Category: General News

My Dying Bride Sign To Nuclear Blast

For 27 years, MY DYING BRIDE from West Yorkshire have been the voice of the hopeless and broken, combining haunting sounds with crushing misery and melancholy. With their signature sound they’ve shaped the doom metal scene like barely any other act and integrated both soft violin melodies and violent death metal growls into their music, whilst always staying strictly loyal to themselves. And since the early Nineties, the band’s masterminds and founding members Andrew Craighan and Aaron Stainthorpe forged beautiful grief into twelve studio albums with songs of epic length.

However for their 13th release, the band is now bound for new horizons and proudly announces their signing to Nuclear Blast Records!

Singer and lyricist Aaron Stainthorpe comments:

“It is with great pleasure that MY DYING BRIDE can announce they will be joining forces with the formidable Nuclear Blast Records in early 2017 and have already begun working on material for the next LP and singles. It is no secret that Nuclear Blast have continued to expand greatly over the years, signing epic bands from all corners of the world and giving them the chance they deserve to make something of themselves in the ever expanding metal scene. And it’s time that MY DYING BRIDE came along for the ride. We are hoping that this wedding between a very solid label and a well-established act will bear fruit of mighty proportions in the exciting years to come!”

 Since MY DYING BRIDE rarely leave their damp catacombs to perform live rituals, each show is a highlight in itself and on April 22nd, the group will expose their legendary album ‘Turn Loose The Swans’ in its entire length at Roadburn Festival. Together with Shaun ‘Winter’ Taylor-Steels on drums and a special backdrop lighting, the band will haunt the Dutch stage and deliver a truly unique experience.

MY DYING BRIDE live:
22nd April – NL, Roadburn Festival
15th July – POL,  Bolkow, Castle Party
1st October – UK, HRH Doom Vs HRH Stoner

More information:

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Cosmograf Announce Limited Re-Pressing of ‘The Man Left In Space’ by Progradar

Great news for cosmograf fans, the man behind it all, Robin Armstrong, has announced that there will be a limited -re-pressing of the brilliant 2013 release ‘The Man Left In Space’.

“As some of you know the 2013 release – ‘The Man Left In Space’ has been out of print on CD for some time. This has lead to odd copies turning up at Amazon etc. at eye-watering prices none of which comes back to the artist. The cost of re-pressing is pretty large but due to demand we are planning a limited re-press. Further info will be here and possible pre-order once we have confirmation.”

“In our race for achievement and success, we sometimes gamble with our lives only to collect isolation, unhappiness and failure.”  

‘The Man Left in Space’ is a concept album exploring the themes of aspiration, achievement, and the failures that our quest sometimes brings.  The story is played out against the analogous theme of a doomed space mission, launched in a bid to save mankind. The story provides a metaphor for the perils of success, such as boredom, isolation, unhappiness and ultimately failure…

The 9 track  progressive rock album draws on many past and contemporary influences in music, and takes a journey into the unknown to feed the imagination, and appetite of the listener of intelligent music.   It features a number of special guests from the progressive rock community including Nick D’Virgilio  (Spock’s Beard/Big Big Train ),  Dave Meros (Spock’s Beard), Matt Stevens, Greg Spawton (Big Big Train), Simon Rogers, Steve Dunn ( Also Eden ),  Lee Abraham ( The Lee Abraham Band ), Luke Machin ( The Tangent/Maschine ) and Dave Ware.

(Featured image by Dan Armstrong)

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Dave Foster Launches Kickstarter Campaign For Vinyl Version of ‘Dreamless’ Album

After much demand, renowned Panic Room and The Steve Rothery Band guitarist Dave Foster has launched a Kickstarter campaign to manufacture and release his latest solo album ‘Dreamless’ on vinyl.

You can support the campaign here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1096612854/dreamless-vinyl?ref=user_menu

Dave had this to say about the project:

“There have been so many requests to release the album ‘Dreamless’ on vinyl that it’s about time it happened. Its is one of those albums that deserves to be heard in all it’s glory on a turntable. Due to the albums length it spans four sides, so it very satisfyingly is a double album.

This edition of the album will feature some extra sleeve notes which are my notes about the recording and the origin of each track.

I hope that you guys really want this to be on vinyl as much as I do, it will sound ace. If the project doesn’t make it’s target, I don’t have the resources to fund it myself so sadly it wouldn’t happen…..but I think you guys will make it happen.”

I had this to say about the album when I reviewed ‘Dreamless’ on the 1st of June last year:

“The usually modest and self-effacing Dave Foster has stepped out of the shadows and onto centre stage to deliver his second solo opus and is to be applauded and admired for doing so. Such a variety of moods, styles and colours doesn’t always mix well but when it is done with consummate skill, like it is here, you are treated to a cornucopia of musical delights. While neither ground breaking or game changing, what it is is really rather good.”

Check out Amitriptyline from the album:

(Featured Image Andy Hibbs Photography).

 

 

UNEVEN STRUCTURE SIGN WITH LONG BRANCH RECORDS

Long Branch Records is proud to announce the signing of the french progressive metal sextet UNEVEN STRUCTURE. Their new album La Partition, which they’ve worked on for almost four years now, will be released internationally in Spring 2017.

La Partition is a full concept album and the follow-up to the bands first EP “8” (2009) and their debut full-length “Februus” (2011) which both received great feedback and critical acclaim.

A truly exciting prospect for the future of heavy music, UNEVEN STRUCTURE disassemble and reconstruct the metal genre we all know and love by creating contemporary atmospheric movements that are all at once dripping with seductive cinematic ambience and groove-laden riffs.

Since their critically acclaimed debut album Februus in 2011, Uneven Structure have been hard at work touring, writing, touring and making videos. Although only their second album, the anticipation for La Partition and new material is at an all-time high.

Comments guitarist Igor Omodei: “While not being a fresh start, La Partition is a very different beast from what we’ve released in the past. So it made sense for us to move over to the SPV/ Longbranch Records team to back our evolution both as artists and individuals.  We can’t wait to see these five years of work to unfold over the next weeks. See you on the other side and cheers to you all!” 

See Uneven Structure live: 
25.02.17 –  Haarlem – Complexity Fest, Netherlands
01.04. 17 –  Sucy-en-Brie – Heart Sound Metal Fest, France
29.09.17 -01.10.17 – Cologne – Euroblast Festival, Germany

Get more Uneven Structure news and info at:

Facebook || Twitter || Youtube

ABOUT UNEVEN STRUCTURE:
Hailing from France, one of the biggest markets and breeding stock for bands within the Tech Metal and Progressive Rock scene, Uneven Structure was formed in may 2008 from the intention of Benoit Friedrich (bass) and Igor Omodei (guitar) to finally bring the technically enhanced and progressive music they had been working on for themselves alive. The sound they were aiming to create was a one of a kind merger of groovy polyrythmic guitar riffs with huge slick of ambient guitar leads, which they undoubtedly accomplished.

Since the release of the debut album “Februus” in 2011 the band did multiple European tours with tech metal and prog rock genre-leaders such as Protest The Hero, Textures or Tesseract and performed at festivals such as Brutal Assault or Euroblast. While listening to the new album “La Partition” you will hear and feel the progress and growing the band made since “Februus”, due to the fact that their sound is now even more complex and perfectly arranged, catchy, experimental and technically enhanced, but also groovy. A perfect combination of the hardness of metal with the elaborate techniques of prog and the atmospheric sounds of ambient.

Not only has the sound of Uneven Structure been growing and changing with this new album, but also the band internally. With Arnaud Verrier on drums (ex Zuul FX and Kadinja) and Steeves Hostin (Beyond The Dust) as guitarist the band is more than perfectly prepared to continue their legacy, but also to open a new chapter in their musical career by performing mindblowing live shows all over the world.

Line Up:
Arnaud Verrier – Drums
Benoit Friedrich – Bass
Igor Omodei –  Guitar, Production, Videos
Jérôme Colombelli – Guitar
Matthieu Romarin – Vocals, Production
Steeves Hostin – Guitar

OPETH DEBUTS NEW VIDEO FOR “ERA” AHEAD OF THEIR UPCOMING U.S SPRING TOUR

Sweden’s musical alchemists, OPETH have debuted a new video for their song “Era” today. The video’s track is featured on the band’s critically praised, 12th studio album, Sorceress, which is available now via Nuclear Blast Entertainment.

The video for “Era” comes just ahead of the band’s return to the U.S for headline spring tour with support from Gojira and Devin Townsend Project. The tour will also include a special one-off show in Philadelphia on May 6th with Mastodon, Gojira, Eagles of Death Metal, Devin Townsend Project and Russian Circles.

Watch the video here:

The beautiful shot, cinematic video was directed by Markus Hofko (www.bowbowbow.co) and features stunning visuals that perfectly sync with the band’s dynamic music.

“I have to say our involvement in the making of the ”Era” video was so minimal we can’t take credit either for or against its brilliance. We did 3D scans of our bodies (clothed) in Munich during the last European tour. I remember everyone’s extremely tired and probably slightly hungover. The director just placed us in a ice-cold room and then scanned us with something that looked like a flashing hairdryer. Done! We’ve done our part for the video. Next! During the process of finishing the piece it got clear to me that it really works with the song. That’s something I was involved in actually, picking the song. It’s extremely difficult. Which song to choose? How do I know what works best for this format? Well, I don’t. I picked a song from the record that has a strong chorus. Slightly old school way of thinking I guess, but ultimately it didn’t matter all that much to me. The video is nice. I dig it. It’s slightly on the pretentious side, but hey, works for me! And like I said, it really works with the overall vibe of the song. Lyrically and musically and definitely emotionally.” – Mikael Akerfeldt

Order “Sorceress” now:
The record will be available in an array of formats and editions including CD, 2CD Digipak, 2LP Vinyl (in various colours at 180 gram) from the Nuclear Blast Store: http://nblast.de/OpethSorceressNB and Recordstore.co.uk (orders come with signed inserts – whilst stocks last): http://nblast.de/OpethSorceressRS

Order ‘Sorceress’ digitally: http://nblast.de/OpethSorceressIT

OPETH Tour Dates:
May 4 – Nashville, TN – Nashville War Memorial (w/Gojira)
May 5 – Charlotte, NC – Carolina Rebellion Festival
May 6 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory Outdoors (w/Mastodon, Gojira, Eagles of Death Metal, Devin Townsend Project, Russian Circles)
May 7 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom (w/Gojira, Devin Townsend Project)
May 9 – Chicago, IL – The Vic Theatre (w/Gojira, Devin Townsend Project)
May 11 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre (w/Gojira, Devin Townsend Project)
May 12 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland (w/Gojira, Devin Townsend Project)
May 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre (w/Gojira, Devin Townsend Project)
May 14 – Somerset, WI – Northern Invasion Festival
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Brett Kull – Open Skies Exploding – New Solo Album from Echolyn Frontman

Brett Kull is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and engineer from the United States. He is best known for being a founding member of the band Echolyn, and long standing member of Grey Eye Glances. Brett is also an adjunct college instructor sharing his love for audio engineering and sound design.

For his third solo release comprised of 10 new tracks, ‘Open Skies Exploding’, Brett decided to start releasing two songs a week starting on the 24th of December 2016 and has written a blog to coincide with these releases. When all ten songs have been released I will write a review of the full album but, in the meantime, here are Brett’s first three blogs…

Open Skies Exploding 1st Release – ‘My House is Loud’ and ‘Three Walls’

Here is the companion video for Three Walls:

Open Skies Exploding 2nd Release – ‘Hard Dying Time’ and ‘Dublin Rooftops’

Open Skies Exploding 3rd Release – ‘Railroad Self’ and ‘Punch of the Day’

Check out the video for ‘Railroad Self’ – Live at Chateau Fornance – 5 Jan 2017 here:

You can download the up-to-date songs from bandcamp here:

Open Skies Exploding – bandcamp

Brett is heading to England for a tour with Francis Dunnery, here it is in his own words:

“Speaking of a wild ride, I’m headed to England next week for a mini tour of sorts with my friend Francis Dunnery, but I’ll try and have a couple songs in the oven, ready to go to help keep our hearts and bellies warm during my cold absence. Wait a minute, oh right, I’m starting my master’s degree this week! Shyte, I forgot!! I need to tell my instructors I’ll be AWOL for the first classes. Thanks for the reminder! Damn, one more thing to put on the list… and less time to drink wine!

But seriously, If any of you are in close proximity to ancient Britannia (during the dates below) feel free to come out and say hello. I’ve been hired to sing a hell-of-a lot, play a few keyboards, and even less guitar. It’s a good gig with an amazing songwriter and musical force of nature – Mr. Dunnery. The band is amazing and we walk the edge of complete catastrophe and utter brilliance. You wont be able to turn away! Here are the dates and where you can get tickets. Hope to share a pint with some of you… well, I’ll have my own pint and you’ll have yours.

Cheers!

Brett”

Francis Dunnery – Vampires 2017 

 Friday, January 20th – Club Academy Manchester

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/256899

 Saturday, January 21st – The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/256903

 Sunday, January 22nd – Bush Hall, London.

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/256881

 

 

 

TILT release video for Against The Rain – article by Progradar

After the success of the release of their debut album ‘Hinterland’, British proggers TILT have released a distinctly 80’s themed video for the single Against The Rain.

Of this tongue-in-cheek tribute to the early days of MTV, guitarist and keyboard player Steve Vantsis said:

“We decided to have a bit of fun with our video for Against the Rain. Everything is a bit depressing at the moment and music videos for our genre tend to take themselves a bit too seriously. So we spent a great couple of days in Scotland where – of course – the weather was completely different on day one and day two. But it suited our brief for the video, it was like the universe helpfully providing the production for us!

We wanted to do an MTV homage so we needed lots of sunsets, full moons, rain, moody walking that kind of thing and incredibly we got it all to tape in less than 48 hours! The video also features Tara Nowy, daughter of Fish recreating her mothers role in the classic Marillion video Kayleigh.

Tara was a great sport and we had a great time filming. in the end we did a 4:3 cut with VHS tape effects, etc. to fully capture the 80s feel . We have a full 4K HD widescreen version too that we will release at some point.”

‘Hinterland’ has garnered some fine praise since it’s release at the end of June and, when asked what the future held for TILT STeve went on to say:

“We hope the video will attract more people into our world as the ‘Hinterland’ album has already gathered a great reaction and great reviews so far. And as we prepare to get organised for gigs later in the year we needed something to keep the momentum going. We also hope to do more videos too in the future if this one is well received.”

‘Hinterland’ was released on 30th June 2016.

Tilt Album

Buy Hinterland on CD from Burning Shed

Band

 

Oktopus Press Release – New Line-Up, Album and Live Dates

oktopus-23 resize

Midlands based progressive-rock band Oktopus (formerly Progoctopus) have revealed their new, three-piece, line-up along with details of their upcoming exciting debut album and forthcoming live performances.

After the recent departure of singer Jane Gillard, the band have decided to forge ahead as a trio with guitarist Alistair Bell taking on lead vocal duties. Samuel C. Roberts (bass) and Tim Wilson (drums and vocals) complete the dynamic make-up of this distinctive act.

Tim Wilson – “Parting company with Jane was a difficult decision, but ultimately we felt a change in direction was important for the growth of the band. She played an important part in laying our foundations and we thank her for her valuable input.”

Later this month, the band will enter Rob Aubrey’s respected Aubitt Studios to begin work on their debut album, ‘Worlds Apart’, which will land in early Spring to coincide with their appearance at the HRH Prog Festival and a further three dates supporting District 97 and The Dave Kerzner Band.

The band marry the traditions of progressive music with stellar contemporary musicianship, superb live performance and tongue in cheek humour.

Oktopus UK Spring Tour 2016 (so far confirmed)
Thursday 17th March – HRH Prog, Pwllheli (w/Hammerhead, Third Quadrant and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown) Now Sold Out
Saturday 26th March – The Borderline, London (w/District 97 and The Dave Kerzner Band)
Sunday 27th March – The Musician, Leicester (w/District 97 and The Dave Kerzner Band)
Monday 28th March – The Robin 2, Bilston (w/District 97 and The Dave Kerzner Band)

Please check out the website for tickets : http://oktopusuk.com/events/
For enquiries, please email Tim or Alistair at oktopusuk@gmail.com

www.oktopusuk.com
fb. /oktopusuk
tw. /oktopus

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Mike Kershaw Joins Bad Elephant Music

Mike Kershaw

MIKE KERSHAW JOINS BAD ELEPHANT MUSIC.

Press Release From Bad Elephant Music

“We are proud to announce that Mike Kershaw, well-respected British progressive rock musician, has joined our family of artists.

Blending strong textures with powerful lyrics, Mike’s haunting music can perhaps best be described as ‘atmospheric progressive rock’ but ever the iconoclast he regards this as a framework rather than a prison, and very simply takes the music where it needs to go.

Mike continues to develop his own style, and his latest album ‘What Lies Beneath’ is his most complete work to date. To supplement Mike’s prodigious talent there is an impressive roster of guest artists – Gareth Cole, Stuart Nicholson (Galahad), Leo Koperdraat & Frank Urbaniak (Fractal Mirror), Joshua Leibowitz (Leibowitz), Stuart Stephens (Whitewater), Clare Stephens, Marco A Vásquez L., and Tom Slatter. Leopold Blue-Sky (Unto Us) is at the mixing desk, as well as contributing bass, guitars and keyboards. Artwork is by Steven J. Catizone.

Mike Kershaw: “I am honoured and delighted to be joining Bad Elephant Music and its fabulous roster of musicians. I’ve worked with David Elliott on post-production with my last two releases and I’m over the moon to enhance our association. BEM is a unique, friendly label and I’m proud to be a part of it.

Bad Elephant Head of PR, Martin Hutchinson: “I’ve known Mike for quite a while now and have always been a fan of his richly rewarding music. Detailed and complex, it is a perfect fit with what BEM has become known for. Add in the fact he’s a fellow Yorkshireman and we can’t go wrong, can we?”

‘What Lies Beneath’ will be released through Bad Elephant Music in the second quarter of 2016. Check out the teaser video trailer below!

Picture of Mike courtesy of Scott Smith.

 

With Our Arms To The Sun sign to Fade to Silence Records

Fade to Silence

Progressive art rock band With Our Arms to the Sun is the second act to sign with the new-launched Fade to Silence Records.
With Our Arms to the Sun is a breath of fresh air in a musical landscape dominated by pop formatted bands. The Arizona desert-based foursome crafts a brand of cinematic conceptual music that aims to evoke emotion and inspire thought in listeners.
“My son and I went to see John 5 perform in East Texas and as luck would have it, With Our Arms to the Sun were the supporting artist,” said Fade to Silence founder Paul Bibeau. “Upon taking the stage, the band took complete control of the room and I was locked into every second of their performance. To say I was pleasantly surprised is an understatement. It felt has though the band was playing the very last concert ever and wanted to put it all on the table.
With Our Arms to the Sun’s first release through Fade to Silence will be a reissue of the band’s self-released ‘A Far Away Wonder’ EP on CD and vinyl.
WOATTS2
 We were anti-label for the longest time and did everything DIY,” said With Our Arms to the Sun vocalist/guitarist Josh Breckenridge. “We recorded and distributed all of our own albums, and even made our own merch. One of the reasons we were not interested in being on a label was that we wanted to retain our sound.
Paul immediately understood what we were going for as a band and rather than be a typical industry person, he encouraged our growth towards being a conceptual band. Also the chance at being one of the flagship bands on a new label that has a creative philosophy really appealed to us as artists.”
With Our Arms to the Sun – which is completed by Joseph Leary, Joseph Breckenridge Jr. and John Mclucas – has three self-released recordings to their credit.