Oriental metal pioneers ORPHANED LAND kicks off its North America tour this Saturday, May 5th in support of their critically acclaimed new album, Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs. The tour finds the heralded group as direct support to Faroese Viking metalists TYR, along with support from Ghost Ship Octavius and Aeternam.
The first stop on the tour is in Brooklyn, NY this Saturday, May 5th, at The Knitting Factory.
Vocalist KOBI FARHI commented, “We are so excited to be back to the USA, following our just released new album! Make sure you visit us on the road and check our new tunes! Who knows when we will be back next! “
05/05/18 Brooklyn, NY – Knitting Factory
05/06/18 Providence, RI – Alchemy
05/07/18 Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre
05/08/18 Quebec City, QC – Salle Multi
05/09/18 Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground
05/10/18 Columbus, OH – Al Rosa Villa
05/11/18 Joliet, IL – The Forge
05/12/18 Kansas City, MO – The Riot Room
05/13/18 Denver, CO – Marquis Theatre
05/14/18 Boise, ID – The Shredder
05/15/18 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theatre
05/16/18 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven
05/17/18 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
05/18/18 Reno – TBA
05/19/18 Oakland, CA – Metro Opera House
05/20/18 Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
05/21/18 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
05/22/18 Phoenix, AZ – Joe’s Grotto
05/24/18 Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
05/25/18 Austin, TX – Come and Take it Live!
05/26/18 New Orleans – TBA
05/27/18 Orlando, FL – The Haven
05/28/18 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell)
05/29/18 Richmond, VA – Champion
05/30/18 Reading, PA – Reverb
“Gripping from front-to-back” (Metal Injection), ORPHANED LAND’s sixth album is fueled by righteous anger at the state of humanity in the present day. Veering from epic brutality to ornate theatricality, armed with an astonishing array of inspired melodies and euphoric crescendos, Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs is the finest and most powerful album the band has produced.
Featuring guest appearances from prog rock legend Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis) and metal luminaries Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian) and Tomas Lindberg (At The Gates/The Lurking Fear), Unsung Prophets & Dead Messiahs finds the band “at their creative peak, more confident and stronger then ever before”(Exclaim!).
As a thank you for all pre-order of Unfamiliar Skies, Colouratura’s new CD will be shipped prior to the actual release date of May 17th 2018
About The Album
Unfamiliar Skies is not a ‘theme’ album or a concept album, though almost all of the songs flow from one into the next. A few themes do crop up, such as those of air and water (as the artwork suggests), the long and winding road, the obsession of a lover scorned and questions of faith and individuality.
Musically, we did want to capture something of the art rock vibe of XTC, early Alan Parsons Project, Frank Zappa, Bent Knee, 10cc, Cardiacs, Tears for Fears, Black Sabbath, and so on … while the work doesn’t particularly sound like any of those, great care was taken to follow the lessons we learned from studying these great artists. No moment was wasted on the final recording, and we worked hard to trim the fat to make something that hopefully engages the listener from stem to stern.
Colouratura is:
Nathan James – voice, keyboards, bass, horn
Ian Beabout – flute, editing, sound design and production
Featuring performances by
Pavlic (Van Gilder)
Eric Holskey (Sabo Cat, Plus Many Others)
Dave Newhouse (The Muffins, Diratz, Moonmen, Proletarians)
Brandon Collins
Damon Waitkus (Jack o’ the Clock)
Michael P. Dawson
Nathan Lestini
Chris Kuskey
Bret Harold Hart (Diratz, Moonmen)
1. Corner Store
A tale of seedy characters in the backdrop of a small-town convenience store. As read by the Blind Blue Barber Boys of Baltimore.
2. Parallels
An epic, four movement suite blurring the lines of jazz, rock, progressive, ambient and punk rock. Themes of individuality in the face of the machine that is modernity. How do we keep true to ourselves?
3. Photograph
Sometimes obsession boils to the brim. A Poe-ish tale of being haunted by the image of a former lover.
4. Nautilus
The one in which we battle the giant squid.
5. Unfamiliar Skies
Suburban heartbreak, and dreams of the stormy skies ahead.
6. Kerouac
On the road, and with a passenger. What do the rocks have to say?
7. Vesuvian Tidepools
The stuff kicks in – and we take a psychedelic head-trip
8. Faith
Questioning the ‘lines the blur the vision of God.’ Do we really have any of the answers?
About Colouratura: Colouratura traverse an emotional journey on Unfamiliar Skies, charting the far reaches of rock, jazz, psychedelia, krautrock, folk, metal and electronic.
“With Unfamiliar Skies, the band definitely decided early on that they wanted to do something a bit more focused than the first album,” said producer Ian Beabout. “So a couple of decisions were made. For one, we wanted a more rhythm oriented work, so we made sure to use a more or less consistent rhythm section and tried to feature the bass, guitar and drums more.”
“We also wanted to highlight Nathan’s (James) skills as a composer, since so much of the previous effort was constructed via focused improvisation. Unfamiliar Skies is very deliberate, very calculated and very fully realized album,” Beabout said.
Utilizing local talent, Colouratura have crafted a powerful and modern art rock statement.
From the opening, multi-movement prog rock pastiche ‘Parallels’, Colouratura combine Zappa-esque guitar licks with horn-rock statements on a journey through territories of punk, ambient, and jazz, backed by Dave Newhouse’s gorgeous woodwind arrangements. On ‘Vesuvian Tidepools’, Colouratura craft a trippy, CAN-influenced soundscape around Eric Holskey’s drum loops, backed by Bret Harold Hart’s synesthesiac guitar. On the title track, James’ dreary and haunting lines are backed by expressive flute and ocarina. On ‘Kerouac’ James teams up with songwriter Chris Kuskey for a headtrip funk jam about traveling ‘on the road,’ while ‘Nautilus’ finds Colouratura in deeply groovy Black Sabbath meets King Crimson territory with dizzying time changes and ripping lead guitar from Derek Pavlic.
“It’s always a fun challenge to see just how far we can push the definition of what Colouratura can and should and will be,” composer Nathan James said. “I like to push my own limits and comfort zones as a writer.”
What’s being said about Unfamiliar Skies
“The sophomore offering from West Virginia-based Colouratura is comfortably familiar and yet surprisingly fresh. My impressions run from prog rock inspried moments ala Zappa or King Crimson (I even flashed on Camel at one point) to the art-rock of artists like Todd Rundgren, XTC or Brian Eno, but every listener will likely have a different experience because, like all great singer/songwriters, Nathan James has absorbed a plethora of influences and internalized those lessons to bring life to his creations. “Unfamiliar Skies” is a diverse and satisfying listen from beginning to end.” – Steve Roberts (Ut Gret, ZNR Records)
By combining a large variety of styles while maintaining a recognizable sound throughout the album, we can safely declare that the band succeeded in reaching the ultimate goal: creating music for music’s sake.” – Jacopo Muneratti (Danze D’Architettura, Radio Voce nel Deserto)
On September 22nd, 2017, Devin Townsend Project played a special show at the Ancient Roman Theatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the landmark Ocean Machine album in full, as well as a set of fan-requested tracks alongside the Orchestra of Plovdiv State Opera. This concert was filmed, and on July 6th, 2018 it will see the light of day as ‘Ocean Machine – Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv’.
Devin comments: “Plovdiv and this live package represents a lot to me, it signifies the end of one era, and the celebration of another. Amidst a gruelling touring year, this show came together with much blood, sweat, and tears, and the result is the culmination of many aspects of my work on one stage.
Ocean machine was released 20 years ago, and though Marty (drums) is no longer with us, I was able to finally perform the album in its entirety with the original bassist John ‘Squid’ Harder on this night. On a cold evening in an old city in the ancient theatre, many lifelong milestones came to a conclusion on this night and I’m exceptionally proud of it.
I am currently writing, writing, and writing some more for the next stage of my life and work, and the team of individuals who contributed to this project, from the musicians in the band and orchestra, to the crews locally and with this, management, artists, filmographers and most importantly, the audience… made this night a powerful and strangely bittersweet moment I am proud to have documented with this work.
This is a very special live recording of a very special night, and I hope you enjoy it as a monument to the things that inspired it all in the first place.
Love and light,
Devin Townsend”
‘Ocean Machine – Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv’ will be available as a limited deluxe 3CD/2DVD/Blu-Ray artbook (with liner notes from Devin and a special documentary dubbed ‘Reflecting The Chaos’ on the second DVD & Blu-Ray), Special Edition 3CD/DVD Digipak, standalone Blu-Ray and as digital audio download.
The full track-listing is as follows: By Request with Orchestra
1.Truth
2.Stormbending
3.Om
4.Failure
5.By Your Command
6.Gaia
7.Deadhead
8.Canada
9.Bad Devil
10.Higher
11.A Simple Lullaby
12.Deep Peace
Ocean Machine
1.Seventh Wave
2.Life
3.Night
4.Hide Nowhere
5.Sister
6. 3 A.M.
7.Voices in the Fan
8.Greetings
9.Regulator
10.Funeral
11.Bastard
12.The Death of Music
13.Things Beyond Things
The first in a series of special vinyl boxes was also recently announced. ‘ERAS – Vinyl Collection Part 1’ compiles the albums ‘Ki’, ‘Addicted’, ‘Deconstruction’ & ‘Ghost’ in a sturdy box all on 180g heavyweight vinyl. You can pre-order your copy, including various coloured vinyl versions, now here: https://devintownsendproject.lnk.to/Eras
Devin Townsend Project released the much acclaimed ‘Transcendence’ in late 2016, before embarking on one of their biggest world tours ever. This new live release marks the end of an era, as Devin Townsend Project was disbanded in early 2018 to pave the way for Devin to focus on numerous other creative, musical endeavors of which he is currently hard at work on.
The Neal Morse Band’s triumphant double-album, “The Similitude Of A Dream,” is the most acclaimed release that Morse has helmed to date. The 2017 “Road Called Home” tour was their most extensive yet, including new continents for the band. At the 013 in Tilburg, Holland, the stars aligned for the most commanding performance of the run, captured for live release in stunning quality. Now the Neal Morse Band is releasing on June 15th “The Similitude Of A Dream” Live in Tilburg, Netherlands 2017 2CD/2DVD Set.
“An epic night on an epic tour” proclaims Neal. Released from Radiant/SONY/Metal Blade, it will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD/CD. Join Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Eric Gillette, Bill Hubauer, and Randy George for over two hours of musical magic, as they play the album in its entirety, as well as a four-song encore that will leave you breathless!
“This is the Neal Morse Band playing arguably our greatest album to date at one of the greatest venues we have ever played for one of the greatest audiences ever! It’s kind of the pinnacle of everything we have done thus far.” – Neal Morse
Track Listing
Disc 1
0. Intro
1. Long Day
2. Overture
3. The Dream
4. City of Destruction
5. We Have Got To Go
6. Makes No Sense
7. Draw the Line
8. The Slough
9. Back to the City
10. The Ways of a Fool
11. So Far Gone
12. Breath of Angels
Disc 2
0. Slave to Your Mind
1. Shortcut to Salvation
2. The Man in the Iron Cage
3. The Road Called Home
4. Sloth
5. Freedom Song
6. I’m Running
7. The Mask
8. Confrontation
9. The Battle
10. Broken Sky / Long Day (Reprise)
Encore
11. Momentum
12. Author of Confusion
13. Agenda
14. The Call
Los Angeles – Aviator and Hollywood guitar player Ramin Partovi is about to release his breakout album “27 Faces Of A Broken Heart” with a completely new concept. The album features an all-star line-up with Scott Henderson, Simon Phillips, Carl Verheyen, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Stern and several others. The double CD is a unique idea where several well-known musicians demonstrate peak performances on the same song structure and all align to portrait a united message.
Ramin Partovi early on in his life gravitated towards his love for music, learning guitar and other instruments and founding/playing in several original bands. To meet means end be pursued a pilot career, collected over 10000 hours in the air on large jet aircraft, became a commercial Boeing 737 Captain and recently developed an interest and passion for aerobatic flying. His heart and real passion however was and will always be in music. He studied guitar and music business at Musicians Institute Hollywood and currently resides in Los Angeles.
“Ramin’s record is a concept album with an entirely new idea: twenty-six guitarists playing on the same song progression. Each one provides a different approach and musical direction with a huge range of styles. Some heavy hitters for sure!” – Carl Verheyen
The music reflects several emotions, such as heartbreak and pain. Says Ramin, “The idea connecting with my musician friends and musical heroes was to have them connect to a time of broken-heartedness (something most of us have been through) and now tell THEIR story in their unique musical way and showing the listeners ‘another face’ of a broken heart bringing the message home that one is not alone in these kind of times and that many people have been through this and eventually overcame it as time passed. We are all unique yet all connected at the same time in our journey. That’s why I wanted to show different faces and yet connect them and wrap them together in a unique way.
“In the song ’27’ I connect with and reflect on a time 2007 where I’ve been very heartbroken. After 9 months of a very turbulent relationship, it felt as if she ripped my beating heart out alive, stepped on it with long high heels and started twitching. I moved 1550 miles away and it took me 1 and a half years to digest this emotionally. The song reflects on the moods, my pain and struggles at this time, the emotional wounds and the overcoming of this demon over the following years. Have you ever been in front of an art painting and thought ‘yeh, its kind of nice but it doesn’t really speak to me’ and then someone explained you a few things about the artist, what he had in mind when he created the work and what he was trying to say with it, and suddenly the painting lit up and shone in a completely new light for you and you saw it with completely different eyes and loved it? I attempted to paint a picture like that with this song using music instead of a brush.”
Watch the promotional video:
Ramin recently received an endorsement by Little Walter Amps. Says Ramin, “I’m very humbled to have selected my dream amp and then having the CEO standing behind you like that.” Ramin is planning to work on new material by the end of the year. As usual, it’s probably going to be something completely different. In the meanwhile, Ramin will be flying commercial Airline Jets this summer and looking for musical inspiration while visiting several countries.
In closing Ramin has this to impart, “I called my friends and heroes, asked them to reconnect to a time when they found themselves in a similar situation and to tell their story with their instrument for you, on the same canvas. See what they have to say! My message for you is that no matter how hard it hits you in life, give it enough time and with a little help from your friends and inspiration from your heroes you will be fine. May this be a healing force for people going through a similar experience and remind them that they are not alone and that time will heal their wounds.”
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