Swedish progressive rock/metal innovators Pain of Salvation have announced the worldwide release of their long-awaited new studio album ‘In the Passing Light of Day’ for Friday the 13th of January, 2017 via their longtime label partners InsideOutMusic.
Working together with acclaimed producer Daniel Bergstrand (In Flames, Meshuggah, Strapping Young Lad, etc.) at Dugout Studio in Sweden, the band have crafted an album that sees them returning to their much praised heavier sound, featuring the syncopated rhythms, glorious melodies, and intensely personal themes that Pain of Salvation fans have long loved about the band.
Inextricably linked to the near fatal illness that band-leader Daniel Gildenlöw spent much of the first half of 2014 recovering from, the album is an altogether darker and more impassioned journey. Taking the hospital bed as a narrative hub, the lyrical and musical themes touch on all the conflicting feelings that run through a person’s mind when presented with the prospect of death and the passing of life.
The album will be available as a special edition 2CD Mediabook (including expanded 48-pages booklet, several in-depth texts by conceptual author Daniel Gildenlöw, demo material & band commentary tracks), standard jewelcase CD, gatefold 180g 2LP vinyl plus album on CD as bonus & digital download.
Yes, I know this website is called ‘Progradar’ but in my last incarnation as a reviewer for Lady Obscure Music Magazine I often wrote about Hard Rock, AOR and Heavy Rock and this is the music I actually grew up with.
Recently, those lovely people at Frontiers Records have released some superb albums that drop neatly into those genres and from some great artists who have been on the scene since the 80’s and before.
So, here is my round up of six new albums released in October and early November that should be on any rock music fan’s wish list….
Hardline – Human Nature
Hardline evolved from being a sunset strip sensation featuring brothers Johnny (vocals) and Joey (guitar) Gioeli to a supergroup of sorts featuring former Bad English members Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, before finally becoming a band showcasing the incredible talents of the fabulous singer Johnny Gioeli with the production and songwriting skills of Alessandro Del Vecchio (Rated X, Resurrection Kings, Revolution Saints), the shredding talents of guitarist Josh Ramos (The Storm), and the powerful rhythm section made up of bassist Anna Portalupi (Tarja) and drummer Francesco Jovino (Primal Fear, Jorn). All these musicians have an impressive pedigree, but what makes Hardline special is how well their unique and different talents blend together.
The goal for their new album was to have a heavier and updated version of the original Hardline sound. Think debut album, 1992’s ‘Double Eclipse’ updated for the 21st Century, with a grittier and more straight ahead sound. Anthemic, hard rocking songs are what you can expect from this record and hook after hook, riff after riff, you’ll find yourself wowed by this absolute monster of an album!
As an original purchaser of ‘Double Eclipse’ this new release had a lot to live up to and I am happy to report that it does exactly what it says on the tin. A rocking, rollercoaster ride of melodic hard rock from beginning to end, it’s not reinventing the wheel but it does what it sets out to do with aplomb
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPP1/2
Glenn Hughes – Resonate
Vocalist/bassist/songwriter Glenn Hughes is a true original. No other rock musician has carved such a distinctive style blending the finest elements of hard rock, soul, and funk. That astonishing voice is Hughes’ calling card. He’s known as a singer’s singer. Stevie Wonder once called Hughes his favorite white singer!
With a career that started in 1970 with the band Trapeze, Glenn left his indelible mark on several musical endeavours and bands, including Deep Purple’s MK III and IV, Hughes/Thrall, his collaborations with Gary Moore, Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and most recently with Black Country Communion and California Breed, just to name a few. With eleven original solo albums under his belt and countless collaborations with rock’s greatest names, Glenn Hughes is a musical icon of our times.
From album opener, “Heavy” to the very last chords of the closer, “Long Time Gone”, it is a powerhouse of hard rock that will literally blow you away. It features his live solo band members, Soren Andersen (guitars & co-producer), Pontus Engborg (drums) and newcomer to his band, Lachy Doley (keys), in addition to long-time friend and drummer, Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), who joined them in the studio for the opening and closing numbers. It is definitely most heavy sounding of his solo albums, but as is his trademark, musical diversity shines through and as Glenn commented upon completion of the new recording, “this album is the first kind of a complete Glenn album”.
What makes this record stand out thoughout though is the fact that ‘The Voice of Rock’ emphatically still has the magical ‘it’, just check out “My Town” to see what I mean, impressive stuff!
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPPP
Graham Bonnet Band – The Book
Legendary rock vocalist Graham Bonnet is back with a new band and an exciting new album titled ‘The Book’.
The ‘Graham Bonnet Band‘, features of course Graham Bonnet on lead vocals, Beth-Ami Heavenstone on bass, South American guitar sensation Conrado Pesinato on lead guitar, ex-Alcatrazz man Jimmy Waldo on keys and Mark Zonder (known for his acclaimed work with Warlord and Fates Warning) on Drums.
The Graham Bonnet Band has spent the last 12 months touring solidly around the world, with performances at several major European festivals including an acclaimed set at Sweden Rock 2016. The debut Graham Bonnet Band album ‘The Book’ sees Graham returning in fine form, with an album that is his best in decades: 11 new tracks that will blow heavy rock fans away!
Also included with the new album is a 16 track cd of re-recorded classic tracks from Graham’s career.
Right, unfortunately this is a record of two halves, the new songs have been written to fit Graham Bonnet‘s vocals and, as such, they are pretty powerful stuff but, the re-recorded tracks really show the limits that he has at this late stage in his career and he struggles to hit the highs he did with Rainbow on classic songs such as ‘All Night Long’ and ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’, to be honest, I’d leave that disc alone.
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPP
Roth Brock Project – S/T
John Roth (Winger, Starship, Giant) and Terry Brock (Strangeways, Giant, Leroux) join forces to bring you the Roth Brock Project! John and Terry first met in 2009 while working on Giant‘s “Promise Land” record. They soon developed a unique song writing chemistry and musical bond which all these years later has led to their debut release for Frontiers Music. Powerhouse vocals and thundering guitars are at the forefront of this stellar collaboration from two of rock’s most seasoned and underrated veterans.
John Roth landed his first gig at the age of 19 with Southern boogie rock legends Black Oak Arkansas in 1986, and soon found himself in demand for recording and touring with the likes of Jimi Jamison (R.I.P.) of Survivor, and 80’s rock legends, Winger. Terry Brock’s first job in the music business was as a vocalist on the Kansas album “Drastic Measures” in 1983, which was soon followed by a tour with the Steve Morse Band and two albums with Strangeways (who were signed to BMG/RCA Records). Terry is currently on tour with Louisiana’s Leroux, while John is on tour with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas.
This is an album of hard rock infused with some heavy blues influence, the vocals have that grit and determination that the best rock singers have and the guitars really bring a smile to my face. Again, not an album to break convention but one that you will enjoy listening to again and again. Down and dirty blues rock with style!
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPP1/2
FM – Indiscreet 30
30 years on FM announce that they have decided to record a modern-day version of their now classic debut album ‘Indiscreet’. The band was asked many times to consider re-recording some of these tracks using today’s modern technology and recording techniques and giving the songs the sound of FM as it is today.
The band realises what an iconic album this is to so many fans so they have always steered clear of tampering with it too much but whilst in the studio recording the follow-up to ‘Heroes & Villains’ one night at the end of a session FM decided to put down a backing track to “That Girl” to see how it would sound with the huge sounds they were getting at the time. It gave the song a new dynamic and power that it was not possible to achieve in the 80’s.
Whilst playing it again the following morning FM decided it would be great to hear all these classic songs with this new lease of life. “We are not trying to recreate the original but this is our interpretation played by FM as we are today with the sound of FM 2016” says FM’s bass player Merv Goldsworthy.
In addition to the re-recording of the original album, ‘Indiscreet 30′ also features seven bonus tracks including brand new song “Running On Empty” and a new recording of “Let Love Be The Leader”.
For old and new fans of this iconic British hard rock act ‘Indiscreet 30’ is a superb slice of nostalgia and features one of the best voices in rock in Steve Overland, a vocalist who just seems to get better and better. A classy and cultured collection of songs that will take you back to the 80’s on a wave of sepia-tinged memories.
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPPP
Tyketto – Reach
After five years of relentless touring that included playing on some of the most prestigious stages on the planet, Tyketto took their revitalized energy in to the studio in the spring of 2016. The sessions took place at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales (Queen, Rush, Oasis).
Lead vocalist Danny Vaughn comments, “Although we only had planned on recording ten songs for ‘Reach’, we were so pleased with everything, we decided to keep all twelve songs on the record. We unanimously decided on ‘Reach’ as the title of the album, as it defines who this band is in 2016. We have a new energy, some incredible new members, and a fresh outlook toward the future. All of us have pushed each other beyond our limits to make what we feel is a pinnacle record in our catalog.”
Drummer and founding member Michael Clayton Arbeeny adds, “Many bands who have been out as long as we have feel they need to fit into a preconceived notion of what their fans expect to hear. Following in the footsteps of icons such as Queen, Led Zeppelin, and Prince, we have decided to expand our musical boundaries and introduce our friends around the world to Tyketto 2016. Rest assured that all the songs on ‘Reach’ still carry the trademark melodies and choruses our fans have grown to love over the decades. The band is feeling stronger and performing better than ever and we can’t wait to share this music with the world.”
In addition to Vaughn and Arbeeny, the unstoppable 2016 lineup includes Chris Green (guitars and vocals), Ged Rylands (keyboards and vocals) and Chris Childs (bass).
An album of cracking AOR tracks with a bit of a Hard Rock edge, Tyketto have taken the classic sound of the 80’s and brought it bang up to date. From the title track to the hard rocking ‘The Fastest man Alive’ it is a non stop grin-fest of powerful guitars and superb vocals.
Rating (out of 5 P’s) – PPP1/2
All the above releases can be ordered through the Frontiers Records website here
TILT have released the HD edit of the video for ‘Against the Rain’, taken from their recently released album, ‘Hinterland’. The video features Tara Nowy – daughter of Fish – reprising her mother’s role in in the classic Marillion video for ‘Kayleigh’.
TILT have also just released a Pledge Music campaign in order to get ‘Hinterland’ released on vinyl. The band aims to release the album on heavy weight double album format in a gatefold sleeve featuring the original CD artwork in all it’s glory. ‘Hinterland’ has garnered great praise from all corners of the Prog community and the band can’t wait to see the vinyl version released.
Bassist Steve Vantsis said,
“It’s been a great ride so far with the album and we’ve had a fantastic response from press and fans alike. The vinyl release is another red letter day for us as far as I’m concerned. As an old school rocker I can’t wait to see the album in it’s full gatefolded glory!”.
There are lots of exclusives to be had including signed CD’s and LP’s, T-shirts and bespoke items such as signed lyric sheets and band equipment used in the making of ‘Hinterland’.
The latest album of Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody, ‘Prometheus, Symphonia Ignis Divinus’, was chosen to be the first studio album in music history to be remixed in Dolby Atmos. Renowned producer/mixing engineer Chris Heil (David Bowie, Bryan Adams, Scorpions) mixed the entire masterpiece in Dolby Atmos – the mindblowing result will be submitted for the 2017 Grammy nominations. This unique package will be completed by two brand-new live CDs, which were produced by Luca Turilli and Alex Landenburg, mixed by Christian ‘Moschus’ Moos at Spacelab Studio (Grefrath, Germany) and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio (San Marino). ‘Prometheus, The Dolby Atmos Experience + Cinematic And Live’ will be released on December 9th via Nuclear Blast.
Today, the first live track has been revealed. Check out ‘Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)’:
Blu-ray – ‘Prometheus – The Dolby Atmos Experience’ (Audio Blu-ray!) – Tracklisting:
Nova Genesis (Ad Splendorem Angeli Triumphantis)
02. Il Cigno Nero
03. Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)
04. Anahata
05. Il Tempo Degli Dei
06. One Ring To Rule Them All
07. Notturno
08. Prometheus
09. King Solomon And The 72 Names Of God
10. Yggdrasil
11. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer’s Fall Part II: Codex Nemesis
‘Cinematic And Live’ – Tracklisting:
CD1
01. Nova Genesis
02. Il Cigno Nero [Reloaded]
03. Rosenkreuz (The Rose And The Cross)
04. Land Of Immortals
05. Aenigma
06. War Of The Universe
07. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer’s Fall [Extract]
08. Excalibur
09. The Ancient Forest Of Elves
10. Son Of Pain
11. Prometheus
12. Drum Solo
13. Knightrider Of Doom
14. Warrior’s Pride
CD2
01. The Astral Convergence
02. The Pride Of The Tyrant
03. Tormento E Passione
04. Demonheart
05. Bass Solo
06. Warrior Of Ice
07. Of Michael The Archangel And Lucifer’s Fall Part II – Of Psyche And Archetypes
08. Dark Fate Of Atlantis
09. Dawn Of Victory
10. Quantum X
11. Ascending To Infinity
12. Emerald Sword
13. Finale
Progressive metalcore band CARCER CITY have announced their Infinite // Unknown headline tour across Europe in support of their new album.
Released this September via Stay Sick, Infinite // Unknown is the band’s highly revered sophomore album, which Rock Sound called ‘their strongest release yet’.
Check out the video ‘Sovereign’:
Support on the mainland dates comes from melodic hardcore outfit CREATE TO INSPIRE, who released their Home Is Where My Heart Dies EP via Basick Records earlier this year.
Check out ‘Don’t Let Go’:
UK
26.11 Manchester – Satans Hollow
27.11 Worcester – Marrs Bar
28.11 Glasgow – Broadcast
EU w/Create To Inspire
01.12 Luxembourg (LU) – Rocas Cafe
02.12 Frankfurt (DE) – Elfer Club
03.12 Maasmechelen (BE) – Alibi
05.12 Milan (IT) – Rock n Roll
06.12 Verona (IT) – Il Blocco
07.12 Vienna (AT) – Das Bach
08.12 Lustenau (AT) – Rocks Bar
09.12 Dresden (DE) – Konk Klub
10.12 Brno (CZ) – M13 Club
11.12 Budapest (HU) – Durer Kert
12.12 Prague (CZ) – Cross Club
13.12 Cologne (DE) – MTC
“A warm series of piano-driven songs that combine the dynamics and vocal delivery of Kate Bush with Tori Amos piano-gymnastics…” FOLK RADIO UK
When choosing a suitable name for their band this London based
trio certainly gave themselves something to live up to. Beatrix, from
the Latin Viatrix, is a name that in its various forms has been
previously bestowed upon self-sacrificing martyrs and self-denying
mystics, royal consorts and Holy Roman empresses, Balzac
heroines and Tarantino assassins. No small irony then, that a name
so often chosen by tragedians for their characters literally means
“she who makes happy”.
Through their enchantingly dark and evocative melodies, expansive
arrangements and empowered orchestral sound BEATRIX PLAYERS tell stories of real life and fantasy. Citing influences as diverse as Michael Nyman and Regina Spektor and drawing comparisons to the likes of Kate Bush and Einaudi Ludovico; this London-based, all female trio combine elements of Folk, Jazz, Progressive and Classical music. In 2015 the band (Amy Birks, Jess Kennedy and Amanda Alvarez) took their unique sound – a beautiful combination of vocals, piano and cello – into the studio to record their self-produced debut album, which has been mixed by two-time BBC Folk Award winner, Jim Moray. That album, titled ‘Magnified’, is scheduled for release in 2017.
Lady of The Lake is the stunning first single to be taken from Beatrix Players debut album, with the single launch being held at the Green Note in Camden on Tuesday 22nd November. This first release tells a story of disconnect, difference of opinion and the demise of a relationship.
“In the video we used a mystical figure to portray how the male perceives the female in the relationship,” explains lead vocalist Amy Birks. “She is seen as seductive and somewhat dismissive in character, although the lyrics are written sympathetically towards her”. The powerful chorus tells of torment “although the man knows it’s over, he is still drawn to her qualities” explains pianist and co-writer Jess Kennedy. The listener is taken on a journey through the powerful & emotive expression of the music, whilst the delicate, almost hypnotic vocal counter melodies add to the unearthly and ethereal sound of the track.
THE MOB IS BACK! The one and only ADRENALINE MOB have confirmed a brand new full length studio album will be released early 2017 via Century Media Records. Following 2015’s Dearly Departed, the forthcoming release is being recorded by ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando once again at his own Sonic Stomp Studio. Mike checked in with the following comment:
“Myself & Russell are hard at work finishing up the writing & are heading into the studio to track the new Adrenaline Mob album in a few weeks time. The album is coming out great & we’re both very excited on the sound & direction. We’re extremely thrilled to be releasing our 3rd studio album on Century Media Records! Our expected release time will be early 2017”
Since first bursting on to the scene in 2011, ADRENALINE MOB’s wild ride of hard rock and heavy metal melee continues to explode across the world. Still revving from two critically successful full lengths and standout EP’s; the gears are set for full throttle with an all new armory of lethal tracks. It’s undeniable, the beast that is AMOB is back! Stay tuned for more album details to be announced soon!
‘A winding trawl through myriad dark moods, at times supremely heavy, at others barely whispered, but always swathed in their own unique brand of somber atmospherics’ – 4/5 – Kerrang
‘Absolutely astonishing’ – 9/10 – Rock Sound
‘Make no mistake – this is a great album’ – Terrorizer
Hailed as one of the leaders of the death-doom genre alongside My Dying Bride & Paradise Lost, Sweden’s Katatonia have spent the last 25 years ever changing and evolving to become the much loved purveyors of dark progressive rock/metal we know today.
This year marks not only the band’s 25th anniversary but also 10 years since the release of their Peaceville album ‘The Great Cold Distance’. Now the band is set to re-issue this classic album on special edition CD and vinyl. Founding guitarist Anders Nyström comments:
“Looking back at our set lists from a historic perspective, it dawned on us that there’s been no other album from which we played more songs than ’The Great Cold Distance’, so in the light of its 10th anniversary this year, it’s with much pride and joy to announce the ultimate edition featuring all the scattered bits and pieces related to this album. “
Originally released in 2006, The Great Cold Distance, Katatonia’s seventh studio album, was recorded and mixed at Fascination Street, Örebro Sweden, produced by Nyström/Renkse on and co-produced, mixed & engineered by Jens Bogren & David Castillo. The album featured 3 singles, now classic Katatonia songs – “My Twin”, “July” and “Deliberation”. Vocalist Jonas Renkse, at the time of the album’s release stated: “While embracing this album one must know that it will only help to increase the coldness between us. It’s a devious life. And this is a soundtrack to it.”
The new 4 disc deluxe hardback 40 page book edition of the album, to be released on 20th January 2017, will include 3 bonus discs featuring b-sides and bonus songs, a new 5.1 remix of the album by Bruce Soord (Wisdom Of Crowds) and a live album of Katatonia playing ‘The Great Cold Distance’ in its entirety with the renowned Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra in Bulgaria, performed in September 2016. The design of this essential 10th anniversary edition has once again been taken care of by long time collaborator Travis Smith.
The double gatefold LP version of the original album is set for release on 9th December, and includes the b-sides & bonus songs. Both the black vinyl and limited edition red vinyl versions are available to pre-order now:
Friday 21st October, at London’s 02 Shepherds Bush Empire, Katatonia will play their biggest UK headline show to date which will feature a very special 2 set performance.
One set will see Katatonia perform ‘The Great Cold Distance’ in its entirety.
The other set will feature a wide selection of tracks panning the band’s 25 year including most recent album ‘The Fall Of Hearts’. Support comes from Agent Fresco & VOLA.
Greek Dionysian band Chickn recently released their self-titled debut album, on October 10th via Inner Ear Records. Chickn is a modular music band formed during the Christmas holidays of 2012 in Athens. Bringing together an assemblage of musicians whose primary work has been influenced by Eastern Mediterranean music, psychedelic and progressive rock.
Angelos Krallis (vocals, guitars, lute, tsambouna, udu) grew up in Kos island, a Greek paradise close to the Anatolian coast of Turkey and hooked up with “rembetiko” musicians. Evangelos Aslanides (drums, percussion, djembe, darbuka, bendir) and Pantelis Karasevdas (drums, percussion, congas, djembe) both hail from Exarchia, the music scene of Athens. The main pillars of Chickn’s music is improvisation, as well as their tendency to embrace the unexpected. They have developed a large body of artists that they work with and as a result their liquid line-up gets temporarily solidified by their current expressive needs.
This is a radio zapping 68-minute car drive. This is a field unfolding in front of your very eyes and at the same time a call of wandering. This is an attempt of these unique musicians to invent themselves through playing. This is Jetztzeit rock. A sound conceived as a jump in the free sky of history.
The album was composed by the Athens-based trio in Athens and Valencia during the period 2014-2015. It was recorded from July to October 2015 in Sonic Playground Studio and in Iraklis Vlachakis’ home in Athens. The album was produced by Chickn and Nikos Triantafyllou and it was mastered by Alan Douches in West West Side Studios in New York.
Musicians appearing on this album: Konstantinos Protopappas (electric guitar), Haris Neilas (darbuka, congas, cowbell), Andreas Kiltsiksis (oud, amanes) and the band Baby Guru (Sir Kosmiche (bass), Prins Obi (additional synths, additional vocals) and King Elephant (saxophone)).
Tracklist:
1. Chickn Tribe
2. Omens
3. Aleppo – Jam
4. Modular Prayer 5. Taqsim – Rhy – Tavk Hava 6. Forget – Small Things 7. Articulation 8. Modular Prayer (Reprise) 9. Prelude On Mary 10. Shifting Time Blues – Akhedia
RELEASED NOVEMBER 11 ON RADIANT RECORDS
VIA METAL BLADE RECORDS/SONY
2CD, TRIPLE VINYL AND DIGITAL DOWNLOAD
WORLDWIDE TOUR STARTS
JANUARY 15, 2017 IN NASHVILLE, TN
NEAL MORSE: LEAD VOCALS, KEYBOARDS, GUITARS
MIKE PORTNOY: DRUMS, VOCALS
RANDY GEORGE: BASS
ERIC GILLETTE: GUITAR, VOCALS
BILL HUBAUER: KEYBOARDS, VOCALS
The journey of Neal Morse has seen three decades of musical accomplishments, the latest being the inception of The Neal Morse Band. Morse has forged many relationships over the years with his other bands, Spock’s Beard, Flying Colors, and Transatlantic. However, the most compelling and fruitful efforts have been those with drummer Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, ex-Dream Theater).
Now the current line-up of “The Neal Morse Band”—Morse, Portnoy, bassist Randy George, keyboardist Bill Hubauer and guitarist Eric Gillette—brings forth “The Similitude of a Dream”, a concept album to be released November 11 on Radiant Records via Metal Blade Records/SONY. This will be the eighth studio album with Morse, Portnoy and George, and the second as a true collaboration with this current lineup. A lyric video for the song, “Overture,” premiered on PROG Magazine’s website earlier today and will be available on the band’s official YouTube page tomorrow. Watch the lyric video for the songs “Long Day” and “Overture”
Clocking in at over 100 minutes, this amazing piece of prog storytelling will leave you breathless, exhilarated, amused and fulfilled in a way that only inspired music can. It will be available in various formats: a two CD package, a Special Edition with the two CDs and “The Making of a Dream” DVD, or as three vinyl records along with two CDs.
The Neal Morse Band (L-R): Eric Gillette, Mike Portnoy, Randy George, Neal Morse, Bill Hubauer. Photo: John Zocco
Track Listing:
Disc 1:
Long Day
Overture
The Dream
City Of Destruction
We Have Got To Go
Makes No Sense
Draw The Line
The Slough
Back To The City
The Ways Of A Fool
So Far Gone
Breath Of Angels
Disc 2:
Slave To Your Mind
Shortcut to Salvation
The Man in The Iron Cage
The Road Called Home
Sloth
Freedom Song
I’m Running
The Mask
Confrontation
The Battle
Broken Sky / Long Day (Reprise)
Together, Morse and Portnoy have launched four bands, but the one that has endured the longest and thus with the most musical output has been The Neal Morse Band. Over the years, Morse, along with Portnoy and George, always assembled musicians as needed to support Neal’s solo music. In 2012, they held auditions to find the musicians needed to fill out the band as a permanent lineup that would write music collectively. Hubauer and Gillette joined the band after three days of auditions. The fivesome went on to release The Grand Experiment in 2014 followed by the Alive Again live DVD/2 CD package in 2015.
“The Similitude of a Dream is loosely and sometimes directly based on the book, Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan,” explains Neal Morse. “The book’s original title was The Pilgrim’s Progress from this world to that which is to come, delivered under the similitude of a dream, and was originally published in 1678. The book chronicles the spiritual journey of a man from the City of Destruction to a place of Deliverance. Someone had suggested to me that I do a concept album based on this book, but I kind of forgot about it. Then when I began writing new songs last December, the suggestion came to my mind. I had never read the book, so I Googled the SparkNotes story outline and began to write some little song bits and instrumentals based on what I had read. Those bits combined with the ideas that the other guys brought to the table then miraculously exploded into this double concept album. Funny thing is, this album only really covers about the first 75 or 80 pages. Maybe we should’ve made a five disc collection! Well, we’ll save that for later. Ha.”
Continues Neal, “At the conclusion of the grueling recording sessions, I remember Mike saying rather prophetically, ‘Boys, I think we just made the album of our careers.’”
“I honestly think this is THE album of my career,” declares Portnoy. “Neal and I have now made 18 studio albums together, and I consider The Similitude of a Dream the absolute creative pinnacle of our collaborations together. I’ve always had a soft spot for double concept albums such as Pink Floyd’s The Wall and The Who’s Tommy, and I can bravely say that I think we’ve created an album here that can sit side by side with those masterpieces. Bold words, I know, but after a career of almost 50 albums, I honestly consider this to be one of the defining works of my career.”
“We weren’t sure we had enough music to make a double CD, and yet it seemed as though the concept and the music wanted to go there,” bassist Randy George continues. “Ultimately, we created so much great music in the sessions that it just had to be a double album! To cap that off, we worked with a pre-imminent classic album cover artist to create painted illustrations of our concept which will grace the booklet!”
The Neal Morse Band tours worldwide almost yearly and continues to grow in popularity, attracting new listeners everywhere they go. The band has toured in North America, Central America, Europe, Israel, Mexico and India. The shows are filled with excited and extremely loyal fans, some which have regularly traveled very long distances to see the band. The band has an extensive catalog of live shows on Blu-Ray and DVD as well.
Their latest round of worldwide tour dates start January 15, 2017 in Morse’s current hometown of Nashville, TN. More dates will be announced in the coming weeks on the band’s official website.
