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
Following last years surprise announcement that they would be getting back together, Swedish progressive rockers Beardfish are pleased to announce they have re-signed with InsideOutMusic for the release of their first new music since breaking up in 2016.
The band comments: “These are super exciting times for Beardfish with us being back together as a band. We’re just finishing up our first new album in nine years and we’re working with Inside Out again, our favourite record label on the planet!
We’re also really happy that Destined Solitaire, one of my personal favourites in the Beardfish catalogue, is turning 15 years old this year and that it’s finally gonna be available on some hot wax! It’s been remastered for vinyl, has lengthy liner notes from yours truly (rambling on!) and it looks and sounds fantastic!”
First though, the band are pleased to announce a special 15th anniversary vinyl release of their fifth studio album ‘Destined Solitaire’ – its first time ever on wax. Newly remastered, and featuring a fold-out 6-page LP-booklet with the full cover artwork, this Gatefold 2LP release will come out on the 19th July 2024 to coincide with the bands appearance at the last ever Night Of The Prog Festival in Germany. The release also includes brand new liner notes. Pre-order now here: https://beardfish.lnk.to/DestinedSolitaire-15thAnniversaryEdition
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, and their forthcoming ninth album will see the light of day later in 2024. Outside of Night Of The Prog Festival, the band will also headline We Låve Rock in Oslo, Norway at the end of May, as well as already being confirmed for 2025’s edition of Cruise To The Edge. BEARDFISH online: https://www.facebook.com/beardfish https://www.instagram.com/beardfishofficial/
Sweden-borne folkloric progressive rock band Kaipa proudly announce their new album Sommargryningsljus. 49 years after the release of their debut album, the band is set to reveal the 15th longplayer of their musical journey, Sommargryningsljus, which will be released via InsideOutMusic on June 28th, 2024.
The announcement comes with the release of the first single of the album, which is a mélange of both the opening and closing track of Sommargryningsljus, subsequently named “Sommargryningsljus (Single Edit)”. Two of the songs from the album, the opening track Sommarskymningsljus and the ending track Sommargryningsljus, can be heard together in this single edit version, as they were originally written.
The song is about dusk and a journey through the night to meet the light again at dawn. The single comes with a lyric video that showcases the mystical vibes of twilight and gives a glimpse of the album aesthetics and illustrations.
Watch the video for Sommargryningsljus (Single Edit) here:
Relaxing image of a cold foggy landscape in the sunrise with a lonely tree.
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Hans Lund comments:
„I had written all the songs for the album and the total playing time was 70 minutes, but then something unexpected happened. One day when I was recording with Aleena Gibson, we took a break and went out into my garden to have a cup of coffee. Suddenly Aleena started singing some notes and I said it was beautiful. ‘Okay, let’s write a song‘, she said. So we returned to the studio and 15 minutes later a new song had been born. We were both delighted with the result and said that this song must be on the album and the lyrics must be in Swedish. I developed the song and created an interlude built on the same chords. The melody was hovering around in the studio and it landed gracefully in my fingers when I started to play. One early morning a few weeks later, the words suddenly came floating down and landed in my consciousness.“
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Sommargryningsljus will be available as
Ltd. CD Mediabook with extensive 24-pages booklet 12’’ Gatefold 180g 2LP black vinyl digital album
Tracklist:
Sommarskymningsljus 00:01:30 Seven Birds 00:09:50 Like Thousand Dawns 00:11:08 Revelationview 00:09:28 Chased by Wolves And Burned by The Sun 00:10:17 Spiderweb Train 00:15:29 Songs In Our Hands 00:13:00 Sommargryningsljus 00:03:58 Sommargryningsljus (Single Edit) 00:05:24
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Kaipa are:
Hans Lundin – keyboards & vocals Per Nilsson – electric & acoustic guitars Jonas Reingold – bass Darby Todd – drums Patrik Lundström – vocals Aleena Gibson – vocals KAIPA online:
Today, SiX By SiX, the progressive power trio featuring Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) and Robert Berry (3.2), release their brand new album ‘Beyond Shadowland’. To celebrate, they also announce their first ever live dates.
The band will play three shows in Germany and the Netherlands in the second half of September, prior to appearing at the renowned ProgStock festival in the USA in October.
Robert Berry says: “I cannot wait to step out on stage for the first time with Ian and Nigel. Having come together as a band originally in 2020, we have made two albums and in the process spent plenty of time together in my studio in northern California. But until now the diaries have never quite aligned for us to be able to play live. I’m hoping that these shows will be the first of many in the coming years.”
Ian Crichton adds: “Over the years I have been a regular visitor to Europe playing numerous shows with Saga and always enjoy playing to appreciative European fans. I am really excited about the prospect of SiX By SiX performing live. We’ve got enormous potential as a live band and the format of a trio really gives me the chance to stretch out on the guitar – and I fully intend to make the most of the opportunity!”
Nigel Glockler comments: “From the day I joined Robert and Ian in SiX By SiX, we were all absolutely united in wanting this to be a proper band that gets out on the road rather than just another studio project. I’m delighted that we’re now making it happen with this short run of dates and am looking forward to getting close up with fans in some smaller venues and establishing SiX By SiX as a live band.”
SIX BY SIX – 2024 LIVE SHOWS
Tuesday 17th September – Colos-Saal Aschaffenburg, Germany Wednesday 18th September – De Cacaofabriek, Helmond, The Netherlands Thursday 19th September – Boerderij Cultuurpodium, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands
Sunday 20th October – ProgStock Festival, Rivoli Theater, Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
For ‘Beyond Shadowland’ the band reconvened in Berry’s own Soundtek Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023 to bend, shape, hammer and caress their diverse musical talents into 11 impressive new tracks. With this album, they continue to define and build upon their unique melodic space, welding guitar-driven rock, metal and prog into a unique and powerful sonic setting.
‘Beyond Shadowland’ is available as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g Black 2LP (featuring 4 exclusive bonus tracks) & as a Digital Album. The artwork was once again created by Rob Fowler.
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