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.
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?’
‘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.
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.’
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.
‘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.
Steven Wilson has announced details of To The Bone – his expansive, brilliant fifth album – and a major 2018 UK tour including a return to one of the country’s most iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall. Pre-order the album here.
A gloriously dynamic modernist pop record as imagined by the UK’s biggest underground artist,
To The Bone is released August 18th via Caroline International on CD / 2 x 12” / Blu-Ray / super deluxe box set and all digital platforms.
Fusing driving futurist rock and spectral electronics to elegiac hyper-space ambience and dizzying, squalling guitars, To The Bone is Steven Wilson’s hat-tip to the hugely ambitious progressive pop records of his youth (think Peter Gabriel’s So, Talk Talk’s Colour of Spring, Tears for Fears Seeds of Love).
Lyrically, the album’s eleven tracks veer from the paranoid chaos of the post-truth era and the creeping self-loathing of the technology age to steely fly-on-the-wall observations of the everyday lives of religious fundamentalists with a welcome shot or two of wide-eyed escapism. Sonically and melodically stunning, To The Bone is a high definition snapshot of the disconcerting times we live in.
The follow up to 2015’s Hand. Cannot. Erase.(“a smart, soulful and immersive work of art” the Guardian 5*),To The Bone is Steven Wilson’s first album since signing with Caroline International (Iggy Pop, Underworld, Thurston Moore, Glass Animals). Formerly the founder and mainstay of outsider rock band Porcupine Tree, Steven released his first record under his own name – Insurgentes – in 2008. He has been resolutely independent throughout a three-decade career that’s made him the most successful British artist you’ve never heard of.
Listen to ‘Pariah’ from the new album here:
Steven Wilson has announced details of a huge global tour that takes in over one hundred shows across all five continents including a 25 date US tour that sees him return to the renowned Beacon Theatre, NY after last year’s sell out there. His European dates are:
Wed 31st Jan Portugal, Lisbon, Sala Tejo at the MEO Arena
Thu 1st Feb Spain, Madrid, Wiznik Centre
Sat 3rd Feb Spain, Barcelona, L’Auditori
Sun 4th Feb France, Marseille, Silo
Tue 6th Feb France, Lyon, Le Transbordeur
Wed 7th Feb Switzerland, Zurich, Halle 622
Fri 9th Feb Italy, Milan, Teatro Degli Arcimboldi
Sat 10th Feb Italy, Rome, Atlantico
Mon 12th Feb Germany, Frankfurt, Alte Oper
Tue 13th Feb Germany, Ravensburg, Oberachwabenhalle
Wed 14th Feb Austria, Vienna, Gasometer
Thu 15th Feb Germany, Berlin, Admiralpalast
Sat 17th Feb Poland, Zabrze, House of Music and Dance
Sun 18th Feb Poland, Poznan, Earth Hall
Tue 20th Feb Germany, Hamburg, Mehr Theatre
Sat 24th Feb Finland, Helsinki, The Circus
Mon 26th Feb Sweden, Stockholm, Cirkus
Tue 27th Feb Norway, Oslo, Oslo Concert House
Wed 28th Feb Norway, Bergen, USF Verftet
Thu 1st Mar Norway, Stavanger, Konserthuset – Zetlitz
Sat 3rd Mar Denmark, Copenhagen, Vega Main Hall
Mon 5th Mar Germany, Essen, Colosseum
Wed 7th Mar The Netherlands, Amsterdam, Heineken Music Hall
Fri 9th Mar Belgium, Brussels, AB
Sat 10th Mar Luxembourg, Rockhal Club
Mon 12th Mar France, Paris, The Olympia
Tue 13th Mar France, Lille, Theatre Sebastopol
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
Sat 31st Mar Manchester Bridgewater Hall
Tickets for the UK tour are on sale from 10am Friday 12th May (with a fan only pre-sale on Wednesday 10th May).
To The Bone tracklisting:
To The Bone
Nowhere Now
Pariah
The Same Asylum As Before
Refuge
Permanating
Blank Tapes
People Who Eat Darkness
Song of I
Detonation
Song of Unborn
The super deluxe box set features the album, a CD of outtakes and demos, a Blu Ray, a DVD, a fully illustrated book and a one-sided 7” single featuring non-album track.
For more information, contact Robin at Turner Hall.
The Tangent, the progressive rock group led by Andy Tillison, have announced the release of the first new music since 2015. Their new ninth studio album ‘The Slow Rust of Forgotten Machinery’ is set for release on 21st July 2017. The line-up for this album once again features Tillison on keyboards, vocals (and for the first time on a Tangent record – drums), Jonas Reingold on bass, Luke Machin on guitars and vocals, and Theo Travis on sax and flutes plus new member Marie-Eve de Gaultier on keys and vocals. There are also guest appearances from author/playwright and Chumbawamba founder Boff Whalley on vocals, and upcoming DJ/producer Matt Farrow.
Band leader Andy Tillison had this to say: “Roger Waters did prove the ability of Progressive Music to act as a vehicle to communicate ideas about the current world scene. In both Pink Floyd’s “The Final Cut” and his “Amused To Death” albums, Waters set a challenge to others in the genre. A challenge which has not been frequently accepted.”
The album sees The Tangent in political commentary mode once again – this time often focussing on the horrendous plight of refugees from war torn parts of the world – and the way in which they are treated by the West, and in particular by the tabloid press. The album laments the new trend in building walls and defending borders across the world yet takes time to look at the breakup of friendships and other more personal issues – along with a song about the fate of wildlife in the modern consumer world.
And it’s a Progressive Rock Record. Full of intricacies, long developed pieces, challenging arrangements and virtuoso playing from all members. New sounds and styles (the band have brought a DJ on board for some sections) – new voices and techniques (first female vocals in The Tangent since the “Not As Good As The Book” album 10 years ago). A new producer in the form of Luke Machin whose open and deep/clear sound is a major factor of this album, a new drummer in the form of Andy Tillison who decided at long last (after drumming for 30 years) to let his own performances guide the rest of the band rather than adding another musician later. And after 13 years of asking, Jonas finally agreed to play some double bass in a song where Luke also plays some Scat guitar and Andy does a full on drum solo.
“The Slow Rust Of Forgotten Machinery” also features stellar artwork from Marvel / DC Comics artist Mark Buckingham. The sleeve of the album is totally based on the music it contains and was especially created for this project.
The album will be available on limited digipak CD, gatefold 2LP + CD, and digital download, and you can find the full track-listing below:
Two Rope Swings
Doctor Livingstone (I Presume)
Slow Rust
The Sad Story of Lead and Astatine
A Few Steps Down the Wrong Road
Basildonxit
The band will head out on tour in support of the new record, once again joining forces with Sweden’s Karmakanic to present albums by both bands. The full list of dates is as follows:
Aug 26th 2017 – Bierkeller, Reichenbach, DE
Sept 1st 2017 – 2 days of Prog +1 Festival, Veruno, Italy
Sept 9th 2017 – The Boerderij, Zoetermeer
Oct 8th 2017 – SUMMERS END Festival, Chepstow, UK
Oct 21st 2017 – Progtoberfest, Chicago, USA
Oct 22nd 2017 – Shank Hall, Milwaukee WI, USA
Oct 24th 2017 – Token Lounge, Westland MI, USA
Oct 26th 2017 – Roxy & Dukes, Dunellen NJ, USA
Oct 27th 2017 – The Regent Theatre, Arlington MA, USA
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.
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.
Debut album ’The Exigent’ is set for release on June 16th. Recorded at the Abbey Road Institute ‘The Exigent’ is very much a concept record with a full narrative running throughout. The band comment; ‘being a concept album, ‘The Exigent’follows a cohesive narrative throughout, telling a story both physical and deeply emotional.’
‘Aurora’ is the first track to be shared from the record and on the simplest level it speaks of both the grand majesty of space, and the perils that space travel brings. The band add, ‘we tend to look at it more on an emotional level – the complexities of human emotions, how quickly awe and joy can turn into fear or panic, are themes explored throughout the album but are introduced properly in ‘Aurora’.’
Detroit prog rock icons DISCIPLINE, advancing their fifth studio full-length and first for Laser’s Edge, Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea, have issued a new trailer for the album, as the label sets the record for July 7th worldwide release.
DISCIPLINE has performed and recorded together since 1987, and remains one of the top bands in the American progressive rock scene. The band’s current lineup, including drummer Paul Dzendzel, bassist Mathew Kennedy, lead guitarist Chris Herin (Tiles), and vocalist/keyboardist Matthew Parmenter, worked with veteran music producer Terry Brown (Rush, Fate’s Warning) for the mixing of their newest opus, Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea, which Parmenter describes as, “an escape to ameliorate the workaday world.”
Laser’s Edge will release Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea worldwide on CD, LP, and digital formats on July 7th; stand by for more expansive audio samples, preorders, and more on the album to be posted in the days ahead.
Band picture by Studiostead Photography
DISCIPLINE will perform several concerts in Europe this Summer, with a show in Madrid, Spain on August 30th, followed by a solo show from vocalist Matthew Parmenter show in Rome, Italy the following evening. September 2nd sees the band playing at Novara, Italy’s 2Days Prog+1 Festival on September 2nd before returning stateside. DISCIPLINE also plays September 23rd as part of the NJ Proghouse Series in New Jersey with Galactic Cowboy Orchestra, and October sees the band playing in Ferndale, Michigan with Necromonkey, and taking part in Progtoberfest III in Chicago. Additional tour dates supporting the new album are to be expected.
DISCIPLINE Tour Dates:
8/30/2017 Galileo Galilei – Madrid, ES w/ Kotobel [info]
8/31/2017 TBA – Rome, IT (Matthew Parmenter solo show)
9/02/2017 Piazzetta della Musica – Novara, IT @ 2Days Prog+1 Festival [info]
9/23/2017 NJ Proghouse – Dunellen, NJ w/ Galactic Cowboy Orchestra [info]
10/19/2017 The Loving Touch – Ferndale, MI w/ Necromonkey
10/20-22/2017 Reggies – Chicago, IL @ Progtoberfest III [info]
Captives Of The Wine Dark Sea Track Listing:
1. The Body Yearns
2. Life Imitates Art
3. S
4. Love Songs
5. Here There Is No Soul
6. The Roaring Game
7. Burn The Fire Upon The Rocks
Bent Knee Announce New Album ‘Land Animal’ – out June 23 via InsideOutMusic/Sony – On Tour With Thank You Scientist + Headlining Tour Dates Announced.
“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
Bent Knee is unlike any band you’ve ever heard. Its borderless sound combines myriad influences from across the rock, pop, minimalist, and avant-garde spectrums into a seamless, thrilling whole. Its forthcoming album Land Animal-Bent Knee’s first for InsideOutMusic/Sony, released on June 23, 2017 -takes its sound to a new level. It offers a suite of songs full of addictive hooks, lush melodies and enthralling twists and turns that capture the reality of life in the 21st Century-a reality of people and nations in the midst of tumultuous change. It also communicates a ray of hope and desire for listeners to embrace the fact that they’re not alone in their struggles.
You can watch the beautiful, provocative video for “Land Animal.” Directed by Greg Bowan, the video explores the inner conflicts people have as they endure daily stresses and lose the big picture view on what really matters in life.
Bent Knee formed in 2009 as a democratic collective determined to push the boundaries of pop and rock. Lead singer and keyboardist Courtney Swain’s soaring vocals are instantly arresting. Guitarist Ben Levin is one of the most dynamic and versatile guitarists around, shifting between the raging and raucous to the sublime and meditative. Bassist Jessica Kion and drummer Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth combine into an enthralling rhythm section that’s equal parts powerhouse and nuance. Violinist Chris Baum’s kinetic violin work provides drama, grace and intrigue. World-class producer and live sound designer Vince Welch weaves it all together with a captivating, expert touch.
The band has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Its last two albums, 2016’s Say Soand 2014’s Shiny Eyed Babies, were hailed as significant art-rock achievements. The group has performed hundreds of shows across the world to date. During the fall of 2016, the band played for ecstatic audiences as an opener for the U.S. leg of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s farewell tour ahead of signing with InsideOutMusic/Sony.
“We’re very excited to be working with InsideOutMusic/Sony,” said Swain. “It’s wonderful to have our music reach a lot of new ears across the globe through them. It’s an honor to join their roster of prestigious artists and we look forward to a long relationship with the label.”
The band is now on tour in America. During April and May, it opens for the expansive rock act Thank You Scientist, known for its combination of progressive and jazz influences. Bent Knee then continues in June with a headlining tour. See full routing below.
Pre-order Land Animal on iTunes today, with instant download of the title track. Further preordering information coming soon.
Airbag co-founder, songwriter and lead guitarist, Bjørn Riis will release his second solo album, ‘Forever Comes to an End’, in May 2017. The album is the follow-up to the highly acclaimed and awarded debut, ‘Lullabies in a Car Crash’. ‘Forever Comes to an End’ feature seven songs, with inspiration from classic rock, prog and movie scores. Bjørn’s unique guitar playing has a centre role, with soaring leads, heavy riffs and beautiful textures.
Lyrically, the album deals with broken relationships and loss and the emotional duality between resentment and forgiving.
The album is very much a tribute to all of Bjørn’s musical influences. From the dark and dirty riffs of Toni Iommi and Zakk Wylde, to the emotional playing of David Gilmour and Steven Rothery. The melodic and sombre voice of Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness and the cinematic landscapes of composers like Thomas Newman and John Barry.
‘Forever Comes to an End’ feature appearances from Airbag’sHenrik Fossum (drums) and Asle Tostrup (programming), Simen Valldal Johannessen from Oak (piano) and Norwegian singer, Sichelle Mcmeo Aksum (vocals).
Norwegian photographer Kjetil Karlsen, has provided the front cover image, taken in beautiful Beisfjord near Narvik in Northern Norway. Design and layout is by Asle Tostrup.
DISCOGRAPHY “Lullabies in a Car Crash” (CD/VINYL, Karisma Records, 2014) “Forever Comes to an End” (CD/VINYL, Karisma Records, 2017)
TRACKLIST
1. Forever Comes to an End
2. Absence
3. The Waves
4. Getaway
5. Calm
6. Winter
7. Where are You Now
