We’re thrilled to announce that on March 22, 2024, our label will unleash Ruud Jolie’s For All We Know‘s latest masterpiece, ‘By Design Or By Disaster’. The album will be available on CD and on vinyl!
Since 2011, For All We Know has been the side project of Ruud Jolie, known from Within Temptation. The debut album was released in the same year, followed by the second album called ‘Take Me Home’ in 2017. In 2023, both albums were released on vinyl via prog rock/metal label Construction Records. The brand new third album, entitled ‘By Design Or By Disaster’, will also be released on CD and colored vinyl via Construction Records.
During the writing process, Jolie again worked closely with singer Wudstik, and the band consists of the same musicians who were featured on the first two albums: Léo Margarit (Pain of Salvation), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (ex Pain of Salvation), and Marco Kuypers (ex Cloud Machine). The 11 songs on the album were produced by Jolie himself and range from metal to calm melodies.
Compared to the previous two albums, ‘By Design Or By Disaster‘ takes the listener to even more extreme corners, ranging from beautiful atmospheric strings to powerful rhythms and heavy guitars. Despite this diversity, Jolie continues to search for unexpected melodies and harmonies, where he is not afraid to go off the beaten path. There are also some ‘Easter eggs’ hidden for the attentive listener; melodies from the previous albums that return in an innovative way on this new album, making the first two albums together with this album a kind of trinity, which also applies to the artwork. First single and video ‘The Future That Came Too Soon’ Second single and video ‘Lifeline’
They appear alongside a line up of great artists including That Joe Payne, The Paradox Twin, Amanda Lehmann, Storm Deva & more
Saturday 24th August to Monday 26th August 2024, Cantley Park, Wokingham
Wokingham Festival has announced its three day line up featuring a wide range of musical genres including a showcase of some of the best current progressive music artists.
Taking place on Saturday, Sunday & Monday of the August Bank Holiday weekend with over 40 artists appearing, the festival has announced that the Monday line up on August 26th, which focuses on the best of prog & rock, will feature one of the most influential bands to emerge from the 1980’s festival scene, Ozric Tentacles as headliners. The band are the creative vision of multi-instrumentalist, Ed Wynne and their uniquely trippy soundscapes connect fans of progressive rock, psychedelia and dance culture. Ozric Tentacles released their 17th studio album, ‘Lotus Unfolding’ in October 2023 to great acclaim in in their 40th anniversary year.
Photo : Ozric Tentacles. Credit : Artist Also appearing on the main stage on the day will be That Joe Payne, performing a full band set with his
incredible group of musicians, plus The Paradox Twin, Spriggan Mist, Hoopy Frood & Amanda Lehmann.
There is also a second stage with no cross over so that every minute of music on the day can be enjoyed by all. The stage features a great mix of prog, blues & indie from some excellent artists. Headliners are the fast rising band from the Netherlands, Sonic Whip and there will also be performances from Chloe Mogg, San Demas,
Jimmy the Dog & Storm Deva. Gates open at 11.00am, Music starts at 12.00 midday and finishes at 8pm on the Monday (10.30 on Sat &
Sun) so not a late night if working the next day.
The first two days of the festival on the Saturday & Sunday feature a wide range of musical style including tribute artists, cover artists as well as original artists. Original prog and rock will also be represented on those days with Flutatious headlining the second stage on the Sunday, The Room playing the main stage on the Saturday and The Cold Blooded Hearts playing the main stage on the Sunday. There will also be performances from a number of excellent young indie bands.
About Wokingham Festival :-
Wokingham Festival was set up over 16 years ago by founder Stan Hetherington, who also runs the renowned Wokingham Music Club and it has built a solid and growing reputation over the years as a quality family friendly festival run by the community for the community. As well as the music across its two stages there is a great range of food and drink stalls in addition to the well stocked bar and beer tent.
The festival was traditionally a two day festival but in 2019 Stan asked Chris Hillman of White Star Records, if he would help set up a new day 3 of the festival to focus on the best of prog and rock. Chris was happy to oblige and the day was so successful that it has continued with 2024 being the 6th year since that first event!
Stan Hetherington has decided to step down from the festival as part of his retirement and has handed over the reins to a new team that will be run by Dean Nelson, known in the prog scene and beyond as manager of Kyros and owner of Generation Studio. Dean and his new team will be assisted with ongoing advice from Stan & Chris.
Chris Hillman spoke about this year’s event :
‘It’s been wonderful to see the reputation of Wokingham Festival growing further since we added a day of prog and rock to the event. The crowd has grown each year so hopefully that means we are doing something right.The aim has been to bring established bands to the area and also to help support up and coming artists in a fun friendly music loving environment. We are really excited that Ozric Tentacles are able to join us this year, alongside a great line up of quality artists’
Photo : Wokingham Festival Day 3 Crowd. Credit Andrew Merritt
Early Bird Tickets for Wokingham Festival which offer great value have already gone on sale, and may be purchased via the web site at www.wokinghamfestival.co.uk
For more information and to stay updated on Wokingham Festival, follow their social media at www.facebook.com/wokinghamfestival www.instagram.com/wokinghamfestival www.twitter.com/wokinghamfest
Album features performances by Steve Morse, King Crimson violinist David Cross, GnR guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and keyboard legend Patrick Moraz plus members of Weather Report, Utopia, Angel, Soft Machine, Gong, and more!
Los Angeles, CA – As longtime guitarist and co-writer for the powerhouse rock hitmaker Billy Idol, Steve Stevens is widely celebrated as a master of composing forceful, electrifying rock melodies that balance their intensity with an undeniable mainstream appeal. It’s that melodic sensibility matched with an impressive technical mastery that has made Stevens one of the most sought after collaborators in music today. Recently, Stevens accepted an invitation to contribute to the new album from The Prog Collective and the result is one of the purest expressions of Stevens’s creativity ever captured.
For the uninitiated, The Prog Collective, founded and helmed by producer/multi-instrumentalist and famed bassist for Yes Billy Sherwood, has united some of the finest musicians of rock, jazz, metal, pop and everything in between since its founding in 2012. The group’s newest studio effort, entitled Dark Encounters, takes a deliberate turn toward a more brooding and melancholic musical path, filled with haunting ambience and eerie melodic passages. All of this makes Stevens the perfect partner for an exploration into the darker side of prog rock. Check out the album’s first single and the album’s leadoff track, “Darkest Hour,” which is released today on all music platforms.
Dark Encounters is set for release on March 29 and includes contributions from a number of notable musicians and creative geniuses from the legendary Steve Morse, violinist David Cross, and guitar wizard Bumblefoot to keyboardist Patrick Moraz, Utopia’s Kasim Sulton, Gong’s Steve Hillage, and more!
Track List: 1. Darkest Hour with Steve Stevens 2. Ominous Signs with Steve Morse 3. At The Gates with David Cross 4. Dark Days with Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, Patrick Moraz & Omar Hakim 5. Lonely Landscape with Kasim Sulton 6. The Long Night with Frank Dimino & Marco Minnemann 7. The Quasi Effect with Billy Sherwood 8. The 11th Hour with John Etheridge 9. Between Two Worlds with Steve Hillage & Gregg Bissonette 10. Distant Thunder with Todd Sucherman 11. Dark Money with Joe Bouchard 12. For All To See with Pat Mastelotto 13. Beyond Reason with Chad Wackerman BONUS TRACKS [CD ONLY] 14. I Saw the Light – Todd Rundgren with Rick Wakeman 15. I’m Not In Love – Nektar with Rick Wakeman
Contrary to popular belief, progressive rock didn’t disappear with the advent of punk, and the lack of media support didn’t prevent new bands from forming and new music being created. It is hard to imagine these days, with everyone being permanently connected, but there was a time not long ago when communication was by word of mouth and letter. With no coverage by much of the media, it was down to fanzines and independent magazines to spread the word of what was happening within the progressive rock scene, what was being released, and who was worth going to see in concert. Most of these magazines survived for just a few issues, while others continued for many years, all having their part to play in spreading the word.
One of the most important during this period was ‘Feedback’. It initially started as the newsletter of Mensa’s Rock Music Special Interest Group in 1988, but when Kev Rowland became secretary in 1990, he determined to turn it into a magazine promoting music that often wasn’t being written about in the mainstream press. ‘Feedback’ soon became one of the key promoters of the underground progressive scene, and Rowland one of the most well-known and popular reviewers. He also became a contributor to ‘Rock ‘n’ Reel’, as well as writing for the Ghostland website in the early days of prog on the web.
Rowland collated all his progressive rock reviews and interviews written between 1991 and 2006 into three volumes which have been described by Record Collector and others as “The Bible” while one reviewer called it the “Encyclopaedia Progressivica”. It was originally intended to be just one book, but with the word count at more than half a million it was too big, so instead it was decided to break it into easily digestible chunks and include all album artwork. The books have been widely acclaimed, and questions were asked of Rowland as to when the next one in the series would be available? Originally there was never any intention to produce any others as these had captured the time when he was running ‘Feedback’. However, even though he moved to the other side of the world and dropped out of the music scene, Rowland did begin writing again in 2008 and was soon as involved as he had previously been in the UK. Also, all his reviews were now saved digitally and did not have to be brought back to life from poorly photocopied fanzines, and he became convinced that it would be worthwhile to continue the series as the music had never stopped.
This led to Volume 4, containing his writings from 2008 to 2013, with all album covers in full colour and cover art again by Martin Springett. Unlike the others in the series, this included the complete alphabet, along with some book and DVD reviews, various artists, and a few interviews. Of course, again questions were soon being asked as to when the next volume would be available and now, we have Volume 5, which starts in 2014 and takes us into 2018. The foreword is by label owner Nick Katona, while the comments on the rear cover are from musicians Steve Bonino and Peter Matuchniak.
Along with the other volumes in the series, this book shines a spotlight onto a scene which is still critically ignored by many and provides information about the music in a constructive manner. It is again possible to discover some great music from wonderful bands, and this should be used as a guide to expand collections and understand that prog rock really didn’t die, it just went underground.
About the author
Kev Rowland is a self-confessed music addict, who has never really been the same since he heard ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ in 1975. In the Eighties he spent quite a ridiculous amount of money on all things related to Jethro Tull and was asked by David Rees to write a piece on Carmen (the band including John Glascock, not the opera) for the Tull fanzine ‘A New Day’. This simple request was life-changing, although neither realised it at the time.
Kev discovered he enjoyed writing about music and submitted reviews for the inaugural Mensa Rock Special Interest Group newsletter, before becoming secretary himself in 1990. Over the next 16 years, the newsletter gained a name, and he put out more than 80 issues, many of them doubles, more than 11,000 pages. When he moved to New Zealand in 2006, he retired from the music scene, but was pulled back in – initially kicking and screaming until he accepted his fate. These days he can again be found contributing to many magazines and websites and over the last 30+ years has written literally millions of words on music, but is not stopping yet and somehow, he still manages more than 250,000 words annually. So much music, so little time!
When he isn’t listening to music, writing about music, or thinking about music, then he can be found on his lifestyle block with his wonderful wife Sara, and their 6 dogs, 5 cats, chickens, sheep, lambs, calves, and cattle. Oh, apparently, he has a day job as well.
Kev is available for interview but asks for initial contact to be made via email as time zones can be confusing to some people, and he does live at the end of the world after all: feedbackfanzine@hotmail.com
Kev Rowland’s previous collections of his progressive rock reviews and interviews written between 1991 and 2013 are essential for all lovers of the genre, but don’t just take our word for it.
A book that will be quickly referred to as “a bible”.
Daryl Easlea, Record Collector
His writing is informative, intelligent, and generous… As Brian Appleton would put it, thank you Kev for your contribution.
Rychard Carrington, Rock n Reel
It is unvarnished and unencumbered by any expectations of PR; the reviews are clearly done for no other reason than love of the genre.
DE, Prog Magazine
This is best treated as a kind of guide to the neo-progressive genre… progressive rock has never really died; it just went from the mainstream to the underground.
Artur Chachlowski, MLWZ
All I can say is if you are a true proghead this book should be in your library of progressive rock literature. Because it’s a great work. A book to be considered of superior or lasting artistic merit.
Henri Strik, Background Magazine
Chronic well-crafted, short, and mostly written in order to develop the subject with ease… I believe that many current columnists should emulate the writing of Mr. Rowland.
Fred, ProfilProg
All four volumes are essentially icings on a huge, delicious prog cake and should be an integral part in every prog-lovers’ cabinet.
Jan Buddenberg, DPRP.net
I continue to find these books extremely enjoyable and consider Kev a role model. “Read on” Kev indicates in his introduction. I fully concur.
The band originally began developing “Your Song” during the making of their award-winning debut, “The Sky Is Falling,” but the song wasn’t completed in time for the making of that record. Hardcore fans of the band may notice that the ballad actually carries forward a musical theme from the first album to the next, as the intention was for the ballad to connect musically with the former record’s instrumental piece, “In the Air.” Today, Days Before Tomorrow performs those two musical pieces together, live in concert.
Lyrically, “Your Song” was born out of a snarky comment made to Scott by a girlfriend many years ago: “Why don’t you write any songs for me?” Thus was born the idea to write her a love song, but since she enjoyed ribbing Scott about it, he decided to have some fun and turn it into a song for world peace as well. Why should she have the entire song to herself, after all?
“Your Song” can be found on the band’s latest release Now and Then Part II: Stories and Dreams which was released on 10/20/2023 and is available on CD, Digital, and streaming.
All Music By Days Before Tomorrow All Lyrics Eric Klein except “Your Song” by Scott Kahn Mastered By: George Keller
Mixed by James Linton (Bobby Kimball).
Days Before Tomorrow Eric Klein: vocals Scott Kahn: guitars, backing vocals Derek Davodowich: guitars, backing vocals John Gale: keyboards, backing vocals Matt Maldonado: drums Jacob Asbury: bass, vocals
Previous Releases
The Sky Is Falling (2009) Days Before Tomorrow (2006)
Transport Aerian is a Belgian progressive rock project. Taking it roots in 2009, it is known ever since for its vivid and dark combination of contemporary prog and jazz sounds, wrapped in heavier guitar work, and intimate, deeply personal poetry.
It sets no strict genre borders and knows no musical or spiritual limits but always stays on the progressive side. In recent years, the band has released four studio albums published by American grass-roots record label Melodic Revolution Records: Bleeding (2013), Darkblue (2015), Therianthrope (2017), and Skywound (2021). The project worked with many guest artists from all over the world, including such names as Paul Sax (Curved Air), Elvya (Solo artist, Ayreon), Chris Allan (Malefice/Spiral Key), Marco Ragni, Peter Matuchniak and many others. In recent years, the band performed numerous shows in Belgium, France, and The Netherlands with its current lineup featuring Hamlet (vocals and bass), Stefan Boeykens (guitars), Umut Eldem (Keyboards), and Paul De Smet (drums).
Transport Aerian is known for focusing solely on concept albums with a heavy emphasis on more serious topics, ranging from personal, and spiritual to social or perspectives – in other words openly talking about the experience of just being a human in a rapidly changing world on the brink of crisis.
Musically, Transport Aerian combines the elements of classic prog and contemporary heavy and experimental music, exploring the vintage production designs, poetic post-modernist tint in lyrics and generally designs its performances and recordings in a way to tell the story. In 2023 the band announced the coming release of a live album simply titled “Live In Ghent” and a mini-tour under the title Exit Skywound.
Tracklist:
01. Abstract Symphony V: The Immortals 02. Full Body Access 3. Shall Not Be 04. Big Heart 05. Lunatic 06. Falling 20 07. Destroy Me 08. Inspire 09. Smirking Sirens 10. The Effect 11. Skywound
Band Members Hamlet // Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Programming, Drums, and Samples Stefan Boeykens // Guitars Paul De Smet // Drums Umut Eldem // Contemporary Classic Composer, Keyboards
For fans of Riverside, Pain Of Salvation, Porcupine Tree, A Perfect Circle , and so on….
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