Ten Jinn have taken upon themselves a monumental task. It’s one thing to do a cover song of a famous artist and quite another to do an entire album covering that one artist. And when the artist being covered is someone as huge as David Bowie, the mountain to climb looks pretty forbidding. Additionally, when that artist has recently left us and everyone is quite likely wanting to do tributes but at the same time perhaps having second thoughts about touching the sacred shrine so soon, there’s every reason to leave the notion well alone. Ten Jinn, however, have boldly decided to pay their respects to Mr. Jones by following their hearts and recording an album entirely of Bowie covers.
They say that the best way to do a cover song is to either make it totally your own and arrange it in a completely different style (as Deep Purple used to do with Beatles‘ songs) or to strike that delicate balance between capturing the original song’s motif and its appeal while simultaneously putting the covering band’s own stamp on it. I have never been a Bowie fan (I totally respect his talent and what he gave to popular music but I just never became a fan) but I am familiar with many of his hit songs. So it’s very interesting for me to hear what Ten Jinn has achieved with their Ziggy Blackstar album because I can hear the Bowie in the music, and even at times in the vocals, but at the same time these songs sound fresh and new to me. Some of the songs Ten Jinn have covered are unfamiliar to me so they sound like new material, and if asked for my opinion I might say that they have a Bowie-esque quality to them. Vocalist John Paul Strauss manages to affect some very close Bowie-isms but never sounds like a hopeful mimic. He is confident in his own voice and that’s one of the reasons the songs come across not as copycat tribute songs but as interpretations by John Paul Strauss and Ten Jinn.
The music nearly all sounds original to me. I don’t know most of the original songs well enough to say how close Ten Jinn‘s versions are to the originals, but from my perspective, they have gone ahead and arranged the music to their capabilities and once again I am hearing fresh new music. I admit I was surprised by the album opener “I’m Afraid of Americans” because that is one Bowie song I have always really liked thanks to Trent Reznor‘s involvement. During the first listen to Ten Jinn‘s version I felt that they made a valiant effort but could not beat the original. But after the second listen I changed my view. They still can’t beat the original but what they have done with the song is, once again, made it their own and in the end, their result is a stand-alone effort. It’s like when you hear Paul McCartney praise a band for their personal take on a Beatles cover; I think Mr. Jones would have approved.
Other moments that caught my attention were the insane piano solo in “Aladdin Sane” (I don’t know if that’s in the original but it’s very cool here) and the surprising (to me) intro to “Future Legend” because it sounds so Ayreon.
Basically, I’ll say this: Ten Jinn‘s album sounds great to someone who does not have a deep familiarity with David Bowie‘s music. It can be enjoyed as an album on its own. Bowie fans might be more critical and zero in on details that go past me. But I think Ten Jinn have done a splendid job of doing an album entirely of Bowie cover songs. They struck the right balance between tribute and originality.
Looking back at the best show we could ever wish for at The Royal Theatre of Amsterdam, last January 27th, Maiden uniteD decided to go into the studio to record the track ‘Empire of the Clouds’.
This new release will be released June 8th as 12” vinyl EP, digi-sleeve CD with a bonus disc and in digital format on all major download and streaming platforms. It contains the full story of the Silver Ghost, the R101: tragedy, hopes, and dreams…
The Sailors of the Sky are:
Vocals: Wudstik (For All We Know, Ayreon)
Guitar: Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation, For All We Know)
Bass: Joey Bruers (Up The Irons)
Piano: Huub van Loon (The Ultraverse)
Cello: Perttu Kivilaakso (Apocalyptica)
Hammond: Thijs Schrijnemakers (Orgel Vreten)
Drums: Mike Coolen (Within Temptation)
Narrator: Edward Reekers (Kayak, Ayreon)
Tracklist Vinyl edition:
Side A: Empire Of The Clouds Part 1 & 2
Side B: Empire Of The Clouds Part 3 & 4
Tracklist CD edition:
CD: Empire Of The Clouds Part 1, 2, 3 & 4
Bonus disc: Empire Of The Clouds Part 2, 3 & 4 (Live in Carré, Amsterdam) + Killers (ft. Wudstik on vocals)
The Breaking the Chains foundation is proud to present a Rock album incorporation with more than 40 Dutch rock/metal musicians and vocalists. After more than one year of brainstorming, contacting artists, writing and recording the songs, we are now in the process of finalizing the album, and we need your help to make this project a success!
The moment is finally here!! After more than a year of hard work, we are launching our crowdfunding to make our album a reality.
Breaking The Chains will be featuring:
Robert Soeterboek (Wicked Sensation, HIGHWAY CHILE, Ayreon), Marjan Welman (Autumn, Vetrar Draugurinn), John Jaycee Cuijpers (Praying Mantis), Irene Jansen (Ayreon), Wudstik (For All We Know, Ayreon, Solo), Ian Parry (Consortium Project), Marieke Bresseleers (Circle Unbroken), Jan Willem Ketelaers (Ayreon, The Classic Rock Show), Margriet Mol (Asrai), Martin van der Meyde (4eigner), Sebas & Petra Honing (Equisa), Jasper Roelofsen (The Last Element), Timo Somers (Delain), Ruud Jolie (Within Temptation, For All We Know), Frank Schiphorst (MaYaN), Eric Hazebroek (Vetrar Draugurinn, Stream of Passion), Bart Hennephof (Textures), Joe Tal (Textures), Rick Bouwman (Martyr),@Jan Jan Bechtum (Picture), Marcel Coenen (Ayreon, GODSCUM, Stormrider), Ed Warby (VUUR, Ayreon, Hail Of Bullets, The 11th Hour, The Gentle Storm), Mike Coolen (Within Tempation), Dirk Bruinenberg (Place Vendome, Elegy), Ivar de Graaf (Kingfisher Sky), Collin Leijenaar (Affector, Kayak), Karin Mol (Asrai), Arno te Loo (4Eigner), Robert Spaninks (The Last Element, Silent Chambers, The Dust Connection), Johan van Stratum (VUUR, Stream of Passion, The Gentle Storm), Robin Zielhorst – Bass player (Onegodless The artist formerly known as MOURN, Exivious, Our Oceans), Jan Bijlsma (Vengeance, The Last Element), Harry Den Hartog, Rob van der Loo – Official (Epica), Kristoffer Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation, Neal Morse, Dial, For All We Know, Kayak), Peter Vink (Knight Area), Ton Scherpenzeel (Kayak), Mannon van der Hidde (Asrai),Robby Valentine, Ben Mathot (Ayreon), Anne Bakker, Maaike Peterse & Jeroen Goossens.
Introduction
Music is a powerful tool of expression! Music defines us! Using music in charities isn’t a new concept but a proven successful way of reaching out to a larger audience; to send a message to change the world for the better. With ‘Breaking The Chains’ our message is clear: We will not stand for any kind of child abuse!
Our Story
Breaking The Chains (BTC) is an album that unites over 40 of the biggest and best Dutch rock musicians from the 70’s decade through today (Within Temptation, Epica, Ayreon, Delain, Elegy, Kayak, Picture, Textures, Stream of Passion, Vuur, Pain of Salvation, Neal Morse Band, Place Vendome, Patrick Rondat, Asrai + more).
All profits from this amazing album will support the efforts of Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), who work directly with abused children, to offer them comfort and empowerment when they need it the most. These children need to feel safe again, regain their self-confidence and overcome trust issues. Our goal is to promote awareness of B.A.C.A.’s mission by placing this worthy cause into the spotlight. There are some really big-hearted bikers out there fighting the good fight. B.A.C.A. provides public information on how to be observant for signs of child abuse in your own surroundings, and they are always a call away to help and protect those who cannot help and protect themselves. No child deserves to live in fear!
Our Goal
In order to complete this project, we need to raise around €6.500 to cover the production costs of the albums and merchandise. All musicians, producers, photographers and our project team have volunteered their time and talents. B.A.C.A. is a non-profit organization, so all money will be utilized directly to help the children. The more we get, the more we can help! Help us, help them!
Breaking The Chains proudly presents the first video/single: Valley Road
Featuring:
John Jaycee Cuijpers (vocals), Dirk Bruinenberg (drums), Ton Scherpenzeel (keyboards), Johan van Stratum (bass), Timo Somers (guitar), Frank Schiphorst (guitar), Bart Hennephof (guitar).
After creating rock operas in the studio for more than 20 years, prog mastermind Arjen Lucassen, aka Ayreon, finally took his Universe to the stage in September 2017. Three shows sold out within hours after announcing. 9000+ Fans from all corners of the world flocked to the 013 venue in Tilburg, the Netherlands to see this long-awaited show live.
Almost everything has been recorded, and you know that we want to give the Ayreon fans what they want. We will unleash the entire 2.5-hour show on various formats on March 30, 2018.
And here’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for… You can pre-order AYREON UNIVERSE!
ITEMS AND FEATURES
Here’s a list of all the items:
Earbook – 2CD/2DVD/Blu-ray (album + full show + bonus material on DVD and Blu-ray)
The DVD and Blu-ray will have an extensive making-of documentary, including interviews with the entire cast, and highlights from the try-out show performed a few weeks earlier.
T-SHIRT BUNDLES
We made bundles of 2 different t-shirts that were only available at the Ayreon Universe shows. This is your final chance to get exclusive Ayreon Universe merch. The merch will not be reprinted. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.
EXCLUSIVE MERCH
Along with the 2 t-shirt bundles we have limited stock of men’s and ladies long sleeve shirts, a rather snazzy worker shirt and goodies like pendants, lanyards, and tote bags. We could make a lot more bundles, but we hope you understand that it’s not possible to put dozens of combinations in the shop.
BUNDLES SHIP FROM EUROPE ONLY
An important note about the merch bundles: Because everything’s stored in our warehouse in the Netherlands, we will only offer the merch bundles in the MLG EU store, and not in the US store. If you live in North America and want to get exclusive Ayreon merch, visit the EU store here.
SIGNED BY ARJEN
As always, all pre-ordered earbooks, CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and vinyl will be signed by Arjen and we will a free poster to every order!
Top 10 Albums of 2017 | Progressive Metal | 2 of 3
Welcome back. This is the second of three lists of Top 10 Albums of 2017 here at Power of Prog. This time we count down the Top 10 Albums of 2017 . We are also at a point in history where there is as much progressive metal as there is it’s paternal genre progressive rock.
As many know who follow this music, progressive rock now has its branches in many other genres or sub-genres of heavy metal music. This list below is compiled from traditional progressive metal, extreme progressive black metal, progressive power metal, cinematic progressive metal, progressive death metal and a progressive rock/metal opera. Without further delay here are my Top 10 Albums Of Year, Progressive Metal.
Band Members Daniel Gildenlöw – Lead Vocals/Lead Guitar Johan Hallgren – Lead Guitar/Vocals Léo Margarit – Drums/Vocals Daniel Karlsson – Keyboards/Vocals Gustaf Hielm – Bass/Vocals
Arjen Anthony Lucassen – Electric and Acoustic Guitars/Bass Guitar/Mandolin/Synthesizers, Hammond/Solina Strings/All Other Instruments Ed Wabry – Drums
Original Cast Members/Vocalists
James Labrie – Dream Theater- As ‘The Historian’ Tommy Giles Rogers – Between The Buried And Me – As ‘The Chemist’ Simone Simons – Epica -As ‘The Counselor’ Mike Mills – Toehider – As ‘T-H1’ Floor Jansen – Nightwish – As ‘The Biologist’ Hansi Kursch – Blind Guardian – As ‘The Astronomer’ Tobis Sammet – Avantasia/Edguy – As ‘The Captain’ Michael Eriksen – Circus Maximus – As ‘The Diplomat’ Nils K Rue – Pagans Mind – As ‘The Prophet’ Zaher Zorgati – Myrath – As ‘The Preacher’ Tommy Karevik – Kamelot – As ‘The Opposition Leader’ Russel Allen – SymphonyX – As ‘The President’ Will Shaw – Heir Apparent’ Wilmer Waarbroek, Jan Willem Ketelaars, and Lisette van den Berg – Scarlet Stories as ‘The Ship’s Crew’ You … Insert Name Here … as ‘The Audience’
Production Lori Linstruth – Photo Stills/Ajren Lucassen & Ayreon Cast Wayne Joyner – Lyric Videos for Everybody Dies and Star Of Sirrah
Band Members Marc Martins – Vocals Carlos Lozano – Guitars Miguel Espinosa – Keyboards& vocals. Filipe Baldaia – Guitars Toni Mestre – Bass Sergi “Bobby” Verdeguer – Drums
Matthew Cerami – Vocals/Guitars/Bass Jordan Navarro – Guitars/Drum Programming/Keyboards/Additional Sounds Jordan Navarro And Nick Shann – Drum Programming/Arrangements
Additional Musicians Nick Shann – Guitar Solo & Stringed Arrangememnts on ‘The Long Road Home’ Violin on ‘My Father, My God Benjamin Ian Meyerson (Fin Amor) & Justin Barone (Consonance) – Additional Lyrics & Vocal Arrangements Samantha Marie Rae (Nectar) – Guest Vocals Charles Buonsera – Bass Solo on ‘Evisecrate Divine’
Band Members Sarah Teets – Lead Vocals Jeff Teets – Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals Rich Pasqualone – Bass, Backing Vocals Mark “Truk” Bennett – Drums
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