Stratospheerius will release their fifth CD “Guilty of Innocence” through Melodic Revolution Records early Fall 2017.

Stratospheerius will release their fifth CD “Guilty of Innocence” through Melodic Revolution Records early Fall 2017. The new 10-track album will be available worldwide in both Physical and Digital formats. “Guilty of Innocence” features special appearances by Alex Skolnick (Testament), Rave Tesar (Renaissance) and Randy McStine (The Fringe).

“Guilty of Innocence” highlights include a reimagined cover of Muse’s “Hysteria,” a 12-minute prog epic titled “Soul Food” which features many of the guests mentioned above, plus “Dream Diary Cadenza,” a solo electric violin extravaganza lifted from Joe’s electric violin concerto.

The band is led by founding member, electric violinist & vocalist Joe Deninzon. Joe has been called the “Jimi Hendrix of the electric violin.”

GUILTY OF INNOCENCE features members: French guitarist Aurelien Budynek (Cindy Blackman, Vernon Reid), bassist Jamie Bishop (The Syn, Francis Dunnery), and drummer Lucianna Padmore, praised by Modern Drummer Magazine for her “Deep grooves and serious fusion chops.”

In a Statement from Joe:

“We are honored to be part of Melodic Revolution Records, and feel it will be a strong partnership, “We would love to expand our audience worldwide, especially in the prog community. We love Nick’s commitment to and enthusiasm about the artists on his label.”

In a Statement from Nick Katona President MRR:

“I’m a long time fan of the band and look forward to this journey of making music and magic through our collaboration.”

Melodic Revolution Records is more than just another independent record label: we are a family of individuals and musicians that work hard together like a well oiled machine, bringing the music listener, music that inspires, and makes us think, while cultivating memories – music that will stand the test of time. It is through this family atmosphere that new collaborations have evolved to create a rich blend of dynamic new music.

– “Music Is Our Voice”

More About Joe Deninzon & Stratospheerius:

As a renowned violinist, Joe has recorded/performed with Ritchie Blackmore, Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Peter Criss, Jazz at Lincoln Center, NYC Ballet (electric violin soloist), Phoebe Snow, Les Paul, Renaissance, and Mark Wood to name a few. He is an active teacher/clinician and published his book, “Plugging In: A Guide to Gear and Technique for the 21st Century String Player” through Mel Bay in 2012. He also recently world-premiered his “Dream Diary: Concerto for Seven-String Electric Violin and Orchestra” with the Muncie Symphony in 2015.

Stratospheerius has showcased their “frenzied melange of progressive rock, jazz fusion and funkabilly” throughout the world at colleges, festivals, and clubs. They have opened for artists including Alex Skolnick, Martin Barre, Tim Reynolds, Mickey Hart, Mike Stern, and John Scofield. The band was a winner of the John Lennon International Songwriting Competition the Musicians Atlas Independent Music Awards. They have been featured in Progression, Relix, Downbeat, and Jazziz, among other publications.

Band Members

Joe Deninzon : Electric Violin, Lead Vocals & Mandolin

Aurelien Budynek : Guitar & Backup Vocals

Jamie Bishop : Bass & Backup Vocals

Lucianna Padmore : Drums

Further Information Can Be Found At.

Official Website : http://www.stratospheerius.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/stratospheerius/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@stratospheerius

Melodic Revolution Records: http://mrrmusic.com/joe-deninzon-stratospheerius/

What the critics have said.
“Stratospheerius does not play what you want; it plays things you didn’t know you wanted.”
Dan Roth, Progression

FOREVER TWELVE Signs With Melodic Revolution Records

Melodic Revolution Records is thrilled to announce that California Based Prog outfit FOREVER TWELVE has signed with the label for the bands new release.

Forever Twelve’s album is titled “HOME” and will be available worldwide in both CD and High Quality Digital formats, Home will feature 7 new songs clocking in just shy of 54 minutes.

Track Listing: The Seven Seas, Home, Daisy Chain, Kansas by the Sea, Karmageddon, Acoustic Rose, Fate Is In Our Hands.

Album Credits
Produced by Forever Twelve
Engineered by Tom Graham & John Baker
Mixed by Tom Graham
Mastered by John Baker at John Baker Audio.

About Forever Twelve:

Forever Twelve is a Los Angeles, California based progressive rock band which was founded in the early 90’s by Kenny Hundt, Steve Barberic. The band has had some personnel changes over the years with each new member helping to shape and redefine the sound of what Forever Twelve is today. The latest addition came to the band in 2012 with former Mars Hollow vocalist John Baker. With John on board, the band wrote and released their first new single Daisy Chain which was released as a video and was very well received by both fans and critics.

Previously Releases: Remembrance Branch (2002), Spark of Light (2004), Taking Forever (2010).

In a statement from the band:

“After a brief hiatus, we are very excited to share our HOME with listeners. A long road was traveled to get to our latest place and we are happy to invite you in. Welcome to our HOME!”

Band Members
John Baker : Lead Vocals
Steve Barberic : Keyboards
Tom Graham : Guitar, Keyboards, Bass &Vocals
Fernando Martinez : Drums & Percussion
Further Information Can Be Found At
Official Website : https://forevertwelve.com/
 

 

TESSERACT RELEASE “SMILE” – THE NEW SINGLE & LYRIC VIDEO BAND BEGIN NORTH AMERICA TOUR WITH MEGADETH & MESHUGGAH

To coincide with TesseracT starting their North America live dates with Megadeth & Meshuggah today the band have released a brand new single and lyric video for the song “Smile” :

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR STREAM “SMILE” https://tesseract.lnk.to/smile

Vocalist Daniel Tompkins explains the lyrical concept & inspiration behind the song

Lyrically ‘Smile’ carries a strong and forward sense of irony as we explore and darkest side of the human condition. The song will witness the manifestation of an ’entity’. Consciousness survives through constant manipulation only to propagate pessimism and hopelessness. Our entity observes, consumes and evolves, bearing witness to human existence, mimicking our presence in colossal form.

Recorded at both 4D Sound Studios, Brighton and Celestial Sound Studios, Notts UK and produced by Acle Kahney during late spring this year “Smile”, described by the band as their most collaborative track of recent times, here, the vocals play a key part in shaping the structure of the song, the bass shaping the verses, so, allowing the band to explore new perspectives. Bassist Amos Williams explains further “We chose this track as although it is part of a greater theme, and is in fact towards the end of a story arc, it stands alone very well. We have a solid idea of where we would like to take this track on the next album as it is in no way finished. It is merely one step in a journey. 

The verses and choruses stand very far apart from each other. There is a tension we wished to build through a minimalist approach, with small phrases that repeat against accompanying parts of different lengths. These undulate, seemingly getting lost against the nonconventional phrasing of the drums. All this is nothing new to TesseracT fans, but this time we have looked to really align the lyrical and musical messages. “

After building up a rabid and loyal fanbase across North America with their previous tours with the Devin Townsend Project, Gojira and multiple headline runs the band are stateside again for a monumental tour with Megadeth & Meshuggah.

Guitarist James Monteith enthusiastically comments “We couldn’t be more excited about going back to the US, the shows are always amazing out there and the fans are some of our most enthusiastic and loyal. There’s also the added bonus of touring with two of the most important metal bands ever! Megadeth and Meshuggah are major boundary pushers in the genre and we’re massive fans of them both, so it’s a real honour to share a stage with them. And not to forget Lilake who are doing some cool things too, so all in all, it’s going to be the highlight of our year”

Beginning in Big Flats, New York on Friday 23rd June the tour takes the band through Massachusetts, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and ending in Pennsylvania on July 11th. TesseracT will also be performing at Amnesia Festival, Montebello, Canada on 24th June, as well as a series of headline shows in Indianapolis, Nashville, Memphis, Buffalo and Amityville

For more details, full routing, summer festivals including the UK’s Arctangent Festival, shows in October in Holland & Russia –  tickets https://www.facebook.com/tesseractband

TesseracT are:

Acle Kahney – Guitar

James Monteith – Guitar

Jay Postones – Drums

Daniel Tompkins – Vocals

Amos Williams – Bass

TesseracT online:

https://www.facebook.com/tesseractband

https://www.instagram.com/TesseractBand

https://twitter.com/tesseractband

https://www.youtube.com/user/Tesseractproject

http://tesseractband.co.uk

http://www.kscopemusic.com/artists/tesseract

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons Sign With Nuclear Blast and Release Exclusive Live E.P. Today

Nuclear Blast:

“We are proud and happy to announce that PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS, led by the legendary long time MOTÖRHEAD guitarist, have inked a worldwide record deal with Nuclear Blast.”

Commented Phil Campbell: “I am really pleased to announce that my band PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS have signed a record deal with Nuclear Blast. The label is home to some great bands, some of which are also very good friends of mine. Once we get back from the summer festivals we look forward to recording our first full length album!”

In celebration of the announcement, the band has put together the exclusive digital only live EP ‘Live At Solothurn’ (see cover below) which is available via all download and streaming platforms as of today!

‘Live At Solothurn’ tracklist:
01. Big Mouth
02. Nothing Up My Sleeve (MOTÖRHEAD Cover)​
03. Spiders
04. Take Aim
05. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. (MOTÖRHEAD Cover)
06. Sweet Leaf (BLACK SABBATH cover)

Order the EP here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/live-at-solothurn-ep/id1247432052

After supporting sleaze rock icons GUNS N’ ROSES on their stadium tour, PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS are currently touring Europe, playing a selection of big festivals:

23.06. NO        Halden, Tons Of Rock Festival
24.06. ES        Madrid, Download Festival
01.07. GR        Khaniá, Chania Rock Festival
22.07. UK        Gloucester, Amplified Festival
25.08. CH        Granichen, Open Air Granichen
02.09. UK        Durham, Stormin’ The Castle Festival

More info on PCATBS:
Phil Campbell was the lead guitarist in MOTÖRHEAD for 32 years. He has toured the world, sold millions of albums and headlined the biggest festivals. Phil has a passion for music and it is this passion that has led to the formation of PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS.

The band is unique as it features Phil‘s 3 sons on drums, bass and guitar. The band is completed by Vocalist Neil Starr.

In November 2016 the band released a self titled EP and headed out on tours including a European tour with SAXON. Now in 2017 the band is finishing off the writing and recording of their debut full length album and are about to play shows with GUNS N’ ROSES and play many of Europe’s biggest festivals.

Line-up:
Phil Campbell – Guitar
Todd Campbell – Guitar
Dane Campbell – Drums
Tyla Campbell – Bass
Neil Starr – Vocals

www.philcampbell.net | www.facebook.com/philcampbellatbs | www.nuclearblast.de/philcampbellandthebastardsons

 

KYLVER – The Island – Vinyl/Cassette Release

First put out in October 2016 as a self released album both digitally and on CD; ‘The Island’ by North East Progressive Rock/Metal four piece Kylver is getting a re-release on 12” vinyl via Newcastle label ‘Inverted Grim-Mill’ and also on cassette through Colorado based label ‘Graven Earth’ on the 6th of July 2017.

Kylver is made up of guitarist Jonny Scott, Bassist James Bowmaker, Drummer Barry Micherson and Organist Neil Elliott. They have crafted their take on the progressive genre by mixing slow and heavy doom riffs, odd time signatures, atmospherics of post-rock and Hammond tones of the 70’s with a classic rock and metal sound.

Inverted Grim-Mill Recordings is a small independent label based in Newcastle upon Tyne, established in 2012. Acts working with the label are mostly gathered from the local and regional music scene, with releases and live events aimed at helping artists take the next logical step for their music.”

Graven Earth Records was born in the summer of 2016 in Denver, Colorado as a fiercely independent effort to support the best of the metal underground. The label has thus far worked with bands both local and abroad, issuing limited edition cassette releases with plans to expand to vinyl releases in the near future.

‘The Island’ is the follow up to their 2015 debut release ‘The Mountain Ghost’. ‘The Mountain Ghost’ is a forty-minute long concept album consisting of four tracks that follow the fictitious tale of a spirit who inflicts torment on the residents of a village that lies in the shadow of his mountainous home. The success of this first self released album lead the band to be nominated in the ‘Limelight’ (best newcomer) category of the 2016 Progressive Music Awards which was followed in the same year up by seeing ‘The Island’ listed in the Prog Magazine Critics Choice listings and Prog Magazine Readers Poll.

The Story of ‘The Island’ Goes…. “In November of 1703, a privateer ship and its crew set sail in search of a mythical island that was said to hold a portal to another dimension or another world in space and time. But from the outset, the journey was doomed to never reach its destination. After a day or two at sea the ship was wrecked in a great storm, losing all on board with the exception of one sole survivor. It was as if by fate that he was washed ashore on the very island that the expedition had been searching for, with nothing but a pendant around his neck which contained a strange undecipherable map. As the confused mariner made his way deeper into the heart of the island he was accompanied by an eerie feeling that he was not alone. It was a feeling that he was being ushered along the trails of the island by its shadows, shadows that lured him towards a cave inhabited by an unfamiliar yet familiar stranger. The sibyl of the island showed him the meaning of the pendant’s contents before showing him what and where he was searching. Upon his arrival at the ancient monoliths he found himself greeted by four hooded figures who were members of The Great Race. They proceeded to transport the weary traveller to an abyss where no man should venture. The sojourner begged that he be sent back to where he came from as the strange environment he found himself in was turning his mind into something he could not fathom. To this The Great Race agreed but not before they had removed all recollection of how and when this all happened from his mind. But The Great Race added a curse to protect their knowledge even further. He awoke in his world on the eve before the ship was due to set sail and from then on the rest of his life was a perpetual loop, with the same journey continuing to happen over and over again with no end…”

Steven Wilson releases new track ‘Song of I’, announces additional tour dates

“I’m truly sorry but/this is my addiction…”

Steven Wilson released a new track from his forthcoming fifth album To The Bone yesterday.

Song Of I is a story of unrepentant obsession set to a sharp-as-a-tack rhythm track and an orchestral sandstorm – the third track taken from ‘To The Bone’ (following Pariah and The Same Asylum As Before), it is another tantalising musical curveball thrown by the UK’s biggest underground artist.

The video for Song Of I features performance artist Maya Petrovna and has been directed by Steven’s long time visual collaborator Lasse Hoile and will be available on Vevo from Saturday 10thJune.

Steven Wilson plays a previously announced UK tour in spring 2018 – two extra dates have just been added due to huge demand. The tour dates are:

Thu 15th Mar                       Warwick Arts Centre (NEW DATE)

Sat 17th Mar                         Belfast Mandela Hall

Mon 19th Mar                      Dublin Olympia Theatre

Wed 21st Mar                      Cardiff St David’s Hall

Thu 22nd Mar                      Birmingham Symphony Hall

Sat 24th Mar                        Glasgow Clyde Auditorium

Sun 25th Mar                       Gateshead Sage 1

Tue 27th Mar                       London Royal Albert Hall (sold out)

Weds 28th Mar                    London Royal Albert Hall (NEW DATE)

Sat 31st Mar                         Manchester Bridgewater Hall (sold out)

Sun 1st Apr                          Manchester Bridgewater Hall (NEW DATE)

Tickets are on sale now from usual agents.

Steven Wilson website / online shop / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram/ Spotify complete discography

Gandalf’s Fist Begin Pre-Orders of “A Day In The Life Of A Universal Wanderer” Special Edition Re-issue

Gandalf’s Fist have announced a special deluxe re-issue of their 2013 space-rock offering “A Day in the Life of a Universal Wanderer”.

The expanded album has been fully remixed and remastered from the ground up, utilizing new performance takes and bringing the release firmly in line with the sonic palette of 2014’s “A Forest of Fey” and 2016’s “The Clockwork Fable”.

The record also features new and re-recorded narrative tracks from British Actor Mark Benton, who had previously worked with the band on last year’s Triple-CD album release.

Completing the package is the brand new, exclusive track The Stowaway and the Endless Night, an 11 minute opus originally omitted from the original release, as well as brand new cover art commissioned from German artist Thomas Huth, the man reasonable for the band’s sleeves on the last two releases.

Gandalf’s Fist front man, Dean Marsh, commented:

“This is the album people seem to have been desperate for us to re-release on CD format and we were reluctant to do so until we could finally do it right and do it justice. This is not a pointless ‘CGI-Yoda’ retrospective tinkering, we’ve retained the main core of what we originally created, but now with a bit more sheen and more energy.  It now works as a cohesive piece. A real thrill for me was to hear the synth violin sections being re-recorded by orchestral musicians, It’s those little touches that have lifted the record to another level. I think we’ve finally got it to a stage where we’re proud to let it sit on the shelf next to our last two albums!”

“A Day in the Life of a Universal Wanderer (Special Edition)” will be released on 18th September 2017. Pre-orders for the album are now available, including limited edition t-shirt packages exclusive to official pre-orders.

Pre-order ‘A Day In The Life OF A Universal Wanderer’ direct from the band.

 

 

Only Echoes Remain share new track ‘Of Stone and Stars’ / For fans of Sigur Ros, Yndi Halda & Karnivool

Only Echoes Remain are a London-based 4-piece that blend the classic ‘wall of guitar’ sound of This Will Destroy You with post-metal elements a la Russian Circles/If These Trees Could Talk, the atmospheric prog-y math of Karnivool with the emotions of Sigur Ros or Yndi Halda.

The band are set to release their debut album ’The Exigent’ on 16th June. Recorded at the Abbey Road Institute, ‘Of Stone and Stars’ is the second track that the band have shared from the record. The band comment:

‘Of Stone and Stars is the final song on the album, and where many of the previous tracks are fraught with danger, loneliness and loss, this last song suggests a degree of hope. Here big guitar riffs and high-energy sections, punctuated by moments of delicate reflection, tell the story of one lone explorer’s battle for survival. While he may well succeed in the short term, ultimately he finds himself stranded on a strange and unfamiliar world – how long can he really last?’

Listen here:

The Exigent’ is very much a concept record with a full narrative running throughout. The band add ‘being a concept album, ‘The Exigent’ follows a cohesive narrative throughout, telling a story both physical and deeply emotional.’ 

Within their first year of forming Only Echoes Remain have already had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the Her Name is Calla, Totorro, Vasa, Poly-Math, Toska, Dialects, A-Sun Amissa and Waking Aida, to name but a few. UK tour dates will be announced soon but the band have confirmed they’ll be performing in London on Friday 23rd June at Brewhouse.

Pre-order ‘The Exigent’ – https://onlyechoesremain.bandcamp.com/

 falling somewhere between the glacial post-rock of Sigur Ros and Karnivool style prog’ – Clash Music

Facebook: www.facebook.com/onlyechoesremain

Anathema announce exclusive 5.1 playback of new album ‘The Optimist’

Anathema, who are set to release their darkest and most challenging album to date, ‘The Optimist’ on 9th June via Kscope have announced an exclusive 5.1 playback session of the record will take place in London on Monday 5th June. Held at the Courtyard Threatre in Hoxton/Shoreditch in association with Classic Album Sundays the album will be played back in full through a KEF 5.1 system.

Limited to just 90 tickets the event will also include a live interview and Q & A session with Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh from the band hosted by Kerrang/Planet Rock journalist Amit Sharma, giving fans an opportunity to put their questions to them as well as hearing the album ahead of its release. Vincent adds:

‘We’re really looking forward to this. Listening to the album on a high end 5.1 audio system is a new experience even for us. The night isn’t just a preview of ‘The Optimist’ but it’s also a chance for people to gain a unique insight into what this album is all about. There’s a lot to take in, especially with all the artwork/visual side of the story. It’ll be cool to hang out and meet everyone.’

Tickets are available from: eventbrite.co.uk

Anathema, led by brothers Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh, along with drummer John Douglas, singer Lee Douglas, bassist Jamie Cavanagh and drummer/keyboardist Daniel Cardoso recorded ‘The Optimist’ in the winter of 2016 at Castle Of Doom studios in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan [Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Super Furry Animals] at the helm and was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.

The album can be pre-ordered now: http://found.ee/The_Optimist

classicalbumsundays.com

Bent Knee Releases Live Video for “Holy Ghost” – Headlining Tour Begins June 1 in Brooklyn, NY

Land Animal’ Available June 23 via InsideOutMusic/Sony.

“It’s very rare that an artist or band comes along that changes your perspective on music and art…Bent Knee have done just that.” – Substream
“Mind boggling… the grandest and subtlest ideas are on the table” -NPR
“The silo-smashing Bent Knee’s unique mix is equal parts ingenuity and deliciousness” – The Wall Street Journal
“Bent Knee breaks new stylistic and temperamental ground” – The Boston Globe

Genre-bending art-rock band Bent Knee have revealed a gripping live video for their single “Holy Ghost”. The track is the second to be released from their forthcoming album, Land Animal, out June 23rd via InsideOutMusic/Sony. The collection combines myriad influences from across the rock, pop, minimalist, and avant-garde spectrums into a seamless, thrilling whole.

You can watch the video here:

Following a North American tour supporting Thank You Scientist, Bent Knee will embark on a select run of tour dates in June, beginning in Brooklyn, NY and making stops in Washington DC, Philadelphia, Chicago and more.
Bent Knee Tour Dates:
^with Great Caesar
6/3          New Haven, CT @ Café Nine^
6/5          Boston, MA @ Great Scott
6/6          Philadelphia, PA @ Kung-Fu Necktie
6/7          Pittsburgh, PA @ The Fun House/Mr. Smalls
6/8          Washington, DC @ Black Cat
6/9          Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
6/11       Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
6/12       Chicago, IL @ Schubas