I am back as years before, struggling to know if I missed any albums on this list, and the answer would be a resounding yes. Every year see thousands of releases just in the prog genre alone. It’s virtually impossible to discover and hear every prog release in any given year, so I did my best to showcase the cream of the crop, but then again I must point out these are one man’s points of view and will vary from publication and reviewer abroad. My taste in music is vast so I hope you all feel I have done justice by showcasing these 21 releases. The Un-qualified Critic
1) A Gardening Club Project – The Blue Door We Are The Truth
2) Evership – The Uncrowned King (Act 1)
3) Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion – We Are The Truth
4) Soen – Imperial
5) Lifesigns – Altitude
6) Cast – Vigesimus
7) Nine Skies – 5.20
8) Mostly Autumn – Graveyard Star
9) Big Big Train – Common Ground
10 ) Ciccada – Harvest
11) Transatlantic – The Absolute Universe Forevermore
12) This Winter Machine – Kites
13) Kerrs Pink – Presence of Life
14) Drifting Sun – Forsaken Innocence
15) GorMusik – Snakes & Angels
16) Copeland King Cosmo & Blew – Gizmodrome Live
17) Dream Theater – A View From The Top Of The World
18) Meer – Playing House
19) Jeffrey Erik Mack The Forgotten Earth
20) Sylvan One to Zero
21) Leprous – Aphelion
1)The Blue Door First full-length release by Candian Progressive jazz folk-rock act, A Gardening Club Project CD & Digital Melodic Revolution Records http://gardeningclubmusicandart.ca
2) The Uncrowned King (Act 1) The third release by US art-rock band, Evership CD & Digital Self-released https://www.evership.com
3) We Are The Truth Sixth studio album by Swedish progressive rock band, Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion CD, LP & Digital Glassville Records https://www.hfmcband.com
4) Imperial Fifth album by progressive metal supergroup, Soen CD, LP & Digital Silver Lining Music https://soenmusic.com
5) Altitude Third album by English progressive rock band, Lifesigns CD, LP & Digital Self-released https://lifesignsmusic.co.uk
6) Vigesimus Twenty Seventh release since 1994 by Mexican neo-prog band, Cast CD, & Digital Progressive Promotion Records http://www.castofficial.com
7) 5.20 Third studio album by progressive rock band, Nine Skies CD, & Digital Anesthetize Productions https://nineskiesmusic.com
8) Graveyard Star Fourteenth studio release by progressive rock band Mostly Autumn CD, & Digital Self-released https://www.mostly-autumn.com
9) Common Ground Fourteenth album by English progressive folk-rock band, Big Big Train CD & Digital Self released LP Plane Groovy https://www.bigbigtrain.com
11) The Absolute Universe Forevermore Fifth studio album by multinational progressive rock supergroup, Transatlantic CD, LP & Digital InsideOut (Europe) Metal Blade/Radiant (US) https://www.transatlanticweb.com
12) Kites Third album by English progressive rock band, This Winter Machine CD & Digital Self released LP Plane Groovy https://thiswintermachine.uk/about/
13) Presence Of Life Seventh album by Norwegian progressive folk group, Kerrs Pink CD, LP & Digital Self-released https://kerrspink.com
14) Forsaken Innocence Eight studio by UK-based Progressive Rock band, Drifting Sun CD, LP & Digital Self-released https://driftingsun.co.uk
15) Snakes & Angels The second release by US progessive metal artist, GorMusik Melodic Revolution Records CD & Digital https://gormusik.com
18) Playing House 2nd release by progressive art-rock band, Meer Karisma Records CD, LP & Digital http://meerband.com
19) The Forgotten Earth Debut solo release by Scarlet Hollow prog band bassist, Jeffrey Erik Mack Melodic Revolution Records CD & Digital https://www.jeffreyerikmack.com
16) Copeland King Cosmo & Blew, Gizmodrome Live First, live album and second release by progressive rock supergroup Gizmodrome formed in Italy Ear Music CD, LP & Digital https://www.facebook.com/Gizmodrome
17) A View From The Top Of The World Fifteenth studio release by US prog metal pioneers, Dream Theater Inside Out Music CD, LP & Digital https://dreamtheater.net
20) One to Zero Eleventh studio album German progressive rock band, Sylvan Gentle Art Of Music CD, LP & Digital http://www.sylvan.de/home/
21) Aphelion Eighth studio album by Norwegian progressive/avant-garde metal band, Leprous Inside Out Music CD, LP & Digital https://www.leprous.net
As many of you already know it is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Frosty after these many years in the drum chair at Lifesigns.
In Frosty’s words:
After 9 years of close involvement and collaboration with the band Lifesigns, I feel that I can no longer give the band the level of dedication and commitment that it deserves for it to be able to move forward successfully.
I have therefore decided to leave and allow someone else the opportunity to shine in this band of great musicians.
I wish all of the band every success for the future and would like to thank all the fans for liking all the music produced so far and thank them for their continued support in the years to come. Thank you to everyone.
Best Frosty. X
From my own point of view yes it is a very sad day saying goodbye to Frosty. He was indeed the engine room of the band and is a truly wonderful talent and a lovely man. I thank him for his hard work, patience, understanding, and humor through all our travels in both the JYB and Lifesigns and I wish him the very best for his endeavors in the years to come. He will be much missed…Thank You, Frosty. best JY
Now we have had a little time to prepare and are very happy to welcome drummer Zoltan Csörsz to the Lifesigns family.
Zoltan has played with numerous legends including The Flower Kings and Karmakanic from the prog world through to Quincy Jones, Stu Hamm & Randy Brecker in the jazz world.
We feel Zoltan’s fluid style will suit the band as there has always been an element of jazz in Lifesigns. We’re very excited to hear what he will bring to Altitude.
Subscriber Zone
Just a reminder to those who haven’t yet checked out the Subscriber Zone. For just £1 per month (or more, if you like), you gain access to behind the scenes footage of band members at work on Altitude, and can purchase some exclusive limited edition goodies. This month we have promotional copies of the CD single Impossible and the chance to bid on a fully signed set list.
To join, log in to the website here (you will need to request a password if you haven’t logged in since we transferred over to the new website in December), then go to one of the Subscriber Zone pages and select your price. Remember, everyone gets access to all content, it’s up to you how much you choose to pay.
We are living in unprecedented times and crossing over uncharted waters, it’s a new world; one we may have to get accustomed to for the foreseeable future.
As of March 20th, there are a reported 255,729 Coronavirus Cases since the outbreak began in December of 2019. 10,495 have died due to the virus and 89,918 people have so far recovered from the virus, of course, these are only the documented cases and the numbers could be much worse; there is no end in sight the short term.
(Covid-19) is attacking the social and economic fabric globally and does not discriminate against race, creed, sexual orientation, political affiliation or anything else for that matter. It has ravaged and even closed down most trades and no industry has been spared, from restaurants to schools, airlines, supply chains, and the entertainment industry.
While this is devastating to all industries, I believe one of the hardest hit are musicians, some of which do not have a second job, they rely solely on tours, music and merch sales to pay the bills. Many musicians have more than one job outside of music to sustain a living however due to the layoff and closers of businesses these musicians are dealing with the same issues as full-time musicians, loss of most all income. Most musicians lack one of the most basic and fundamental needs: insurance!
So we reached out on social and asked musicians some basic questions on how they are dealing with this Pandemic?
Ember Swift ~ China
How are you adapting to the Covid-19 Pandemic? I’m not sure a person reacts to a pandemic as much as a person has to react to the response the society has to a pandemic. The pandemic will occur whether we have a reaction or not. It will just calmly sneak through all our societies and infect some, take some, spare others, etc. The reaction from each country from the government down to community levels is what we all have to adapt to, not so much the virus itself. For me, I have gone through many different phases over the past 2 months, emotionally and psychologically. The isolation, the panic, the fear, the frustration, the eventual calm, and inward thinking, the reshuffling of personal goals, etc. This is something I just wrote about on my blog, but I’ve been chronicling the experience throughout this whole time: http://emberswift.com/lockdown-imposition-or-opportunity/
What type of challenges or opportunities has this presented to you? The opportunity to re-assess the future, really figure out what I want to accomplish when life returns to normal, analyzing my life in a more complete and detached way and then coming to some conclusions about how I want to move forward. There’s nothing like being forced into a “stall” or “pause” that can help you determine which paths to take when you’re finally able to put your foot back on the gas, so-to-speak. On a practical level, I have been studying Chinese again (hope to do my HSK Level 6, a Chinese language proficiency exam, in June), practicing guitar every day, cleaning and sorting my life, doing physical exercise and strength training in the home, and really focusing on my kids and their education–not just scholastically but as people.
Are you working on a new release? My new album was completed late last year but still needed some finishing touches. This got seriously delayed and the originally planned-for release date was March 2020. That didn’t happen, of course, so now I’m slowly tying up loose ends but aiming for a September release. No matter what, I’m still really proud that there are some great songs in the pipe even if it takes a bit longer to release them to the world.
Are you planning on performing via a live streaming platform? I thought of doing this in February, but during that time the rest of the world was going about life as usual and there wasn’t much of a call to do it. Now that everyone is on lockdown, I may consider it! I’ve never done a live-stream concert, but it sounds like a good challenge.
How has this affected you on a personal level? I sort of spoke about this above in how it has forced some self-reflection and re-assessment of goals/direction etc. It’s also challenged my patience and positivity, but I think I’ve become stronger for it. I would also note that pushing myself to do things on a daily basis that are good for me and trying to stick to it in a disciplined way (not that I’m always perfect because, yes, I do miss days!) has been the healthier approach to this. It’s really easy to get lost in TV series or constant media consumption when you’re stuck indoors, but I find this mind-numbing and hollowing. In the end, what’s best for me isn’t best for everyone, but this experience will show each of us, individually, what kind of life we want to life vs. the kind of life we have been living. This is invaluable information for our futures.
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? Nothing will ever change the fact that I’m a musician and songwriter and creator. I have gone through worse ordeals in life and, in the end, the music still anchors me and serves as my greatest outlet for inspiration and expression. I often say that music is my essential nutrient and, without it, I’d be depleted. Therefore, there’s not a single droplet of doubt that I will continue to create and perform music indefinitely… most likely until my time on this earth comes to its natural end.
Ember Swift Is a Canadian Folk Pop musician based out of Beijing, China, Ember is planning on releasing her 13th album in September 2020
How are you adapting to the Covid-19 Pandemic? Like everyone really, the worse part of it for me is the ignorance of others who could harvest and pass it to others who might not be able to survive. The other is the hoarding of everyday items we all use and need, selfish assholes in the world instead of realizing there is more than just themselves.
What type of challenges or opportunities has this presented to you? Clearly the biggest one is not being able to tour, live shows and appearances are my life’s blood now. The business used to go hand in hand in terms of albums and sessions to royalties to touring. These days without being able to tour and play live, I just watch the past earnings dwindle at a rapid rate. It’s not so bad but upcoming shows and months of cancellations will turn into desperate times. Are you working on a new release? On several actually, I just finished my next solo album with Frontiers Records, “Wide Awake (In My Dreamland)”, I got my keyboardist/guitarist of SOTO a deal on the same label which I am co-writing and co-producing the album with my producer of the new JSS album, Alessandro Del Vecchio and we have started writing/recording the next WET album. I was stressed I had to do all of this while touring with Sons Of Apollo and my acoustic dates in May with Jason Bieler but the positive of this self-quarantine means I can do it all stress-free now.
Are you planning on performing via a live streaming platform? At the moment no, I don’t want to pressure or stress anyone out now financially that might be tightening their belts at this time. We’re all gonna suffer from this and I personally don’t feel it’s right to ask anyone to invest in me further until we see the light at the end of the tunnel. I don’t feel I have anything to offer in terms of pay-per-view or streaming so I would rather ride it out and hope the end is sooner than later.
Are you offering your fans any incentives to help support your music? I am pushing things here and there, again not asking them to invest money in now, more to remind them I will be returning soon, hopefully! I am trying to do my part in sharing my thoughts on staying the course, follow the advice so we can go back to normal life sooner than later. How has this affected you on a personal level? So far, not much, I am pretty much a homebody anyway, I gather with a small group of friends here and there but am actually quite content I could enjoy being at home during this time. It’s not difficult for me to hole up at home especially as I said, I am leisurely getting things I had to do without stress.
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? Yes, I already answered this and any postponed shows have already been rebooked for upcoming months with hopes those don’t get moved as well. That will be the worst part, everyone clamoring to rebook all of these canceled tours and shows at the same time. People will need time to get their lives back in order before they will be ready to spend as they were before this all went down. I am hoping for everything to come back orderly so we can all pick up where we left off.
Jeff Scott Soto is a Los Angeles, CA-based rock singer best known for his work with Sons of Appolo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Solo artist Soto is also part of many other projects.
How are you adapting to the Covid-19 Pandemic? I have been following the progression for about 3 weeks now, In Canada, they closed everything mostly and we have to stay home. Hopefully, the quick response here will keep the casualties low. In the Studio, we are always locked up anyway.
What type of challenges or opportunities has this presented to you? The biggest challenge was to decide if we canceled the European gigs for Mystery and Huis ( end of March 2020) it was a hard decision to make, did not please everyone, but now we know we took the decision and we are glad we took it before, it was forced on everyone.
The opportunities are that we will have more time for a while to create new music, but at the same time, I think all our 2020 gigs will be canceled now.
Are you working on a new release? Yes, both Mystery and Huis are working on new albums, both were already planned before the pandemic.
Are you planning on performing via a live streaming platform? The band has thought about it, we were supposed to try one this weekend but we had to cancel because everything is closed in Montreal. We are looking at what we will do with that, probably offering more Live videos in the coming week.
Are you offering your fans any incentives to help support your music? Our fans have always been really good to MYSTERY, and now I think it is important that they support their families,
How has this affected you on a personal level? Sincerely, very scared and not optimistic for once. I hope everything will be fine but…
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? Of course, I am afraid traveling to other countries will become more difficult, We will see how this will change the world,
Michel St-Pere is a multi-instrumentalist Canadian founder of AOR Prog Band Mystery, a full-time member of Huis and Owner ofUnicorn Digital an independent record label.
What type of challenges or opportunities has this presented to you? Well we just had to cancel playing on Cruise to the Edge and two Canadian dates with The Flower Kings because of the Corona virus. As it is now I have festivals booked this summer with both HFMC and The Flower Kings. At the moment they’re happening but you never know?
Are you working on a new release? I had decided to record with HFMC Corona or not. However, we really had to change plans with The Flower Kings, with the result we’re about to start the recording as soon as possible.
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? Corona will not make me stop. When this is blown over I most likely have two albums ready for release.
Hasse Fröberg is a Swedish Guitarist, composer, and vocalist for HFMC – Hasse Fröberg & Musical Companion and The Flower Kings
How are you adapting to the Covid-19 Pandemic? Musicians are adaptable, we are used to having to deal with the obscure … it’s harder for others I think, well again it’s about adapting, you cut your cloth according to your needs …
Are you working on a new release? We are working on a new release hopefully for later in the year
Are you planning on performing via a live streaming platform? Possibly, we will look at live streaming and other options.
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? It obviously depends on us all getting through it …but we are always optimistic (our middle name ) I hope everyone stays safe.
John Young is the founder, keyboardist, and songwriter for British Prog Band Lifesigns as well as a touring member and or session musician for the likes of Bonnie Tyler, the Scorpions, and Fish among others.
How are you adapting to the Covid-19 Pandemic? Well after the recent surgeries I thought this was the beginning of a fresh new start however this terrible virus has taken us all by surprise, being diabetic I have heart disease I am very vulnerable. I have not had the flue for over 7 years so I do have a strong immune system. I will not take any chances and will remain in lockdown until this thing is under control. I have plenty to do ie writing new music and rehearsing them.
What type of challenges or opportunities has this presented to you? As above
Are you working on a new release? Yes, working on songs for the second part Planetary Overload “HOPE” and my Solo album, “The First and Last” and one other project which will be revealed later in the year
Are you planning on performing via a live streaming platform? Sean and I might do something for the upcoming vinyl release of Artificial TBC
Are you offering your fans any incentives to help support your music? I haven’t thought about it, but I think you will see two new videos released very shortly that will hopefully push the album a little
How has this affected you on a personal level? I am just worried about my family, my Dad is 92 on 28th and my step mum is still alive at home and is completely isolated so that’s a good thing but I still worry about them. My brother has diabetes and Heart disease too so Like me we have to be very careful.
Will you continue creating and performing now and after the dust settles? We are planning to back to the USA in the new year and we are working on a European tour. UPF and UNITOPIA
Mark Trueack is an Australian Vocalist, Songwriter & Producer for both UPF (United Progressive Fraternity) – Unitopia
I set my new solo album to free on Bandcamp and asked that anyone who wants to buy it, take it and give the money to another artist who might need it more than I do right now.
John Battema is a US-based Progressive Rock keyboardist for Ephemeral Sunas well as a solo artist
Well, I’m more bothered about the others at this point. This virus is a test for selfishness. And yep, Transport Aerian Reunion Belgium and Netherlands tour has gone to hell. But hey.
Hamlet is the founder and multi-instrumentalist of Transport Aerian, a Belgian Avant-garde prog band who’s recent release is a charity single calledBig Heart
Going through my recently acquired orchestration books. Just finished a symphonic pieces based on Peruvian folk music! Hopefully, I can premiere it sometime soon!
GabrielIwasaki is a Peruvian Prog Metal keyboardist and Composer, he has released two solo albums he’s also has recorded and toured with of Flor de Loto
Lifesigns UK tour, which starts in Swindon on Friday! All going well, the band is sounding great and we’re introducing a few new tunes to the set. Hope some of you can make it along – full gig list below. Last weekend I recorded the guitar parts for a new 15 minute epic piece for the forthcoming Lifesigns album. The track is called ‘Altitude‘ and is sounding amazing. It won’t be included in the set as we’re still working on completing it and it will need a lot of rehearsal, but I hope it will be ready to be included in subsequent tours later in the year!
On tour with Lifesigns, Fernando Perdomo, Sally Minnear & Strawbs!
DAVE BAINBRIDGE (SOLO) 15th June The Royal Oak, Hampton, London (Dave playing 1/2 hour set at the Jam Night – free entry!)
STRAWBS ELECTRIC BAND UK TOUR (Further info here) 17th June Cheese & Grain, Frome 19th June Clarence Hall, Abergavenny, Wales 20th June Trading Boundaries, East Sussex 21st June Cambridge Rock Festival, Peterborough 22nd June Robin 2, Bilston 23rd June The Stables, Wavendon
As mentioned in the previous newsletter, another very exciting project I’ve been working on with Rob Ayling from Gonzo Multimedia is a new Iona 30th Anniversary box set!! Actually this will be the first of several Iona box set releases and will be titled ‘The Book of Iona’ In the past few weeks I’ve been going through my extensive archive of Iona recordings, looking for things to include on the companion disk which will accompany each of the studio albums and I’ve discovered some amazing stuff! Previously unreleased songs, original demo tapes, alternate mixes, live recordings I’d completely forgotten about etc!! A real treasure trove for all Iona fans. I played some of these to Rob the other day and he was blown away by what I’d found – some real gems, including a recording from August 1989 of the very first time Joanne and I got together to record demos of some of her just written songs for the first album! It’s taking me a while to go through everything and choose what to include, but the recordings give an incredible insight into the background behind the band’s albums and working methods. Above is an illustration of how the box set will look. I saw a prototype of the box a few days ago and it looks really great – very substantial and classy – a real coffee table item! More on this soon and on the new Open Sky Records online store, which will be launching very soon!!
By now, some of you may know that ESP has backed out of this year’s festival. Needless to say, I am extremely saddened by this, but totally respect their wishes. All I’m saying is, it’s a very wise decision on their behalf and I thank them for letting me know so much in advance to give me time to sort a replacement. Now, I did toy with the idea of just absorbing their set, but NO – we sorted it last year when Leafblade had to drop out !! Therefore, I put wheels in motion, sent out scouts, spent some time on the interweb and thus I can now announce their replacement as I had final confirmation this morning – please welcome onboard (drum roll please) – The Blackheart Orchestra !!!! They will be taking the same slot as ESP, 1.25 – 2.10 pm on Saturday 21st………. WooHoo.
Caravan/Motor Home/Tent Hard standing pitch (with water and electric) – £26 per night, Grass Pitch – £22, Small Tent – (max capacity 2 persons) – £17. Non-Electric pitch – deduct £4.00 per night Literally, a 15-20 min walk to thevenue, along the river !!!
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