Marillion, Steve Hackett, Flying Colors & Big Big Train headline the biggest prog cruise ever!
Cruise To The Edge, progressive rock’s largest festival at sea is set to return in 2024 with its biggest cruise ever! The 9th voyage of the prog festival at sea sails from Miami, Florida, March 8th – 13th, 2024, aboard the Norwegian Pearl visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica and George Town, Grand Cayman.
Headlined by prog legends Marillion, Steve Hackett, Flying Colors and, for the first time, Big Big Train, the event features some of the world’s greatest prog-rock musical artists. The lineup includes returning acts Adrian Belew, Martin Baare, The Flower Kings, Haken, Protocol, Queensryche, PFM, Airbag, and Baraka, alongside cruise debuts by Gryphon, Lonely Robot, and legendary prog metal group Symphony X. More bands are expected to be announced in the coming months. The event is once again hosted by Jon Kirkman and Roie Avin.
Beyond the sun, fun, and exquisite dining, there will be artist/cruiser photo experiences, Q&A sessions, special theme nights and other events designed to optimize the artist/fan experience. The cruise will once again feature the unprecedented CTTE Late Night Live, where fans can sign up to showcase their own musical talents.
Cruise to the Edge is truly the greatest prog-rock show on earth and is a can’t-miss event for prog enthusiasts throughout the world.
Karisma Records have given fans of AIRBAG another insight into the Prog Rockers long-awaited new album “A Day at the Beach” with the release of the single “Sunsets”, about which the band says:
Sunsets was written during the early stages of making the new album. We spent a lot of time trying different arrangements and just jamming together, which was something we hadn’t done for a while. We brought in Kristian Hultgren from Wobbler on bass and Ole Michael Bjørndal from Oak on guitar and they both contributed to the arrangements. As with the first single, Machines and Men, Sunsets has that contrast between hard edge rock and electronic elements, which is something we’ve tried to achieve throughout this album. The lyrics deal with the destructive forces of our lives and our society, perhaps underlining the overall theme of the album.
“A Day at the Beach” is the fifth full-length from the band that has been hailed as one of the most important bands to emerge from the Norwegian Prog scene since its formation in the mid-2000’s, and whose lineup today includes AIRBAG’s two original founding members Asle Tostrup on vocals and Bjørn Riis on guitars, with Henrik Bergan Fossum on drums.
AIRBAG have always been able to blend diverse musical styles and sounds, something they combine with a strong narrative experience, and, for “A Day at the Beach”, the trio’s signature guitar driven progressive rock has been enhanced by ethereal soundscapes, resulting in a stunning selection of songs that reveal a now-mature band building on its already impressive legacy.
With six new songs recorded during the autumn and winter of 2019-20, and inspired by the resurgence of 1980’s electronica, new wave and movie scores, “A Day at the Beach” will be AIRBAG’s first as a trio and the band recently had this to say about the album:
The album is the result of a strong collaboration between all three of us. Having lost two original members since our last album, we were forced to rethink how we write and create new music, but it also allowed us to venture into something new that turned out to be very inspiring.
Lyrically, “A Day at the Beach” is very much a story of us and them, told by a husband, father and brother leaving his family behind into an unknown future. It’s the contrast between the desperate individual struggling to survive and people in power observing at a safe distance.
A Day at the Beach” is mixed by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes. Jacob Holm-Lupo has mastered the album, and Asle Tostrup and Bjørn Riis handled the production side. With cover design, as always, by vocalist Tostrup.
Track listing for “A Day at the Beach” is as follows:
1. Machines and Men 2. A Day at the Beach (Part 1) 3. Into the Unknown 4. Sunsets 5. A Day at the Beach (Part 2) 6. Megalomaniac
“A Day at the Beach” will hit the streets on the 19th June, and will be available in CD, Digital and both black and coloured vinyls, and is now available to pre-order from:
Four years since the release of “Disconnected”, Prog Rockers AIRBAG are set to release their fifth full-length album. Titled “A Day at the Beach”, the album will be released on the 19th June on Karisma Records, and today the label has given the band’s many fans a taste of what they can look forward to by releasing a track from the album.
The track is titled “Machines and Men”, and AIRBAG describe it thus: “This was one of the very first songs written for the album. The initial demo was basically just guitars, drums and vocals and during a period of working in the studio, rehearsing, and playing the song live, it slowly evolved into something new and fresh that defined most of the material we were working on. The lyrics describe the facts of war in a cold and objective fashion, only to turn to the spectator with a warning and a chance to look away“.
Hailed as one of the most important bands to emerge from the Norwegian prog scene over the past decades, AIRBAG was formed in the mid-2000s by five high school classmates, which included two of today’s members Asle Tostrup (vocals) and Bjørn Riis (guitars). AIRBAG is a band that is able to blend diverse musical styles and sounds, with a strong narrative listening experience. Today’s lineup also includes Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums) and “A Day at the Beach” will be AIRBAG’s first album as a trio, and will also feature talented guest musicians including WOBBLER’s Kristian Hultgren.
Featuring six new songs recorded during the autumn and winter of 2019-20, and inspired by the resurgence of 1980s electronica, new wave and movie scores, “A Day at the Beach” sees AIRBAG creating a powerful sound combining ethereal soundscapes with their signature guitar driven progressive rock. The result is a stunning selection of songs revealing a mature band looking forward from its already impressive legacy.
Once again teaming up with long-time collaborator and engineer Vegard Sleipnes, “A Day at the Beach” was mastered by Jacob Holm-Lupo and produced by Asle Tostrup and Bjørn Riis. Cover design, is, as always, by vocalist Tostrup.
1. Machines and Men 2. A Day at the Beach (Part 1) 3. Into the Unknown 4. Sunsets 5. A Day at the Beach (Part 2) 6. Megalomaniac
Airbag explains:
The album is the result of a strong collaboration between all three of us. Having lost two original members since our last album, we were forced to rethink how we write and create new music, but it also allowed us to venture into something new that turned out to be very inspiring.
Lyrically, “A Day at the Beach” is very much a story of us and them, told by a husband, father and brother leaving his family behind into an unknown future. It’s the contrast between the desperate individual struggling to survive and people in power observing at a safe distance.
“A Day at the Beach” will be available in CD, black and coloured vinyls and Digital formats and is now available to pre-order from:
“Oceans of Thought” features members of Airbag, Wobbler, Knifeworld, and Gekko Projekt, among others.
About the album
“Oceans of Thought” was originally called “The Merchant of Eternal Youth” but during the time of the recordings I had some personal problems and I was a little depressed. So the songs, the cover but above all the lyrics, have undergone a change because my music comes from what I have inside of my mind and soul.
So this album talks about the difficulties that life sometimes brings us, but also talks about how to try to overcome them. It’s a record that I care a lot about because it talks a lot about me. Because great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarists Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element), Jeff Mack (Scarlet Hollow) and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor(Gekko Projekt) and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) playing Sitar.
This year I turned 50, an important and very significant milestone for me. Half a century on Earth! What a wonderful journey up to here. First of all, I want to thank my beautiful and wonderful Wife because She made my life happier and more dynamic. Then all the supporters who allowed me to record this album and in particular Jon Hawkins for having produced it. I am proud and very happy to present it to you today. I hope it will reach your heart and your mind. Entertaining you, relaxing and making you think about life, its beauties and sometimes its inconsistencies.
The album was released today June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The most important day of my life.
Have a good trip folks! Marco Ragni
Track Listing 1 Flashlights 2 Dizziness 3 Hammil’s Thoughts 4 The Wind Blows Anyway 5 Regain Control 6 Oceans of Thought 7 Under a Big Red Sun 8 Voice in the Dark 9 Open My Arms
Music and lyrics by Marco Ragni Produced by Jon Hawkins Album Art by Marco Ragni
Featuring: Marco Ragni: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, bass Peter Matuchniak: Electric guitar Dave Newhouse: Woodwinds Jeff Mack: Five string fretted and fretless bass & Chapman Stick. Maurizio Antonini: Drums JoJo Razor: Backing vocals
Special Guests Bjørn Riis: Lead guitar on No. 9 Open My Arms Marius Halleland: Lead Guitar on No 2 Dizziness & No 5 Regain Control Charlie Cawood: Sitar On No 8 Voice in the Dark
Melodic Revolution Records and Marco Ragni are thrilled to announce that Oceans of Thought will officially be released in both CD & Digital formats and available worldwide June 21st, Pre-orders will go on sale on June 1st and will includ 5 digital-only bonus tracks with all pre-orders
About the album “Oceans of Thought” was originally called “The Merchant of Eternal Youth” but during the time of the recordings I had some personal problems and I was a little depressed. So the songs, the cover but above all the lyrics, have undergone a change because my music comes from what I have inside of my mind and soul.
So this album talks about the difficulties that life sometimes brings us, but also talks about how to try to overcome them. It’s a record that I care a lot about, because it talks a lot about me. Because great musicians have played there, from Norwegian guitarists Bjørn Riis founder of the band Airbag and Marius Halleland (Wobbler), Peter Matuchniak (Kinetic Element), Jeff Mack (Scarlet Hollow) and Maurizio Antonini the beating heart of this record. The precious woodwinds arrangements by Dave Newhouse (The Muffins) and the beautiful voice of JoJo Razor (Gekko Projekt) and last but not the least, Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld) playing Sitar.
This year I turned 50, an important and very significant milestone for me. Half a century on Earth! What a wonderful journey up to here. First of all I want to thank my beautiful and wonderful Wife because She made my life happier and more dynamic. Then all the supporters who allowed me to record this album and in particular Jon Hawkins for having produced it. I am proud and very happy to present it to you today. I hope it will reach your heart and your mind. Entertaining you, relaxing and making you think about life, its beauties and sometimes its inconsistencies.
The album will be released on June 21st, the day of the summer solstice. The most important day of my life.
Have a good trip folks! Marco Ragni
Track Listing 1 Flashlights 2 Dizziness 3 Hammil’s Thoughts 4 The Wind Blows Anyway 5 Regain Control 6 Oceans of Thought 7 Under a Big Red Sun 8 Voice in the Dark 9 Open My Arms
Pre-Order Bonus Tracks 1 Abstract Dreams 2 Fifty Years on Earth 3 Nocturne #7 (piano sessions) 4 Hammil’s Thoughts (JoJo’s vocals) 5 Open My Arms ( demo strings arrangements)
Music and lyrics by Marco Ragni Produced by Jon Hawkins Album Art by Marco Ragni
Featuring: Marco Ragni: Vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keys, bass Peter Matuchniak: Electric guitar Dave Newhouse: Woodwinds Jeff Mack: Five string fretted and fretless bass & Chapman Stick. Maurizio Antonini: Drums JoJo Razor: Backing vocals
Special Guests Bjørn Riis: Lead guitar on No. 9 Open My Arms Marius Halleland: Lead Guitar on No 2 Dizziness & No 5 Regain Control Charlie Cawood: Sitar On No 8 Voice in the Dark
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