Prog Ensemble Shumaun To Release Anticipated Second Album “One Day Closer to Yesterday”

If you like Rush–Porcupine Tree-Dream Theater, Shumaun is a must for you!

Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. “One Day Closer to Yesterday” touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through… the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.

Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, “Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term ‘surprisingly’ because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that’s the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora’s bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim’s guitar textures throughout the album.”

Watch the Lyric video for first single off new album called “Go”

Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain. After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. The band released their self-titled debut album on Nov 13, 2015 to rave reviews, and supported it with several shows. Both Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) played drums on the first record. Shumaun made it on many lists for best records of 2015 such as Decibel Geek, ProgMetal Zone, Metal Asylum, Rockway.Gr, Progressive Music Planet and The Deli DC Magazine.

Track listing: 
Sensus Divinitatis
The Writing’s on the Wall
Fear Is
Nafsi Ammara
City of Gold
Central Station
Prove Yourself
Go
Remember Me and I Will Remember You
One Day Closer to Yesterday

Mixing: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio (Pain of Salvation, Cynic)

Shumaun 
Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora: Bass
Tyler Kim: Guitars
Tanvir Tomal: Drums

Here’s what the press has said about Shumaun:

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC PLANET REVIEW
“Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It’s a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.” 

BACKGROUND MAGAZINE REVIEW
“Shumaun have recorded a perfect debut album that might appeal to a large audience. The music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant.”

METAL ASYLUM REVIEW
“Every part of the journey brings unexpected twists and fresh rewards, blending multi-cultural rhythms and sounds for one of the best rock/metal/prog songs of 2015.” 

THE GRIM TOWER REVIEW
“It’s rock music with a lot of replay value, and some strong messages at heart. Shumaun is REAL music with REAL effort and REAL values put behind it. There’s a definite positivity here, and it comes off as a rather heartfelt and passionate moment that I’m thankful to have been able to recommend your way.”

DECIBEL GEEK REVIEW
“AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year. A new band in age, this is a set of serious musos, with chops that your local butcher would envy. If you like the axis of Rush–Genesis-King Crimson, Shumaun is a must for you.”

METAL AT THE GATES REVIEW 
Bringing something fresh and invigorating to the world with their debut self-titled album, Shumaun paints a beautiful soundscape with progressive, rock, pop and touches of delectable South Asian flair. The writing ranges from outright gorgeous with ear-catching progressive rock grooves to straight forward pop-influenced rock.”

In closing Farhad has this to impart, “The message we want to convey through our music is that no matter how different we might view one another; our similarities far exceed those differences. We have the potential of exuding a profound love for one another, as we are all united in more ways than we might think.”

Shumaun is currently playing gigs in the Washington DC area to promote the new record and will start planning an east coast tour of the US in the late Spring of 2019.

Release Date: February 22, 2019

To purchase:www.shumaun.com/store

Website:www.shumaun.com
Store:www.shumaun.com/store
Facebook:www.facebook.com/shumaun
Youtube:www.youtube.com/shumaun

THE SEA WITHIN – A New Art-rock Collective

THE SEA WITHIN – the new art-rock collective comprising of Roine Stolt (Transatlantic, The Flower Kings), Daniel Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation), Jonas Reingold (Steve Hackett, The Flower Kings, Karmakanic, The Tangent), Tom Brislin (Yes Symphonic, Renaissance, Spiraling, Deborah Harry) & Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, UK, Joe Satriani) – have announced that their debut self-titled album will be released 22nd June 2018.

Let’s get one thing straight from the start. The Sea Within is more of an amalgamation of some serious talents, than a regular “supergroup”. These musicians have come together to create a unique album. Guitarist/vocalist Roine Stolt, bassist Jonas Reingold, keyboard player/vocalist Tom Brislin, drummer/vocalist Marco Minnemann and vocalist/guitarist Daniel Gildenlöw have a vast reservoir of experience. Look at the portmanteau of artists with who they’ve worked: The Flower Kings, Transatlantic, Jon Anderson, Steven Wilson,The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Yes, Steve Hackett, Renaissance, Pain Of Salvation, Deborah Harry, Meatloaf, Karmakanic … that of itself tells you this is something very special.

“I suppose it all began to take shape in the autumn of 2016,” explains Stolt. “I had a chat with Thomas Waber, the boss at InsideOut Music, about the idea of putting together a new band. I wanted to move in a fresh direction with new collaborations. So Thomas gave me the ‘go ahead’ to seek musicians for a new project.”
First on-board was The Flower Kings bass player Jonas Reingold.- “He is a long time bandmate and friend and we were also very keen to get keyboardist Tom (Brislin) involved – after seeing his synth pyrotechnics with legends Yes ‘Symphonic’ and with Camel. Then we have been a fans of ‘Aristocrats’ drummer Marco for a long time; I first heard of him 15 years ago and he is a brilliant drummer, unique energy. Then when we discussed ideas for singers, Daniel’s name came up, he has such a great range and dynamic voice and we’ve worked together on and off over the years.” Also added later to the bands line-up for live shows was vocalist & guitarist Casey McPherson of ‘Flying Colors’ & ‘Alpha Rev’, who also sings a couple of songs on the album.

Initially the band went to Livingston Studios in London last September to begin the process of assembling all the material and recording it for the debut album.
“Most of the material you’ll hear are really band compositions. Of course, ideas were triggered by all of us. Sometimes Jonas would come up with a part, chord sequence or tune and then I or Tom would write melody & lyric and some new riff section and Marco enhancing with further musical metric twists and developments – then Daniel would add or rewrite some of the lyrics, change or add more melodies. Overall, the vast majority of the tracks have been worked on and developed by all of us in one way or another.”

The entire recording situation took about six months, and the band also have some very special guests featured on the album.
“We have got Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater playing piano on one song. The legendary Jon Anderson sings on another track, while ‘wind ace’ Rob Townsend, who plays saxophone and flute with Steve Hackett, is also on the record. Each of them brings a different flavour to the music.”

“People have asked me how I would describe what we have done, and it is almost impossible. I would have to say it sounds like…us, ‘The Sea Within’. Our tastes are very eclectic – from prog to jazz to classical, to heavy rock, folk, punk, electronica and pop. We all come from a different background – so here everything goes.
This has been about putting those diverse influences into the music. I feel you will hear all that’s good about pop – with great melodies and hooks – plus the rawness of metal, improvisations, symphonic and movie soundtracks. We also left room for each of us to take off on flights of instrumental jamming. That was the basic idea, anyway. But until we all got together, we had no idea where it would lead or if it would actually work.”
The band have ended up recording close to two hours of music, and will be releasing it all in June on what will be a self-titled album.

The Sea Within as a music collective have plans to perform live, and will make their stage debut at ‘Night Of The Prog’ in Loreley, Germany which happens from July 13-15 and will bring special guests for that evening. 
“As far as I am concerned, we will try do as much touring as possible. We have a great band, great label and our agent Rob Palmen on-board. We have great artwork by Marcela Bolivar, all looks bright. However Daniel will not be able to join us for touring now, as he has commitments with main band Pain Of Salvation. With Casey taking the vocal spot, now with us live, we can go out on the road and play this album and beyond and grow as a band. We have so much to offer musically, on record and on stage and I am sure we will develop a lot over the next few years. But ‘The Sea Within’ album is a great start. I am excited for everyone to hear what we have done and am now thrilled to start working on the songs for the live show.”

The album will be available as a special edition 2CD digipak, gatefold 2LP vinyl + 2CD & as digital download. You can find the full track listing below:


Disc 1:
1. Ashes of Dawn
2. They Know My Name
3. The Void
4. An Eye for an Eye for an Eye
5. Goodbye
6. Sea Without
7. Broken Cord
8. The Hiding of the Truth

Disc 2:
1. The Roaring Silence
2. Where Are You Going?
3. Time
4. Denise

As mentioned, The Sea Within has recently announced their first confirmed live date, taking to the stage at Night of the Prog Festival 2018 at Loreley, Germany on the weekend of 13-15th July 2018. Tickets are available now here: http://www.nightoftheprogfestival.com/en/home-2/

THE SEA WITHIN online:
www.facebook.com/theseawithin1
www.twitter.com/theseawithin1
www.instagram.com/theseawithin1
www.theseawithin.net
INSIDEOUTMUSIC ONLINE:
www.insideoutmusic.com
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
www.twitter.com/insideouteu

Top 10 Albums of 2017 | Progressive Metal | 2 of 3

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.

 

1. Masqued – The Light In The Dark

Country – Houston, Texas USA

Label – Sleaszy Rider Records

Band Members

Jon Allen – Drums
Drew Creel – Guitar
Shane Dubose – Bass/Vocals
Eric Halpern – Guitar
Steffany Johnston – Vocals
Adam Rawlings – Keyboards

Masqued Official Website

Masqued Official Facebook Page

 

2. Pain Of Salvation – Passing Light Of Day

Country – Sweden

Label – Inside Out Music

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

Pain Of Salvation Official Website

Pain Of Salvation Official Facebook Page

 

3. Ayreon – The Source

Country – The Netherlands

Label – Mascot Label Group/Music Theories Recordings

Band Members/Original Cast

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

Ayreon Official Website 

Ayreon Official Facebook Page

 

4. Persefone – Aathma

Country -Andorra

Label – Vicisolum Productions/Enorm Music

Band Members
Marc Martins – Vocals
Carlos Lozano – Guitars
Miguel Espinosa – Keyboards& vocals.
Filipe Baldaia – Guitars
Toni Mestre – Bass
Sergi “Bobby” Verdeguer – Drums

Persefone Official Website

Persefone Official Facebook Page

 

5. The Vicious Head Society – Abject Tomorrow

Country – Ireland

Label – Independent/Self Release

Band Members 

Graham Keane – Guitars/Bass/Creator
Wilmer Waarbroek – Vocals
Derek Sherinan – Keyboards
Nahuel Ramos – Keyboards
Pat Byrne – Vocals
Klemen Markelj – Drums
Kevin Talley – Drums
Nathan Pickering – Vocals

The Vicious Head Society Official Website – Merchandise

The Vicious Head Society Official Facebook

 

6. Perihelion Ship – To Paint A Bird Of Fire

Country – Sweden

Label – Independent/Self Released

Band Members 

Andreas Hammer – Guitar/Vocals
Jari-Markus Kohijoki – Drums
Pirkka Maksimainen – Synths
Mikael Aalto – Bass

Perihelion Ship Official Bandcamp Profile

Perihelion Ship Official Facebook Page

 

7. Dreadnought – A Wake In Sacred Waves

Country – USA

Label – Sailor Records

Band Members 

Kelly Schilling – Guitar, Flute, Clean and Harsh Vocals
Jordan Clancy – Drums, Alto/Tenor Saxophone
Kevin Handlon – Bass, Mandolin, Lyrics
Lauren Vieira – Keys, Clean Vocals

Dreadnought Official Website

Dreadnought Official Facebook Page

 

8. Iapetus – The Long Road Home

Country – USA
Label – Independent/Self Released

Band Members 

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’

Iapetus Official Official Merchandise Store

Iapetus Official Facebook Page

 

9. Scardust – Sands Of Time

Country – Israel

Label – Independent/ Self Released

Band Members
Noa Gruman – Lead Vocals
Yoav Weinberg – Drums
Yadin Moyal – Guitars
Yanai Avnet – Bass
Alex Nicola – Keyboards

Scardust Official Website

Scardust Official Facebook Page

 

10. MindMaze – Resolve

Country – USA
Label – Inner Wound Recordings

Band Members
Sarah Teets – Lead Vocals
Jeff Teets – Guitars, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Rich Pasqualone – Bass, Backing Vocals
Mark “Truk” Bennett – Drums

MindMaze Official Website

MindMaze Official Facebook Page

 

 

 

Heylel Set to Release 3rd Album Shades of Time

Porto, Portugal – My Music Matters Management Triad is pleased to announce official CD release party for Heylel, Shades of Time will take place on April 21, 2017, in the establishment Cave 45, located at Rua das Oliveiras 45, Porto, Portugal. Tickets are €8 at the door; pre-sale tickets via website at €5. Worldwide release of Shades of Time, available in both CD and digital formats.

heylel

Shades of Time, is the highly anticipated third studio album from Heylel, an alternative progressive rock band from Porto, Portugal. With a range from classic to hard rock with a bit of symphonic rock tossed in the mix to create a dark atmospheric sound, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy on this latest creation. The mastermind behind Heylel is Narciso Monteiro whose original intentions were to remain a studio band producing albums with session musicians. After 2016 Flesh mini-tour, Monteiro took Heylel to the next level replacing session musicians with a full line-up six person touring band. The album also features guest vocalists: Ky Fifer (Philhelmon); Erik Laan (Silhouette); Francisca Ribeiro (Malaboos); Kristofer Gildenlöw (ex-Pain of Salvation).

Heylel’s debut album, Nebulae (2014) caught the attention of international press who tagged it as, “…haunting and brooding – the album blooms into a beautiful piece of art!”; “… and Flesh (2015) established Heylel in the international alternative rock scene. Shades of Time (2017) will be the first album to feature the new six member line up. Tour dates to be announced soon on Heylel website.

Band Members: Narciso Monteiro (Guitars/Keyboard/Songwriter/Composer), Ana Batista (Vocals), Ricardo Teixeira (Drums), João Amorim (Bass), Ana Clérigo (Violin), Jesus Dos Anjos (Keyboard-Live Shows)
Recorded at: Interstellar Cloud Creative Services, Porto, Portugal (2016/2017)
Produced and engineered by: Narciso Monteiro

Press reviews/interviews: [email protected]; Bookings: http://indieplant.com/heylel

Pain of Salvation 2017 North America Tour

pain-of-salvation-2016-photo-by-lars-ardarve

Photo by Lars Ardarve

Feb 7-11 Tampa, FL, Cruise to the Edge
Feb 12 Tampa, FL, The Orpheum
Feb 14 Houston,TX, The Scout bar
Feb 15 Dallas, TX, Gas Money
Feb 16 Kansas City, MO, The Riot Room
Feb 18 Chicago, IL, Reggies
Feb 19 Detroit, MI, The Token Lounge
Feb 21 Toronto, ON, Mod Club
Feb 22 Quebec, QC, Le Cercle
Feb 23 Montreal, QC, Le Tulipe
Feb 24 Buffalo, NY, Iron Works
Feb 26 New York, NY, The Marlin Room