UK progressive rockers Frost* recently announced the release of their brand new double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’, due out October 18th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. “Every prog band worth their salt really should do a double album, shouldn’t they?” asks Frost* frontman Jem Godfrey. “We’ve always kind of had this idea of wanting to do one. So I sat down last summer and thought, well, I’m just gonna have to get my head down and go for it.”
Today sees the launch of the track ‘Moral & Consequence’, a song that appears later in the story, and you can watch it now here:
Jem Godfrey comments: “Moral and Consequence is a song of two halves, you’ll never guess what each section is called… In 2008, on our 2nd album “Experiments In Mass Appeal”, I sang – “The ideal and the innocence, the moral and the consequence. Core desire, it’s a real Livewire, setting my life on fire, oh it’s unreal.” It’s not a sequel to the song from 2008, but at the same time it is. It’s a bit complicated, all will be revealed on the new album.”
*** “It’s actually a continuation from Day and Age” explains Godfrey, “the first track on the new album starts with the end of the last track from that album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?”. I remember putting that in when we did Day and Age as a possible little hook for the future; a character somewhere out there in Day and Age land trying to be heard. What does he want to say? Can anybody hear him? Day and Age kind of sets up the world that this character lives in and Life In The Wires tells his story”.
The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom. Tune in at www.lifeinthewires.com and see if you can hear Livewire on the radio.
Helping create this parallel world are the “classic” Frost* lineup of guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell.
Fans of the band’s masterful debut album Milliontown (2006) will enjoy the band revisiting the style that made that debut album one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years, a fact that was not lost on Godfrey as he was writing this new record.
“With Day and Age, we made it a very specific point: we’re not doing any solos, we’ll do clever arrangements. And we enjoyed that discipline, but this time I thought it might be good to row back on that position a bit. Plus, I wanted to have a little bit of a nod to Milliontown with this album, because it’s been nearly 20 years since Milliontown came out and I’m still proud of it. The 15-minute title track has a few of those Milliontown moments in it which were great fun to do again.”
‘Life In The Wires’ will be available as a Limited 2CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP & as Digital Album, with subtle difference across the 3 formats for added interest. The album features artwork design by Carl Glover, who also designed the cover of ‘Day And Age’. The full track listing is as follows:
CD1:
1. Skywaving 1:57 2. Life in the Wires, Part 1 5:30 3. This House Of Winter 6:10 4. The Solid State Orchestra 6:35 5. Evaporator 8:09 6. Strange World 5:09 7. Idiot Box 4:59 8. Absent Friends 3:58
CD2:
1. School (Introducing The All Seeing Eye) 3:12 2. Propergander 5:34 3. Sign Of Life 5:44 4. Moral And Consequence 8:13 5. Life in the Wires, Part 2 15:51 Starting Fires 4:40
Cult Swedish progressive rockers Beardfish began playing their first live shows together this year since breaking up in 2016, and now they are very pleased to announce the release of a brand new studio album titled ‘Songs For Beating Hearts’ on November 1st, 2024. Coinciding with this announcement is the launch of a brand new single titled ‘In The Autumn’, a piece of music that some may recognise from their recent live dates. This song is a duet between Rikard Sjöblom & guest vocalist Amanda Örtenhag.
Watch the video now here:
“I think the reunion became an idea in 2021, a few years ago,” explains Rikard Sjöblom. “We started talking about doing something. People had made amends, and I guess everyone started missing being in a band together, and missing each other! We all kept in touch, and things ended up on the right foot in many aspects, and then we started talking about maybe meeting up and trying to play something. I had a couple of new songs written, and they really sounded like Beardfish, and I had some instrumental doodles that I was working on. So we met up and tried to play. The first thing we played was Without Saying Anything from Mammoth, and we started jamming and it felt like home, even after many years. I felt like, ‘These are my brothers!’
With strong echoes of past glories but a whole new vibe of wistful wonderment, Songs For Beating Hearts is a glowing testament to the magic that happens when these four musicians join forces. From the dreamy melancholy of the opening Ecotone and the intricate opulence of five-part sprawl Out In The Open, to the prog-friendly pastoralism of bittersweet 11-minute epic Beating Hearts, and the sobering prog-noir of the closing Torrential Downpour, Beardfish have not just made their strongest work to date, but also their most emotionally resonant. Loosely held together by thoughts of love, loss, friendship and finality, Songs For Beating Hearts is the sound of four kindred spirits laying their hearts bare.
‘Songs For Beating Hearts’ will be available as a Limited CD Digipak (including one bonus track), Gatefold LP & as Digital Album, all featuring artwork from longtime collaborator Spencer Keala Bowden, and can be pre-ordered now here: https://beardfish.lnk.to/SongsForBeatingHearts
The full track-listing is as follows: 1.Ecotone 04:30 2.Out in the Open 20:33 3.Beating Hearts 11:01 4.In The Autumn 05:58 5.Ecotone (Reprise) 00:43 6.Torrential Downpour 08:29 7.Ecotone – Norrsken 1982 edition (Bonus Track) 06:13
Beardfish originally formed back in 2001, and today are made up of Rikard Sjöblom, David Zackrisson, Magnus Östgren and Robert Hansen. They released eight studios albums up until their disbandment in 2016 The band are confirmed for 2025’s edition of Cruise To The Edge.
The first in an on-going series of 3 box sets focusing on the live collection of John Wetton. Out on November 15th, 2024
Spirit of Unicorn Music are pleased to announce the forthcoming release of Concentus: TheJohn Wetton Live Collection, Volume I : the first in an ongoing series of 3 box sets celebrating the life and times of this incredible musician, focusing on his live canon.
The Concentus: Volume I box set features 10 CDs, the first selection of John’s live albums, all of which have been newly mastered by Andy Pearce. Also included is a selection of bonus material, including rare and hard-to-find cuts. The collection is presented in a compact box and comes with new and extensive sleeve notes from Prog Magazine editor, Jerry Ewing.
The collection has been specially curated by Rick Nelson, Wetton archivist and John’s close friend. Packaging and artwork has been designed by John’s long-time collaborator Michael Inns. The entire project releases with the blessing of John’s wife, Lisa and son, Dylan and has the full support of the Wetton Estate.
Wetton’s dear friend, song-writing partner and co-member of supergroup Asia, Geoff Downes commented “These songs and recordings will live forever and continue to bring joy to those who listen to them. John has left us all a gift and it is a very precious one.”
With a career spanning more than four decades, John Wetton’s rich baritone voice and accomplished bass playing has adorned many recordings. Concentus: Volume I is the second release by Spirit of Unicorn Music which pays tribute to this fine musician and fulfills the Wetton Estate’s commitment to uphold John’s musical legacy. Last year saw the release of AnExtraordinary Life, an 8-CD box set which featured Wetton’s solo studio albums.
John Wetton has a unique place in British music history. In a glittering career that spans more than forty years, Wetton was a member of several influential and much-loved bands, including Family, King Crimson, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash, Roxy Music, UK, Asia and Icon. He also appeared on a host of albums as a guest or session player, including for Bryan Ferry, Steve Hackett, Brian Eno, Renaissance, and Galahad.
Watch the trailer for Concentus: The John Wetton Live Collection, Volume I here:
Track Listing:
DISC ONE: Chasing The Dragon Heat Of the Moment Don’t Cry Rendezvous 6:02 Crime Of Passion Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money In The Dead of Night Thirty Years Only Time Will Tell Hold Me Now Starless Book Of Saturday Battle Lines Open Your Eyes The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
DISC TWO: Akustika Live in Amerika Voice Of America Hold Me Now Rendezvous 6:02 Christina Thirty Years Only Time Will Tell Book Of Saturday Don’t Cry Battle Lines The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Heat Of the Moment You’re Not the Only One
DISC THREE: Live in Argentina In The Dead of Night Sole Survivor Only Time Will Tell Voice Of America Book Of Saturday The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Quilmes Rendezvous 6:02
DISC FOUR: Live in Argentina Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money Battle Lines Heat Of the Moment Starless Don’t Cry
DISC FIVE: Hazy Monet The Circle of St. Giles Heat Of the Moment Book Of Saturday Sole Survivor The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Rendezvous 6:02 Quilmes The Night Watch Arkangel Battle Lines Starless Easy Money
DISC SIX: Live in Osaka Intro The Last Thing on My Mind Sole Survivor I Can’t Lie Anymore Battle Lines John Young’s Keyboard Solo Arkangel Emma The Smile Has Left Your Eyes The Night Watch Thirty Years Hold Me Now Only Time Will Tell
DISC SEVEN: Live in Osaka Rendezvous 6:02 Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Easy Money In The Dead of Night After All Heat Of the Moment Starless Don’t Cry
DISC EIGHT: ADAMA The Circle Of St. Giles In The Dead Of Night Sole Survivor Voice Of America Billy Liesegang’s Guitar Solo Battle Lines Arkangel The Night Watch The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Thirty Years Hold Me Now Only Time Will Tell Quilmes
DISC NINE: ADAMA Rendezvous 6:02 Thomas Lang’s Drum Solo Caught In the Crossfire Easy Money Starless Heat Of the Moment Don’t Cry Short Jam (soundcheck) All Along the Watchtower (soundcheck) Starless (soundcheck)
DISC TEN: AKUSTISCHA AKUSTISCHA Heat Of the Moment The Smile Has Left Your Eyes Hold Me Now Don’t Cry Open Your Eyes Battle Lines Rendezvous 6:02 Book Of Saturday (rehearsal) Lament (rehearsal) You’re Not the Only One (rehearsal) Starless (rehearsal) Thirty Years (rehearsal) PROGFEST 1997 In The Dead of Night Rendezvous 6:02 Sole Survivor Battle Lines Starless
Progressive alternative rockers Pure Reason Revolution return with their sixth studio album ‘Coming Up To Consciousness’, released on September 6th, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. Betrayal, deception, fear, grief, mortality, and questions of sanity: heady and primordial themes animate the latest conceptual LP from Pure Reason Revolution.
Today sees the release of the second single from the album, and you can watch the video for ‘Useless Animal’ here:
Jon Courtney comments of the track: “Very pleased to launch our next single, showing another side of ‘Coming up to Consciousness’. The song’s about how we don’t realise something’s worth until it’s gone.
Taking my dog to be put down & the emotional fallout, the unexpected impact. Grief is the price we pay for love. Written as a result of purposefully trying to avoid my usual repertoire of chords. This was the first track Guy Pratt played bass on, he did a wonderful job & his input spurred on further creativity.”
‘Coming Up To Consciousness’ is the third of its post-hiatus renaissance records that began with 2020’s ‘Eupnea’ and continued in 2022’s ‘Above Cirrus’. Like those two predecessors, the new record is intensely personal. Its eight tracks are all between four and seven minutes long – concise by PRR standards – and they grapple with darkness of various kinds.
Courtney, who lives in Berlin, shared writing duties on several tracks with US-based Greg Jong. The pair formed Pure Reason Revolution together in the early 00s at the University of Westminster, creating breakout hit ‘The Bright Ambassadors of Morning’ as their third year project. They reconnected during the creation of ‘Eupnea’ and have continued the partnership since then both in the studio and on stage. Legendary session musician Guy Pratt, who has worked with Pink Floyd among myriad iconic acts, provided bass guitar on seven of the eight tracks, resulting in more ambitious bass lines than any of Pure Reason Revolution’s previous records. Meanwhile, Ravi Kesavaram, of My Vitriol fame, returns to the drums on this record after touring with the band in 2022.
Another newcomer on this record is vocalist Annicke Shireen, known for her work with Shireen and Heilung, as well as her solo project. Shireen stepped in after original PRR member and fan favourite Chloe Alper was unavailable for recent live shows. With Alper’s schedule remaining packed for the foreseeable future, she has been unable to rejoin the lineup. She and Courtney agreed it made more sense for Shireen to sing on the record if she was going to continue appearing in shows. Both Courtney and Jong have nothing but enthusiasm for working with her:
“They’re impossible shoes to fill in a lot of ways,” Greg Jong says. “But we were just blown away with how good she is. We were really excited by the fact that vocally she does have a similar tone to Chloe, and yet she definitely holds her own.”
The band was equally thrilled to work with multiple members of prog icon The Pineapple Thief; the record was mixed by Bruce Soord, mastered by Steve Kitch, and sees Jon Sykes playing bass on one track. ‘Coming Up To Consciousness’ is also the third PRR album to feature cover art by Jill Tegan Doherty, who Courtney originally met in Berlin on a German language course.
The album will be available as a Limited CD+DVD Digipak (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound & High Resolution Stereo Mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, as well as a Gatefold ReVinyl LP (Recycled Vinyl), and digitally in both stereo and Dolby Atmos.
The band have also confirmed their first tour dates in support of the album, playing in Europe alongside Lesoir in September & October, starting at Be Prog! My Friend Festival in Barcelona.
27th September – Be Prog! My Friend, Barcelona, Spain*
29th September – Stummsche Reithalle, Neunkirchen, Germany
30th September – Backstage By The Mill, Paris, France
1st October – Colos-Saal, Aschaffenburg, Germany
3rd October – Cpunt, Hoofddorp, Netherlands
4th October – Progpower Europe, Baarlo, Netherlands*
5th October – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
*No Lesoir
The band will also make their first appearance on Cruise To The Edge in 2025, alongside Steve Hackett, Riverside, Haken, Big Big Train, Robert Fripp & many more.
Tour features special ‘In Conversation with Bill Bruford’ interviews at select stops
ProgJect–the brainchild of drummer Jonathan Mover–features an all-star band of world-renown players with histories that include Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Asia, Alice Cooper, GTR, Steve Vai, Edgar Winter, Spock’s Beard, The Tubes, Zappa Plays Zappa, Marillion and more.
And now, the lineup featuring Mike Keneally, Ryo Okumoto, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Pete Griffin, and Jonathan Mover is announcing a run of tour dates in the US and Canada in June of 2024 where the group will be performing the classics and epics of Genesis, YES, King Crimson and ELP, along with some Gentle Giant, Rush, Pink Floyd, U.K., Jethro Tull, Peter Gabriel, and more.
Prog legend Bill Bruford (Yes, King Crimson, U.K., Genesis) and Anil Prasad (Innerviews) will be opening up the last two shows in NYC and Glenside, PA., presenting “In Conversation with Bill Bruford”, discussing his remarkable life and career, followed by an autograph/photograph session. Guitarist Travis Larson will be opening the rest of the shows.
ProgJect’s two-plus hour show includes: “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”, “Firth Of Fifth”, “The Cinema Show”, “Larks Tongues In Aspic, Pts I & II”, “21st Century Schizoid Man”, “Roundabout”, “Siberian Khatru”, “Karn Evil 9: First Impression”, Have A Cigar”, “Money“, “In The Dead Of Night”, “Alaska”, “Closer To The Heart”, “Red Barchetta”, “Solsbury Hill”, “D.I.Y.”, “Aqualung”, “Locomotive Breath”, “Cogs In Cogs”, “Hell’s Bells” and more…
Tour Dates *6/20/24 Chicago, IL – Reggies *6/21/24 Hamilton, ON – Bridgeworks *6/22/24 Quebec, QC – Salle Octave Cremazie *6/24/24 Sydney, NS – Highland Arts Theatre *6/26/24 Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmount *6/27/24 Portland, ME – Portland House of Music *6/28/24 Arlington, MA – Regent Theatre +6/29/24 NYC, NY – Sony Hall +6/30/24 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre * Guest Support – Travis Larson + Guest Support – Bill Bruford
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