On January 25, 2008 the rock operas of Arjen Lucassen and Tobias Sammet, respectively Ayreon’s 01011001 and Avantasia’s The Scarecrow, were released simultaneously. The music press, always eager for a story, called this event the ‘Clash of the Titans’, gleefully portraying the two musicians as bitter rivals and urging each to comment on the other in countless interviews. There was much speculation about which album would be more successful, but upon release both albums immediately charted in several countries around the world.
When asked about the so-called rivalry, Arjen explains: “I’d not yet even heard Tobias’s album, but when I found out he’d managed to get my all-time favourite artist Alice Cooper to guest on The Scarecrow, I totally freaked out and sent a hate-mail to Tobias’s MySpace. Fortunately, he never received it”. Coincidentally however, Tobias, who was fed up with having to talk about Arjen in interviews, grudgingly decided it was time to get acquainted. He emailed Arjen, and in the stream of email and insults that followed “it turned out that Tobias hated me just as much for having got Bruce Dickinson to guest on an Ayreon album, haha!” Arjen explains. Despite their mutual hatred, the two musicians eventually hatched a plan to put some fuel on the fire created by the press by doing the unthinkable: recording a song together. The result is a mind-blowing over-the-top cover version of "Elected," the original version of which was a big hit for Alice Cooper back in 1973.
The song "Elected" will be featured on a 4-track EP released by Inside Out Music/SPV (release dates: 25 April for Germany/Austria/Switzerland; 28 April for Europe). The 3 other tracks featured on the EP are an acoustic live radio session of the 01011001 track "E=MC2" with Marjan Welman on vocals, "Ride the Comet" taken from the album 01011001, and a touching piano-only version of the Human Equation track "Day Six: Childhood" featuring Joost van den Broek and Marjan Welman.
Showing posts with label new releases. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new releases. Show all posts
18 February 2008
Magenta METAMORPHOSIS release updates
From the band:
Magenta are delighted to announce that pre-orders on their 4th studio album Metamorphosis have begun via the Magenta shop at : www.magentamembers.co.uk/catalog
The album, will retail at £10 with free postage anywhere in the world. All pre-orders placed via the Magenta shop will be despatched from 22nd March, prior to the album's general release on April 21st. A North American edition released via Lasers Edge will come out on May 6th.
Sound clips of the album will shortly be available from our website and can now be heard via the Magenta myspace page at www.myspace.com/magentauk
We also pleased to announce that we have a special treat for Magenta fans. The Metamorphosis Collection DVD contains over 3 hours of fascinating material filmed over the last few months during the making of the album, including a Dolby 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire album. The DVD contains the following:
1. Making of Metamorphosis Documentary. (52.55)
This includes footage filmed during the recording of the CD and interviews with the album's key contributors
2. Inside the Mix with Rob Reed (55.34)
Rob Reed behind the mixing desk revealing what makes each track tick.
3. Interview with Rob and Steve Reed (21.00)
Rob and lyricist Steve Reed talk about the origins and concept behind the album
4. Interview with Steve Reed (9.09)
Steve Reed talks about the lyrics and concepts behind each track
5. Complete Dolby 5.1 Surround Mix (53.00)
The whole album presented exclusively in glorious Dolby 5.1 surround sound
6. Prekestolen Video (3.43)
Studio Montage video of the Prekestolen track
The DVD will be in one format - NTSC - and will cost £13, with free postage worldwide. For the time being it will ONLY be available via the Magenta shop, prior to a general release later in the year. The DVD can be pre-ordered now, and will be despatched from 22nd March, at the same time as the album.
..and we've now added a download of the first 12 minutes of The Ballad of Samuel Layne, available from the front page of the Magenta website at www.magenta-web.com or by following this link:
www.magenta-web.co.uk/mp3/samuellayne.mp3
Magenta are delighted to announce that pre-orders on their 4th studio album Metamorphosis have begun via the Magenta shop at : www.magentamembers.co.uk/catalog
The album, will retail at £10 with free postage anywhere in the world. All pre-orders placed via the Magenta shop will be despatched from 22nd March, prior to the album's general release on April 21st. A North American edition released via Lasers Edge will come out on May 6th.
Sound clips of the album will shortly be available from our website and can now be heard via the Magenta myspace page at www.myspace.com/magentauk
We also pleased to announce that we have a special treat for Magenta fans. The Metamorphosis Collection DVD contains over 3 hours of fascinating material filmed over the last few months during the making of the album, including a Dolby 5.1 surround sound mix of the entire album. The DVD contains the following:
1. Making of Metamorphosis Documentary. (52.55)
This includes footage filmed during the recording of the CD and interviews with the album's key contributors
2. Inside the Mix with Rob Reed (55.34)
Rob Reed behind the mixing desk revealing what makes each track tick.
3. Interview with Rob and Steve Reed (21.00)
Rob and lyricist Steve Reed talk about the origins and concept behind the album
4. Interview with Steve Reed (9.09)
Steve Reed talks about the lyrics and concepts behind each track
5. Complete Dolby 5.1 Surround Mix (53.00)
The whole album presented exclusively in glorious Dolby 5.1 surround sound
6. Prekestolen Video (3.43)
Studio Montage video of the Prekestolen track
The DVD will be in one format - NTSC - and will cost £13, with free postage worldwide. For the time being it will ONLY be available via the Magenta shop, prior to a general release later in the year. The DVD can be pre-ordered now, and will be despatched from 22nd March, at the same time as the album.
..and we've now added a download of the first 12 minutes of The Ballad of Samuel Layne, available from the front page of the Magenta website at www.magenta-web.com or by following this link:
www.magenta-web.co.uk/mp3/samuellayne.mp3
14 February 2008
Laser's Edge announces Magenta signing
Ken Golden, Laser's Edge Director of Operations, announces the signing of the British progressive rock band Magenta for the exclusive North American release of their fourth studio album, titled Metamorphosis.
The Laser's Edge will release Metamorphosis on May 6, 2008.
"I've been a fan of the band since their debut," says Golden. "We've had quite a bit of success offering the band's releases through our retail website. When I was approached by the band to collaborate on the release of Metamorphosis, it felt like fait accompli. I'm honored to be working with the band."
Without abandoning the sense of melody and dynamics that remain the Magenta trademark, Metamorphosis sees the band taking a darker, more intense path with powerful, sometimes disturbing subject matter.
"I think this album is going to surprise a lot of people," says keyboardist Rob Reed "It will challenge many people's preconceptions of what Magenta are, and what we are capable of musically. Most of it was written on guitar, so some of the material is heavier than before, whilst retaining most of the elements of the Magenta sound."
The album also marks the band's return to long-form pieces of music, with two 20 minute-plus songs, and a new, richer sound with the addition of strings. "Watch out for some brilliant performances on the record." Reed says. "Christina Booth's vocals are just astonishing, Tim Robinson delivers a virtuoso performance on drums and Chris Fry has pushed the bar even higher than usual with some amazing lead guitar. I have no doubt that this is, by far, our finest album to date."
Magenta was formed in 2001, quickly capturing the attention of progressive rock fans around the world with a sound influenced by the icons of the past. Over the years the band has performed at virtually every major progressive rock festival in the world including gigs at Rosfest, BajaProg, and Nearfest. Year after year, the band has received awards from various progressive rock publications. In 2007, the band won two awards from the esteemed British Classic Rock Society including Best Band and Best Female Singer.
The Laser's Edge is distributed in North America through Big Daddy Distribution, Fusion III (Canada), Century Media, The End Records, Manic Distribution, and Nightmare Records.
The Laser's Edge will release Metamorphosis on May 6, 2008.
"I've been a fan of the band since their debut," says Golden. "We've had quite a bit of success offering the band's releases through our retail website. When I was approached by the band to collaborate on the release of Metamorphosis, it felt like fait accompli. I'm honored to be working with the band."
Without abandoning the sense of melody and dynamics that remain the Magenta trademark, Metamorphosis sees the band taking a darker, more intense path with powerful, sometimes disturbing subject matter.
"I think this album is going to surprise a lot of people," says keyboardist Rob Reed "It will challenge many people's preconceptions of what Magenta are, and what we are capable of musically. Most of it was written on guitar, so some of the material is heavier than before, whilst retaining most of the elements of the Magenta sound."
The album also marks the band's return to long-form pieces of music, with two 20 minute-plus songs, and a new, richer sound with the addition of strings. "Watch out for some brilliant performances on the record." Reed says. "Christina Booth's vocals are just astonishing, Tim Robinson delivers a virtuoso performance on drums and Chris Fry has pushed the bar even higher than usual with some amazing lead guitar. I have no doubt that this is, by far, our finest album to date."
Magenta was formed in 2001, quickly capturing the attention of progressive rock fans around the world with a sound influenced by the icons of the past. Over the years the band has performed at virtually every major progressive rock festival in the world including gigs at Rosfest, BajaProg, and Nearfest. Year after year, the band has received awards from various progressive rock publications. In 2007, the band won two awards from the esteemed British Classic Rock Society including Best Band and Best Female Singer.
The Laser's Edge is distributed in North America through Big Daddy Distribution, Fusion III (Canada), Century Media, The End Records, Manic Distribution, and Nightmare Records.
13 February 2008
PALLAS LIVE DVD ANNOUNCED
From Melodicrock.com:
Metal Mind Productions proudly presents a brand new DVD release of the legendary Pallas - Moment To Moment. The Scottish neo prog outfit is one of the very first bands of the neo progressive movement of the early eighties. It's an energetic and magnificent band somewhat reminiscent of IQ/Marillion but with more edge. Their music is based on melodic hooks, loud sound and great voice. Moment To Moment DVD offers a real treat for the fans of sublime soundscapes: beautiful and dynamic songs, fluctuating between dreamy melancholy, monumental sadness, and bursting energy. It features a great spectacle, beautifully adorned with wonderful lighting and intriguing visuals, filmed at the atmospheric venue of Wyspiañski Theater in Katowice, Poland in late October 2007. DVD is enhanced with an interview with Alan Reed and Graeme Murray, 2 other video extras ("Tales from the Tourbus" and "The Rehearsal Tapes"), photo gallery, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and other bonuses.
Moment To Moment DVD is also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition with a CD with audio material recorded at the show! It's a must have for fans of good quality progressive rock music!
Both versions of the DVD will be out on 10th March 2008 in Europe and on 15th April 2008 USA (via MVD).
Tracklist - DVD: 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro, 12. Arrive Alive, Bonus video: 13. Tales From the Tourbus, 14. The Rehearsal Tapes.
CD (swing case edition only): 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro.
Metal Mind Productions proudly presents a brand new DVD release of the legendary Pallas - Moment To Moment. The Scottish neo prog outfit is one of the very first bands of the neo progressive movement of the early eighties. It's an energetic and magnificent band somewhat reminiscent of IQ/Marillion but with more edge. Their music is based on melodic hooks, loud sound and great voice. Moment To Moment DVD offers a real treat for the fans of sublime soundscapes: beautiful and dynamic songs, fluctuating between dreamy melancholy, monumental sadness, and bursting energy. It features a great spectacle, beautifully adorned with wonderful lighting and intriguing visuals, filmed at the atmospheric venue of Wyspiañski Theater in Katowice, Poland in late October 2007. DVD is enhanced with an interview with Alan Reed and Graeme Murray, 2 other video extras ("Tales from the Tourbus" and "The Rehearsal Tapes"), photo gallery, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, and other bonuses.
Moment To Moment DVD is also available in a special DVD+CD limited swing case edition with a CD with audio material recorded at the show! It's a must have for fans of good quality progressive rock music!
Both versions of the DVD will be out on 10th March 2008 in Europe and on 15th April 2008 USA (via MVD).
Tracklist - DVD: 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro, 12. Arrive Alive, Bonus video: 13. Tales From the Tourbus, 14. The Rehearsal Tapes.
CD (swing case edition only): 1. Warriors, 2. Hide and Seek, 3. Ghostdancers, 4. Cut + Run, 5. Heart Attack, 6. Queen of the Deep, 7. Northern Star, 8. The Last Angel, 9. Invincible, 10. Midas Touch, 11. Fragments of the Sun / Outro.
10 February 2008
Magma Mythes et Legendes IV info...and a touch more
(from HERE)
The last in the Myths & Legends series of DVDs, EPOK 4 brings this brilliant retrospective cycle, covering 35 years of musical creativity, to an end.
No special guest players of great renown on this DVD, but we do add 2 highly-motivated and skilled young horn players to give the band some extra muscle in flagship numbers such as "Zëss" and "Otis."
These 4 weeks of sold-out concerts end with a stupendous finale which finds 16 musicians on stage at the Triton giving a mega performance of "Kobaïa," one which will live in our memories forever!
Yet again, the evidence speaks for itself:
"Yesterday, MAGMA’s music was already that of the future, today it remains the music of tomorrow. Yet even tomorrow it will still be unsurpassed."
Sylvain Siclier, Le Monde - november 2006
ZESS (32:37) > IN A DREAM (2:14) > THE NIGHT WE DIED (3:46) > OTIS (9:00) > K.A (50:00)
KOBAÏA (9:53) with Klaus Blasquiz, Jannick Top, Rémi Dumoulin, Fabrice Theuillon, Yannick Soccal
DVD all regions – 120 mn - PAL or NTSC - PCM stereo - 16/9 compatible 4/3
Mythes & Légendes – Vol. 4 – ref. VD7N (NTSC) / VD7P (PAL)
Further Magma news...3 dates scheduled for the 40th anniversary Magma concerts:
12 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
13 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
14 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
The last in the Myths & Legends series of DVDs, EPOK 4 brings this brilliant retrospective cycle, covering 35 years of musical creativity, to an end.
No special guest players of great renown on this DVD, but we do add 2 highly-motivated and skilled young horn players to give the band some extra muscle in flagship numbers such as "Zëss" and "Otis."
These 4 weeks of sold-out concerts end with a stupendous finale which finds 16 musicians on stage at the Triton giving a mega performance of "Kobaïa," one which will live in our memories forever!
Yet again, the evidence speaks for itself:
"Yesterday, MAGMA’s music was already that of the future, today it remains the music of tomorrow. Yet even tomorrow it will still be unsurpassed."
Sylvain Siclier, Le Monde - november 2006
ZESS (32:37) > IN A DREAM (2:14) > THE NIGHT WE DIED (3:46) > OTIS (9:00) > K.A (50:00)
KOBAÏA (9:53) with Klaus Blasquiz, Jannick Top, Rémi Dumoulin, Fabrice Theuillon, Yannick Soccal
DVD all regions – 120 mn - PAL or NTSC - PCM stereo - 16/9 compatible 4/3
Mythes & Légendes – Vol. 4 – ref. VD7N (NTSC) / VD7P (PAL)
Further Magma news...3 dates scheduled for the 40th anniversary Magma concerts:
12 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
13 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
14 févr. 2009 20:00
CASINO DE PARIS pour son 40ème Anniversaire PARIS
08 February 2008
Le Orme LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA live release info
Le Orme headlined the 2005 iteration of NEARfest and received rapturous ovations from an audience enthralled by their lush Italian progressive music. A brief excerpt of their crowing work Felona e Sorona was included on the official NEARfest 2005 DVD, but the band has announced a 1 DVD/2 CD release titled Live in Pennsylvania which will (I hope) contain the full performance.
It was a heck of a set they performed, too...
L'infinito
Una dolceza nuova
Gioco di bimba
La porta chiusa
Contrappunti
Cemento armato
Felona e sorona
Collage
Sguardo verso il cielo
Rondo e inno di mameli
Collage (ripresa)
According to Le Orme's website, the release should be available soon/now, with widespread Italian release in a March-ish timeframe. My hope is that copies will be available at NEARfest 2008 ticket sales day on 29 March...I'd love to come home with a copy and relive a great show.
In other Le Orme news, violinist/keyboardist Andrea Bassato has chosen this juncture to go his own way:
" Dear friends, after ten years of work with Le Orme I feel the need and desire to walk my way - musical and personal - through new paths and times have come for a fresh new start. As you know, everything in life constantly changes and nothing lasts forever.
It was a very intense period that I'll always remember as one of the most training ad important human and professional experience. I'm grateful to Aldo, Michi and Michele for having given me a unique opportunity and having left me a rare and precious legacy of experience and knowledge. I did my best to pay back their trust and not to disappoint their expectations : I hope I got this goal.
I want to say a very special thanks to Le Orme fans for having welcome me with great affection from the very first time and for having supported me with constant warm and exteem; deep and true friendships are born with many of them and I feel they will be long lasting.
Right now the DVD containing the gig we had some time ago in the USA is going to be released : a really amazing live document of what in my memory has been one of our best performances ever and that comes for me, after two remarkable studio records, as a perfect end of all the time spent together with my band mates. I couldn't ask for a better occasion to end this long adventure."
It was a heck of a set they performed, too...
L'infinito
Una dolceza nuova
Gioco di bimba
La porta chiusa
Contrappunti
Cemento armato
Felona e sorona
Collage
Sguardo verso il cielo
Rondo e inno di mameli
Collage (ripresa)
According to Le Orme's website, the release should be available soon/now, with widespread Italian release in a March-ish timeframe. My hope is that copies will be available at NEARfest 2008 ticket sales day on 29 March...I'd love to come home with a copy and relive a great show.
In other Le Orme news, violinist/keyboardist Andrea Bassato has chosen this juncture to go his own way:
" Dear friends, after ten years of work with Le Orme I feel the need and desire to walk my way - musical and personal - through new paths and times have come for a fresh new start. As you know, everything in life constantly changes and nothing lasts forever.
It was a very intense period that I'll always remember as one of the most training ad important human and professional experience. I'm grateful to Aldo, Michi and Michele for having given me a unique opportunity and having left me a rare and precious legacy of experience and knowledge. I did my best to pay back their trust and not to disappoint their expectations : I hope I got this goal.
I want to say a very special thanks to Le Orme fans for having welcome me with great affection from the very first time and for having supported me with constant warm and exteem; deep and true friendships are born with many of them and I feel they will be long lasting.
Right now the DVD containing the gig we had some time ago in the USA is going to be released : a really amazing live document of what in my memory has been one of our best performances ever and that comes for me, after two remarkable studio records, as a perfect end of all the time spent together with my band mates. I couldn't ask for a better occasion to end this long adventure."
Rush Snakes & Arrows live track listing
Gotten from www.rushisaband.com and the presale site:
Disc 1
1. Limelight
2. Digital Man
3. Entre Nous
4. Mission
5. Freewill
6. Monkey Business
7. Larger Bowl
8. Secret Touch
9. Circumstances
10. Between the Wheels
11. Dreamline
12. Far Cry
13. Workin' Them Angels
14. Armor and Sword
Disc 2
1. Spindrift
2. The Way the Wind Blows
3. Subdivisions
4. Natural Science
5. Witch Hunt
6. Malignant Narcissism - Drum Solo
7. Hope
8. Distant Early Warning
9. The Spirit of Radio
10. Tom Sawyer
Encore
11. One Little Victory
12. A Passage to Bangkok
13. YYZ
Disc 1
1. Limelight
2. Digital Man
3. Entre Nous
4. Mission
5. Freewill
6. Monkey Business
7. Larger Bowl
8. Secret Touch
9. Circumstances
10. Between the Wheels
11. Dreamline
12. Far Cry
13. Workin' Them Angels
14. Armor and Sword
Disc 2
1. Spindrift
2. The Way the Wind Blows
3. Subdivisions
4. Natural Science
5. Witch Hunt
6. Malignant Narcissism - Drum Solo
7. Hope
8. Distant Early Warning
9. The Spirit of Radio
10. Tom Sawyer
Encore
11. One Little Victory
12. A Passage to Bangkok
13. YYZ
06 February 2008
A selection of news bites...
Jethro Tull:
40th anniversary tour, DVD documentary on the band, and more.
Beardfish:
News on Sleeping in Traffic Part II.
Radio Massacre International:
Completely new website...
The Enid:
Two new full songs for download (well, new as of September 2007, but still) of material being worked up for possible forthcoming release.
Jade Warrior:
New album NOW nearing completion...hopefully a 2008 release.
Gryphon:
New album in the works since September...possible Summer 2008 release.
40th anniversary tour, DVD documentary on the band, and more.
Beardfish:
News on Sleeping in Traffic Part II.
Radio Massacre International:
Completely new website...
The Enid:
Two new full songs for download (well, new as of September 2007, but still) of material being worked up for possible forthcoming release.
Jade Warrior:
New album NOW nearing completion...hopefully a 2008 release.
Gryphon:
New album in the works since September...possible Summer 2008 release.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)