsideOut’s unrivalled reach across the progressive rock world we hope to reach plenty of folks who may not be familiar with us yet.”
Label head Thomas Waber comments: “We have been in talks with the band for a while and are happy that we can finally announce our partnership. Big Big Train have been proudly carrying the flag for progressive music, and we look forward to helping them on their very bright journey ahead. We are all excited to be stepping on board this particular train!”
Check out a teaser of brand new music here:
In parallel with this deal with InsideOut, Big Big Train will continue to run their English Electric Recordings label and expect to commence a re-issue campaign for previous studio BBT albums in late 2024.
Big Big Train’s latest album, Ingenious Devices, was released on 30th June 2023 (CD, 2LP black and 2 LP sky blue vinyl; Bandcamp) and is available to stream.
The band will embark on their most extensive ever tour in August and September this year, with 17 shows taking place across 9 countries. Big Big Train will also be on board Cruise To The Edge in March 2024. Find the full list of dates in 2023 below:
24th August – The Court Theatre, Tring, UK (warm-up show) 26th August – Cultuurpodium Boerderij, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands 27th August – Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany 28th August – Stora Teatern, Gothenburg, Sweden 29th August – Cosmopolite, Oslo, Norway 30th August – Fryshuset Klubben, Stockholm, Sweden 31st August – Viften, Copenhagen, Denmark 2nd September – 2 Days Prog + 1 Festival, Revislate, Italy 3rd September – Z7, Pratteln, Switzerland 5th September – Neuberinhaus, Reichenbach, Germany 6th September – Victoria Carlswerk, Cologne, Germany 7th September – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany 8th September – Mozart-Saal, Stuttgart, Germany 10th September – Queens Hall, Edinburgh, UK 11th September – Town Hall, Birmingham, UK 12th September – Cadogan Hall, London, UK 13th September – Cadogan Hall, London, UK
Melodic Revolution Records are beyond thrilled to announce the signing of COLIN CARTER, Co-founder of English Progressive Rock Group Flash to the MRR family of talent.
Flash was an English progressive rock group, formed by former Yes guitarist Peter Banks, vocalist Colin Carter, bassist Ray Bennett, and drummer Mike Hough in August 1971 the band released three studio albums, with all three in the top 200 Billboard charts as well as their debut which charted at No. 33.
Colin relocated to the US in the late 70s and continued performing with many bands. In the 2000’s Colin headed north, this time for rural Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest. During his time in Oregon, he has recorded a reformed Flash album on Cleopatra Records, with Ray Bennett, former Flash bass player, now on guitar. The two performed as Flash at Mexicali Prog Festival in Mexico in 2005 and again at the ProgDay Annual Progressive Rock Festival in North Carolina in 2010.
Colin now resides near the Oregon Coast. He is still writing, recording, and has released a solo CD named “Colin Carter-One” in 2018. Writing and singing all the songs, and playing most of the instruments, he produced an eclectic collection of songs in wide ranging styles. The album became an experiment to test the boundaries of his musical and songwriting and production skills. A learning experience.
So what’s next? Well Colin has finished recording a second solo album, Tracks in Space and is due out in 2023.
In a statement from Colin I had just completed the Tracks in Space album, which was a ton of work, of course, but when it was finished , things all came to a grinding halt.
I didn’t want just another self release like my previous project, the Colin Carter-One CD which did okay but its release was limited in scope, I wanted more.
So in asking around my industry friends, I was pointed in the direction of Nick Katona of Melodic Revolution Records, and it turned out to be a perfect fit.
I came up with the music, Nick saw the possibilities, so now Melodic Revolution Records will be helping to send it out to the world to a far greater audience then I ever could.
“This new CD is more polished and focused than the “Colin Carter-One” recording, and if the songs have one thing in common through each of them, it’s a constant pulse. A dance beat! So, prepare to get those feet moving and hips swaying! “
The Wetton Family & Qedg Management AnnounceLine-Up Of Legends To Play Exclusive John Wetton Memorial ConcertOn August 3rd, 2023In Aid Of Charity Who Cared For JohnStreaming Tickets On Sale Now!
28th June 2023: Lisa Wetton, (wife) Dylan Wetton, (son) and QEDG Management are delighted to announce that a memorial concert will be held in memory of JOHN WETTON (King Crimson, Family, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ask, UK, Asia) on 3rd August 2023 at Trading Boundaries in East Sussex. The event will see friends and family of the late lead singer and guitarist gather together to celebrate the life of this extraordinary musician. An all-star line-up of
legends, who were friends and collaborators of Wettons, will perform songs from throughout his incredible career.
The memorial event will be hosted by Prog Magazines editor, Jerry Ewing, alongside Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Asia, YES), Steve Hackett (Genesis, GTR) and artist Roger Dean. The list of performers and special guests who wish to pay tribute to the legendary Wetton is growing by the day, but so far boasts (in alphabetical order):
Chris Braide (Downes Braide Association), Roger Chapman (Family), Mel Collins (King Crimson, Alan Parsons Project, Chris Squire, Roger Waters), Jim Cregan (Family, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Rod Stewart, Katie Melua), David Cross (King Crimson), Chris Difford (Squeeze), Geoff Downes, Steve Hackett, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Dave Kilminster (John Wetton, Keith Emerson, Steven Wilson, Roger Waters), Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music), John Mitchell (John Wetton, Icon, It Bites, Fr*st), Martin Orford (John Wetton, IQ, Jadis), Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd, Roxy Music) , Jay Schellen (YES, Asia), Billy Sherwood (YES, Asia) and Rick Wakeman (YES, Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe), Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash, Snakecharmer) – all of whom will be supported by The Paul Green Rock Academy.
Geoff Downes commented I am very excited to be a part of the upcoming John Wetton Tribute. As you all know, I had a very close and unique writing partnership with John, and we were dear friends, brothers and band mates for many years.
Wetton died on 31st January 2017, as a result of complications due to cancer. He spent his last days being cared for by the charity Macmillan Caring Locally, at the Macmillan Unit, Christchurch Hospital in Dorset. As a gesture of recognition towards his fans who supported Wetton right up until his death, Johns family and management have decided to allow this private event to be live streamed so that it can be enjoyed by fans across the globe. They have also identified the memorial as being the perfect opportunity to highlight the fantastic work done by Macmillan Caring Locally and to raise much-needed funds for the creation of a special hospice suite dedicated to the star.
Lin Sharp, Fundraising and Communications Director for the charity commented It was a privilege to care for John in the final days of his life and we are so grateful to his wife, Lisa, for her continued support. All monies raised will go to fund a room as a legacy to John, named The John Wetton Suite. A massive thank you to you all for making this possible.
Johns son Dylan went on to say I am delighted and humbled that so many legendary artists who worked with my Dad over the years have agreed to come together both to honour him and raise vital funds for the charity which supported him during his last days.
Tickets for the live stream can be purchased now with all proceeds going to Macmillan Caring Locally. In an effort to raise further funds, a special online auction will run alongside the evenings proceedings boasting some unique lots, including a guitar owned by Wetton himself.
This promises to be an incredible, once-in-a-life time event and it is hoped that fans will support it generously by buying live stream memorial tickets as well as bidding on the various auction lots.
Dylan Wetton went on to say I cannot think of a better way to celebrate my Dads life and the incredible musical legacy he has left behind. Its going to be an amazing night, a unique event – which is exactly what my Dad deserves. Downes agrees To honour Johns legacy in this way with so many of his former musicians, colleagues and family gathered together, shows just what an enormous amount of love, gratitude and respect so many of us held for John and his music. Its going to be a wonderful celebration spanning the whole of Johns amazing career. I am very much looking forward to it. See you all there.
Album features performances by Jellyfish’s Roger Joseph Manning Jr., Vulfpeck’s Charles Jones, British guitar legend Snowy White, Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, GnR cohort Ron Bumblefoot Thal, Paul Shafer, God Of Hellfire Arthur Brown and lots more!
Los Angeles, CA – It probably comes as no surprise that Athens GA indie rock icon Matthew Sweet has a fondness for The Beatles. From his 1986 debut album to his early ‘90s breakthrough, including the MTV smash hit “Girlfriend,” on through to his most recent albums, Sweet has pulled off the same kind of melodically driven, seemingly straightforward but stealthily complex songs that turned the Liverpudlian foursome into a worldwide phenomena and one of the most influential artists of all-time. Recently, Sweet was invited to participate in a truly remarkable revisitation of The Beatles’ incredible crowning glory, the brilliant Abbey Road, and the results couldn’t be more satisfying.
Sweet sings, plays guitar and even adds a little bass to a brand new version of Abbey Road’s punchiest blast of rock psychedelia, “Polythene Pam.” The fourth segment of the album’s magnificent Side B medley, “Pam” is the perfect showcase for Sweet’s deft interplay of rapid fire vocals and powerfully overdriven guitars. Assisting in the track’s creation is fellow singer/guitarist Jason Berk, who adds texture with his acoustic guitar, and Fernando Perdomo who supports Sweet’s guitar with some tasteful Hammond organ. Perhaps the only thing that can be said against the track is that, with a running time of 1:27, it leaves too soon. But then, that’s what the repeat button is for!
Abbey Road Reimagined, produced by Perdomo and packed with an astounding array of musical all-stars, will be hitting the digital and physical shelves on August 18. Order your copy today!
TRACK LIST: 1. Come Together – Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd), Jackie Lomax (Apple Records Artist) & Snowy White (Pink Floyd) 2. Something – Charles Jones (Vulfpeck) & Sonny Landreth 3. Maxwell’s Silver Hammer – Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (Jellyfish) 4. Oh! Darling – Eric Dover (Jellyfish) & Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge) 5. Octopus’s Garden – Matt Axton & Brian Auger (Rod Stewart) 6. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) – Arthur Brown & Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) 7. Here Comes The Sun – Ron Bumblefoot Thal (Guns N’ Roses) 8. Because – Rebecca Pidgeon & Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues) 9. You Never Give Me Your Money – Graham Bonnet (Rainbow) & Rick Wakeman (Yes) 10. Sun King – James Booth & The Return, Albert Lee & Geoff Downes (Yes) 11. Mean Mr. Mustard – Jack Russell (Great White) 12. Polythene Pam – Matthew Sweet 13. She Came In Through The Bathroom Window – Adam Gaynor (Matchbox 20) & Paul Shaffer 14. Golden Slumbers – Terry Reid 15. Carry That Weight – Gregg Bissonette 16. The End – Frank Dimino (Angel) & Steve Hillage (Gong) 17. Her Majesty – Gary Wilson
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