Category: Track/Video Release

Jo Beth Young Announces New Album – ‘Broken Spells’ – Pre-Orders Open Now, Release Date 1st March, 2024.

An ethereal, powerful and emotional expedition in the art of breaking spells personally and collectively, BROKEN SPELLS is the eagerly anticipated 3rd album from acclaimed UK Neo-Folk artist Jo Beth Young (formerly Talitha Rise/RISE). 

Welcome to a world of electro-folk, dreamy, progressive and sometimes gut punching tracks from Neo-folk singer/songwriter and musician Jo Beth Young. ‘Broken Spells’ does not shy away from diving straight into difficult and deeper themes such as overcoming narcissistic abuse (Wolf Song) the lies that lead a soldier into war (Lazuli) spiritual warfare (Adversity) a collective book-of-revelations-style warning (Burning) themes of guilt and wrongdoing for an upcoming film soundtrack (Standstill) and ultimate truths being revealed in (Ockham’s Razor) to name a few.  

Over the four years she spent making it, Jo Beth went from “confirmed life-long” pagan and non dualist to a born again Christian, a radical journey she says can be heard in the songs as they unfold.  

Jo Beth says: “I think I was questioning absolutely everything in life when I started this album. What was happening in the media, the government, the World and to us as beings. I  was also looking into what was happening inside of me. This meant asking myself deep questions such as whether for all my beliefs I was a good person? Had I been corrupted in any way? Did I need to purify my intentions in life? Looking at the World I started asking, does evil really exist? And if it does, does that mean the opposite must also exist and be true?” 

“I started to see that there was something bigger than personal and physical conflict going on, that there was indeed a bigger spiritual war at play. I came to realise that spells are everywhere. When we believe anything we’re told or is spoken over our life, that is a spell in itself. I was exploring how I could break these? How we could find truth and clarity? I think that’s really the living impetus behind the songs; Seeking truth and breaking strongholds and illusions.“

Pre-order the album here:

Broken Spells – JO BETH YOUNG

Unlike anything Jo Beth has attempted before, this record has her hand in it from conception to mixing and features stunning performances from regular contributors Peter Yates on Guitars (Fields Of The Nephillim) Ben Roberts on Cello (Silver Moth/Prosthetic Head) Jules Bangs on Bass (Herija) as well as a guest appearances from her Nightsong colleague John Reed (Steel Guitar) and band member Jay Newton (Abrasive Trees) on Piano.  

Along with her diverse and accomplished vocals (which are very much forefront) Jo Beth plays a multitude of instruments on the record, from acoustic and electric guitars, pianos, keys and synths, bowed guitars, home made percussion and field recordings including a recording of her washing machine in ‘Kinder Sea’. This time she experiments with loops and beats with the help of another long term collaborator; Alpujarra based Producer and Musician Matt Blackie (Spain). 

The whole project was recorded on her laptop in the attic of her home at the time in the West of Ireland. Jo Beth was turned down for a grant to finish the record over 5 times, forcing her to  mix the last of it herself; an endeavour she was surprised to take on. 

Jo Beth says: “I thought ‘Strangers’ was a very DIY record but this one has absolutely no studio hours in it at all and is very home made. Perhaps the most ambitious bit of ‘bedroom’ recording yet. They say necessity is the mother of invention and  I’ve become fond of the imperfections of the record caused by the situation. For instance on ‘Kinder Sea’ you can hear the old electric meter running through my guitar amp at the intro, a situation I couldn’t remedy so left in!”

For all it’s DIY creation, Broken Spells is potentially Jo Beth Young’s strongest work yet; An accomplished set of cinematic, dreamy, powerful, hypnotic and deeply thought provoking songs that lead the listener from darkness to the light. 

The album single ‘Standstill’ will be released at the same time as the album on March 1st 2024. 

After her 2023 Shadow Navigation Show Tour, Jo Beth will be performing a few select UK dates later in 2024 tba via her website. 

Pre-order ‘Broken Spells’ Here:

Broken Spells – JO BETH YOUNG

HeKz debuts new video for ‘Terra Nova’

Brace yourself for an exhilarating musical expedition as HeKz unveils their latest single, the energetic ‘Terra Nova.’ The accompanying video seamlessly weaves together electrifying moments from the band’s return to the live stage at the Underworld in Camden (September 2023) and the album launch spectacle at the Cart & Horses (November 2023), capturing the raw energy and intensity of these unforgettable performances.

“’Terra Nova’ is a perfect example of HeKz’s distinct fusion of intricate musicality and raw emotion,” explains singer and bassist Matt Young. “It kicks off the live show with a blast of energy and everyone on the stage gets their chance to shine – we really love to play this one and hear the audience shouting that anthemic chorus along with us! It’s one of the highlights of any performance.”

Check out the video:

Young, alongside Mirko Fadda (guitar), Lucia La Rezza (violin), and Jerry Sadowski (drums), will be performing live throughout 2024, commencing with a co-headline performance at The Black Heart in Camden on Saturday, 27th January, alongside the metallurgical talents of Primitai and Toledo Steel. HeKz will be onstage at 8:40pm.

Catch HeKz at these venues in 2024:

– Saturday, 27th January – The Black Heart, Camden, UK

– Friday, 8th March – The Cavern, Raynes Park, UK

– Friday, 12th April – Parkvilla Theatre, Alphen a/d Rijn, NL

– Friday, 28th June – Esquires, Bedford, UK

– 5th-8th September – Nene Valley Rock Festival, UK

– Friday, 20th September – The Cart & Horses, London, UK

– Sunday, 22nd October – The 1865, Southampton, UK

More tour dates are to be announced.

‘TERRA NOVA’ is available on all major streaming platforms and for purchase in digital, CD, and vinyl formats at HeKz’s Official Website:

Terra Nova | HeKz (hekztheband.com)

sleepmakeswaves announce new single ‘Super Realm Park’ from forthcoming new album

Super Realm Park is the new single from the new sleepmakeswaves album ‘It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It’ due out Friday 12th April.

From the band:

“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the new single from sleepmakeswaves.

The main riff and synth on this track was inspired by F-Zero, the old school Nintendo 64 game. We developed and refined the concept into the first half of the track to bring in some late 90s influences.

We hit a few walls with how to close the track, until one afternoon in 2020 at an apartment in Erskineville, we suddenly realised it needed a slow, crushing, hypnotic wall of noise. We can’t wait to play it live.”

Listen to Super Realm Park now:

It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It | sleepmakeswaves (bandcamp.com)

sleepmakeswaves | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

The new album ‘It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It’ was produced by the band themselves, at Golden Retriever Studios in Sydney, Australia. Written during the pandemic, it was originally recorded during 2022 just before the band embarked on a 3 month tour for their previous EP trilogy ‘these are not your dreams.’ Further recording was completed in 2023, including string arrangements by Simeon Bartholomew (SEIMS). The record was then mixed by Andrei Eremin (Closure in Moscow, Tash Sultana, G Flip, Luca Brasi) in Philadelphia USA and mastered by Jeff Lipton and Maria Rice at Peerless Mastering in Boston USA.

The first single ‘Super Realm Park’, prefiguring the record as a whole, is a majestic return to the classic hallmarks of the band’s melodic post-rock sound, whilst introducing new production and arrangement elements. Fans of the band’s heavy bombastic aggression will resonate with tracks such as ‘All Hail Skull’ and ‘Ritual Control.’ They also shine with invigorated melodic and emotive performances and arrangements on tracks like ‘Black Paradise’ and ‘Terror Future.’ Retaining their signature approach to heavy dynamics and crescendos the band are still at their unmatched peak when they turn their hand to cataclysmic emotional epics such as the title track and the album closer ‘This Close Forever.’

Pre-order the album now – https://sleepmakeswaves.bandcamp.com/album/its-here-but-i-have-no-names-for-it

The band recently announced that they will tour Australia, Europe and the USA in support of their new album ‘It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It.’

They will kick off their world tour in Australia in April, playing shows in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane with support from Taiwanese math rock legends ELEPHANT GYM and fellow Australian post-rock veterans MENISCUS.

sleepmakeswaves will then return to Europe in May to headline Belgium’s Dunk Festival, and North America to co-headline PostFest in Indianapolis in July. Further shows will be added.

sleepmakeswaves Australian tour 2024

w/Elephant Gym (Taiwan) & Meniscus

Fri 26 April – Max Watts, Melbourne VIC

Sat 27 April – Manning Bar, Sydney NSW

Sun 28 April – The Triffid, Brisbane QLD

+ more to be announced

Presented by Bird’s Robe & Cult Artists

Tickets on sale from sleepmakeswaves.com & venue websites

sleepmakeswaves UK/EU tour 2024

Sat 11 May – Dunk Festival, Zottegem BELGIUM

+ more to be announced

sleepmakeswaves USA tour 2024

25-27 July – PostFest, Indianapolis INDIANA

+ more to be announced

‘It’s Here, But I Have No Names For It’ is out Friday 12 April through Bird’s Robe/MGM and Dunk Records

Check out more at www.sleepmakeswaves.com

MIDAS FALL SHARE NEW VIDEO FOR ‘MONSTERS’ 

NEW ALBUM ‘COLD WAVES DIVIDE US’ RELEASED 8TH MARCH (MONOTREME RECORDS) 

Monsters is the second single from Cold Waves Divide Us, the fifth studio album from Scottish alt/post/progressive-rock trio Midas Fall.

On Monsters, the band show a more contemplative side, with an ethereal intro giving way to gorgeously syncopated guitar and drums.

Says Elizabeth Heaton, “The monsters I sing about in this song are the intrusive, anxiety ridden thoughts that decide to rear their ugly heads from time to time, especially when you least expect it, just to remind you that you never truly have full control. There is a feeling of defeat and submission in this song, juxtaposed with the idea that the act of writing the words and music itself can be the resolution”

The single is accompanied by a video from producer David Gregory of Cineoteric Films, featuring the band members. Describing the approach he took to the video, David recounts, “Liz explained to us that the song Monsters came to her during a tough time. Composing it happened quickly and organically as it very much helped get her through it. We wanted to explore the idea that art and specifically music is ever-present. As if we’re conduits to the vibrations around us and we’re pulling the lyrics, music and inspirations directly from our surroundings. Sometimes music reveals itself when we truly need it”.

Watch the video for ‘Monsters’:

Cold Waves Divide Us will be released on 8th March, digitally, as well as on CD and a limited pressing of 500 LPs on 180g vinyl (150 black, 350 clear with orange and black splatter). The first 50 physical pre-orders from the Monotreme Records web shop will also receive a limited edition printed A5 booklet with images of handwritten lyrics drafts and drawings from Elizabeth Heaton. Pre-order here:

Monotreme Records – Midas Fall ‘Cold Waves Divide Us’ album – pre-order (limitedrun.com)

Tracklisting

1. In the Morning We’ll Be Someone Else  

2. I Am Wrong  

3. Salt  

4. In This Avalanche  

5. Point of Diminishing Return  

6. Monsters  

7. Atrophy  

8. Cold Waves Divide Us  

9. Little Wooden Boxes  

10. Mute

Midas Fall tour dates confirmed so far:

16.04.24  Munich DE – Sunny Red Club

17.04.24  Dresden DE – Polimagie Festival

18.04.24  Karlsruhe DE – Kohi

19.04.24  Neunkirchen DE – Stummsche Reithalle

20.04.24  Osnabrück DE – Pop Salon Festival

26.05.24 London UK – Portals Festival, EartH

Credits:

Elizabeth Heaton – vocals, guitars, strings, synths, piano, drums

Rowan Burn – guitars, synths, piano, drums

Michael Hamilton – bass, synths, drums

Music by Elizabeth Heaton and Rowan Burn

Lyrics by Elizabeth Heaton

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Elizabeth Heaton  

Artwork by Steven Pellatt – EvercloudDesign

Big Big Train launch video for ‘Miramare’; second track taken from ‘The Likes Of Us’

The award-winning progressive rock band Big Big Train will release their 15th studio album ‘The Likes Of Us’ on 1st March 2024 (InsideOutMusic). The album is the internationally-based group’s first full collection of songs since the unexpected passing of long-serving lead vocalist David Longdon in late 2021. Besides marking the debut of new frontman Alberto Bravin, a former member of the Italian band Premiata Forneria Marconi, it also heralds the beginning of a new relationship with InsideOutMusic, the group having self-released their music for almost two decades. 

Today the band are pleased to reveal a second track taken from the forthcoming album. ‘Miramare’ is an edited version of a song that features in a longer format on ‘The Likes Of Us’. You can watch the video for ‘Miramare’, created by Miles Skarin of Crystal Spotlight, here:

Gregory Spawton comments of the track: “BBT is known for its story songs, and I was keen to find a story which is set in Italy. Alberto lives in Trieste and mentioned the story of Maximilian and Carlotta, which was both a romantic (but doomed) love story and also a tale of the end of empires. 

Miramare was their castle home, a castle of dreams, set on the shore just outside Trieste. It turned out to be a grand folly and a place of madness and nightmares. Alberto had written a lovely piece of music and melody to set the words to and so it was simply a process of reading some books on the history and finding the way to tell the story.”

Alberto Bravin adds: “Having grown up in Trieste, and recently returned here after living for some years in London and Milan, the Miramare castle has been a backdrop for most of my life. 

Putting the story of Maximilian and Carlotta into music with Greg has been hugely satisfying for me. It was very fulfilling to co-write this song together and create what will hopefully be regarded as a Big Big Train future classic. With all its twists and turns as the story progresses, Miramare should be great to play live as well.”

Watch the recently released clip for ‘Oblivion’ here: https://youtu.be/TZjAreGfqlU

‘The Likes Of Us’ will be released on several different formats, including for the first time as Dolby Atmos mixed by The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord, while the stereo mixes were undertaken by the band’s regular engineer Rob Aubrey together with Alberto Bravin. The Dolby Atmos mix will come as part of the Limited CD & Blu-ray Mediabook edition that also contains the album as 5.1 Surround Sound & 24-bit high-resolution stereo. The album will also be available as a Gatefold 180g 2LP (available in black, sky blue, olive green and orange formats), Standard CD Jewelcase and Digital Album. The stunning artwork was created by the band’s longstanding collaborator Sarah Louise Ewing, with layouts by Steve Vantsis.

Pre-order now here:

Big Big Train – Miramare (Single Edit) (lnk.to)

The album’s full track listing is as follows:

1.     Light Left In The Day 06:10

2.     Oblivion 05:27

3.     Beneath The Masts 17:26

4.     Skates On 04:28

5.     Miramare 10:17

6.     Love Is The Light 06:11

7.     Bookmarks 06:23

8.     Last Eleven 07:55

Big Big Train will perform for the first ever time in the USA in March 2024, including an appearance on Cruise To The Edge. The full list of shows can be found below:

1st March – Sweetwater Performance Theatre, Fort Wayne, Indiana

2nd March – Rivoli Theater at the Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey

3rd March – Rivoli Theater at the Williams Center, Rutherford, New Jersey

5th March – Regent Theatre, Arlington (Boston), Massachusetts

8th-13th March – Cruise To The Edge, Miami, Florida

The band have also confirmed two summer 2024 festival appearances at the final Night of the Prog Festival in Germany on 21st July, and Cropredy Festival in the UK on 9th August.

Look out for more dates to be announced soon.

ALBERTO BRAVIN – Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards

NICK D’VIRGILIO – Drums, percussion, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals

DAVE FOSTER – Guitars 

OSKAR HOLLDORFF – Keyboards, vocals

CLARE LINDLEY – Violin, vocals 

RIKARD SJÖBLOM – Guitars, keyboards, vocals

GREGORY SPAWTON – Bass guitar, bass pedals, 12-string acoustic guitar, Mellotron

Featured image by Massimo Goina.

The Lunar Effect lift up cosmic spirits with “Sounds of Green and Blue” Album, out 12th April via Svart Records

Listen to first single ‘Killing Daisies’ 

The Lunar Effect, sonic architects known for their gravitational pull of fuzzy, snarling riffs and psychedelic visions, proudly announce the release of their latest album, “Sounds of Green and Blue,” available to pre-order now through Svart Records. “Sounds of Green and Blue” is a galactic journey through sound that showcases The Lunar Effect’s evolution and marks a pivotal chapter in their musical odyssey.

Formed in 2016, The Lunar Effect burst onto the scene with a distinct blend of grunge and retro hard rock. With a flair for hair and a penchant for barbed and growling riff work, the London-based quartet quickly garnered attention for their dynamic sound and Blues rock reverence. In 2019, they crash-landed onto the Stoner Rock scene with their debut album, “Calm Before the Calm,” firmly establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

“Sounds of Green and Blue” sees The Lunar Effect expanding their sonic scope and bending all the elements and eras of Classic Rock into their own unique mold. The album is a testament to their musical growth and willingness to explore new territories while maintaining the brooding vintage sound that defines them. Each track is propelled into orbit by the low-end buzz of distorted chords, powerful enough to blow the moon-dust off your amp.

The first single from the album, “Pulling Daisies,” is a bristling sojourn that encapsulates the band’s celestial rock influences. The track combines classic Blues tones, fuzzy guitars, swirling ethereal vocals, and a dusty, hypnotic rhythm that transports listeners from the past into a screaming, paisley, future wonderland. “Pulling Daisies” sets the controls for the heart of the moon, showcasing The Lunar Effect’s ability to craft immersive and soul side musical experiences. From the heyday of The Beatles, Floyd, Zeppelin and Sabbath to newer artists like Graveyard, Radio Moscow and Red Fang, The Lunar Effect have created a masterclass in Psychedelic Rock that takes you firmly by the collar. With a palette that also includes shades of the 90s Grunge scene like Nirvana and Soundgarden into their heady mix, The Lunar Effect paint their own trippy world, where genres blur into their unique brew of heart-felt space rock. 

Listen to “Pulling Daisies” from “Sounds of Green and Blue” on and bathe yourself in the glow of The Lunar Effect‘s sonic moon-burn here:

And here:

The Lunar Effect – Pulling Daisies (orcd.co)

“Sounds of Green and Blue” by The Lunar Effect is proudly released by Svart Records on 12th April, a label known for its commitment to uncovering high-quality, diverse, and boundary-pushing music. Svart Records continues to be a platform for artists who defy conventions, push the boundaries of their respective genres, and break out of the underground.

Pre-order The Lunar Effect: Sounds of Green and Blue LP/CD – https://www.svartrecords.com/en/product/the-lunar-effect-sounds-of-green-blue/12072

Tracklist:

1. Ocean Queen

2. Flowers For Teeth

3. Colour My World

4. In Grey

5. Middle Of The End

6. Pulling Daisies

7. I Can’t Say

8. Fear Before The Fall

9. On The Story Goes

WHOM GODS DESTROY – Reveal details for debut album “Insanium” and start pre-order

First single/video “In The Name Of War” out today!

Whom Gods Destroy, the formidable new progressive metal group formed by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal, and vocalist Dino Jelusick, along with the potent rhythm section of bassist Yas Nomura and drummer Bruno Valverde, are pleased to announce their debut album “Insanium”, to be released on March 15th, 2024 worldwide via InsideOutMusic.

As a first appetizer for “Insanium”, Whom Gods Destroy are launching the first single and opening track off their upcoming debut album today. Check out the dynamic track “In The Name Of War” in a video directed by Vicente Cordero / Industrialism Films and edited by Vojan Koceić / PILOTstudio here:

Whom Gods Destroy guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal commented about “In The Name Of War” as follows: “Derek, Dino and I began writing this song in 2020, it was the first song we wrote together. This song captures a lot of what the band is about, it’s a good example of what to expect from the album. The song gets pretty intense when the band kicks in, an unexpected contrast, the music tells the story alongside the lyrics – the Eastern scale melody in the chorus followed by the ‘war drum’ pattern, the bridge feeling like it’s heading toward something, an urgency…”

 Here is the complete tracklisting for the upcoming album, which comes with artwork by Nello Dell’Omo (To be seen above!):

Whom Gods Destroy – “Insanium” (52:56)

1. In the Name Of War (06:38) 

2. Over Again (05:01) 

3. The Decision (07:08)4. Crawl (06:36)

5. Find My Way Back (05:46) 

6. Crucifier (04:43)

7. Keeper of the Gate (04:54)

8. Hypernova 158 (03:24) 

9. Insanium (08:37)

 

Whom Gods Destroy’s “Insanium” album will become available as Standard CD Jewelcase, Digital Album, Ltd. 2CD Mediabook (with the bonus track “Requiem” (04:58) as well as the entire album as bonus instrumental disc) and as Gatefold 2LP & LP-Booklet on 180g. vinyl in the following variants:
– Black 2LP

– Dark Green 2LP (Ltd. 500x copies from www.insideoutshop.de & various other retailers)

– Custard Colored 2LP (Ltd. 1000x copies at all US outlets) 

The album’s pre-order in its various formats has started today here: https://whomgodsdestroy.lnk.to/Insanium 

Further updates on Whom Gods Destroy and “Insanium” coming soon…

Whom Gods Destroy line-up:
Bruno Valverde – Drums

Yas Nomura – Bass

Dino Jelusick – Vocals

Derek Sherinian – Keyboards

Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal – Guitars

Steve Hackett launches ‘Wherever You Are’; second track taken from ‘The Circus and the Nighwhale’

Legendary rock guitarist Steve Hackett is set to release his new studio album ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ on 16th February 2024, via InsideOut Music. A rite-of-passage concept album with a young character called Travla at the centre of it, ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’s’ 13 tracks have an autobiographical angle for the musician who says about his 30th solo release: “I love this album. It says the things I’ve been wanting to say for a very long time.”

Today a brand new track is revealed, titled ‘Wherever You Are’, and you can watch the video now here:

Of the track, Steve comments: “’Wherever You Are’ is a song of love winning through, shattering the chains of the physical world… Light obliterating darkness. A new universe has opened up with the hope that such a strong love could even survive death. The dreams of childhood realised, there is a sense of everything coming around full circle… Even the three part harmony guitar at the end of Genesis’ The Musical Box is revisited in spirit with the joy of celebration during this song.”

The albums opening track ‘People of the Smoke’ was released in December. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_iujNWzPL0

The new album is available to pre-order on several different formats, including a Limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook (including 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit high resolution stereo mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP & as Digital Album. All feature the stunning cover painting by Denise Marsh. Pre-order now here: https://stevehackett.lnk.to/TheCircusAndTheNightwhale

Steve will celebrate the release of his new album with two HMV instore events in London & Birmingham, where he will be taking part in a Q&A and signing albums. Find out more details on those here: https://ow.ly/HUaT50Q7paJ

‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ is Steve’s first new music in over two years. Recorded between tours in 2022 and 2023 at Siren studio in the UK – with guest parts beamed in from Sweden, Austria, the US, Azerbaijan and Denmark.   The line-up for ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’ includes some familiar faces alongside Steve on electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass and vocals. Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, engineer extraordinaire Benedict Fenner appears on keyboards and Malik Mansurov is back with the tar. Finally, Steve’s brother John Hackett is present once more on flute.

The full track-listing is as follows:

1. People Of The Smoke

2. These Passing Clouds

3. Taking You Down

4. Found And Lost

5. Enter The Ring

6. Get Me Out!

7. Ghost Moon and Living Love

8. Circo Inferno

9. Breakout

10. All At Sea

11. Into The Nightwhale 

12. Wherever You Are

13. White Dove

Summing up ‘The Circus And The Nightwhale’, Steve says: “It’s a lovely journey that starts dirty, scratchy and smoky and becomes heavenly and divine. How can you resist it?”

Steve Hackett & band will tour the world extensively in 2024, including a brand new 16-date UK tour ‘Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo’, in October which will see him return to the legendary Royal Albert Hall. He will also return to North America early this year, with European shows booked in for the Summer.  For the full list of dates, head to:

http://hackettsongs.com/tour.html

EchoVerse Debuts with a Bold Reimagining of The Beatles’ Classic ‘Eleanor Rigby’

Emerging from the progressive rock scene, EchoVerse announces the release of their first single, a distinctive cover of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” EchoVerse, born from members of the Christian Prog Rock band Ascher, blend influences from progressive rock giants like Spock’s Beard, RUSH, and Dream Theater.

The track was mixed by renowned producer Rich Mouser, noted for his collaborations with bands like Weezer, Spock’s Beard, and Dream Theater. The music video, inspired by the iconic Yellow Submarine film, was directed by Christian Rios, a prominent name in the Prog Rock scene, known for his work with Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, and Jethro Tull.

EchoVerse is thrilled to release their debut music video for their cover of “Eleanor Rigby”.

You can watch the video on YouTube here:

EchoVerse’s interpretation of “Eleanor Rigby” transforms the timeless song with a progressive rock perspective, preserving the essence that made the original remarkable while aiming to enhance the musical setting. This approach results in a creation that is both sharp and grand, offering a fresh take on a beloved classic.

“With ‘Eleanor Rigby’, we wanted to pay homage to The Beatles, but also put our own twist on it, maybe with a little more punch,” says Kyle Graves, the lead singer. “Our aim is to create music that’s enjoyable to listen to but also makes you think and feel, both with the sound and the stories we’re telling. And what better story than Eleanor Rigby?”

EchoVerse has a distinct sound, mixing complex music with experimental features. Their recent cover is more than a simple version of a song; it introduces their musical identity. Their first album with original songs “Whispers Between Worlds” is coming in 2024, and this cover gives a sneak peek at the fresh and inventive music EchoVerse will bring to Progressive Rock.

EchoVerse:
Kyle Graves: Lead Vocals
Doug Bowers: Vocals, Keys, Bass, Guitar
Rob Perez: Lead Guitar
Kyle Fagala: Drums, Vocals

Big Big Train announce new studio album ‘The Likes Of Us’; launch first single ‘Oblivion’

The award-winning progressive rock band Big Big Train will release their 15th studio album ‘The Likes Of Us’ on 1st March 2024. The album is the internationally-based group’s first full collection of songs since the unexpected passing of long-serving lead vocalist David Longdon in late 2021. Besides marking the debut of new frontman Alberto Bravin, a former member of the Italian band Premiata Forneria Marconi, ‘The Likes Of Us’ also heralds the beginning of a new relationship with InsideOutMusic, the group having self-released their music for almost two decades. 

The band comments: “We are delighted to announce the release of ‘The Likes Of Us’. After the events of the last few years, this is a particularly important album for us, both as a band and individually. We’re very proud of the new songs, which we recorded principally in a studio in Italy. Working together in one room brought additional inspiration, real energy and a clear sense of purpose. We’re thrilled with the results.”

To coincide with this announcement, the band have launched the first single from the album, a track titled ‘Oblivion’ which the band were seen performing on their UK and European tour in August and September 2023. The video was filmed by Tim Sidwell of Toward Infinity at Urban Recording Studio in Trieste, and you can watch the clip here:

Big Big Train – Oblivion (lnk.to)

‘The Likes Of Us’ will be released on several different formats, including for the first time as Dolby Atmos mixed by The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord, while the stereo mixes were undertaken by the band’s regular engineer Rob Aubrey together with Alberto Bravin. The Dolby Atmos mix will come as part of the Limited CD & Blu-ray Mediabook edition that also contains the album as 5.1 Surround Sound & 24-bit high-resolution stereo. The album will also be available as a Gatefold 180g 2LP (available in black, sky blue, olive green and orange formats), Standard CD Jewelcase and Digital Album. The stunning artwork was created by the band’s longstanding collaborator Sarah Louise Ewing, with layouts by Steve Vantsis. 

Pre-order now here: https://bigbigtrain.lnk.to/TheLikesOfUs

The album’s full track listing is as follows:

1.     Light Left In The Day 06:10

2.     Oblivion 05:27

3.     Beneath The Masts 17:26

4.     Skates On 04:28

5.     Miramare 10:17

6.     Love Is The Light 06:11

7.     Bookmarks 06:23

8.     Last Eleven 07:55

In May 2023, six members of Big Big Train left their homes in England (bassist Gregory Spawton, guitarist Dave Foster and violinist Clare Lindley), the United States (drummer Nick D’Virgilio), Sweden (guitarist/keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom) and Norway (keyboardist Oskar Holldorff) to gather for a week in lead vocalist Alberto Bravin’s home town of Trieste in north eastern Italy. They convened at Urban Recording, a studio recommended by Alberto, to lay down the basic tracks for the band’s new studio album ‘The Likes Of Us’. Being face to face in a room, as opposed to emailing sound files, the intimacy of the process generated moments of inspiration that would otherwise have gone unheard.

The process would prove emotional. “There were some tears; I cried a few of my own,” recalls D’Virgilio. “There are many reasons to explain why we hadn’t worked that way in quite a while, but the process brought out the best in everybody.”

“These were stories from our lives and we have a deep, personal connection with them,” Spawton remembers. “If there was blood on the tracks, we did everything possible to let that sink into the music.”

On the group’s most recent tour, two selections from ‘The Likes Of Us’ – first single ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Love Is The Light’ – were introduced to an ecstatic audience response. During a tidal wave of rebirth and celebration for Big Big Train, Alberto Bravin was accepted as one of the family. Indeed, the chemistry of the band’s latest line-up has delivered mouth-watering results. “We’ve got a great mix of people that want to be here and go the extra mile to do something very special,” D’Virgilio concludes. “There’s a big world of talented musicians out there, and luckily some of them want to hang out with us.”

ALBERTO BRAVIN – Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards

NICK D’VIRGILIO – Drums, percussion, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals

DAVE FOSTER – Guitars 

OSKAR HOLLDORFF – Keyboards, vocals

CLARE LINDLEY – Violin, vocals 

RIKARD SJÖBLOM – Guitars, keyboards, vocals

GREGORY SPAWTON – Bass guitar, bass pedals, 12-string acoustic guitar, Mellotron