Review – Maschine – Naturalis – by Emma Roebuck

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Maschine – ‘a progressive rock band without boundaries’ is the bands tagline and ‘Naturalis’, the second album from Luke Machin, Daniel Mash, Marie-Eve De Gaultier, Elliot Fuller and James Stewart, definitely pushes the envelope beyond ‘Rubidium’ which was a cracking album in itself and one that showed much promise for the future.

This album is primarily a vehicle for Luke’s compositions and stretches his writing in variance and styles as well as having a core concept to the album that speaks of mankind and how we sit uncomfortably alongside the earth and nature as a species. ‘Naturalis’ is grand in its aspiration and design and I believe that Maschine achieve those goals very well.

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We are introduced to the album with Resistance, a full-on epic of traditional Prog proportions in what can only be called a ‘classical 70s’ style. It begins with analogue keyboard sounds and a tension creating guitar riff reminiscent of Jimmy Page which then goes on a full musical journey reflecting the uncomfortable fit man has with his environment. There is much light and shade here designed to mirror how humanity is trying to come to terms with something he cannot control and, yet, still believes he can have authority over. Coming in at a tad under 12 minutes this epic alone would satisfy any progger but this is just the start.

Night and Day is the story of Robert Cain and his experiences of the Battle of Arnhem. His story is of finding unnatural resources fighting beyond human limits long into the battle. This as close to a ‘sound’ for Maschine as you could get, as you could say it combines all the elements of the band in a perfect balance.

A personal favourite of mine on this album is Make Believe, it istands out as being quite an ethereal song and Marie-Eve comes out into the spotlight with a haunting voice that reflects a cynical back story of the political exploitation of resources. It is a genuinely beautiful track.

The finale and closing epic Megacyma is a modern epic, the other end of the musical time line from Resistance. Production and writing that fits 2016 so well, you can smell the ozone of the electricity used during the recording. This is the tale of one man’s experience in the centre of a huge Tsunami fighting for survival through every second of the 12 minutes of the song. It is a very powerful song that looks at how small one man is in relation to the planet and the forces it has at its disposal.

This album has taken 4 years to write and record and it is interesting to see how Luke has developed as a writer and composer and his desire be a strong writer of songs. Being a virtuoso guitar player in demand in various places (be it The Tangent, Damenek, Kiama, or Karmakanic) or guesting on numerous albums must surely be an asset, giving him a chance to experience a variety of styles and other musicians.

If you like “Rubidium” then get this, it’s a guaranteed winner for you. ‘Naturalis’ has good quality songs with a good level of complexity but not at the expnse of structure. The album as a couple of live tracks as a bonus which are not on my pre-release download. The artwork looks excellent and there are the usual extras with pre order.

Released 18th November 2016

Buy ‘Naturalis’ from Burning Shed

 

Barcelona based festival Be Prog! My Friend announce Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress / Will join Jethro Tull, Marillion, Anathema & more

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30th June – 1nd JULY 2017 – BARCELONA

THE FESTIVAL WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE WORLD’S BEST PROGRESSIVE BANDS ADD MIKE PORTNOY’S SHATTERED FORTRESS TO THE LINE UP

Since its inception in 2014 the Barcelona based festival Be Prog! My Friend has played host to the likes of Opeth, Steven Wilson, Anathema, Devin Townsend, TesseracT, The Pineapple Thief, Magma, Agent Fresco, Camel, Meshuggah, Katatonia, Riverside, Ihsahn and Alcest.

Taking place in the beautiful open air surroundings of Poble Espanyol – a huge stone built architectural museum – the site is one of the most important and striking landmarks of tourism in Barcelona. Whilst by day the Catalonian hotspot may play host to some of Barcelona’s most interesting historical articles, by the end of June to the start of July it will instead play host to some of the world’s finest progressive bands.

This year saw the festival co-headlined by Steven Wilson and fellow progressive heavy weights Opeth. So far for 2017 Be Prog! My Friend have announced the legendary Jethro Tull as Saturday’s headliner alongside Norwegian music collective Ulver, Anathema, Animals as Leaders and Caligula’s Horse. While Marillion will headline the Friday.

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Now Be Prog! My Friend have announced that Mike Portnoy’s Shattered Fortress will join the bill. Mike Portnoy comments:

‘I am so excited to be bringing my Shattered Fortress show to Spain and Be Prog My Friend! The Shattered Fortress is myself and an all-star Prog lineup performing Dream Theater’s 12 Step Suite live in it’s entirety for the first time!

This is not “a new band or project” for me, it is an exclusive event that will be making several select live appearances in select markets throughout the world in 2017…and Be Prog My Friend is one of the selected shows!

The setlist at the show will be comprised of the 12 Step Suite and select other Dream Theater songs that I’ve written the lyrics to. 

Keep in mind, I have no plans (or interest) in revisiting DT material in any of my other bands…this is not an ongoing “project” or career move…this is merely a unique event that I am doing in select markets in 2017 to share with fans around the world…so catch it while you can!!’

Tickets are on sale now at the fixed price of 130 Euros:

http://www.ticktackticket.com/entradas/goto.do?claves=.127248&origin=TTT&codIdioma=ING

Press for Be Prog! My Friend festival 2016:

‘And so Prog finds itself in love with Barcelona, the delightful weather and everything that Be Prog! My Friend has to offer’ – Prog Magazine

‘The leading festival for progressive music in Spain, showcased avant-garde music in a magnificent location’ – The Independent

‘Set in the hazy sunlit square of Barcelona’s historic and quite stunning Poble Espanyol, it certainly beats the sodden mud of the British festival season’ – Total Guitar Magazine

‘If nothing else, it proves that prog is alive and kicking. Especially in Catalonia’ – Classic Rock Magazine

http://www.beprogmyfriend.com/

facebook.com/beprogmyfriend

Be Prog! My Friend takes place in the heart of Barcelona and with an airport only 12km away, regular, cheap flights make it an easy festival to get and from the UK. Bands will start playing from mid/late afternoon each day which will also mean visitors have plenty of time to explore the stunning city of Barcelona while they are there.

http://www.barcelonaturisme.com

 

PAIN – NEW LYRIC VIDEO FOR “DESIGNED TO PISS YOU OFF” RELEASED

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The Swedish metal force PAIN, led by multi-instrumentalist and producer Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, LINDEMANN), will return to the road with their Coming Home Tour 2016 this week. The band will join forces with THE VISION BLEAK, DYNAZTY and BILLION DOLLAR BABIES.

Today, the band released the brand new lyric video for the song “Designed To Piss You Off“.

“Coming Home Tour 2016”
PAIN
THE VISION BLEAK
DYNAZTY
BILLION DOLLAR BABIES.
13.10.  D         Berlin – Astra
14.10.  D         Wuerzburg – Posthalle
15.10.  D         Leipzig – Hellraiser
16.10.  CZ        Prague – Meet Factory
17.10.  A          Vienna – Szene
19.10.  D         Ludwigsburg – Rockfabrik
20.10.  D         Munich – Backstage
21.10.  CH       Lausanne – Les Docks
22.10.  D         Lindau – Vaudeville
23.10.  D         Essen – Turock
24.10.  UK      London – Underworld
25.10.  UK      Wolverhampton – Salde Rooms
26.10.  UK      Bristol – The Fleece
27.10.  F          Paris – Petit Bain
28.10.  E          Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2
29.10.  E          Madrid – Changó
30.10.  P          Lisbon – RCA Club
01.11.  E          Bilbao – Stage Live
02.11.  F          Marseille – Jas Rod
03.11.  F          Lyon – Ninkasi Kao
04.11.  F          Nancy – Nancy On Rock Festival*
05.11.  D         Markneukirchen – Music Hall
07.11.  NL        Tilburg – 013
08.11.  B          Antwerp – Trix
09.11.  D         Hamburg – Klubsen
10.11.  DK       Aalborg – Aalborg Metal Fest
11.11.  S          Gothenburg – Brewhouse
12.11.  S          Stockholm – Debaser

17.11.  FIN       Kuopio – Henry’s*
18.11.  FIN       Oulu – Hevimesta*
19.11.  FIN       Helsinki – Nosturi*
24.11.  FIN       Tampere – Klubi*
25.11.  FIN       Jyväskylä – Lutakko*
26.11.  FIN       Seinäjoki*
*without support

Order ‘Coming Home’ below:
Limited Edition Gatefold Orange Vinyl from the Nuclear Blast UK store:http://nblast.de/PAINComingHomeNBUK
Limited Edition 2 CD Digibook / CD / Vinyl via Amazon.co.uk: http://nblast.de/PAINComingHomeAmz
And digital album: http://nblast.de/PainDownloads

More on ‘Coming Home’:
“Call Me” (feat. Joakim Brodèn of Sabaton) official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml4iBTfoplY&feature=youtu.be
‘Black Knight Satellite’ lyric video: https://youtu.be/UBRMKyuwS54
Track-By-Track Part 1: https://youtu.be/awXfEcUm2SY
Track-By-Track Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P68y-RpYtls
Track-By-Track Part 3: https://youtu.be/l_t0pM92WT0
Album Trailer 1#: https://youtu.be/FnT0i5bjMw8
Album Trailer 2#: https://youtu.be/_pkOCSEbuWE
Album Trailer 3#: https://youtu.be/0QWJJBGlki8
Peter recently sat down to discuss his introduction to music – including the first record he picked up, how he switched from drums to guitar, plus his discovery, and the profound impact of the late and great David Bowie. Video here: https://youtu.be/614Kof_kqjk

More info:
www.painworldwide.com
www.facebook.com/officialpain
www.nuclearblast.de/pain

Pain - Coming Home

 

Steve Hackett Announces 2017 Tour including tracks from Wind and Wuthering, new album & Genesis revisited

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Former Genesis guitarist and prog legend Steve Hackett is returning with an exciting new show for a 15 date UK tour next spring after his outstanding performance at this year’s inaugural Stone Free Festival.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the classic Genesis album Wind and Wuthering, Steve and his band will be performing several tracks from the album as well as fan favourites such as ‘The Musical Box’ and other Genesis numbers never performed before by Steve’s band such as ‘Inside & Out’ and ‘Anyway’.

“I’m excited to bring my latest show involving a new set of Genesis and Hackett numbers to the UK in 2017!” – Steve Hackett

 With an established solo career spanning over 40 years, Steve will also be performing some of his popular hits such as ‘The Steppes’, ‘Serpentine’, ‘Every Day’ and the first ever live performance of ‘Rise Again’ from his 1999 album Darktown. Steve will also be introducing fans to new music from his forthcoming album, which is due out early spring 2017.

Joining Steve on the tour are musicians Roger King (keyboards), Gary O’Toole (drums/percussion), Rob Townsend (saxes/flutes), Nick Beggs (bass, stick & twelve string) and Nad Sylvan on vocals.

Since the 1970’s Steve has had a remarkable musical career, releasing more than 30 solo albums, seven Genesis albums and working alongside Steve Howe of YES with supergroup GTR. Renowned for being one of the most innovative rock musicians of our time, in 2010 he was inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame.

Continuing to impress with his outstanding live shows ‘Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett’ is a tour not to missed in 2017.

Tickets for UK shows go on sale on Friday 7th October at 10am from myticket.co.uk and venue box offices.    Dublin tickets go onsale on the same day at 9am.

2017 TOUR DATES

 April

 Wed 26th        Dublin, Vicar Street

Fri 28th            Cardiff, St. David’s Hall

Sun 30th         Reading, Hexagon

May

 Mon 1st           Birmingham, Symphony Hall

Wed 3rd          Sheffield, City Hall

Thurs 4th        Bristol, Colston Hall

Fri 5th              Manchester, Bridgewater Hall

Sun 7th           Liverpool, Philharmonic

Mon 8th           Portsmouth, Guildhall

Wed 10th        Southend, Cliffs Pavilion

Thurs 11th      Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

Sat 13th          Oxford, New Theatre

Sun 14th         Cambridge, Corn Exchange

Tues16th        Glasgow, Royal Concert Hall

Wed17th         Sage, Gateshead

Fri 19th            London, Palladium

www.hackettsongs.com

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Riverside – Eye Of The Soundscape – releases 21st October 2016

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Following RIVERSIDE’s sixth and highly successful studio album release, “Love, Fear and the Time Machine” and its recently launched 5.1 edition, the Warsaw, Poland-based Progressive Rock innovators return with a very special complimentary instrumental release dubbed “Eye Of The Soundscape”.

“Eye Of The Soundscape” features 13 experimental and highly atmospheric compositions, previously used as bonus material for the “Shrine Of New Generation Slaves” (2103) and “Love, Fear and the Time Machine” (2015) albums, alongside rare cuts (e.g. a new mix of “Rapid Eye Movement” and the single “Rainbow Trip”, so far only released in Poland) as well as 4 new songs (“Where The River Flows”, “Shine”, “Sleepwalkers” and “Eye Of The Soundscape”) into a massive +100 minutes 2CD/3LP package, which showcases RIVERSIDE’s ambient electronic side.

RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda explained and introduced this rather unorthodox and experimental release as follows:

“I had a feeling that the sixth RIVERSIDE album might be the last chapter of a story. That the future releases might have a different sound, a different character… Unofficially, I called our latest three albums “the crowd trilogy”. Each subsequent title was longer by one word – four, five, six. Six words were long enough as a title and I thought that was the one to finish it off with…

Before we started a new chapter, perhaps a “new trilogy”, I had an idea to release a complementary album. An album in between. An album we had always wanted to record. It wouldn’t be just new music but in our case and in such configuration it would definitely be a new quality because we hadn’t released such an album before.

For years, we have accumulated a lot of material, a part of which was released on bonus discs. I know that some of our listeners still haven’t heard those pieces and do not realise that Riverside, basically right from the start, have been experimenting with ambient and progressive electronic music. And that’s always been a part of our music DNA.

So I presented the idea to the rest of the band and the decision was unanimous. We decided to make a compilation of all our instrumental and ambient pieces, and release it this year as an independent album. Some of the songs would be re-mixed to make them sound better, but most of all, we’d add new compositions.

At the beginning of the year, we locked ourselves in the studio and we started to compose. We even published a picture on our facebook page, in which Grudzien is holding a small keyboard as a joke. That was that recording session. We were working with smiles on our faces, genuinely excited, knowing that this time it wasn’t just a bonus disc or an addition to something “bigger” but a fully fledged, independent release with that kind of music, full of space, trance, melodies and electronics. The day before I got a text message from Grudzien, “I really can’t wait for this release, I have always had a dream for RIVERSIDE to release such an album.”

The release of “Eye Of The Soundscape” therefor also honours late RIVERSIDE guitarist Piotr Grudzinski, who tragically passed away of natural causes on February 21st, 2016.

“Eye Of The Soundscape” is composed of material created between 2007-2016 and concieved in 2015/2016 at Serakos studio in Warsaw with Magda Srzednicka, Robert Srzednicki as well Mariusz Duda as producers, and the release comes packaged in artwork by RIVERSIDE’s longterm design partner Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Nevermore, etc.).

© 2016 by Inside Out Music – All Rights Reserved

Colin Tench Project ‘Hair In A G-String’ ready for pre-orders

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Colin Tench tells us,

“The album is complete and in preparation for CD manufacture. The cast list is a dream come true. The diversity of the players and pieces  is what makes this album special to me. The album structure could be labelled Prog before there was Prog. Split this into the written piece “Hair in a G-String” (about 46 minutes) & “Songs not in G” (About 36 minutes) and you’d have a prog album and a melodic rock album I guess. We didn’t do that. We mixed it up. See it as musical interludes between the main action.”

I’ve heard And So, Today with the great Peter Jones on vocals and am happy to say that this release is sounding rather exciting!

 

See full track and guest-listing  below:

1. Hair in a G-String part 1 (The opening)  [6.25]
Peter Jones: Vocals, Saxophone
Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano
Steve Gresswell: Piano, Keyboards, Percussion
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar
Stef Flaming: Percussion

2. Can’t see it any other way [4.36]
Colin Tench: Guitars
Phil Naro: Vocals
Gary Derrick: Bass guitar
Marco Chiappini: Piano
Victor Tassone: Drums

3. Hair in a G-String part 2 (The Hairy Part)  [6.04]
Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers, Drum programming
Phil Naro: Vocals
Steve Gresswell: Keyboards
Stef Flaming: keyboards
Oliver Rusing: Drums, Percussion
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar

Stephen Speelman: Stunt bass

4. The Mad Yeti [2.55]
Colin Tench: guitars

5. The Sad Brazilian [7.20]
Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano
Gordon Bennett: Orchestra, Shaving cream
Petri Lemmy Lindström: Bass guitar

6. And so, Today [4.08]
Pete Jones: Vocals, Clarinet
Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano, Percussion
Gordon Bennett: Orchestra
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar
Jay Theodore McGurrin: Drums

7. Hair in a G-String part 3 (I’m Going Down) [10.09]
Peter Jones: Vocals
Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers, Piano
Gordon Bennett: Orchestra
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar
Oliver RusingDrums
Steve Gresswell: Keyboards
Angelo Hulshout: Fretless Bass
Sonej Retep: Sciryl lanoitidda

8. Lisa waltzes back in with no G-String [3.53]
Colin Tench: Guitars
Gordon Bennett: String Section, Horns, Basses
Petri Lindström: Bass Guitar
Robert Wolff: Drums
Pasi Koivu: Synthesisers, Organ
Sean Filkins: Tamborine

9. Lisa’s Entrance Unplugged [3.09]
Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers
Ian Beabout:
 Flute

10. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Screwed [7:32]
Colin Tench: Guitars, vocals, Percussion
Gary Derrick: Bass guitar
Marco Chiappini: Keyboards
Victor Tassone: Drums, Percussion

11. La Palo Desperado [5.54]
Colin Tench: Guitars, Annoying noises

12. A Beautiful Feeling [5.58]
Phil Naro: Vocals
Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano, Percussion
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar
Gary Hodges: (Buckingham Nicks): Drums
Kelly Brown: (Ozark Mountain Daredevils): Keyboards
Vic Tassone: Percussion
Violins: (String Section)  http://www.springfieldmosymphony.org/
Tina Sibley (Springfield Symphony)
Kirsten Weingartner (Springfield Symphony)
Ned Horner (Springfield Symphony)
Aleksis Zarins (Springfield Symphony)

13Dnieper Summer Day [1.38]
Colin Tench: acoustic guitars
David Knokey: Rhythm Guitar
Stef Flamming: Bass guitar

14. Part 4b [7.58]
Peter Jones: Lead Vocals
Phil Naro: Lead Vocals
Colin Tench: Guitars
Gordon Bennett: Orchestra, Perucssion, Triangle, Thing that goes boing
Petri Lindström: Bass guitar
Angelo Hulshout: Fretless bass
Jay Theodore McGurrin:  Drums (We fired Neil Peart)

15. Part 4b Redux [0.23]
Peter Jones: Piano
Peter Jones: Main vocal
Peter Jones: Backing vocals
Peter Jones: Foley guy
Peter Jones: Production
Colin Tench: Bugger all

BONUS TRACKLiza’s Waltz with full orchestral arrangements [4.23]
All instruments and arrangements by Gordon Bennett
Based on the original Lisa’s Waltz by Colin Tench.

All artwork by Sonia Mota.

 

IN FLAMES PREMIERE ‘THE END’ MUSIC VIDEO

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Swedish metal visionaries IN FLAMES premiere the music video for their first single ‘The End’. Directed byPatric Ullaeus, the video is infused with pure adrenaline, stepping inside a first-person shooter game and bringing the viewer front and centre of exhilarating action and suspense.

Premiering last month via Decibel Magazine, ‘The End‘ is the first offering from IN FLAMES’ 12th studio album,Battles, out November 11th via Nuclear Blast.

Download the new singles ‘The Truth’ and ‘The End’ here.

The band will embark on a UK-wide tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED in January:
JANUARY 2017
Tuesday 10th – GLASGOW, HYDRO
Thursday 12th – NEWCASTLE, METRO RADIO ARENA
Friday 13th – BIRMINGHAM, GENTING
Sunday 15th – SHEFFIELD, ARENA
Monday 16th – MANCHESTER, ARENA
Wednesday 18th – NOTTINGHAM, MOTORPOINT ARENA
Thursday 19th – CARDIFF, MOTORPOINT ARENA
Saturday 21st – LONDON, 02 ARENA
Sunday 22nd – LONDON, 02 ARENA

Tickets here!

More on ‘Battles‘:
Listen to ‘The Truth’: https://youtu.be/FkHJ2JY1rzI
Listen to ‘The End’: https://youtu.be/yafxUluB6DA
If you want to know more about the title choice and the artwork, check out the band’s first webisode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8xmDX1eLOs
The second webisode where they talk about the double-single:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLnZMbZagak
Watch the third webisode where the band talk about their work with renowned producer Howard Benson:https://youtu.be/WYRR0SU2K9s
In Flames present new drummer, Joe Rickard: https://youtu.be/UxglQezGoX0

IN FLAMES are:
Anders Fridén | vocals
Björn Gelotte | guitars
Peter Iwers | bass
Niclas Engelin | guitars
Joe Rickard | drums

More info:
http://www.inflames.com
https://www.facebook.com/inflames
https://twitter.com/InFlames_SWE
https://www.instagram.com/inflames

TDW launches new EP, trailer and Pre-orders for new album!

After giving hints and build-up through the social media channels, TDW now unveils the pre-order for the brand new TDW album that is planned for early 2017!

The following trailer explains everything:

The new album will be entitled ‘The Antithetic Affiliation’ and will become a two disc musical experience. One CD of this package will become an intense, metallic and dark disc and the other CD will hold a lighter, open and more melodic atmosphere. This album will also include a bonus DVD with the ‘Making of’ the album, interviews about everything TDW related and live performance material from the debut performance of Dreamwalkers Inc at ProgPower Europe 2016!

To make this pre-order more interesting, a host of special merchandise has been created to accompany it. A new EP has been released entitled ‘The Aphrodisia EP’. This EP features four songs that will come out on the new album as well, but in specially produced versions for this EP. The song ‘Anthem’ (which was released earlier this year) is also included on this EP.

The EP features this tracklist:

1: Aphrodisia
2: Dirge
3: Anthem
4: Lovesong

Next to the aforementioned EP, a special T-shirt design has been launched to accompany the pre-order. This shirt design will only be made during this pre-order run, so get one fast or miss out! Shirts are available in sizes S-XXL in Green or Sand color with a front and back print.

tdw-tshirt

Both the EP and shirts can only be ordered with one of the pre-order packages. Check the Layered Reality Webstore link belowto see which packages are available:

https://www.layered-reality.com/product-category/tdw/

The gig will take place on the 29th of September at Castle de Berckt in Baarlo (NL). Attendance to this concert will be free of charge and this will be the first time that Dreamwalkers Inc will perform live. The band will then perform an acoustic set of old and new TDW material and this is proving to become a diverse show!

ProgPower Europe, the leading progressive rock and metal festival, since 1999.

 

 

ESBEN AND THE WITCH SHARE LATEST TRACK ‘THE WOLF’S SUN’ FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

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ESBEN AND THE WITCH are now streaming the next track taken from their forthcoming album ‘Older Terrors’. The dark atmospheric rockers will release their new full-length on November 4th.
The amazing song “The Wolf’s Sun can be listened to here.
ESBEN AND THE WITCH comment on “The Wolf’s Sun”: “An ode to Luna, a blazing white rock. We find ourselves drawn to and driven by a night lust as old as the firmament itself. The first chapter marks the laden swagger of the satellite, a pendulous, ominous beacon. Switching to the second movement, the maniacal march of its wide-eyed disciples, entranced by its heady glow. Rampaging with hearts as swollen as the moon itself – ‘Light it is blooming, A madness consuming, Inside your head, Inside your hands. In love! I’m raptured! – …”
 
Furthermore, the band already stated on the album: “Our forthcoming album ‘Older Terrors’ was written and recorded over the course of a year in Berlin, our adopted home. We’ve spent eight years getting here, sweating on stages, holed up in studios and exploring all that which inspires awe and terror. The album features four tracks. In this digital age of music we wanted to create a collection that worked together but could also be separated, each track standing alone, carving its own path and telling its own tale. This record is dedicated to the sublime. To Edward Young’s Night Thoughts, John Martin’s apocalyptic visions, Caspar David Friedrich’s forays into the forest and to the sparks of light that glimmer in times of utter darkness.
 
Something ancient and primordial stalks the four tracks on the fourth full-length of ESBEN AND THE WITCH. The haunting voice of Rachel Davies weaves arcane spells through hypnotic patterns. Interlaced in these invocations is the emotive string sorcery provided by guitarist Thomas Fisher, while Daniel Copeman evokes a state of trance with his shamanic drumming and wide sonic landscapes painted by electronic synthesizer magic.
 
ESBEN AND THE WITCH were formed in Brighton, a windswept English seaside resort, when Daniel Copeman hooked up with Thomas Fisher in 2008. After a number of failed auditions for a vocalist, Fisher had a chance meeting with longtime friend Rachel Davies, who proved to be the perfect fit as singer for the newly created three-piece. A band name was found in the foreboding Danish fairytale “Esben and the Witch”.
 
The self-released ’33 EP’ (2009) and a 7″ single entitled ‘Lucia, at the Precipice’ (2010) caused a vibrant buzz that led to a first record deal. With the single ‘Marching Song’ (2010), ESBEN AND THE WITCH heralded their debut full-length ‘Violet Cries’, a Gothic post-rock nightmare that hit the stores in January 2011. The album was immediately picked up by critics and fans alike, managing to climb to #13 in the UK Indie Chart. Two singles, ‘Warpath’ and ‘Chorea’ and the ‘Hexagons’ digital EP followed in the same year.
 
2012 saw the trio commence work on their sophomore album ‘Wash the Sins Not Only the Face’ which was released in early 2013 and again scored critical praise. ESBEN AND THE WITCH decided to take matters into their own hands and published the third full-length ‘A New Nature’ (2014) on their own imprint, ‘Nostromo Records’. The band travelled to Chicago to record with Steve Albini and the result was an intense, sprawling creation inspired by the trio’s increasingly heavy live show.
 
Having established themselves as a highly individual act and an excellent reputation as an outstanding live force, ESBEN AND THE WITCH have honed their songwriting skills to the sharp crystalline edge that now manifests itself clearly on ‘Older Terrors’. Beauty, emotion, and musical depth celebrate a glorious wedding on these tracks. You are herewith invited to join this aural feast.
 
Line-up
Rachel Davies: vocals, bass
Thomas Fisher: guitar
Daniel Copeman: drums, synths