Review – Grace and Fire – Elysium – by John Wenlock-Smith

Grace and Fire are a newish, harder sounding, progressive rock band who hail from the East Midlands and who are attracting a fair degree of attention in prog circles and quite rightly so. ‘Elysium’, their debut album, is an accomplished and stimulating set of modern rock with many progressive elements very much in evidence. The album is based around the themes of the world experienced through Dante’s Inferno and especially the seven visions of hell encountered in his work.

The album begins with the instrumental Overture which sets the tone for what is to follow. The sound on the album is far more rock oriented, although there are plenty of keyboards included in the mix. Guitars crunch but not unpleasantly so and the vocals of André Saint are clear and sound fine to these ears. the next track is title cut Elysium, which is a strong song with a crunchy guitar sound and soaring synths before the vocals begin, Elysium being the land of the Gods in Greek mythology. I really like how this album sounds, it is heavy but not overly so and its progressive elements are in clear view. Breathing Murder features Derek Sherinian who delivers guest keyboard solos and he is a good fit for this track, adding fine touches and fills to the overall sound. His synths really make this song a strong one and his interplay with the guitar of Aaron Gidney is wonderful to hear. Everyone is working together to make the song sound the best it can be and they certainly succeed here, this is a most excellent number. The sound is excellent throughout with space for all to be heard, the mix is by Karl Groom of Threshold, a man who clearly knows a good sound when he hears one and is efforts in this area pay clear dividends in how great the album sounds.

Paradise Lost follows and is a more restrained piece, being more of a slow burn of a track, one that creeps up and then impresses the hell out of you. This is especially so when it breaks out into a wide-screen sound during the chorus. It is highly effective and the song works well because of it. There is a spoken passage from Goran Edman in which the devil is renounced after his part in the downfall of man and banishment from the Garden of Eden, another fine track. Chains of Sanity is a rather more brutal song with hard hitting guitars and deeply personal lyrics about mental health and the struggle for freedom for a mind that wants to soar but is imprisoned within. The track has fabulous guitar work and a superb solo and is another strong song. Sea of Dreams continues in a slower mood and tone, with low whistles from Zachariah Gidney that add depth and colour to the sound. This mellow number is enlivened by another great solo from Aaron Gidney and also with an epic chorus that really sticks in the memory, highly impressive stuff.

A Warrior’s Tale features Mark Boals on vocals (best known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteem). This is another harder track with excellent parts from all, quite how the band managed to recruit such quality collaborators is a very good question but these guests definitely help raise the quality bar very high and, in doing so, help make this debut album really something special. It is very impressive and confident in a year which has seen several  similarly impressive debuts from the likes of Ghost of the Machine and others. This is great news for rock music fans and this album deserves to be high up in the end of the year lists. Eyes of the Seer is another highly impressive track with great guitar work again and some complementary bass parts from Tim Ashton that really adds emphasis to proceedings. The Great Divide Pt. 1 continues this with a dignified bass line for Aaron Gidney to play off to fine effect, this instrumental leads into The Great Divide Pt. 2, the albums longest track. This piece has eastern sounding influences and sounds most impressive with yet more fabulous guitar tones, sounds and effects. It brings to mind Rainbow’s Gates Of Babylon in places, although in reality this sounds very different to that but I can hear the influence. The song is about how friends grow apart to result in a great divide that comes between them.

That concludes the album and it is one that leaves more questions than answers, but in a good way, as it encourages one to play and listen again until its themes make sense. In all ‘Elysium’ is a very good and different album with strong and inspired music. Some fantastic passages and parts, along with the guest contributors, make this a most worthwhile release and one most definitely worth your investigation.

Released 15th November, 2021.

Order from bandcamp here:

ELYSIUM | Grace and Fire (bandcamp.com)

Review – Dave Brons – Return to Arda – by John Wenlock-Smith

Opening with a spoken word introduction heard over sea noises and wordless vocals, Dave Bron’s new release continues his musical exploration of Middle Earth and the realm of worlds made known through the writing of J.R.R. Tolkien. The album is titled ‘Return to Arda’, ‘Arda’ being the name Tolkien gave to Earth. The album has three parts, Sea, Soil and Sky, and each part is comprised of several tracks Sea has four tracks, Soil has six and Sky the remaining five tracks. The album is best heard in its entirety for maximum impact and effect. Knowledge of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is not essential but might help, the excellent booklet notes most certainly will as they are highly informative.

The album is mostly instrumental although there a few vocals pieces which help the album flow. There is some truly inspired guitar playing throughout with Dave really playing to his strengths and using his bevy of effects and techniques to fine effect. Dave is a huge fan of Steve Vai and this shows in his use of guitar orchestrations and style. Dave certainly can shred with the best yet, above all, he is a master of melody and uses his skills to enhance rather than to stun, the melody for Beyond where the Waves Break, for example, is simply gorgeous and is well matched with the emotion of the track. A similar feeling is evoked with Dave’s acoustic guitar refrain to match the piano track, another winner to these ears.

The track that opens the Soil sequence is also really impressive with a great vocal from Sally Minnear, her voice fits extremely well with Dave’s guitar where he plays a blinder of a solo, reaching for new heights as he goes, all with the complementary background of all the other players making a full sounding, Celtic infused, track and it sounds really impressive. The music is epic in scope and sound with acoustic guitar used sparingly, but most effectively, to craft a really great sounding album of almost hummable tunes, this is all a big step forward from his previous release ‘Not All Who Wander Are Lost’, and that was impressive enough. This new release is even more so with better tunes, seemingly even more inspired and better realised, Dave has certainly raised his bar here.

I really adore this album it has really grown on me as I have heard it. I join other reviewers in singing its praise and raving about its contents and being very special, effective and superior to all that has gone before . It is quite frankly a stunningly inspired release and one of the best instrumental guitar albums that I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, yes, it really is that good! The album’s cover and booklet are similarly outstanding, you can feels the passion contained with the grooves and some truly inspired playing is on offer here.

The Soil section gives way to Sky in which we see Dave soaring in his playing along with some fabulous vocals from Sally. This is especially so on The Tears Of Nienna where Dave uses harmonics to great effect. The spoken voice that opens On Eagles Wings also captures the emotion of the song as the guitar line  lifts it upwards. Even better for me is the magnificent Beauty and Starlight which begins with delicate acoustic guitar and a hauntingly wonderful Sally Minnear vocal line. This is a stunning and captivating track and also features an achingly gorgeous guitar solo from Dave who wrings out every possible drop of emotion. It really is fantastic, my favourite thus far.

The penultimate song is Gathering in the Clouds which begins with pipes. It’s a very Celtic sounding piece, really emotive and full of feeling. It may only be short but it’s wonderfully evocative and close with a spoken ending to conclude a highly emotional, yet very rewarding, aural journey in the hands of Dave Brons and friends, all of whom add beautiful parts to a possible album of the year. It is simply beautiful music that is masterfully made and I urge you to find room in your life for this most spiritually rewarding release.

Released 4th November, 2022.

Order the album here:

Return to Arda | Dave Brons (bandcamp.com)

Review – Comedy of Errors – Time Machine

From Glasgow Scotland, Comedy of Errors are a progressive rock band playing in their own distinctive style. They have a notable live presence dating back to the 1980s and were contemporaries of bands like Marillion and IQ, but for some unknown reason never released an album until they reformed in 2010. Since 2010’s ‘Disobey’, the band have released three further long players before a five year hiatus until 2022’s ‘Time Machine’.

The one thing that I have always loved about this band is, despite obvious nods to the bands of the so-called ‘Neo-Prog’ era, they have resolutely ploughed their own furrow, resulting in a distinct sound that could only emanate from these talented Scotsmen. It is definitely progressive rock but it is Comedy of Errors‘ take on that music and has produced such gems as 2015’s ‘Spirit’ and 2017’s ‘House of the Mind’.

So, after five years, it’s been a welcome return from this reviewer’s point of view and a rather splendid one too! This new release is chock full of the intelligent songwriting and stellar musicianship that always graces a Comedy of Errors release, soaring chords, immaculate guitar playing, effortless keyboards and dynamic drums, all backed by Joe Cairney’s always fine vocal performance.

Leading the fanfare this time is the flawless keyboard playing of Jim Johnstone, who also wrote all the music and lyrics on the album. Opener The Knight Returns, which has its origins in a track written in the 80’s, is a rollicking prog ride into medieval times, almost a musical gallop if you like. You can feel it’s 80’s roots but they’re brought bang up to date by Johnstone’s songwriting prowess and the superb guitar work of Sam McCulloch and Mark Spalding is a delight, as it is throughout this enjoyable romp. As album openers go, it certainly gets you in the mood for what is to come! Lost Demigods has nods to musical greats throughout (not all from recent centuries either!) and references a lot of Johnstone’s heroes, Isaac Newton, Galileo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Shakespeare and more. The song definitely heads in to the more popular music side of progressive rock but is none the worse for it with its fast tempo and Joe’s great vocals (sounds to me like he’s loving it actually!).

The band’s serious side is shown on the epic and outstanding Wonderland, a treatise on the rise and fall of the supposedly most powerful nation on the planet, America. Social and political commentary have rarely been delivered in such an impeccable fashion in the music industry and it’s a testament to a songwriter and band at the height of their powers. A brooding masterpiece of a song that ramps up the tension note by note and word by word and is sure to be a live highlight of the band’s upcoming shows. The cacophonous crash of keyboards, guitars and drums and Joe’s intense, solemn vocals tell the damning tale perfectly. I always love an instrumental on a progressive album and Comedy of Errors don’t let me down with the wistful, whimsical wonder of The Past Of Future Days, grounded on John Fizgerald’s elegant bass playing. A glorious showcase for keys and guitar, this track will definitely leave you smiling.

The main album closes with the heart wrenching but beautiful lament of title track Time Machine, a plaintive ode to loss and regret that is underpinned initially by a gentle piano and Joe’s forlorn vocal. This elegantly mournful song continues to build patiently as it gets under your skin and begins to take hold of your emotions, the basic premise seeming to be about building a time machine to see those we have lost once more. It’s full of a painfully stirring, melancholic spirit but is so wonderfully performed that it really touches your soul. Not ones to quit while ahead, we are then treated to a dynamic and brilliant live version of the band’s classic track Disobey, recorded live at their 2016 performance from RosFest. While the song doesn’t fit with the main album proper, it is a worthy addition and a reminder of Comedy of Errors‘ dominating stage presence.

After a long five year absence, ‘Time Machine’ is a fine return from one of progressive rock’s premier artists and an album that I am constantly revisiting. Cementing Comedy of Errors‘ status as one of the foremost artists in the genre, it is sure to be one of 2022’s most welcome releases.

Released 23rd September, 2022.

Order from the band here:

Comedy of Errors : Shop

Review – Esthesis – Watching Worlds Collide

Esthesis is a progressive & alternative rock project formed and led by French multi-instrumentalist Aurélien Goude (music, lyrics, keyboards, vocals, guitars, bass and other stuff). The current line up is composed of three other musicians : Baptiste Desmares (lead guitar), Marc Anguill (bass) and Arnaud Nicolau (drums). Esthesis music is characterized by many influences (british rock, film score, jazz, ambient, metal, electronic music…) and primarily based on emotion and ambiences. 

After a first sold out EP in 2019 (‘Raising Hands’), Esthesis released a debut album in November 2020 (‘The Awakening’).

7 new songs, 7 encounters and stories between different worlds that intersect and collide, with varied atmospheres, ‘Watching Worlds Collide’ promises to be a real step up from their already impressive debut release.

Oh boy, has Aurélien really explored his notable creativity on these seven new tracks, this album is a lesson in cool understatement and the mantra of less is more. Wonderful jazz grooves combine with electro funk undertones and glorious ambient back grounds to deliver something rather sublime and really emotive. Add in some sharp suited rock vibes, just enough to give the music a needed harder edge now and again, and Esthesis deliver effortless style in spades.

Notable highlights include uber-cool opener Amber, as laid back and groove laden as they come, with Baptiste’s intense guitar playing, the melancholy piano-driven Skimming Stones where Aurélien’s heartrending vocal shines supreme and the lengthy 57th Street, an object lesson in combining the stylish sensibilities of smokey jazz grooves with an almost 50’s noir film score to deliver a slick, elegant twelve minutes of musical excellence, all wrapped up in a sharp suit.

But there isn’t a duff track on the album, first single Place Your Bets has that discordant rock edge to it and is mean and moody and Wandering Cloud is a 50’s New York minute in musical from. Vertigo has the electro-dance beats that make it a toe-tapping delight and album closer Through My Lens finishes things off with a laid back, sax infused, swagger, all backed up by a stunning solo from Baptiste Desmares.

Overall, ‘Watching Worlds Collide’ is a seriously good album with tons of Gallic flair, intelligence and inventiveness, it is also the coolest thing you are going to hear this year and I love it!

Released 19th August, 2022.

Order the album here:

Watching Worlds Collide | Esthesis (bandcamp.com)

Review -Major Parkinson – Valesa – Chapter 1: Velvet Prison – by John Wenlock-Smith

Major Parkinson are a Norwegian band who are currently making quite big waves in progressive circles. However, they are largely unknown to me hence this review that will tell you how this music affects me as a new listener.

The album has 17 tracks of various lengths and themes, it opens with Goodbye Blue Monday and what sounds like cinema sounds from bygone days, it’s a brief but engaging piece. Behind The Next Door is a piano led song in which you hear the very different vocals of Jon Ivar Kollbotn whose deep voice is very distinctive and possibly a challenge for some. It reminds me of someone, I’m just not sure who. The track is rather good and grows in strength as it proceeds. Saturday Night is also great, like a lost song from the 80’s with its superb synth bass line that moves the song along with good embellishments before a change of pace with some great female vocals. This is like very early Depeche Mode, it’s actually rather jolly in parts, an upbeat, positive track and the vocals work well together. It’s a very interesting and rewarding track. Ride In The Whirlwind is another brief instrumental vignette performed on grand piano, and very effectively at that! There is real skill on display, it’s another 80’s inspired track, albeit with a darker subject matter. Again, this darker song has an upbeat tone with some great effects employed throughout and I really liked it. At times Live Forever sounds like a Bruce Springsteen song, albeit with far more synths and electronics, but it has that sort of surge to it somehow, again, another impressive track. Sadlands is another brief vignette, one that continues the Bruce styling, although this one includes crowd noises, the grand piano and name checks More Than A Feeling.

Intermezzo has a strident drum pattern and ethereal synth sounds with discordant backing vocals. To me, it doesn’t really say much or go anywhere and I think it is a more atmospheric piece really. Jonas is totally different in that it has an almost choral opening set against heavy synth sounds. This is another very 80’s sounding and influenced track and the sparing use of piano works particularly well. The song is about a friend who was seemingly in the military as it speaks about his rifle. Velvet Moon follows, another brief vignette and one that has another subdued vocal from Jon. This sings about the velvet moon and is very evocative, even if I haven’t got a clue about what he is going on about! Irina Margareta is another filmic piece with a very cinematic sound and great vocals from , who again works well in tandem with Jon Ivar Kollbotn, this song is packed full of dynamics flourishes. This House is rather darker still and speaks of the house where it all happened. Obviously it was something dark and troubling, although we are not told what “it” was exactly, possibly childhood memories and probably not good ones at that! All this is set to a brutal and almost ‘dance synth’ bass riff and music, a strong if not a rather disturbing track at that. The Room carries on in a similar vein, at least musically. This album has a lot of electronic touches, not least on next song Posh-Apocalypse, and is very 80’s sounding at times.

Moma is a furious and brutal track with excellent vocals, Lemon Symphony is a strange little vignette, all very keyboard led and with lots of tremolo effects. It shimmers throughout and is very different indeed. We the return to the 80’s soundtrack for Fantasia Me Now!, another unusual track. This is a longer piece and, again, the combination of Claudia and Jon Ivar’s voices blend together exceptionally well. This is another upbeat song, again the theme is unclear so just enjoy everything as it progresses. Final track Heroes is another piano led piece with an interesting vocal line from Jon along with interjections from  Claudia and this closes the album in an interesting way.

In all this album is a very interesting listen, with lots of great touches and strong instrumentation throughout. I’m not sure about all the shorter tracks, although they do add to the atmosphere, even if they somewhat dilute the longer songs somewhat. It is certainly a bold approach to take and you must be the judge of its success though.

Released 7th October, 2022.

Order the album here:

Valesa Chapter I: Velvet Prison (burningshed.com)

Melancholic metal masters KATATONIA Announce New Album, Sky Void of Stars, Scheduled for Worldwide Release on January 20, 2023 via Napalm Records

Masters of melancholic metal KATATONIA carry on their legacy of rearranging the order of the heavy music universe, proudly presenting their hauntingly beautiful next studio album, Sky Void of Stars, out January 20, 2023 via Napalm Records. 

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. After signing with Napalm Records, the entity around founding members Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström is ready to showcase its brilliance and illuminate the void in the scene once more with Sky Void of Stars.

With the first single, “Atrium”, KATATONIA hit with highly energetic atmosphere, holding a gloomy ambience with epic sounds and poetic lyrics to get lost in. The heartfelt piece of sound goes in line with a gripping music video, underlining the exceptional atmosphere the five-piece is creating with every single note. “Atrium” is now available via all digital service providers worldwide.

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.” 

Watch the official music video for “Atrium” :

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. Album opener “Austerity” provides a courting introduction to the album. Crashing through the dark, it convinces 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 Renkse and mesmerizing lyricism, the gloomy mood for the album is set. 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 KATATONIA. 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. 

KATATONIA is one of a kind in a state of perpetual evolution. 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! 

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

2LP Gatefold DARK GREEN – Napalm Records exclusive

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)]

KATATONIA – 2022 North American Tour

 w/ The Ocean Collective and Cellar Darling

09.11.22 – Washington, DC / Black Cat

10.11.22 – Worcester, MA / Palladium

11.11.22 – New York, NY / Sony Hall

12.11.22 – Philadelphia, PA / Underground Arts

13.11.22 – Harrisburg, PA / Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center

15.11.22 – Quebec City, QC / Impérial Bell

16.11.22 – Montreal, QC / Le Studio TD

18.11.22 – Toronto, ON / Opera House

19.11.22 – Pittsburgh, PA / Thunderbird Music Hall

20.11.22 – Chicago, IL / Metro

22.11.22 – Denver, CO / Oriental Theater

23.11.22 – Salt Lake City, UT / Soundwell

25.11.22 – Portland, OR / Hawthorne Theatre

26.11.22 – Vancouver, BC / Rickshaw Theatre

27.11.22 – Seattle, WA / The Crocodile

29.11.22 – Roseville, CA / Goldfield Trading Post

30.11.22 – San Francisco, CA / Great American Music Hall

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

KATATONIA – 2023 UK & Europe Tour

w/ Sólstafir and SOM

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

21.01.23 FI – Helsinki / Kulttuurital

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

BAND PHOTO CREDIT: MATHIAS BLOM

EMPYRE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM DETAILS AND SHARE ALBUM TITLE TRACK ‘RELENTLESS’

UK rock band Empyre, who recently signed to Kscope, will release their new album Relentless on 31st March next year, with pre-orders available now at https://empyre.lnk.to/Relentless

They now find themselves alongside the likes of TesseracT, The Pineapple Thief and Envy of None, on a label that has previously released albums from Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree and Tangerine Dream.

‘Joining the Kscope family of artists feels like a validation of us as songwriters. We have a sense of reassurance, and we’re proud to be a part of it.’ states Empyre frontman Henrik Steenholdt.

Widely regarded as one of the hardest working bands of the past few years, Relentless was recorded between pandemic lockdowns and during their previous album’s (The Other Side) release cycle. Once again they encamped at Parlour Recording Studio, Kettering for recording with Neil Haynes, before handing mixing duties to Chris Clancy at Audioworks (Machine Head, Those Damn Crows, Massive Wagons) – who has magnified the band’s dark, emotional, rock sound with an elevated deep richness.

First single and album title track Relentless showcases Empyre’s work ethic and ethos, and musically, the hard rock track will resonate with listeners in their scene. “Relentless, at least in title, reflects Empyre and our level of dedication and ambition. Whilst the album as a whole is not pure hard rock, we felt the best way to introduce it would be with a striking and formidable title track, letting Relentless set the tone in terms of intensity”, the band add.

The single “Relentless” is out now and available on all major streaming platforms and is accompanied by a video directed by GLK Media:

‘We write arena rock and playing arena stages is something we aim for. I won’t be happy until I’m standing on that arena stage’, Henrik adds. With regular comparisons to the likes of Alter Bridge and Soundgarden mutated with Dire Straits and Muse, it’s clear that Empyre’s music was written with the big stage in mind.

Other tracks such as Waking Light and Hit And Run capture the band’s more commercial side, featuring a warm, enveloping sound, while Forget Me showcases the album’s emotive edge, as the haunting, delicate ballad builds to a euphoric ending, a song that would be at home on the arena stage.

Since their debut album Self Aware in 2019, Empyre have won Classic Rock Magazine’s “Track Of The Week” on three separate occasions alongside a ‘High Hopes’ feature, while Kerrang! described their sound as “slick, vast and like the music was written with the help of an architectural blueprint for an arena”. Planet Rock heralded the band as ‘Ones to Watch’, playlisting the tracks ‘New Republic’ (https://youtu.be/wfIH4uPMKIg ) and ‘My Bad’ and on the strength of the 2020 Winter’s End performance immediately booked them for the Planet Rockstock 2021 main stage.

Empyre have also been one of very few rock acts to be featured on ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris’ “Under The Apple Tree” Sessions.

Aside from their high aspirations and determination Empyre are also known for a darkly self-deprecating sense of humour and have proved they have what it takes to stand out from the crowd by delivering an engaging, if unsettling mix of melancholy, hope, and hopelessness, often within the same song.

Track listing:

1. Relentless [03:57]

2. Waking Light [04:36]

3. Parasites [05:18]

4. Cry Wolf [05:28]

5. Hit And Run [04:00]

6. Forget Me [05:48]

7. Silence Screaming [05:01]

8. Road To Nowhere [04:34]

9. Quiet Commotion [06:10]

10. Your Whole Life Slows [03:18]

Relentless will be released on the following formats, with additional bundles and items available exclusively through the Eyesore Merch band store – all are available to pre-order here https://empyre.lnk.to/Relentless

·       Limited edition digipack CD version with an alternative cover, featuring 4 bonus tracks

·       Limited edition red coloured vinyl LP 

·       CD 

·       LP 

·       Digitally

All pre-orders via the Eyesore Merch band store will receive a hand-signed photo and an exclusive free download of Empyre’s unreleased cover of the David Guetta & Sia track Titanium.

Items available bundled with the various formats include:

·       Handwritten lyrics

·       The album T-shirt

·       A special limited edition Boxed version, designed and hand-treated by the band. Including two tickets for the unique opportunity to join the band at the album listening party event in advance of the album release, plus a USB stick with exclusive album content and more. 

EMPYRE LIVE IN THE UK

Empyre are already a firm favourite on the UK live scene, and having had a busy summer playing festivals, the band have acoustic & headline shows and high-profile support tours lined up until the end of the year, including Vintage Caravan (25 – 31st October) & Gun which features a show at the legendary Glasgow Barrowlands. The band add, “This tour has been a long time coming thanks to COVID meddling with its scheduling numerous times, but ultimately it couldn’t have finally landed at a better time for us. We’ve got a new record deal in place with Kscope, a new album just announced, and we’ve got the platform to play our tour audiences plenty of new music. We’re relishing the opportunity to get back on the road and play, especially with a great live band like The Vintage Caravan.”

Empyre are:

Henrik Steenholdt: Vocals and guitar

Did Coles: Lead guitar

Grant Hockley: Bass

Elliot Bale: Drums 

Review – Evership – The Uncrowned King – Act 2 – by John Wenlock-Smith

I have long championed the group Evership and have had the pleasure of doing so through several reviews of their music that I have penned! I find much within their music that is pleasing to my ears and their skills continue to shine out. This latest release continues in the vein the band began with last year’s ‘The Uncrowned King – Act One’ in which we were introduced to the main characters within the book issued in 1910 by Harold Bell Wright, his allegorical tale about fame, fortune and success and what it’s pursuit can do to you. I found the actual story or novella fairly difficult to understand as it is written in rather old English that confused me greatly. As it is an allegory, meanings can be obscured anyway, the gist of it is about truth and the reality of it. but it’s somewhat obscure at times.

This album carries on from where act one concluded, at the point at which the king had died and, with the two Princesses adrift in a far off land, the second-born Prince, Seems-to-Be, senses an opportunity to seize the crown for himself whilst his brother, Really-Is, tarries and lingers with goodbyes and his hesitation will have repercussions down the years…

The album begins with acoustic guitar and synths that evoke images of breath and winds, it’s is a subdued opening but with fabulous vocals from Mike Priebe as The Voice Of The Night and then the pace quickens with an urgent guitar riff. This song has so many echoes of classic Kansas, it is not a clone but certainly is heavily influenced by that band with lots of keyboard embellishments and tones that hark back to that era. Evership make that sound relevant and up to date and all the better for it too. This first song really grabs your attention for all the right reasons, and is followed by Missive Pursuits, another masterful track that encompasses everything that the band are and this song showcases it all herein, fabulous stuff. The Law Of Ages is where Really-Is realises that in his tarry his brother, who is not the rightful heir, is deceiving everybody by his seizure of the crown, This is a sad song, not of regret, but of pity for his wayward brother whose actions are not those of a true King, the song also has a fabulous guitar solo that takes it towards its conclusion.

Coronation follows and is Seems-to-Be’s moment of seeming triumph. This is opportunism make good for him, although in reality all is an illusion, a deception, smoke and mirrors, like a magician’s trick. Seems- to-Be is hoping no one will notice, meanwhile his brother prays for his him and his acts. The music is very engaging and fits the lyrics well, with a great recurring synth riff underpinning everything. The next track, The Voice Of The New Day, is completely different in that the vocalist is Michael Sadler of Saga whose tones are simply majestic and his warmth carries the song beautifully. The song points to a different conclusion that may yet occur, giving a new hope. Nobody is about Really-Is and the quiet life he now leads, the song is sad but ,ultimately, it has much to commend. Beautifully orchestrated and poignant at different stages, it’s ultimately a triumph. Fading Away is the point at which it is revealed that Seems-to-Be’s actions have a terrible price to pay, strangely odd as this seems to be happening this week in the UK with Liz Truss and the Tories who have a price to pay for their deception and treachery. It seems that all actions have repercussions, a fact ignored by many today, to their cost and peril. This song surges along with lots of powerful flourishes and energy as the kingdom is righted, the rightful heir restoring the balance and order. If only that would happen here, now! The final track, Pilgrim’s Reprise, contains musical themes within the album used as a fitting conclusion to proceedings.

To be fair, this album is probably best heard together with Act One but, either way, this second act is both very welcome and very rewarding to hear as the talents of all are well utilised and realised. Hats off to Shane Atkinson, Beau West, James Atkinson and Ben Young for realising the vision and making it into reality, exemplary performances from all on a really impressive and rewarding release.

Released 14th October, 2022.

Order from bandcamp here:

The Uncrowned King – Act 2 | Evership | Friends of Melodic Revolution (bandcamp.com)

Review – Red Bazar – Inverted Reality – by John Wenlock-Smith

This October sees the release of this highly impressive and sonically rewarding third vocal album from Nottinghamshire Prog rock band Red Bazaar, featuring Peter Jones (Tiger Moth Tales) on vocals and keyboards.

The album is fairly political in its subject matter with freedom of speech being a major topic. Now, some folks think that politics and music don’t, or shouldn’t, match but, if  you think about those 60’s protest songs and the more recent political ones like Another Brick In The Wall, you can see the impact such music can have. Personally I really don’t mind, especially if the sentiments expressed are important ones, anyway back to the album…

Opener One Out Of Three is a hard hitting track opening with soaring synths and a furious drum beat that sets the urgency of the song up well. The track also hinges on an angular guitar riff from Andy Wilson. Its subject matter is the state of the music industry and how cynical it is these days, both manufactured and marketed by those in control with their eyes firmly on profit and not quality and originality. This is a sweeping condemnation of the current scene, one that Peter Jones knows from personal experience as he was previously an X factor contender (coming 4th in the first series) before taking control of his own destiny and writing and performing the music he wanted to rather than being told too. A wise decision that enriched us all with the Tiger Moth Tales series of albums. The track is frantic and very fine indeed, as is the second track Spirit Of Man which opens with ethereal keyboards and an echo laden guitar arpeggio from Andy, accompanied by an underpinning keyboard swell before Peter’s vocal starts. The songs seems to be about keeping going against setbacks and mental health issues. It is a fairly positive song though and tells us that you have within you a strong Spirit Of Man. This is in part based on the mock-Latin phrase “illigetimi non carborundum” which is probably more widely known as “don’t let the bustards grind you down”, strong words but a good song nonetheless.

State Of Disgrace is highly political and critical of those in charge as they write the laws that benefit them most, while the rest of us are encouraged to toe the line or face being silenced by the ruling classes. It comments on the lack of morality and the lack of consequences for those in charge, along with the suppression and subrogation of the rank and file, i.e. Us! It is a very political song with elements of George Orwell’s epic ‘1984’ novel with which it shares several common themes. I really enjoyed this track and agree with the issues it so eloquently speaks of. Take Control is also another winner featuring both an excellent vocal from Peter Jones alongside a fabulous solo from Andy Wilson in a rather epic track that has it all in its near 10 minute running time, simply astonishing performances and a fantastic song overall.

Smokescreen follows and is a song based on a John Francombe book in which a man punishes his unfaithful partner by setting fire to their home whilst she sleeps. Quite a dark subject matter but well handled by the group and featuring great bass work throughout by Mick Wilson, who is consistently on form on this album. Final track Stop The World continues the politics as it talks about how politicians are creating division and using it to further their own agendas. This is the album’s longest track, working well as a very good good conclusion to what has proven to be an assured, intelligent and well crafted piece of work. Okay, its themes may be a bit dark and political but, for these times of uncertainty and incompetence, especially with modern political life, this is a very telling set of songs, urging us all to speak out and make our feelings known.

I think it is one of the finer albums of the year. I really enjoyed it and the musicianship is excellent throughout, with great vocals from Jones and great bass and guitar work from the Wilsons along with solid, urgent drumming from Paul Comerie. This is an album that really cries out be be heard by a far wider audience than it will probably receive unfortunately. This really is something special and worthwhile and I heartily recommend to all.

Released 30th September, 2022.

Order from White Knight Records here:

Red Bazar – Inverted Reality (featuring Pete Jones) (whiteknightshop2.co.uk)

RIVERSIDE – Announce details for new album “ID.Entity”; Launch first single/video for “I’m Done With You”; Album pre-order started

Poland’s pioneering and leading Progressive Rock band RIVERSIDE finally return with a new studio album entitled “ID.Entity”, to be released via longtime international partners InsideOutMusic on January 20th, 2023.

“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 (Front cover to be seen above!) was created by Polish artist Jarek Kubicki. 

Today, a first single off “ID.Entity” is being released via the track “I’m Done With You”, which can also be seen here in a  video-clip animated and directed by Thomas Hicks / www.thomashicks.co.uk here: 

RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda checked in with the following comment about “I’m Done With You”: 
“We live in times of anger and helplessness. In times dominated by Big Techs, populists, conspiracy theories, hatred, greedy corporations causing the planet and the human nature to die at an accelerated speed. We live in times when one country can attack another out of the blue just because they think they are more deserving of something. These days it’s simply hard to sing only about love, friendship and escapes into imaginary worlds. “I’m Done With You” is about an anger and frustration!””

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). 

The album 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)

–        Ltd. 2CD Mediabook (Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks)

–        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 also starts today here:
https://riverside.lnk.to/IDEntity

“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. 

Most recently, RIVERSIDE released the special 20th anniversary Digital Single “Story of My Dream”, which can be checked out in a video clip directed by Tomasz Pulsakowski / Sightsphere here: https://youtu.be/-s7fedFOP88


Additionally, RIVERSIDE also released two digital “best of” compilations to showcase the comprehensive and rich back-catalogue from across the last two decades of band activity. Featuring material all especially remastered by Magda and Robert Srzedniccy (Serakos Studio) for this occasion, “Riverside 20 – Vol.1, The Shorts” includes 19 tracks and “Riverside 20 – Vol.2, The Longs” includes 14 songs. Both individual “Riverside 20” compilations as well as a bundle are available here: 
https://riverside.lnk.to/Riverside20

Riverside – Live 2023:
15-16. April 2023 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Prognosis Festival
22-23. April 2023 London (UK) – Prognosis Festival 
https://www.prognosis-festival.nl/

More RIVERSIDE live show announcements and further details about “ID.Entity” coming soon…

RIVERSIDE line-up:
(From left to right on photo by Radek Zawadzki)
Michał Łapaj – keyboards and Hammond Organ
Mariusz Duda – vocal, bass
Maciej Meller – guitar
Piotr Kozieradzki – drums