Have you ever tried to categorise something and found it close to impossible because its fits some of them and yet none at the same time? I find myself there right now after over ten times around the album ‘These Roots Know No Boundaries’ by Sphelm and, having heard the Orenda EP from 2014, I find to be fascinating, challenging and yet still highly enjoyable. Mike McKnight and Tim Powell form the actual band but they have a great deal of help here with the Album from some excellent guest musicians.
They self-define as Acoustic Ambient Electronic yet I believe that is too limited a description. Sphelm were born out of Post rock metal band Cyril Snear and were looking for the next step to follow after that band broke up.
Mike and Tim have written music that, if played in a full electric band, would come out at the cutting edge of Progressive but the ‘stripped back to basics’ style gives it a uniqueness and identity all of its own with no box to fit. Whether you’d call it a new branch of music or some guys following their noses and seeing where it goes either way, this is worthy of exploration.
The music is complex and accessible with some outstanding songs that appear simple at first pass and then the detail surfaces on further hearing. Stillness is the simplest and yet it isn’t with its complex harmonies and harmonic on the acoustic guitar and keyboard backing. A song that asks us to stop and be still and think without the noise we have around us constantly in the 21st century. After The Dopamine seems to refer to again to society and the bubble we exist in as people, consumerism being the Dopamine in question. Mainly with complex vocal harmonies but with atmospheric keyboards plugging the gaps, it stands out on the first few listens as one that has longevity.
Prince Rupert’s Drop has a folky feel to it at the start which then leads into a beautiful guitar lick. Is it a treatise on molten glass dropped into water or a metaphor for human resilience in our modern world? The title track really stands out too. A fine example of how the human voice can join in a harmony that is greater than the sum of the parts. The lilting Trumpet section is not intrusive but sneaks up on you and hypnotises you and, overall, the melancholy feel is achingly beautiful and emotive.
The whole album is not even close to the mainstream, it is ‘off piste’ even for the Progressive but not in any dissonant way but in a way that the likes of Sigur Ros and Steven Wilson travel their own path. In fact all you fans of Post Rock, Math Rock and those are partial to the ambience of Eno and Fripp and who have the desire to hear acoustic music, you should buy it. If you are adventurous in any way get your name on a copy of this album.
The Pineapple Thief have announced a string of European dates for early 2017 in support of their highly acclaimed new album, ‘Your Wilderness’. The band will be joined by virtuoso Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson) on drums.
“We always said that we couldn’t imagine touring the material live without Gavin on stage’, explains band leader Bruce Soord, ”We’re so excited that we have made it happen. It’s a real once in a lifetime event.”
20.01 Patronaat, Haarlem NL 21.01 Uden, De Pul NL 22.01 Zwolle, Hedon NL 24.01 Aschaffenburg, Colos Saal DE 25.01 Oberhausen, Eisenlager DE 26.01 Berlin, Frannz club DE 27.01 Prague, Futurum Music Bar CZ 28.01 Dresden, Tante Ju DE 29.01 Hamburg, Knust DE 31.01 Maastricht, Muziekgieterij NL 01.02 Paris, Le Divan Du Monde FR 09.02 Glasgow, ABC2 UK 10.02 Manchester, Sound Control UK 11.02 London, Islington Assembly Hall UK
The band will be performing Your Wilderness plus a string of re-imagined favourites from their back catalogue, and with an expanded 5-piece line-up including Darran Charles on additional guitar duties, this will be a live show not to be missed. Special guest support is from Kscope label mates Godsticks.
Your Wilderness, their 11th studio album, showcases the band performing without any inhibitions providing a springboard for the ongoing creative growth of The Pineapple Thief.
For the first time, The Pineapple Thief brought in several special guest performers: Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) contributed drums throughout the album, John Helliwell (Supertramp) some beautiful clarinet parts, and Geoffrey Richardson (Caravan) provided a string quartet. They were also joined by a 4-piece choir and to cap it all off, Darran Charles (Godsticks) added some jaw dropping guitar playing.
Seen as one of the most vital rock bands the UK has produced over the last two decades, The Pineapple Thief was formed in 1999 by founder and chief songwriter Bruce Soord. The band has steadily evolved and refined its sound with the bass playing of Jon Sykes and the production and keyboards of Steve Kitch vital ingredients to the unmistakable TPT sound.
Your Wilderness has been released by Kscope on CD / LP / Digital and as a Deluxe hardback book 2 CD+DVD set:www.kscopemusic.com/store
“The album is complete and in preparation for CD manufacture. The cast list is a dream come true. The diversity of the players and pieces is what makes this album special to me. The album structure could be labelled Prog before there was Prog. Split this into the written piece “Hair in a G-String” (about 46 minutes) & “Songs not in G” (About 36 minutes) and you’d have a prog album and a melodic rock album I guess. We didn’t do that. We mixed it up. See it as musical interludes between the main action.”
I’ve heard And So, Today with the great Peter Jones on vocals and am happy to say that this release is sounding rather exciting!
See full track and guest-listing below:
1. Hair in a G-String part 1 (The opening) [6.25] Peter Jones: Vocals, Saxophone Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano Steve Gresswell: Piano, Keyboards, Percussion Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Stef Flaming: Percussion
2. Can’t see it any other way [4.36] Colin Tench: Guitars Phil Naro: Vocals Gary Derrick: Bass guitar Marco Chiappini: Piano Victor Tassone: Drums
3. Hair in a G-String part 2 (The Hairy Part) [6.04] Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers, Drum programming Phil Naro: Vocals Steve Gresswell: Keyboards Stef Flaming: keyboards Oliver Rusing: Drums, Percussion Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Stephen Speelman: Stunt bass
4. The Mad Yeti [2.55] Colin Tench: guitars
5. The Sad Brazilian [7.20] Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano Gordon Bennett: Orchestra, Shaving cream Petri Lemmy Lindström: Bass guitar
6. And so, Today [4.08] Pete Jones: Vocals, Clarinet Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano, Percussion Gordon Bennett: Orchestra Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Jay Theodore McGurrin: Drums
7. Hair in a G-String part 3 (I’m Going Down)[10.09] Peter Jones: Vocals Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers, Piano Gordon Bennett: Orchestra Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Oliver Rusing: Drums Steve Gresswell: Keyboards Angelo Hulshout: Fretless Bass Sonej Retep: Sciryl lanoitidda
8. Lisa waltzes back in with no G-String[3.53] Colin Tench: Guitars Gordon Bennett: String Section, Horns, Basses Petri Lindström: Bass Guitar Robert Wolff: Drums Pasi Koivu: Synthesisers, Organ Sean Filkins: Tamborine
9. Lisa’s Entrance Unplugged [3.09] Colin Tench: Guitars, Synthesisers Ian Beabout: Flute 10. Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Screwed [7:32] Colin Tench: Guitars, vocals, Percussion Gary Derrick: Bass guitar Marco Chiappini: Keyboards Victor Tassone: Drums, Percussion
11. La Palo Desperado [5.54] Colin Tench: Guitars, Annoying noises
12. A Beautiful Feeling [5.58] Phil Naro: Vocals Colin Tench: Guitars, Piano, Percussion Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Gary Hodges: (Buckingham Nicks): Drums Kelly Brown: (Ozark Mountain Daredevils): Keyboards Vic Tassone: Percussion
Violins: (String Section) http://www.springfieldmosymphony.org/
Tina Sibley (Springfield Symphony)
Kirsten Weingartner (Springfield Symphony)
Ned Horner (Springfield Symphony)
Aleksis Zarins (Springfield Symphony)
13. Dnieper Summer Day [1.38] Colin Tench: acoustic guitars David Knokey: RhythmGuitar Stef Flamming: Bass guitar
14. Part 4b [7.58] Peter Jones: Lead Vocals Phil Naro: Lead Vocals Colin Tench: Guitars Gordon Bennett: Orchestra, Perucssion, Triangle, Thing that goes boing Petri Lindström: Bass guitar Angelo Hulshout: Fretless bass Jay Theodore McGurrin: Drums (We fired Neil Peart)
15. Part 4b Redux [0.23] Peter Jones: Piano Peter Jones: Main vocal Peter Jones: Backing vocals Peter Jones: Foley guy Peter Jones: Production Colin Tench: Bugger all
BONUS TRACK: Liza’s Waltz with full orchestral arrangements [4.23]
All instruments and arrangements by Gordon Bennett
Based on the original Lisa’s Waltz by Colin Tench.
Since its inception in 2014 the Barcelona based festival Be Prog! My Friend has played host to the likes of Opeth, Steven Wilson, Anathema, Devin Townsend, TesseracT, The Pineapple Thief, Magma, Agent Fresco, Camel, Meshuggah, Katatonia, Riverside, Isahn and Alcest.
Taking place in the beautiful open air surroundings of Poble Espanyol – a huge stone built architectural museum – the site is one of the most important and striking landmarks of tourism in Barcelona. Whilst by day the Catalonian hotspot may play host to some of Barcelona’s most interesting historical articles, by the end of June to the start of July it will instead play host to some of the world’s finest progressive bands.
This year saw the festival co-headlined by Steven Wilson and fellow progressive heavy weights Opeth. Now following Be Prog! My Friend‘s recent news that Ulver will play in 2017, comes the announcement of multi-genre progressive giants Jethro Tull, bringing their ever-famous presence to the Catalonion open air surroundings.
The festival organisers comment: ‘Jethro Tull remain unstoppable thanks to the relentless spirit of charismatic frontman Ian Anderson. After more than forty years, Tull continue to delight audiences with their variety and depth of experience, giving fans – young and old – the best of folk, jazz and classically-inspired progressive rock music”.
Tickets are currently on sale now at the reduced price of 75 Euros for a limited time only –
Be Prog! My Friend takes place in the heart of Barcelona and with an airport only 12km away, regular, cheap flights make it an easy festival to get and from the UK. Bands will start playing from mid/late afternoon each day which will also mean visitors have plenty of time to explore the stunning city of Barcelona while they are there.
Debut album by this unique instrumental progressive band from Belgium to be released on September 22, 2016.
Offworld’s debut concept album ‘Some Circles Are Square’ is a roaring, soaring, never-boring, infuriating, wild and often whacky smorgasbord of a record – equal parts Prog, Psychedelic, Rock, Metal, Funk, Lounge, Shred, and a number of other styles that have yet to be coined with a term. Sometimes weird, often crazy, yet always compelling and dosed with fiery passion and high levels of musicianship, Offworld takes the listener on a trip through Space Opera’s most bizarre and dangerous reaches.
“Welcome to Half Past Four – a band from Toronto that create new original art rock and prog. Come follow us!”
A short introduction on Half Past Four’s Facebook page that opens up a whole world of amazing musical mayhem, self-expression and Joie de vivre from this incredible Toronto band.
I’ve had a quite lengthy and intense period of writer’s block recently, I’m not going into the reasons but I was beginning to fear I wasn’t going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. As ever, my love of music (and a severe kick up the proverbials from some close friends) has finally got me out the other side.
I think Billy Joel put it best when he said,
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music…”
The new E.P. from Half Past Four, ‘Land of the Blind’, certainly fits in that category and has given a much need fillip to my wounded emotions. To be fair, until the promo arrived in my inbox, I’d never heard of this quintet before. Luckily there was a handy bio in the Press Kit too…
Half Past Four is one of the best progressive rock bands to have emerged from Canada. Over nearly two decades, they have developed a unique sound, employing traditional prog-rock music laiden with folk, country, jazz, heavy metal and classical genres, among others.
Each member of Half Past Four is a virtuoso in their own right. Together, they form somewhat of a familial gestalt. Each band member brings a proficiency, originality and respect for the whole that propels their combined efforts into a place beyond simple classification.
Constantin Necrasov (Guitar), Dmitry Lesov (Bass & Chapman Stick), Igor Kurtzman (Keyboards), Kyree Vibrant (Vocals) and Marcello Ciurleo (Drums) have been compared to early-80s King Crimson. Yet any comparisons can only truly function on a per-track basis. While one piece might sound reminiscent of late-70s Yes, listeners might feel the influence of early Pink Floyd in the next piece, followed by a piece that harkens Primus in the 1990s. Or Kate Bush in the mid-80s. Like the best of progressive rock music, the listener cannot predict where the band will take them next.
It is this shifting flow of sound and feeling that distinguishes Half Past Four. They are an aural tapestry, weaving 50+ years of musical influences into mellifluous melodies and rhythmic resonances that take their listeners on a journey to states that are both fresh and familiar.
(Photo by Eska Urwen)
‘Land of the Blind’ is a five-track mini-LP and follows 2013’s ‘Good Things’ and 2008’s ‘Rabbit In The Vestibule’.
Opening track Mathematics brings to mind high-energy jazz-infused progressive rock with a little addition of impish fun. Kyree’s vocals are smooth and yet she seems to sing with a twinkle in her eye, they are the perfect foil for the brilliant musicianship on show, hugely influenced by the 70’s era of progressive rock and its ilk. You can see where the King Crimson influences come from with the edgy rhythm section and Constantin’s hugely expressive guitar playing. Throw in some epic Hammond from Igor and it is a brilliant exhibition of joy filled music played with an innate love and affection and you just can’t help smiling, left with a carefree happiness in your soul.
The funk-meter is turned up to ten with the superb Mood Elevator, a Van Der Graaf Generator-esque opening with some hushed and spooky vocals sets the scene for what turns into a super-smooth and laid back song that couldn’t be more cool if it tried. The funky keyboards and charming guitar open the way for Kyree’s sparkling vocal performance, an amalgamation of 70’s funk and jazz with an utterly indulgent feel. It’s got hints of West Coast surfer freedom with psychedelic prog running through the middle and just a hint of lunacy hiding in the background, all of which adds up to one jubilant gem of a track.
Fans of 70’s cult Canadian art-rockers Max Webster will be delighted by the cover of Toronto Tontos, a bold statement if there ever was one. Edgy, restless and skittish, it bounces around from riff to riff with some energetic drumming and seems to never want to stand still. The vocals are brash and direct and I found myself jumping around and grinning inanely at the anarchic feel of it all, enhanced by the french lyrics. All sharp with 90 degree angles, there isn’t a smooth edge to be found, especially on the caustic guitar solo which ends up giving the song a properly punk feel to it.
One Eyed Man seems to take a bit from the previous track with it’s almost crafty-cockney vibe (if that makes sense?), as if Kyree has had elocution lessons from Damon Albarn after he’s sung ‘Country House’. Another wildly inventive track that has no agenda and is just there for the fun of it. We are talking King Crimson meets VDGG and goes off to the pub for a bender. The irreverent guitar solo is a thing of mad genius and you just get the impression that this band have a definite hint of mild insanity to them and it is that that gives them their uniqueness and I, for one, love it.
The final track on this oh-too-short mini-LP is Mirror Eyes and this brings a hint of seriousness back into the equation. An intent and earnest intro is opened up by Kyree’s voice, this time with more passion than humour and the piano playing is stylish and suave. There is a hint of jazz lounge to the rhythm section, guitar and piano combination but always a little sense of mischief hiding in the back, it’s like a Ben Folds Five influence but with a more mature feel. I am captivated by Kyree Vibrant‘s wonderfully intense voice and the prodigious musical talent that backs her up to the hilt, it is quite sublime.
As this absolutely jubilant and refreshing record comes to a close I just cannot help but smile. These are vistuoso musicians without a trace of smugness or superiority, they just play and sing for the love of the music and it shows, in spades. A joyous expression of love, hope and humour all rolled into an incredible package that you just can’t resist. I recommend plenty of albums but I’d prescribe this to everyone to save your sanity and give your life a boost of happiness and enjoyable irregularity.
Sweden’s musical alchemists, OPETH, have premiered a new song entitled, “The Wilde Flowers”. The track is featured on the bands highly anticipated 12th studio album, Sorceress, which is scheduled for release on September 30th via the band’s imprint label Moderbolaget Records with Nuclear Blast Entertainment.
Speaking with Metal Hammer, vocalist Mikael Åkerfeldt says “This was the first song I wrote for this album. It’s kind of an OPETH standard, in a way, like from the last two albums. It’s very dynamic. It has a chorus, I guess. Then there’s a big Queen-sounding bit in the middle just before this massive solo… oh, and harps! They’re hidden in the mix but they’re there. The title comes from the band Caravan – they were originally called Wilde Flowers. I always liked those weird spellings.”
In addition to the psychedelic, progressive masterpiece “The Wilde Flowers,” OPETH’s monumental new record also features the critically heralded new songs “Will O The Wisp” and “Sorceress.” Fans who pre-order the album will receive an instant download of “The Wilde Flowers,” “Will O The Wisp” and “Sorceress.” Links to pre-orders can be found below:
OPETH will return to the UK for a headline show at Wembley Arena on Saturday 19th November. Tickets are on sale now from www.livenation.co.uk.
Full tour dates as follows:
05.11. S Stockholm – Annexet
06.11. N Oslo – Konserthus
07.11. DK Copenhagen – DR Koncerthuset, Koncertsalen
08.11. D Hamburg – Docks
10.11. A Vienna – Arena
11.11. D Stuttgart – LKA Longhorn
12.11. D Munich – Theaterfabrik
13.11. CH Zurich – Volkshaus
14.11. I Milan – Alcatraz
16.11. D Cologne – E-Werk
17.11. B Brussels – AB
18.11. NL Tilburg – 013 19.11. UK London – SSE Arena Wembley
21.11. F Paris – Le Trianon
23.11. LUX Luxemburg – Den Atelier
24.11. D Berlin – Astra Kulturhaus
OPETH North American Tour:
24.09. USA San Bernardino, CA – Ozzfest
29.09. USA Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
30.09. USA Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
01.10. USA New York, NY – Radio City Music Hall
02.10. USA Boston, MA – House Of Blues
04.10. CDN Montreal, QC – Metropolis
05.10. CDN Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
07.10. USA Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
08.10. USA Akron, OH – Good Year Theater @ East End
09.10. USA Chicago, IL – Riviera Theater
10.10. USA Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
12.10. USA Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
13.10. USA Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
14.10. USA Austin, TX – Emo‘s
15.10. USA Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live!
18.10. USA Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
19.10. USA Tempe, AZ – The Marquee
21.10. USA Sacramento, CA – Ace Of Spades
22.10. USA San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
24.10. USA Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
25.10. USA Seattle, WA – The Moore
26.10. CDN Vancouver, BC – Orpheum
Young British progressive rockers MASCHINE have announced the release of their second studio album ‘Naturalis’ for the 18th November 2016 on InsideOutMusic. The follow-up to the band’s debut ‘Rubidium’, this is the first to feature drummer James Stewart ( Vader) & keyboardist/vocalist Marie-Eve de Gaultier.
The album will be released as a special edition digipak CD & digital download, both featuring two bonus tracks recorded live in 2015 at Veruno Prog Festival in Italy. The full track-list can be found below:
1. Resistance (11:52)
2. Night And Day (5:08)
3. Make Believe (7:10)
4. Hidden In Plain Sight (7:01)
5. A New Reality (8:45)
6. Megacyma (11:46)
Bonus Tracks
7. Eyes Pt.2 (Live in Veruno) (8:55)
8. Rubidium (Live in Veruno) (8:47)
A new spark of hope has started glowing in the darkness of the rock music scene and with their untamed female lead vocals and haunting melodies the new wildfire namedFOREVER STILL is starting to spread from Denmark. Hailing from the same musical shores as LACUNA COIL, FLYLEAF, HALESTORM or BRING ME THE HORIZON, the band has been building a solid fan base since 2013 and toured tirelessly throughout Europe. Now they are ready to unleash their fresh debut record entitled Tied Down on October 21st.
“People who have followed the band for a while know that we’re very self-sufficient and haven’t been in a rush signing with a label”, singer Maja Shining states. “If we were to sign, we wanted to find someone who believed as much in the band as we do, without wanting to change us and who wants to work hard together with us to push it to the top. We believe we’ve found that in Nuclear Blast and we’re very excited to start working with them and reach new heights with the band.”
While many young rock bands with a charming frontwoman are often labeled as ‘industry products’ or ‘engineered’, nothing is artificial or marionette-like aboutFOREVER STILL – writing their own songs is obvious for Maja and multi-instrumentalist Mikkel Haastrup, but the band also put their heart and soul into every other aspect affiliated with their music. Over the years they have booked their own tours, shot their band photos and music videos themselves, produced and mixed their new songs and have consequently climbed their self-constructed ladder to success.
Something that instantly impressed Nuclear Blast CEO Markus Staiger: “With FOREVER STILL it was love at first sight! The Metal Hammer article in which they had been named ‘Band Of The Month’ immediately caught my attention and after checking out their music via their homepage, I was overwhelmed! This band is young, ambitious, sounds fresh and has a massive amount of potential hits! Their modern and melodic metal is breathtaking and with singer Maja, FOREVER STILL has the perfect frontwoman! We loved the DIY-Status of the band and their high ambitions and it’s an honour to welcome them to the Nuclear Blast family!”
Their first album Tied Down is a journey through emotional devastation, hope and recovery, it mixes passionate clean vocals with raging screams from singer Maja and contains rock hymns that instantly capture the listener.
Here’s the tracklist of the new release that will also contain a special DVD:
01. Scars
02. Once Upon A Nightmare
03. Miss Madness
04. Awake The Fire
05. Breathe In
06. Save Me
07. Your Light
08. Alone
09. Break The Glass
10. Tied Down
Bonus Tracks:
11. Scars (Acoustic)
12. Save Me (Acoustic)
13. Miss Madness (Acoustic)
DVD:
01. Miss Madness (Video Clip)
02. Scars (Video Clip)
03. Awake The Fire (Video Clip)
04. Break The Glass (Video Clip)
05. Once Upon a Nightmare (Lyric Video)
06. Miss Madness (Lyric Video)
07. Scars (Lyric Video)
Forever Still have also just unleashed a new video for single ‘Miss Madness’
“The clip for ‘Miss Madness’ was shot at the oldest amusement park in the world over the course of 6 months. Half of it in the summer time and the other in the winter time to portray the contrast filled dream and the brutal reality for ‘Miss Madness’ herself”,singer Maja Shining remembers.
But shooting the video in the middle of the crowded amusement park ‘Bakken’ was of course not particularly easy – you have to let yourself go, ignore the staring people andMaja laughs when she’s thinking back to the scenery: “…haha, it was exactly as horrible as you can imagine!”
Kadavar released their latest album ‘Berlin’ last year, a compelling fusion of psychedelic rock and heavy fuzz that was acclaimed world-wide. This year together with long-time friend and collaborator Nathini van der Meer (http://nathinivandermeer.com), who has created artwork and videos for them in the past, the band have been working on their first “Visual Album”- 12 short films accompanying each of the albums’ songs, to be released once a month throughout the entirety of the year.
