We’re living the most surreal, creepy and tragic years of modern era history.
This album tries to translate in words and music the sensations, the emotions and our sense of loss of these strange days. MMXX is the latin notation for 2020, the year that changed our lives forever. MMXXII stands for 2022, and our sense of loss gets worse and worse.
MMXX was recorded in two years. It was a great challenge because of its structure and its complex arrangement including a rock band and a choir, merging several styles together. – Dario Lastella
Written and produced by Dario Lastella, except MMXXII (music by Lastella – Mesina – Giugliano)
Arranged and performed by ifsounds Mastered by Steve Kitch – audiomaster.co.uk
MMXX Sessions
Lino Giugliano – piano, organ, synth and keyboards Dario Lastella – guitars, bass guitar, synth and vocals Lino Mesina – drums Italo Miscione – bass guitar Runal – lead vocals Ilaria Carlucci – lead and backing vocals
Guest Musicians: Claudio Lapenna – vocals on MMXX and piano on Kandinsky’s Sky Nadezhda Chalykh – vocals on MMXX Mariano Gramegna – vocals on MMXX Giovanni Liberatore – vocals on MMXX
Sleeve design by Laura Meffe
Release Date: Spring 2023 Catalog No. MRRCD 22220 Label: Melodic Revolution Records Format: CD, Digital and Streaming Barcode: – 198015284826
Introduction of ifsounds
Dario Lastella is the guitarist, producer and the main songwriter of ifsounds. He founded the band in the 90s and has led the band since then.
Runal is the lead vocalist of ifsounds since 2013. He provides strong rock and blues vocals to the band’s progressive rock music.
Lino Mesina is a talented drummer. He joined ifsounds in 2015 and he is one of the main driving forces of the band.
Lino Giugliano is a pianist, keyboard player and composer. He joined ifsounds for live performances after the An Gorta Mór album, and as a full time member of the band for MMXX album.
Italo Miscione is an experienced bass player well known in the musical scene of Abruzzo. He joined ifsounds for the MMXX album.
Ilaria Carlucci is a talented vocalist, pianist and music teacher. She provided excellent vocals for the MMXX album.
The mad man is the happiest one but he frightens the right-minded world”
ifsounds are the images of our dreams and our nightmares. Music is just the shape we give to our stories, our hopes and our fears.
The ifsounds project brings together the talents of a group of musicians, all very different from each other, whose idea is to create a sound that is able to express an emotion, to describe a state of mind, to recount a story, to make a journey into the realms of inner consciousness.
The aim of ifsounds is to reproduce not only the world around us, but above all the world inside us, because each of us is the author of his own reality and his own existence.
The debut album from new progressive rock outfit eMolecule (former Sound of Contact members Simon Collins and Kelly Nordstrom) The Architect is out today!
To celebrate the release of the album, the band have shared the video for the title track and album’s 4th single.
You can check out the video/single for “The Architect” here:
The band remarks: “The Architect” reveals the sinister inner dialogue within the subject of our story. Conflict and anguish stemming from adolescence grind together like gears in his mind as he becomes the embodiment of Avarice.”
“We have long and eagerly awaited the day our debut album The Architectwould be available to the public! Making this concept album has been a vehicle for exploring darkness, redemption and spiritual evolution through music.”
A powerful Prog-Rock album that offers something different from the norm.” Eclipsed
“Cinematic and theatrical, The Architect unspools like a soundtrack for our times.” The Prog Report
“A unique and addictive listening experience.” Sonic Perspectives
TRACKLISTING: 1. eMolecule 10:43 2. The Architect 6:05 3. Prison Planet 4:58 4. Mastermind 8:39 5. Dosed 5:07 6. The Turn 5:56 7. Awaken 5:09 8. Beyond Belief 4:47 9. The Universal 6:03 10. My You 5:27 11. Moment of Truth 6:56
The two long-time collaborators met in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2005 and have been working together ever since. Originally brought together to work on Simon’s solo career, the spark of creativity between Simon and Kelly was undeniable. They soon began writing original material together, much of which would end up on Dimensionaut.
With a successful progressive rock album under their belts, Simon and Kelly were determined to continue the work they started with Sound of Contact. During the UK production of Simon’s 4th solo album “Becoming Human”, Kelly recorded a demo of the song “eMolecule” in a flurry of inspiration. With this new offering, Simon and Kelly decided their way forward was as a duo and they would pool their best material under the name eMolecule.
In the summer of 2020, Emolecule decided it was time to begin work on their debut album and that it was to be a concept album. Meeting in person at Simon’s studio in Ireland, the duo spent a solid month writing the concept and music start to finish. Over the following months, they completed writing, producing and performing ‘The Architect’ both remotely and together in Ireland.
The Architect features intense, heavy guitar and drum performances as well as deep, atmospheric and emotionally driven arrangements. From start to finish, Emolecule’s first offering captivates the listener with infectious vocals, dynamic guitars and ultra-modern production from the epic opening track ‘eMolecule” to the powerful climax of the closing track “Moment of Truth”. This band and album are set to take the listener to another dimension.
Poland’s pioneering and leading Progressive Rock band RIVERSIDE are soon to release their new studio album “ID.Entity” via InsideOutMusic on January 20th, 2023. Therefore, RIVERSIDE are pleased to reveal a next new single and video in promotion of the upcoming album today.
Check out the album’s opening track “Friend or Foe?” in its ‘Single Edit’ and with a video clip animated and directed by Thomas Hicks (http://www.thomashicks.co.uk) here:
RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda checked in with the following comment about the new single:
“’Friend or Foe?’ is one of the key songs on the new RIVERSIDE album. Not only is it the opening track but, musically, it is possibly also the most courageous and intriguing one.
One of its strong points is the lyrics which talk about how we’re perceived by others, especially these days, when pretending to be someone you’re not on social media has become the norm. Can we still be ourselves or do we have to keep adapting to the requirements of new algorithms? Perhaps we’ve already lost our identities and we’re only waiting for instructions from a Siri or Alexa?
“Who do you pretend to be?” are the first words of the song and the listener has already started searching for that 80s band it reminds them of. Is this a mere inspiration or is it provocation? Is the writer of the song pretending to be someone else or is this who he really is? Who is behind it all? The artist himself or a producer churning out music for many other artists? Is what I’m writing now a reflection of what I’m feeling or am I writing it because I want to put the song on a higher recommended playlist? And if we apply it to politics, who are the candidates? Are they credible? Trustworthy? Will they keep their promises? And finally, will we be able to trust each other one day, hear each other out and understand, or will we still keep our distance and suspicions?
Perhaps there is a chance to build a better world, but how to recognise who is a friend and who is a foe?”
“ID.Entity”, the group’s 8th studio album was recorded and mixed in two studios – The Boogie Town Studio in Otwock with Paweł Marciniak and in Serakos studio in Warsaw with Magda and Robert Srzedniccy -, mastered by Robert Szydło and produced by RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda himself. The “ID.Entity” artwork was created by Polish artist Jarek Kubicki.
RIVERSIDE also launched a “Riverside Heavy” playlist featuring “I’m Done With You” as well as many other heavier tracks from the band’s comprehensive catalogue, which you can check out here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5NUCNsJRdLrWmKGW2W8pIt
Here is the standard track-listing for the album:
RIVERSIDE – “ID.Entity” (53:11) Tracklist: 1. Friend or Foe? (07:29) 2. Landmine Blast (04:50) 3. Big Tech Brother (07:24) 4. Post-Truth (05:37) 5. The Place Where I Belong (13:16) 6. I’m Done With You (05:52) 7. Self-Aware (8:43)
The bonus material appearing on “ID.Entity” includes the instrumental tracks “Age of Anger” (11:56) and “Together Again” (06:29) as well as “Friend or Foe? (Single Edit)” (05:59) and “Self-Aware (Single Edit)” (05:29).
The album will be available in the following formats:
•Ltd. Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook (Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks, Blu-ray: All main 9 album tracks in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and 24bit HighRes Audio mix versions) •Ltd. 2CD Mediabook (Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks) •CD Jewelcase •Deluxe Digital Album (Including all 4 bonus tracks) •Digital album
The album’s vinyl version comes as Gatefold 2LP (With the bonus tracks “Age of Anger” and “Together Again” on Side D) in the following variants: – Black vinyl: All outlets – Orange vinyl: All outlets – White vinyl: 500x copies via JPC & Burning Shed – Yellow vinyl: 500x copies via EMP & Just For Kicks – Sky Blue vinyl: 600x copies via Laser’s Edge & CM Distro/Webshop Europe
“ID.Entity”, an album that extends and expands RIVERSIDE’s characteristic sound, but all in a revamped and more dynamic formula, follows 2018’s widely acclaimed ‘Wasteland’ album, which entered the charts in Germany at # 13, The Netherlands at # 28, Switzerland at # 23, Austria at # 39, UK at # 83, Finland at # 30, France at # 97, Czech Republic at # 59 and Poland at # 1.
Next to their return to North America in February/March, RIVERSIDE have recently also announced their “Spring Edition” European Tour, a first of three European touring legs across this year. Check out the band’s upcoming confirmed live-dates here:
RIVERSIDE – Live 2023: North American Tour: February 17, 2023 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum February 18, 2023 Orlando, FL – The Abbey February 19, 2023 Atlanta, GA – Hell At The Masquerade February 21, 2023 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live February 22, 2023 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live February 24, 2023 Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater February 25, 2023 Pomona, CA – The Glass House February 26, 2023 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone February 28, 2023 Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw Theatre March 1, 2023 Seattle, WA – Neumos March 3, 2023 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room March 4, 2023 Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre March 7, 2023 St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar And Hall March 8, 2023 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge March 10, 2023 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace March 11, 2023 Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre March 12, 2023 Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell March 14, 2023 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall March 16, 2023 New York, NY – Sony Hall March 17, 2023 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts March 18, 2023 Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall March 19, 2023 Washington, DC – Black Cat March 21, 2023 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle —————————- European Tour – Spring Edition: 16.04.2023 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Effenaar / Prognosis Festival 18.04.2023 Dublin (Ireland) – Button Factory 20.04.2023 Glasgow (UK) – Garage 21.04.2023 Birmingham (UK) – O2 Institute 2 22.04.2023 Manchester (UK) – Academy 2 23.04.2023 London (UK) – Indigo O2 / Prognosis Festival 25.04.2023 Copenhagen (Denmark) – Amager Bio 26.04.2023 Gothenburg (Sweden) – Pustervik 27.04.2023 Oslo (Norway) – Cosmopolite 28.04.2023 Stockholm (Sweden) – Lilla Cirkus 30.04.2023 Tampere (Finland) – Olympia 01.05.2023 Helsinki (Finland) – Tavastia
Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius have launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund two new releases; a live box set and a new studio album, both due out in 2023.
All the rewards are related to Stratospheerius’ music, starting with a $10 pledge that grants the fans project updates and early mixes, to $2000 for the band to play a concert anywhere in the United States. (Out-of-country performances, please email us).
Melodic Revolution Records will be releasing the live double CD/DVD& Blu-Ray box set in early 2023. The box set is called “Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock.”
Later in the year, the band will release their next studio release, the working title “Impostor,” which features many guest stars including Saga’s Michael Sadler, Porcupine Tree’s Randy McStine, Bill Hubauer (Neal Morse Band), multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers, cellist Ruti Celli, singer Chloe Lowry (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), and Echo in the Canyon’s Fernando Perdomo.
Along with social media, live shows, and appearances and workshops at music events, Joe says crowdfunding is a way he and the fans have connected through the years. “These days, artists have more creative control and can bypass the middleman and build a beautiful relationship directly with their fans. We are beholden to no one but the people that love and support our music. I love the fact that fans get a chance to follow an album as it is being written, recorded, and mixed. They feel more vested in the project and it becomes a collaboration between the band and the fans.
“The band is grateful for the love and support they have received for their music in recent years, especially in the progressive rock community, and is very excited to release the new projects.”
Led by electric violinist/vocalist Joe Deninzon, who has been called “The Jimi Hendrix of the violin,” Stratospheerius has showcased their “frenzied mélange of progressive rock, jazz fusion, and funkabilly” throughout the world.
Band members are Joe Deninzon-electric violin/vocals (Bruce Springsteen, Renaissance, The Who, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Jason Gianni-drums (The Ultimate Queen Celebration, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock of Ages, Neil Morse Band), Michaelangelo Quirinale-guitar (Thrilldriver), and Paul Ranieri-bass (Mark Wood, Circuline, Riot Act).
Joe Deninzon & musical friends Rachel Flowers (flute, piano) and Alex Skolnick (guitar) perform Chick Corea’s “Spain” on the upcoming Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius’ “Behind the Curtain: Live From ProgStock” via Four-Disc Box Set – Double CD, DVD & Blu-Ray to be released by Melodic Revolution Records.
“Spain” will premiere on YouTube on Friday, October 14 at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT/ 3 AM Amsterdam time (October 15, Saturday) Watch it here or on YouTube.
“Spain,” and how it came to be by Joe Deninzon
One of the perks of being a jazz musician is that you can walk into a room anywhere in the world, jump on stage with people you’ve never met who may or may not speak your language, and weave together a spontaneous concert based on a shared musical language.
On October 2nd, 2021, when the late great John Goodsall from Brand X fell ill, Stratospheerius was asked last minute to headline Progstock, the biggest prog rock festival in the Northeastern U.S. Preceding our set was the amazing multi-instrumentalist Rachel Flowers, who recently contributed her talents to our single, “Storm Surge.” Following us later that night was the bassist Percy Jones. Joining Percy on guitar was Alex Skolnick. Alex is an old friend who recorded and toured with our band in the early 2000s. I saw a great opportunity to reunite with Alex and include Rachel in a song. It was also nice to give the band a break and play something more stripped-down in the middle of our set. We decided to play Chick Corea’s “Spain,” a song we all knew well. There was no time to rehearse. Alex had heard of Rachel but had never met her. That night, Rachel and Alex met on stage, never having played together before. This performance was completely on the fly! Judging by the audience’s reaction, I think we created some magic that night and are excited to share it with everyone who couldn’t be there in person.
Discography Behind the Curtain: Live at ProgStock (2022) 4 Disc Box set Spain “Live at ProgStock” (2022) Digital Single The Prism “Live at ProgStock” (2022) Digital Single Game of Chicken (Live at ProgStock) (2021) Digital Single Cognitive Dissonance (2021) Digital Single Storm Surge (2020) Digital Single Frame by Frame (2020) Digital Single Impostor! (2019) Digital Single Guilty of Innocence (2018) LP/Vinyl Guilty of Innocence (2017) CD & Digital Album Hysteria (2017) Digital Single The Next World (2012) CD & Digital Headspace (2007) CD & Digital Live Wire (2004) CD & Digital The Adventures of Stratospheerius (2002) CD & Digital Electric / Blue (1998) CD & Digital
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