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 on June 22nd, 2018.
‘Goodbye’ is the second single taken from the album, and for this track, Casey McPherson of Flying Colors takes the lead on vocals. You can listen now here:
Roine Stolt comments: “One of the great groovy ‘collaborative’ tracks on our album. We go down the ‘funk’ route here – but with strong melody hooks. Originally presented by Jonas Reingold, but all the band helped in writing, shaping & bringing this song to life in the London studio. Casey McPherson added his soulful voice to this “breakup drama” – a bit of “real life story” in a music genre that seldom dwells in reality. It promises to be a great live track.”
The album has been receiving some great reviews already, find a few of them below: “a highly impressive but diverse voyage” – The Prog Report “The Sea Within looks likely to be the prog album of the year” – Sonic Abuse “this just may become a contender for your favorite progressive-rock album of the year.” – Sonic Perspectives
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.
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 album will be available as a special edition 2CD digipak, gatefold 2LP vinyl + 2CD & as digital download.
Pre-order now here: www.insideoutmusicshop.com
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 debut live date, taking to the stage at Night of the Prog Festival 2018 at Loreley, Germany on the weekend of 13-15th July 2018. They have also recently been confirmed to appear on Cruise to the Edge 2019.
HAKEN are set to release their first-ever live album, titled ‘L-1VE’, on June 22nd, 2018.
Now they are pleased to launch the second clip taken from the live set, and you can watch ‘The Endless Knot’ live in Amsterdam here:
The band comments: “The Endless Knot is one of our Live favorites; the crowd reaction when the opening riff kicks off always sends goosebumps, knowing we’re all in for a wild ride of brutal riffing, mosh-friendly dub-step and epic sing-a-longs! It’s just a chance for everyone to let their hair down while simultaneously showcasing one of our shorter, yet more complicated tunes to play.”
‘L-1VE’ will be released as a 2CD/2DVD Digipak package & as a digital download. The DVD will include 4 bonus tracks filmed at ProgPower USA 2016 that also includes Mike Portnoy’s cameo appearance on gong, as well as all of the official videos from the ‘Affinity’ album. The main show and the bonus material on the DVD are also mixed in 5.1 surround sound.
1.affinity.exe/Initiate
2.In Memoriam
3.1985
4.Red Giant
5.Aquamedley
6.As Death Embraces
7.Atlas Stone
8.Cockroach King
9.The Architect
10.The Endless Knot
11.Visions
DVD Bonus Material
1.Falling Back to Earth
2.Earthrise
3.Pareidolia
4.Crystallised
Also includes music videos for Initiate, Earthrise & Lapse
Following the release of the band’s much-acclaimed fourth studio album ‘Affinity’, they embarked upon their 10th-anniversary tour across Europe & North America. Recorded and filmed on April 13th, 2017, at the legendary Melkweg venue on the Amsterdam stop of that tour, this represents the band’s first ever live document with tracks from across the band’s discography.
“The release of official live material is a project that is long overdue and we know our existing fans have been crying out for this for some time now. Whilst we have filmed and recorded many shows in the past we have always felt there were elements of our shows that could be improved ‘visually’ before we documented and immortalized this for the world to see and that the timing for a live release never felt right for us. This is just our nature as creative people to be so extremely self-critical and constantly strive for perfection. It is largely due to the will of the people that the idea of this project became a reality. Both the band and the label were inundated with emails requesting a live release in some shape or form, and it was actually rather flattering, so giving the people what they wanted just felt like the right thing to do.”
The artwork was once again produced by long-time collaborators Blacklake, who continued the love of 80’s culture that they demonstrated on artwork for ‘Affinity’. The live audio was mixed by Neal Morse & Winery Dogs alumni Jerry Guidroz.
The band has also revealed they have started work on their fifth studio album. They comment: “We’re currently getting our teeth stuck into the writing process for Album 5 and great ideas are forming and evolving as we speak. It’s still early days but there is a sense among us that Haken may take a darker path with this one. However, the playing field is still wide open and the direction this record takes could alter at any point. One thing is certain: We will endeavor to stick to our mandate of strong melodies and Killer riffs! ”
British Classic Rock Icons URIAH HEEP are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their 25th studio album “Living the Dream” on September 14th via Frontiers Music Srl.
In conjunction with this release through Frontiers Music Srl, the band is offering some once in a lifetime experience packages as well as signed copies of the album and many other wonderful things.
Check it out at https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/uriah-heep-living-the-dream
Today, the first single and video for the song “Grazed By Heaven” has been released. It is available on all streaming services as well as an instant download with digital pre-orders. The lyrics for “Grazed By Heaven” were written by Jeff Scott Soto and the music was written by bassist Dave Rimmer.
“The song is clearly about sexual tension and desire, very much in the form of ‘Fifty Shades Of Grey’, putting oneself at ease with the person who is taking control of the situation and trusting you will be in absolute bliss. Fantasy and lust is the calling card here, it’s quite black & white really. The song is very sexy so naturally called for a sexy lyric,” says Jeff Scott Soto of “Grazed By Heaven”.
Dave Rimmer adds: ‘Grazed’ was born out of my desire to write a blazing Heep rock track. I put together the music and arrangement but needed a very strong melody line/lyric to match the music and the riff….. I have been a fan of Jeff Scott Soto’s voice and writing for many years, so asked Jeff about a collaboration, he loved the song and came up with the perfect, & powerful lyric/melody..a very natural seamless collaboration between Jeff and I. A true ‘Living The Dream’ Moment for me.”
For this album the band teamed up with famed Canadian engineer Jay Ruston.
“Working with Jay was amazing! He totally understood what we were going for on this album and he delivered big time. We wanted a Heep album that the band and the fans would be proud of, and with Jay at the helm, we have delivered that,” says Mick Box.
When asked what people can expect from the new album Mick Box says “There are rock songs, rock ballads, and a couple of prog songs encompassing everything Heep.”
Vocalist Bernie Shaw adds that fans should also be ready for, “A full blown ‘rockin’ Uriah Heep record. All the traits that made Heep famous in the past are here on this new album. Passion, power, harmony and substance. Heep trade marks from the first riff.”
The band is beyond excited with the material written for the new album, which will include some epic additions to the band’s huge catalog of rock staples and looks forward to sharing it with their fans around the world.
The band has announced a full World Tour which will last through the first quarter of 2019. “The mighty Heep are proudly able to tour in over 61 countries and we look forward to a packed touring schedule in 2018 and 2019. Touring is in our blood and what we have a passion to do, and so 2018 is no exception,” concludes Box.
1. Grazed By Heaven
2. Living The Dream
3. Take Away My Soul
4. Knocking At My Door
5. Rocks In The Road
6. Waters Flowin’
7. It’s All Been Said
8. Goodbye To Innocence
9. Falling Under Your Spell
10. Dreams Of Yesteryear
11. Take Away My Soul (alternate version) BONUS TRACK – CD/DVD Deluxe Ed.
Bonus DVD Track Listing:
Grazed By Heaven Music Video
Take Away My Soul Music Video
Making The Dream Documentary
Uriah Heep Lineup:
Mick Box – Lead Guitar/Vocals
Phil Lanzon – Keyboards/Vocals
Bernie Shaw – Lead Vocals
Dave Rimmer – Bass Guitar/Vocals
Russell Gilbrook – Drums & Percussion
Canada’s Premier Prog Band Mystery have set Set July 14th as the date for the release of their 7th studio album Lies and Butterflies, this date is significant as it coincides with the day Mystery are set to perform at Night of the Prog in Germany.
According to a post on social media by multi-instrumentalist, producer and writer Michel St-Père
Today, I finally finished the mix of the new MYSTERY album, it was a hard one to make, lots of work but also very pleasant to work on this one still, a lot of work to make sure we get it in time for Night of the Prog, so no time for vacations yet, I hope you will all enjoy this new album, Lies and Butterflies will be here very soon !!!
Album Details
Album. Lies and Butterflies
Label: Unicorn Digital
Catalog No. UNCR-5120
Format: CD, Digital
Track list:
1- Looking for Something Else
2- Come to Me
3- How do you Feel?
4- Something to Believe in
5- Dare to Dream
6- Where Dreams come Alive
7- Chrysalis
Line-up:
Michel St-Père, Jean Pageau, Benoit Dupuis, François Fournier, Sylvain Moineau, Jean-Sébastien Goyette,
I have been having quite a few conversations with keyboard/sax player Marek Arnold about his various musical outlets, and he recently provided me with access to virtually everything that has been released by Toxic Smile. Prior to this, I had only heard their fourth album, ‘7’ (which was their seventh overall release), so I was looking forward to this and jumped into the task with relish. For those who haven’t come across them before, the band started as a collaboration between Marek, drummer Daniel Zehe and guitarist Uwe Reinholz in early 1996 when they were still students, really coming together as unit two years later when they were joined by singer Larry B. ‘M.A.D’ was their debut album, released in 2000, but what I am playing is the 2011 reissue which contains two additional songs, one of which is a cover (more of that later).
Musically these guys are at the intersection of prog metal, heavy prog, symphonic, crossover, neo-prog, and more straightforward hard rock. At times they are reminiscent of classic Saga, at others Dream Theater, while IQ has also had an impact, as has Steve Howe. What really ties this all together is the way that Marek and Uwe are joined at the hip, while bassist Robert Brenner is incredibly important to the overall mix with a strong warm bass that can be sat quietly at the back or also provide touches right at the front to provide a completely different and unexpected emphasis. The music swirls, it moves, it switches and loops like a rollercoaster, and right at the very front of this is Larry B., totally in control. He can be emotional, he can be rough and raw, or pure and melodic. The only time he comes unstuck is when the band play “Owner Of A Lonely Heart”. While the arrangement is interesting (I personally would have stuck with the harder riffs they used in the introduction), Larry is singing at the very limit of his range and has to go into falsetto. It would have been more interesting if they had moved away from trying to replicate Anderson and instead did something in a lower register to provide a harshness.
But, that and the sound quality of the snare drum are the only low points of what is a great debut album, and I find it strange that it has taken nearly twenty years for me to come across it and that there isn’t a single review of it on ProgArchives! Well, both of these issues have been rectified now. Well worth investigating.
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