Norwegian progressive rock/metal group AVKRVST are pleased to announce their debut single “The Pale Moon”, the first release of the band since its formation.
“The Pale Moon” is the first single of AVKRVST’s upcoming debut album, which will be out this year via InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. More information will be revealed on March 31st.
The first single from the album “The Pale Moon” is now available on all digital platforms.
Vocalist Simon Bergseth had this to say about the track: “Besides being the opening track of our forthcoming debut album, it is a piece of music that contains some of the albums sonics in general. ‘The Pale Moon’ is the beginning of something greater and gives the listener a glimpse of what’s to come.”
The cover artwork for “The Pale Moon” was created by Berlin-based artist and illustrator Eliran Kantor, who is well-known for his intriguing cover creations for metal bands.
Earlier this year the band shared a teaser video of them working in the studio which you can see here:
At the young age of 7 years old, Martin Utby and Simon Bergseth made a pact that they would form a band when they got older. Now, 22 years later they’ve done just that. An album is ready – 55 minutes of music inspired by everything they grew up listening to – everything from Mew, Anekdoten and Porcupine Tree to Opeth, Neal Morse and King Crimson.
All the music has been written at a small cabin, deep into the Norwegian forests (Alvdal,Norway). Simon (composer, guitars, bass and vocals) and Martin (composer, drummer and synths) have later been joined by Øystein Aadland on bass/keys, Edvard Seim on guitars and Auver Gaaren on keys.
2023 seems to be the year of the multiple vinyl live album, first The Tangent with the triple vinyl release of the excellent ‘Pyramids, Stars & More: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017’ and then Transatlantic with a quadruple (yes, you read that right!) vinyl release of the monumental ‘The Final Flight: Live at L’Olympia’. Well, it’;s now the turn of venerable prog supergroup ASIA with a triple vinyl version of ‘FANTASIA, LIVE IN TOKYO 2007’, have we got another slam dunk brilliant release? read on and you will find out…
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of ASIA’s formation, this exciting 18-track live show from their 2007 world tour features the reformed original line-up pooling the talents of lead vocalist/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson), Steve Howe (guitars, Yes), Geoff Downes (keyboards, Yes and Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
The setlist focusses on their globally successful 1982 debut album ‘Asia‘ and features key tracks Only Time Will Tell,Sole Survivor and their worldwide anthem Heat OfThe Moment along with select tracks from their second LP ‘Alpha‘ and one song each from the band members’ previous bands – Video Killed The Radio Star,Roundabout, Fanfare For The Common Man and The Court Of The Crimson King.
The package itself is a rather fine thing with artwork form the legendary Roger Dean and a very knowledgeable LP sized booklet telling the whole story behind the concert.
Now, to me, live albums can either be good or bad, there is nothing worse than a badly performed version of a classic song with a horrendous mix from the sound desk meaning you really cannot tell what you are listening to but, when done well, they can become a lasting monument to some of our favourite musicians.
I’ll cut the suspense and get to the point, this new live release is absolutely fantastic for the die hard Asia fan and newcomers to the band alike. Stand out highlights for me are the obvious ones. The versions of Heat Of The Moment and Sole Survivor are without a doubt the best live versions you are likely to hear, John Wetton’s distinctive vocals are on seriously good form and you can literally feel the dynamism and intensity in his performance. His banter with the crowd is particularly good between songs and means there is never any lull or drop in energy levels from the band or the crowd.
Wildest Dreams, Without You, Don’t Cry, Here Comes The Feeling, the hits keep coming with passion and fervour and you really get to feel the strong bond between Wetton and Carl Palmer, a very tight rhythm section indeed. The inclusion of tracks form the band member’s previous bands is also a masterstroke, I found myself mesmerised by Roundabout, one of my favourite tracks from Yes and you can hear that Steve Howe is having the time of his life as his guitar literally dances through this classic track. John Wetton does a great job on vocals for Video Killed The RadioStar but it’s really Geoff Downes time to shine on this track and I can’t help but break into a smile when the intro to the song begins. Downes is obviously having a blast on a wonderfully inspired version of Fanfare For The Common Man and the quartet’s delivery of the King Crimson mainstay, TheCourt Of The Crimson King is positively masterful.
This three LP boxset is a wonderful way to spend an evening and the format definitely gives you a feeling of nostalgia, it’s full of memories and a lasting legacy for four of progressive rock’s greatest musicians having the time of their life, they really don’t make them like this anymore! As the last notes of Heat Of The Moment play out and the audience’s cheers and applause fade out, I can’t help but wish I’d been there that evening, right in the midst of what was obviously an amazing concert and experience and that’s what the best live albums do, isn’t it?
A 7 Disc Deluxe Book-set with Previously Unreleased Live Show – Out March 31st
Kscope are delighted to present ‘Blackfield : An Accident Of Stars: 2004 – 2017’,a collection of the band’s work from 2004 to 2017 released together for the first time . Housed in a deluxe book-set, with a 64-page book featuring liner notes by Anil Prasad at the center, it details the beginnings and inner workings of Blackfield’s journey through interviews and rare photos with both Steven and Aviv. This is a special, limited edition, one time pressing.
“The band’s palette is rich and assuredly dense. Strings stutter and fall, the tone can best be described as lush, gentle and reassuring” – Classic Rock Magazine
Aviv Geffen, one of Israel’s most iconic and best-selling musicians and Steven Wilson frontman of Porcupine Tree and solo artist extraordinaire have both built a dedicated global following. Working together as Blackfield, the two have cultivated a unique sound that brings together the best elements of both artists to create something completely unique, yet immediately identifiable. Something evident in this collection of their combined works as Aviv Geffen illustrates below:
“Steven and I connect across art, politics, and life in general. We’re always switching around between ideas when we’re together. That’s why our partnership works so well. You can feel the love in Blackfield.” – Aviv Geffen
Included are the first five albums (Blackfield / Blackfield II / Welcome to my DNA / Blackfield IV / Black V) as well as a bonus disc of the band’s previously unreleased incredible show at Paradiso Amsterdam from 2011 (Live DNA).
“melancholy Art Pop” – Visions
Alongside this will be a newly produced Blu-ray which has ‘Blackfield’, ‘Blackfield II’ and ‘Welcome To My DNA’ in 24bit 44.1kHz format, ‘Blackfield IV’ and ‘Blackfield V’ in 5.1 Surround Sound and High Resolution 24-bit Stereo, plus the bands’ promo videos from this period are also included and the 2007 concert film ‘Live in N.Y’
‘BLACKFIELD : AN ACCIDENT OF STARS : 2004 – 2017’
Contents
Blackfield (2004)
Blackfield II (2007)
Welcome to my DNA (2011)
Blackfield IV (2013)
Blackfield V (2017)
Live DNA: Recorded at the Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 10th April 2011 – Previously unreleased
Blu-ray – Blackfield Hi-Res + Live in N.Y. & Official Promo Videos
– Blackfield & Blackfield II – 24bit 44.1kHz
– Welcome To My DNA – 24bit 96kHz
– Blackfield IV & Blackfield V – 5.1 Surround Sound and High Resolution 24-bit Stereo
– Live in NY – Visual Concert in 5.1 Surround and Stereo
