Much to the excitement of Magma fans worldwide, the legendary French ensemble will be releasing a new album titled “Zëss” on June 28, 2019! The CD is now available for pre-order and features a 40-page deluxe CD book which includes all the lyrics to the album.
“Zëss”—the name itself is sharp as a blade, slender as a cut, sudden like a darting meteor, fast as it is acute. While the inspiration that permeates “Zëss” comes from time immemorial, a first draft emerged in 1977. After being gradually completed, the piece debuted in concert in the spring of 1979. It became a staple of Magma’s repertoire until it was set aside in 1983.
The music itself seems born out of the night in order to transfigure it. The first chords ring out in the dim dawn, then rise and cast their great shadows against the day. Already their orb suggests the oval shape of an ancient stadium set in the cosmic darkness. It is an immense celestial arena, an agora where all the voices of the universe resonate. Everyone has assembled for a last celebration, a gathering of the innumerable into a single point where everything comes together for the Day of Oblivion.
“Zëss” had long been plagued by its incompleteness and its recording was deferred for years. Four decades after its first draft, the work has finally been recorded in an orchestral version that gives it both its true dreamlike dimension and its transcending power. For “Zëss” is above all the visionary reflection of an immemorial dream haunting the most obscure part of our souls.
“Zëss” treads a line between a vital overflowing and the edges of the unlivable. It is an incandescent and heady oratorio where consciousness questions its other side in a measureless journey. “Zëss” indicates the ultimate reversal out of which bursts a beyond of music that only music can reach. Magma’s whole story condensed…
BEHIND THE SCENE OF THE RECORDING:
PRE ORDER NOW – AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE ON JUNE 28th – AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT SEVENTH RECORDS ON JUNE 14th – 40 PAGES DELUXE CD BOOK – INCLUDES ALL LYRICS
News that King Crimson’s studio recordings are now available on Apple Music and soon to be on Spotify in June has sparked interest among various commentators on the industry. In a feature on the move by CNBC, David Singleton explains some of the thinking behind KC’s step to streaming.
David Singleton said that putting King Crimson’s catalog on streaming services is also about more than just making new, young audiences aware of them. Increasingly, these services are just becoming the resource audiences turn to when they want to listen to music, no matter how old they are.
“An increasing number of music lovers use [streaming services] as their main way of finding and enjoying music,” he said. “Therefore, quite simply, the music needs to be there.”
Prolific psychedelic rock musician Marco Ragni returns with his first single; featuring Bjørn Riis on Lead Guitar, the founder of the band Airbag. The forthcoming album “Oceans of Thought” will be released June 21st. Pre-orders will be available soon.
According to Marco, I wrote the song thinking about Colin Tench and when I recorded the piano parts and wrote the lyrics, I thought I’d ask Bjørn Riis if he wanted to play the lead guitar. I’ve been a fan of Airbags and his guitar playing for many years. He didn’t know my music but when I let him hear some songs, he told me “great stuff!” So I sent him the track and we started talking about it. Then he sent me the guitar parts and when I listened to the mixed song, I got a giant smile and then a tear … One of my dreams was coming true!”
One day I had an envelope arrive from Nick Katona, and I duly copied all the CDs and put them on my playlist and didn’t really think any more of it. I had the made the assumption (yes, we all know what that means) that they were recent releases, so was somewhat amazed when I did some research on this album and discovered not only was it released back in 2012, but as far as I can tell it is still the only album they have ever put out! It took a little more digging to find out why that was the case, and apparently guitarist/producer Gregg Olson suffered a massive stroke the same year the album was released, which obviously had a major impact on him personally and on band itself. The good news is I have been looking at their Facebook page and it appears that not only has he recovered much better than anyone expected, but they are just putting finishing touches on the next album, which is something I am definitely looking forward to.
Scarlet Hollow are American, and with a sound like this they really could be nothing else. This is what Heart would sound like if they were into strong and heavy progressive rock, and if I was to liken singer/keyboard player Allison VonBuelow to anyone else in the scene then it would be to Lana Lane. The rhythm section is Jeff Mack (bass guitars and bass pedals) with Diego ‘GROM’ Meraviglia on drums, and together they make a mighty sound indeed. This is heavy prog with symphonic overtones, with superb songs and great performances from all involved. I had heard the name some years back but hadn’t previously come across the album and am stunned that I have been missing out for so long. There is a confidence throughout, and it certainly never comes across as a debut album, but instead of a band who know exactly what they are out to achieve, and the ability to get there.
Allison can sing delicately and gently when the needs arises, and there is a strong use of acoustic guitars throughout the album to provide different layers and textures, while there is a powerful use of different drum patterns. One is never sure where each song is going to lead, as they mix and meld heavy rock with prog to create something which is more than the sum of its parts. It may have taken me seven years to get to grips with the debut album from Scarlet Hollow, but hopefully the new album isn’t far away at all, and if you enjoy heavy progressive rock, with loads of shade and textures, combined with great songs and a powerful female singer then look no further.
The Official release date for Storm Warning will be April 26th, 2019 however the is now available for pre-order in America via Andrew’s Bandcamp Store and in Europe via his own website.
Storm Warning is Andrew Roussak’s new solo album and his first release since the highly acclaimed 2010 release of Blue Intermezzo.
Album Track Listing
1. Enter Code 2. Bringing Peace And Progress 3. Left Alone Outside 4. Regata Storica 5. Chasing Shadows 6. Storm Warning 7. Can She Excuse My Wrongs 8. Malta Sketches a. Hola Beach Boogie b. 1565 c. Sunset in Valetta
All compositions except “Can She Excuse My Wrongs” written, recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Andrew Roussak.
“Can She Excuse My Wrongs” composed by John Dowland (1563 – 1626) lyricists unknown.
All instruments played or programmed by Andrew Roussak Backing Vocals Andrew Roussak
Guest Musicians:
Nadia Ayche – Lead Vocals on Chasing Shadows Max Kottler – Lead Vocals on Left Alone Outside Selina Waidmann – Lead Vocals on Malta Sketches (Sunset in Valetta) Oli Weislogel – Guitar solos on Left Alone Outside, Chasing Shadows, Sunset in Valetta
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