Category: Track/Video Release

EINAR SOLBERG announces debut solo album ‘16’; launches first single ‘Grotto’

EINAR SOLBERG – frontman of Norwegian rock mavericks Leprous – is pleased to announce the release of his debut solo album ‘16’ on the 2nd June 2023 (InsideOutMusic). Wildly diverse, but spiritually rooted in Einar’s well-established musical world, ‘16’ is an album that brims with surprises and spinning curveballs and features a collection of intimate but extravagant collaborations. 

Today sees the release of ‘Grotto’, the first single to be taken from the album, a track written alongside Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. It also features Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco) on drums, Tor Egil Kreken on bass, Raphael Weinroth-Browne (Leprous touring member) on cello & Chris Baum (Bent Knee) on violin. 

Watch the video here: 

‘16’ will be released on Ltd CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet & Digitally, and is now available to pre-order here: https://einarsolberg-artist.lnk.to/sixteen

Einar Solberg is as renowned for the tender honesty of his lyrics as he is for the eccentric majesty of Leprous’ music. But even by his usual standards, ‘16’ is an extremely emotional and dynamic piece of work. Einar describes the record as “the closest I’ve ever come to writing a concept album” and explains that the new songs are about a very specific and transformational period in the musician’s life. This is the sound of a restless spirit in his absolute element. 

“It’s called 16 because that’s when the first really, really bad things started happening to me in life. From 16 to 19, there were a lot of very life-defining moments that happened to me, and that changed me,” he says. “That’s when I kind of lost my innocence and I started realising that life is serious and bad shit can happen. A lot of pretty drastic things happened within those three years. But this album is not only about the bad things. It’s also about some of the career-defining moments, like the moment I started playing with the band and began to find a community to belong to. Emotionally, I’m a bit of everything, so it covers the entire emotional spectrum!”

’16’ finds Einar collaborating with everyone from modern prog contemporaries like Bent Knee’s Ben Levin and Agent Fresco’s Toti Gudnason, to experimental cellist (and regular Leprous live musician) Raphael Weinroth-Browne and Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. He also once again collaborates with Ihsahn and Star Of Ash amongst many others. The record was mixed by mixed by Adam Noble (Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Placebo, The Gaslight Anthem, etc.).

The full track-listing is as follows:

1.     16 (feat. Raphael Weinroth-Browne)

2.     Remember Me

3.     A Beautiful Life

4.     Where All The Twigs Broke (feat. Star Of Ash)

5.     Metacognitive (feat. Raphael Weinroth-Browne)

6.     Home (feat. Ben Levin)

7.     Blue Light (feat. Asger Mygind)

8.     Grotto (feat. Magnus Børmark)

9.     Splitting The Soul (feat. Ihsahn)

10.  Over The Top

11.  The Glass Is Empty (feat. Tóti Guðnason)

Einar will debut his solo material live with two exclusive shows at the Eindhoven & London editions of Prognosis Festival (15th & 22nd April respectively). You can find more details here: https://www.prognosis-festival.nl/

EINAR SOLBERG online:
https://www.instagram.com/einar_solberg/

https://www.facebook.com/einarsolbergofficial/

Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra announce new album ‘Postcards From The Asylum’

New single “Heathens” out now

Album now available for Pre-Order

Writer, producer, raconteur, comedian, singer-songwriter, fashion icon and renown hand-model Jason Bieler and the Baron Von Bielski Orchestra has returned once again with Postcards From The Asylum,  the follow up to 2021’s critically acclaimed Songs For The Apocalypse. 

Check out the new single “Heathens” now on
SPOTIFY or APPLE MUSIC

The album is now available for pre-order from Bandcamp as a exclusive red double vinyl (limited to 250 copies) or as a CD (the first 250 copies will be signed):
https://jasonbieler.bandcamp.com/album/postcards-from-the-asylum

The Baron Von Bielski Orchestra’s music has been described as Nordic Ambient Post-Classical Satanic Love Songs for Nomadic Peoples Living Above the Arctic Circle catering specifically for those who staff Musk Oxen Rescues and wear hemp based sweaters.When aggressively prodded for comment The Baron says…“Well, Art is Art, isn’t it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know.” 

Postcards From The Asylum features a guest appearances by:
•Andee Blacksugar: Blondie, KMFDM, Peter Murphy
•Marco Minnemann: The Aristocrats
•Todd  “Dammit” Kerns: Slash & The Conspirators, Toque
•Edu Cominato: Geoff Tate, Soto
•Ryo Okumoto: Spock’s Beard, Progject
and more
Tracklisting:
1. Bombay
2. Numb
3. Heathens
4. Mexico
5. Birds Of Prey
6. Flying Monkeys
7. Sic Riff
8. The Depths
9. Beneath The Waves
10. Sweet Eliza
11. 9981 Dark
12. Feels Just Like Love
13. Bear Sedatives
14. Deep Blue
15. Human Head

Amarok’s frontman Michal Wojtas unveils the first single from his upcoming album “Lore”!

The solo album by Michal Wojtas, frontman of the band Amarok, opens the door to the musical world created from remarkable sounds coming from both the heart and nature. “Lore” is inspired by Celtic, Old Slavic and Nordic motifs, so there will be no shortage of discreet, relaxing sounds, as well as slightly stronger electronics and ambient on this journey.

Wojtas himself describes working on the album as an extraordinary, passionate experience:

„Lore’s music was created for a performance by British choreographer James Wilton under the same title. I am grateful to him for the musical challenge, which allowed me to dive into an interesting aesthetic from the old days and combine it with new sounds. Working on the material was really enthralling for me. When composing music for a show, film, or games, you can never really know what direction it will take you. During the creation process, the various song themes I’ve sent to James influenced the different parts of the choreography.

I invite you to join me on a journey to a musical world filled with Celtic, Viking and Old Slavic sounds in a contemporary interpretation.”

“Lore” will be released on CD by OSKAR Records at the end of February 2023 containing 9 tracks representing a combination of folklore and electronica.

The CD is already available for pre–order at IndependentMusicMarket.com Single „Lore on the streaming platforms: https://michalwojtas.fanlink.to/singlelore

Jethro Tull announce 23rd studio album ‘RökFlöte’; launch first single ‘Ginnungagap’

Jethro Tull are pleased to announce their 23rd studio album, ‘RökFlöte’, which is set for release on the 21st April 2023 via InsideOutMusic. Following 2022’s ‘The Zealot Gene’, the band’s first album in two decades, Ian Anderson and the band are returning with a 12-track record based on the characters and roles of some of the principle gods of the old Norse paganism, and at the same time exploring the ‘RökFlöte’ – rock flute – which Jethro Tull has made iconic. 

Today also sees the launch of the first single from the album, and you can watch the stunning animated video for ‘Ginnungagap’ (created by Costin Chioreanu) here:

The track takes inspiration from the god Ymir, the proto-being, a primeval being, who was born from venom that dripped from the icy rivers called the Élivágar, and lived in the grassless void of Ginnungagap.

‘RökFlöte’ will be available on several different formats, including two limited deluxe formats that include bonus demo material, extensive liner notes & a blu-ray featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, alternative stereo mixes by Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), as well as a bonus track and in-depth interview with Ian Anderson. The album will also be available digitally in the spatial audio formats Dolby Atmos & Sony 360 RA. The full list of formats are below:

Ltd Deluxe Dark Red 2LP+2CD+Blu-ray Artbook incl. 2 x art-prints

Ltd Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook

Special Edition CD Digipak

Gatefold 180g LP+LP-booklet

Digital Album

Pre-order now here: https://jethrotullband.lnk.to/RokFlote

1.    Voluspo

2.    Ginnungagap

3.    Allfather

4.    The Feathered Consort

5.    Hammer On Hammer

6.    Wolf Unchained

7.    The Perfect One

8.    Trickster (And The Mistletoe)

9.    Cornucopia

10. The Navigators

11. Guardian’s Watch

12. Ithavoll

Ian explains the album’s title & theme in more detail: “The title of this offering went through a little change or two along the way. I started with the idea of a predominantly instrumental album for rock flute – as in rock music. When the subject material of the album presented itself, I was drawn to the term Ragnarök from Norse mythology – their version of apocalyptic end times or Biblical Armageddon. The “final showdown” scenario is ubiquitous and inherent in Hinduism, Christianity and Islam, for example. Ragnarök translates as “destiny of the Gods”, the rök part meaning destiny, course, direction. With umlaut firmly in place, courtesy of the Germanic origins of Old Norse, Flute became Flöte in keeping with the spelling. With me so far? I just can’t miss the glorious opportunity for a good and legitimate umlaut.”

Jethro Tull continue live dates this year, with shows in mainland Europe. Find the full list of shows here: https://jethrotull.com/tour-dates/

‘The Zealot Gene’, released in January 2022, was Jethro Tull’s 22nd studio album and it garnered critical acclaim across the board. Reaching #9 in the UK album charts, a feat the band hadn’t reached since 1972, it also debuted at #4 in Germany, #3 in Switzerland, #5 in Austria, #8 in Finland, as well as top 10 in the US Album Charts, Current Album Charts and Rock Album Charts.

With more than 30 albums to their credit and sales totalling more than 50 million, Jethro Tull are one of the most successful rock bands of all-time with a catalogue that contains classics that still resonate today. Led by Ian Anderson, Tull continue to tour throughout the world, entertaining audiences of all ages.

The band consists of:

Ian Anderson – Concert and Alto flutes, Flute d’Amour,            

Irish whistle and vocals

David Goodier – Bass guitar

John O’Hara – Piano, keyboards and Hammond Organ

Scott Hammond – Drums.

Joe Parrish-James – Electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin  

HAKEN release video for “Taurus”, 3rd single from forthcoming studio album ‘Fauna’

Progressive rockers HAKEN recently announced their seventh studio album ‘Fauna’, the group’s most genre-busting and conceptually fascinating album to date, will be released on the 3rd March 2023.

Today, the band are pleased to release “Taurus” the 3rd single from the album.

You can watch the video, produced by Crystal Spotlight, here:

Pre-order the album or stream the track here: 

https://haken.lnk.to/Fauna

Ross Jennings says this about the track:

“With such a diverse and eclectic array of material on ‘Fauna’, it was important for us to include a piece of music that represented the metallic edge of our sound which was exploited predominantly on ‘Vector’ & ‘Virus’, with our focus being on hard hitting riffs in odd time signatures.”

“The song’s lyrics were written roughly at the same time we all started hearing about the devastation and crisis happening in Ukraine. I was already writing the piece based on the annual migration of the wildebeests with strong references to people travelling in herds and strength in numbers. Suddenly I realised I had an anchor for what the song could be about and knowing this gives it all the more emotional weight; We’re all on some sort of journey towards salvation or enlightenment. Sometimes out of choice or not, we need to leave the past behind us and make new beginnings. We only have each other, and belief and hope are our strongest allies.”

Watch the video for the previously single ‘The Alphabet of Me’ here:

Watch “Nightingale” here:

The tracklisting is as follows:

1.     Taurus 04:49

2.     Nightingale 07:24

3.     The Alphabet of Me 05:33

4.     Sempiternal Beings 08:23

5.     Beneath The White Rainbow 06:45

6.     Island In The Clouds 05:45

7.     Lovebite 03:49

8.     Elephants Never Forget 11:07

9.     Eyes Of Ebony 08:32

‘Fauna’ will be available on several formats, including Ltd 2CD (incl. instrumentals), Standard CD, Gatefold 2LP & as Digital Album. The albums stunningly detailed artwork was created by Dan Goldsworthy (Charlie Griffiths, Sylosis)

Pre-order now here: https://haken.lnk.to/Fauna 

‘Fauna’ sees the band exploring new ideas conceptually as Ross continues. “The premise of the album when we started writing it was that every song would have an animal assigned to it. They all have something related to the animal kingdom that we could write about, but they also connect to the human world. Each track has layers, and some of them are more obvious than others.”

“It reminds me of The Mountain,” adds guitarist and fellow founder Richard Henshall. “There, we had the idea of not really a narrative-based album, but more the concept of climbing a mountain and overcoming the obstacles along the way. Then we took that and thought about how it could relate to our everyday lives. All of Fauna’s animals relate to us, personally.” 

‘Fauna’ also marks the return of keyboard player Peter Jones, whose sounds can be heard permeating the entire album. “What Pete’s brought sonically to the band has played a massive role in why we do have a lot of new sounds on this record,” says Ross. “It’s always a new dynamic when there’s a change in personnel, and this is a fresh and reviving one. It’s certainly helped proximity-wise, with Pete being in the country: Pete and Ray [Hearne, Haken’s drummer] would be at Rich’s place and they’d just start jamming. That’s really key to how the songs start.” 

The band have announced tour dates for North America and Europe.

Find the full list of tour dates here: https://hakenmusic.com/tour/ 

HAKEN are:

Ross Jennings

Richard Henshall

Charlie Griffiths

Pete Jones

Conner Green

Ray Hearne

The Tangent launch ‘A Crisis In Mid Life’ from their forthcoming live collection ‘Pyramids, Stars And Other Stories’

The Tangent recently announced the release of ‘Pyramids, Stars & Other Stories: The Tangent Live Recordings 2004-2017’ on the 27th January 2023 via InsideOutMusic. Collecting together tracks from 3 line-ups of The Tangent, this 2CD & 3LP album collects together show recordings from 2004, 2011 & 2017. Band leader Andy Tillison comments: “A Triple Live LP is the stuff of Bucket Lists, dreamed of doing one of these since I was a kid”.

Listen to the band performing ‘A Crisis In Mid Life’ live in the UK in 2012, featuring the line-up of Andy Tillison, Luke Machin, Dan Mash & Tony ‘Funkytoe’ Latham, here:

The album will be available as a 2CD Digipak, a Gatefold 3LP+2CD & LP-booklet, as well as digitally worldwide. Pre-order now here: https://TheTangent.lnk.to/PyramidsStarsOtherStories_TheTangentLiveRecordings2004-2017

Included in its entirety is the 2004 ‘Pyramids And Stars’ concert in Germany featuring the “Roine Stolt” lineup of The Tangent playing its way through the majority of the debut ‘Music That Died Alone’ album along with (then) new material from their second album ‘The World That We Drive Through’.

Added to that, there are tracks from the COMM era line-up of the band at a concert in the UK – plus music recorded in the USA in 2017 by the band’s current line-up. These originally appeared on the ‘Southend On Sea’ and ‘Hotel Cantaffordit’ fan releases respectively. 

All is presented inside a re-imagined Ed Unitsky sleeve, to create a package that fans are sure to love. 

“This is a real, proper, live album” says Tillison. “It’s candid, it’s spontaneous, it has mistakes and things that are a bit too loud and things that are a bit too quiet. It’s what happened on stage at three gigs at which “making a live album” never crossed our minds.”  

The full tracklisting is below:

Side One

1. The World We Drive Though

Side Two

3. The Canterbury Sequence

4. The Winning Game

Side Three

5. In Darkest Dreams

Side Four

6. The Music That Died Alone

7. Lucky Man

Side Five

8. A Spark In The Aether

9. A Sale Of Two Souls

10. Perdu Dans Paris

Side Six

11. A Crisis In Mid Life

12. Doctor Livingstone (I Presume)

The CD’s (included with the vinyl edition) also include all of the above with the addition of:

13. Titanic Calls Carpathia

14. Two Rope Swings

Andy Tillison – Keyboards & Vocals (all tracks)

Jonas Reingold – Bass Guitar (all tracks except 9,10,11,13)

Luke Machin – Guitars & Vox (Tracks 8-14)

Steve Roberts – Drums (Tracks 8, 12, 14)

Roine Stolt – Guitars & Vocals (Tracks 1 – 7)

Zoltán Csörsz – Drums (Tracks 1 – 7)

Sam Baine – Keyboards (Tracks 1 – 7)

Tony ‘Funkytoe’ Latham – Drums (Tracks 10,11,13)

Dan Mash – Bass (Tracks 10,11,13)

RIVERSIDE – Release new single/video “Friend or Foe? (Single Edit)” off upcoming album “ID.Entity”; Announce first leg of European Tour

Poland’s pioneering and leading Progressive Rock band RIVERSIDE will soon release their new studio album “ID.Entity” via InsideOutMusic on January 20th, 2023. Today, RIVERSIDE are pleased to reveal a new single and video in promotion of the upcoming album.

Check out the album’s opening track “Friend or Foe?” in its ‘Single Edit’ and with a video clip animated and directed by Thomas Hicks / http://www.thomashicks.co.uk here: 

RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda checked in with the following comment about the new single:

“’Friend or Foe?’ is one of the key songs on the new RIVERSIDE album. Not only is it the opening track but, musically, it is possibly also the most courageous and intriguing one. 

One of its strong points is the lyrics which talk about how we’re perceived by others, especially these days, when pretending to be someone you’re not on social media has become the norm. Can we still be ourselves or do we have to keep adapting to the requirements of new algorithms? Perhaps we’ve already lost our identities and we’re only waiting for instructions from a Siri or Alexa? 

“Who do you pretend to be?” are the first words of the song and the listener has already started searching for that 80s band it reminds them of. Is this a mere inspiration or is it provocation? Is the writer of the song pretending to be someone else or is this who he really is? Who is behind it all? The artist himself or a producer churning out music for many other artists? Is what I’m writing now a reflection of what I’m feeling or am I writing it because I want to put the song on a higher recommended playlist? And if we apply it to politics, who are the candidates? Are they credible? Trustworthy? Will they keep their promises? And finally, will we be able to trust each other one day, hear each other out and understand, or will we still keep our distance and suspicions?

Perhaps there is a chance to build a better world, but how to recognise who is a friend and who is a foe?”

“ID.Entity”, the group’s 8th studio album was recorded and mixed in two studios – The Boogie Town Studio in Otwock with Paweł Marciniak and in Serakos studio in Warsaw with Magda and Robert Srzedniccy -, mastered by Robert Szydło and produced by RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda himself. The “ID.Entity” artwork was created by Polish artist Jarek Kubicki.

Previously released singles/videos off “ID.Entity” can still be checked out here:

“I’m Done With You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q6XJfKxKb4

“Self-Aware (Single Edit)”: https://youtu.be/Weuo4hgVHyY

RIVERSIDE have also launched a “Riverside Heavy” playlist featuring “I’m Done With You” as well as many other heavier tracks from the band’s comprehensive catalogue, which you can check out here:

Here is the standard track-listing for the album: 

RIVERSIDE – “ID.Entity” (53:11)

Tracklist:

1. Friend or Foe? (07:29)

2. Landmine Blast (04:50)

3. Big Tech Brother (07:24)

4. Post-Truth (05:37)

5. The Place Where I Belong (13:16)

6. I’m Done With You (05:52)

7. Self-Aware (8:43)

The bonus material appearing on “ID.Entity” includes the instrumental tracks “Age of Anger” (11:56) and “Together Again” (06:29) as well as “Friend or Foe? (Single Edit)” (05:59) and “Self-Aware (Single Edit)” (05:29).

“ID.Entity” will be available in the following formats:

–        Ltd. Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook 
(Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks, Blu-ray: All main 9 album tracks in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and 24bit HighRes Audio mix versions) 
-> Pictured above!

–        Ltd. 2CD Mediabook (Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks)
-> Pictured above!

–        CD Jewelcase

–        Deluxe Digital Album (Including all 4 bonus tracks)

–        Digital album

The album’s vinyl version comes as Gatefold 2LP (With the bonus tracks “Age of Anger” and “Together Again” on Side D) in the following variants:
– Black vinyl: All outlets
– Orange vinyl: All outlets

– White vinyl: 500x copies via JPC & Burning Shed
– Yellow vinyl: 500x copies via EMP & Just For Kicks
– Sky Blue vinyl: 600x copies via Laser’s Edge & CM Distro/Webshop Europe

The pre-order for “ID.Entity” in its various formats is available here:
https://riverside.lnk.to/IDEntity

Or here:

https://riverside.lnk.to/IDEntitybio

“ID.Entity”, an album that extends and expands RIVERSIDE’s characteristic sound, but all in a revamped and more dynamic formula, follows 2018’s widely acclaimed ‘Wasteland’ album, which entered the charts in Germany at # 13, The Netherlands at # 28, Switzerland at # 23, Austria at # 39, UK at # 83, Finland at # 30, France at # 97, Czech Republic at # 59 and Poland at # 1.

Next to their return to North America in February/March, RIVERSIDE have recently also announced their “Spring Edition” European Tour, a first of three European touring legs across this year. Check out the band’s upcoming confirmed live-dates here:

RIVERSIDE – “ID.Entity” – Live 2023:

 

North American Tour:
17.02.2023 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum

18.02.2023 Orlando, FL – The Abbey

19.02.2023 Atlanta, GA – Hell At The Masquerade

21.02.2023 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live

22.02.2023 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live

24.02.2023 Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater

25.02.2023 Pomona, CA – The Glass House

26.02.2023 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone

28.02.2023 Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw Theatre

01.03.2023 Seattle, WA – Neumos

03.03.2023 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room

04.03.2023 Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre

07.03.2023 St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar And Hall

08.03.2023 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge

10.03.2023 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace

11.03.2023 Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre

12.03.2023 Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell

14.03.2023 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall

16.03.2023 New York, NY – Sony Hall

17.03.2023 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts

18.03.2023 Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall

19.03.2023 Washington, DC – Black Cat

21.03.2023 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle

European Tour – Spring Edition:

16.04.2023 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Effenaar / Prognosis Festival
18.04.2023 Dublin (Ireland) – Button Factory
20.04.2023 Glasgow (UK) – Garage
21.04.2023 Birmingham (UK) – O2 Institute 2
22.04.2023 Manchester (UK) – Academy 2
23.04.2023 London (UK) – Indigo O2 / Prognosis Festival

25.04.2023 Copenhagen (Denmark) – Amager Bio
26.04.2023 Gothenburg (Sweden) – Pustervik
27.04.2023 Oslo (Norway) – Cosmopolite
28.04.2023 Stockholm (Sweden) – Lilla Cirkus
30.04.2023 Tampere (Finland) – Olympia
01.05.2023 Helsinki (Finland) – Tavastia


Ticket info: https://riversideband.pl/en/gigs

And more dates coming soon…

More RIVERSIDE news coming soon…

RIVERSIDE line-up:
Mariusz Duda – vocal, bass
Maciej Meller – guitar
Michał Łapaj – keyboards and Hammond Organ
Piotr Kozieradzki – drums

TRANSATLANTIC announce ‘The Final Flight: Live at L’Olympia’ for release 17th February 2023

TRANSATLANTIC – the Prog Supergroup of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas – are pleased to present a new concert set entitled ‘The Final Flight: Live At L’Olympia’. It was recorded and filmed in France on the last stop of a tour to promote the band’s fifth and most audacious album to date, ‘The Absolute Universe’. This was the multinational group’s first outing in eight years. 

Watch the band performing ‘Owl Howl’, a highlight from ‘The Absolute Universe’ album, here:

Released in February 2021 to unanimous praise, ‘The Absolute Universe’ came in two alternate formats; an abridged 64-minute record known as ‘The Breath Of Life’, and a companion piece entitled ‘Forevermore’ that added a further four songs, clocking in at an hour and a half. Though the foundations of both were shared, each format featured lyrics and music independent of the other. 

However, when Transatlantic finally hit the road they opted to perform a third format of the album, a full-bells-and-whistles, 96-minute Blu-ray culmination of both takes known as ‘The Ultimate Edition’ that had been released in 5.1 surround sound. Following that segment of the show Transatlantic took a short intermission and returned to the stage for a rollercoaster trawl through the remainder of their lavish catalogue. From the first note of ‘Overture (The Absolute Universe)’ through to the medley based around the first two Transatlantic albums that closes the evening, the performance comprised 3 hours of music in total.

“Ever since the start of this band we have played for three hours, so that’s something we’re all used to,” states drummer Mike Portnoy, who grins whilst describing his own experience as “butt-numbing”. However, Roine Stolt is ready to admit that this time felt very slightly different. 

“It was a great tour,” acknowledges the guitarist and multi-musician, “but when you include our spot at Morsefest [where besides performing ‘The Absolute Universe’ the band also revisited their 2009 album ‘The Whirlwind’ and revised a cover of Procol Harum’s ‘In Held (’Twas) In I’ that had featured on their debut from 2000, ‘SMPTe’] I felt the challenge of learning, or re-learning, three-and-a-half hours of music before leaving Sweden. Now that I am getting slightly older, I was a little worried about playing for that long – it requires a lot of concentration: ‘Is this one in 7/8 or 9/8? Maybe we’ll play it in 13/8 and in a different key?’ But of course, once we got out there onto the stage, those thoughts went straight out of the window.”

With a chuckle, vocalist and keyboard wizard Neal Morse reveals that as the tour found its feet Transatlantic threw an additional curveball. “We started playing songs slightly differently to the way you’ve heard them on ‘The Ultimate Edition”, he grins. “So what you get with this live album is similar, but essentially it’s a fourth version [of the record]. When you play live, from night to night it helps to keep things fresh by jamming a bit and changing things up as you go. There are a few examples of that, for instance, the beginning of the last section that starts with ‘Belong’ is quite different than the record – partly because we couldn’t remember it! So we made up a new structure.”

“We’re always as well prepared as we can be but in a way Transatlantic is kind of a show band” points out bassist Pete Trewavas. “Playing alongside Mike who is a powerhouse on the drums, there is this raw power. If he wants to raise the energy that’s what we do. We’re all taking solos here and there, though we get the songs across we’re all showing off as much as we can”.

Filmed by Paul Green (who also shot their ‘Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London release), and mixed by longtime collaborator Rich Mouser, this set will be available as a Special Edition 3CD+Blu-ray Digipak (incl. 5.1 surround sound) & as a Gatefold 180g 4LP release. Both feature artwork by Thomas Ewerhard & photos by Nidhal Marzouk. Pre-order now here: https://Transatlantic.lnk.to/TheFinalFlight-LiveAtLOlympia

Tracklisting:

1. The Absolute Universe Intro

2. Overture

3. Reaching For The Sky

4. Higher Than The Morning

5. The Darkness In The Light

6. Take Now My Soul

7. Bully

8. Rainbow Sky

9. Looking For The Light

10. The World We Used To Know

11. MP Intro

12. The Sun Comes Up Today

13. Love Made A Way (Prelude)

14. Owl Howl

15. Solitude

16. Belong

17. Lonesome Rebel

18. Can You Feel It

19. Looking For The Light (Reprise)

20. The Greatest Story Never Ends

21. Love Made A Way

22. The Whirlwind Suite

23. NM & RS Intro

24. We All Need Some Light

25. The Final Medley

Line-Up (on this recording):

Neal Morse – Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals

Mike Portnoy – Drums & Vocals 

Roine Stolt – Guitar & Vocals 

Pete Trewavas – Bass & Vocals

With:

Ted Leonard – Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals  

Melancholic metal masters KATATONIA Unveil Second Single “Austerity” + Official Video

Spellbinding New Album, Sky Void of Stars, out January 20, 2023 via Napalm Records | Pre-Order HERE!

With eleven full-length records under their belts, Swedish melancholic metal masters KATATONIA don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Yet, it comes as no surprise that the band is about to impressively solidify their unique stance in the world of metal and beyond once more with their 12th album, the hauntingly beautiful Sky Void of Stars. 

Today, KATATONIA unveil the second single and Sky Void of Stars’ album opener “Austerity”, along with a visually palpable video. The heartfelt offeringcrashes through the dark with memorable, mind-bending rhythms as it shifts with elaborate guitar riffs that perfectly showcase the musical expertise and experience of the band. Topped off by the dark, conjuring voice of Jonas Renkse and mesmerizing lyricism, the gloomy mood for the album is set. The song is now available via all digital service providers worldwide. 

KATATONIA on “Austerity”:

“We hereby present you our new single and the opening track of Sky Void of Stars – ‘Austerity’. Energetic and dark, stern and disenchanted. Enjoy.” 

Watch the official video for “Austerity” :

“Melancholy at its best! Already one of the best Doom albums of 2023!“ (EMP) 

“Another heartfelt offensive by KATATONIA“ (Metal Hammer, DE)

“…Katatonia hit with highly energetic atmosphere, holding a gloomy ambience with epic sounds and poetic lyrics to get lost in.” (Prog Report)

Founded in 1991, KATATONIA have continually embraced the dark and the light alike, and, living through genre evolutions beyond compare, ripened their own particular form of expression. From doom and death metal to soul-gripping post rock, they’ve explored endless spheres of the genre, accumulating only the very best aspects.

Emerging from the gloom, KATATONIA is a beacon of light – breathing their unique, never stagnant, atmospheric sound through this new 11-track offering, all written and composed by vocalist Jonas Renkse. Significantly shaping the genre while still staying true to their own musical values, they orbit the musical universe – leaving their imprints on the scene. Projecting their sound to the endless realms, Sky Void of Stars shines bright in metal and beyond! 

KATATONIA on the new album, Sky Void of Stars:

“Our 12th album, Sky Void of Stars, is a dynamic journey through vibrant darkness. Born out of yearning for what was lost and not found, the very peripheries of the unreachable, but composed and condensed into human form and presented as sounds and words true to the KATATONIA signum. No stars here, just violent rain.” 

Pre-Order Sky Void of Stars HERE:

KATATONIA is one of a kind in a state of perpetual evolution. With their previously released first single, “Atrium”, KATATONIA hit with a highly energetic atmosphere, holding a gloomy ambience with epic sounds and poetic lyrics to get lost in. Songs like down- tempo “Opaline” and moody “Drab Moon” fully embrace their melancholic sound while fragile “Impermanence” is accented by the original doom metal roots of the band. Like a dark star, these pieces relume the dreariness, creating an ambient auditory experience with memorable hooks while still inducing the crashing sounds of hard guitar riffs and pounding drums. The experimental mastery of the quintet and their atmospheric approach is purely vivid, making this album a thrilling sensation. With “Birds”, the artists show off their explosive potential with a quick and energetic sound, proving their genre-defying style.

Sky Void of Stars track listing:

1    Austerity

2    Colossal Shade

3    Opaline

4    Birds

5    Drab Moon

6    Author

7    Impermanence (feat. Joel Ekelöf)

8    Sclera

9    Atrium

10  No Beacon To Illuminate Our Fall

11  Absconder (Bonus Track)

Sky Void of Stars is now available for pre-order in the following configurations here:

Ltd. Deluxe Wooden Box (incl. Mediabook + Digipack Atmos Mix BluRay + Crow Pendant + Star Chart Artprint + Pin) – Napalm Records exclusive

Die Hard Edition 2LP Gatefold Ink Spot / FOREST GREEN (incl. Slipmat, Patch, 12 pages poster) – Napalm Records exclusive – SOLD OUT!

2LP Gatefold DARK GREEN – Napalm Records exclusive – SOLD OUT!

2LP Gatefold MARBLED TRANSPARENT/DARK GREEN – OMerch exclusive

2LP Gatefold MARBLED CRYSTAL CLEAR/BLACK –  OMerch exclusive

2LP Gatefold BLACK

1CD Ltd Mediabook (incl. Bonus Track)

1CD Jewelcase

Digital Album

[Ltd. Deluxe Wooden Box (incl. Mediabook + Digipack Atmos Mix BluRay + Crow Pendant + Star Chart Artprint + Pin)]

Experience KATATONIA Live 2022/23 

2022 North American Tour

w/ The Ocean Collective and Cellar Darling

02.12.22 – Los Angeles, CA / 1720

03.12.22 – San Diego, CA / Brick by Brick

04.12.22 – Mesa, AZ / Nile Theater

06.12.22 – Austin, TX / Come and Take It Live (+Soen as direct support)

07.12.22 – Dallas, TX / Amplified Live (+Soen as direct support)

09.12.22 – Atlanta, GA / Hell at The Masquerade

10.12.22 – Tampa, FL / The Orpheum 

2023 UK & Europe Tour

w/ Sólstafir and SOM

20.01.23 FI – Tampere / Tampereen Tullikamari (Pakkahuone & Klubi)

21.01.23 FI – Helsinki / Kulttuuritalo

22.01.23 EE – Tallinn / Helitehas

24.01.23 PL – Warsaw / Klub Stodoła

25.01.23 DE – Berlin / Huxleys Neue Welt

26.01.23 DE – Cologne / Essigfabrik

27.01.23 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn

28.01.23 CZ – Prague / ROXY Prague

29.01.23 AT – Vienna / Arena Wien

31.01.23 HU – Budapest / Akvárium Klub

01.02.23 DE – Munich / Backstage Werk

02.02.23 CH – Zurich / Komplex 457

03.02.23 IT – Milan / Live Club

04.02.23 FR – Lyon / Ninkasi GERLAND

06.02.23 ES – Madrid / Kapital

07.02.23 ES – Barcelona / La Salamandra

08.02.23 FR – Toulouse / Le Metronum

10.02.23 GB – London / O2 Forum Kentish Town

11.02.23 GB – Manchester / O2 Ritz Manchester

12.02.23 GB – Bristol / Marble Factory

13.02.23 GB – Glasgow / The Garage

14.02.23 GB – Wolverhampton / KK’s Steel Mill

16.02.23 DE – Frankfurt Am Main / Batschkapp

17.02.23 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat

19.02.23 FR – Paris / Le Trianon

20.02.23 LU – Luxemburg / Rockhal

21.02.23 BE – Antwerp / Muziekcentrum Trix

22.02.23 DE – Hamburg / Gruenspan

23.02.23 DK – Copenhagen / Amager Bio

24.02.23 NO – Oslo / Rockefeller Music Hall

25.02.23 SE – Stockholm / Fryshuset Arenan

KATATONIA – 2023 Latin American Tour

17.03.23 MX – Guadalajara / C3 Stage

18.03.23 MX – Monterrey / Cafe Iguana

19.03.23 MX –  Mexico City / Cafe Auditorio

22.03.23 CH – Santiago / Club Chocolate

24.03.23 AR – Buenos Aires / El Teatrito

25.03.23 BR – Sao Paulo / Carioca Club

KATATONIA are:

Jonas Renske – Vocals

Anders Nyström – Guitars

Roger Öjersson – Guitars

Niklas Sandin – Bass

Daniel Moilanen – Drums

Hungarian prog masters Kaltenecker-Marko share video for “Space Junk”

Kaltenecker-Marko, the Hungarian duo of Zsolt Kaltenecker & Adam Marko, released their debut album ‘Space Junk’ in April 2022. The album is a unique mixture of prog, modern jazz and other electronic styles which manages to impress and engage the listener at the same time.

Today, the duo are pleased to share the new video for the track “Space Junk ” which you can see now here:

Zsolt Kaltenecker & Adam Marko are among Hungary’s top musicians, and also members of the well-known instrumental band Special Providence who have toured with Haken, Spock’s Beard, and others. The duo invites the listeners to a special musical journey from prog, djent, downtempo to trip-hop and jazzfusion, many electronic styles are recalled live on two instruments, keyboards and drums. The minimal setup is really challenging and also gives air and space for the artists to showcase their abilities as musicians.

Tracklist:

1. Secret Shifter
2. Doubt
3. Higher
4. Space Junk
5. The 7th Wave
6. Unexpected
7. Wormhole
8. Bill Murray
9. Bunuel
10. Lemuria
11. Dharma Bums
12. Glitches
13. The Way 

Get the album here:  https://bfan.link/space-junk