Tag: John Mitchell

Review – Karmakanic – ‘Transmutation’

The acclaimed Swedish progressive rock band Karmakanic is back with their highly anticipated sixth studio album, ‘Transmutation’. Produced by the band’s founder and visionary leader Jonas Reingold, The album has been mixed by five-time Grammy Award winner Chris Lord-Alge, renowned for his work with legends such as Muse, Tina Turner, and Bruce Springsteen.

For this album, Jonas Reingold has assembled a Dream Team of internationally renowned musicians, including Simon Phillips, Steve Hackett, Nick D’Virgilio, John Mitchell, Andy Tillison, Craig Blundell, Randy McStine, Amanda Lehmann, Rob Townsend, Roger King and Luke Machin, to name just a few!

Jonas Reingold comments:


“With ‘Transmutation’, I wanted to create not just music but an experience – the best progressive rock album in modern time, a place where the listener can dream, reflect, and be carried away by the sound. Listen to all these wonderful musicians in a high fidelity environment.  Working with these extraordinary musicians has made this album truly special to me.”

Lofty ambitions from the renowned bass player and all round stellar musician, can this new release from one of my favourite modern day progressive units live up to them, let’s see shall we?

It’s been a long time since the release of Karmakanic’s previous album, the rather excellent ‘Dot’, back in 2016 and Jonas has been a very busy man in that time, being the ‘go-to’ bass player for not just progressive rock acts. Thankfully for us, Jonas has found the time to create another profound collection of songs under the Karmakanic banner and I consider myself to be a lucky soul bringing you the fruits of his labours here in this review.

I have always been huge fan of Karmakanic, their wonderful joie de vivre and the hope and joy in their uplifting songs is just amazing to hear and always lifts my mood. Send A Message From The Heart from 2008’s ‘Who’s The Boss In The Factory’ and Higher Ground & Steer By The Stars from the aforementioned ‘Dot’ are just a few examples of the inspiring music that Jonas and the band can create and gives him a lot to live up to.

Album opener Brace For Impact is a powerful instrumental introduction to the new release with some fiery, edgy guitar from Jonas, thunderous drums from Simon Phillips and Andy Tillison’s distinctive keyboards all combining to deliver a profound statement of intent. I braced myself for the next track, the utterly captivating End Of The Road, possible the best Karmakanic track yet delivered to an expectant audience, it really is that good! A spellbinding introduction leads to one of John Mitchell’s finest vocal performances, ably assisted by the lush tones of Randy McStine. Gorgeous musical themes abound, Luke Machin delivers some elegant guitar lines and solos along with exquisite acoustic guitar from Jan-Olof Jonsson and you are welcomed into a wide ranging vista of bewitching charm. Don’t be surprised if the repeat button on your remote gets a lot of work with this track, it is just brilliant. Cosmic Love has more than a feel of the 80’s about it with the fine keyboards of Jonas and John’s urgent voice driving things along. Some excellent slap bass straight out of that decade will put a smile on your face as, in tandem with more dynamic drumming from Craig Blundell, he ups the ante. Randy adds great backing to John and the requisite guitar lines to create another great track.

I don’t know if it is just me but John Mitchell’s vocals seem to be at their finest at the moment and he goes on to showcase his excellent voice on the stunning We Got The World In Our Hands, a song that shouts Karmakanic more than any other on the album. The music literally has you walking on air and feeling the world is a happy place and if you can go through the eight minutes of this track without singing the chorus, you have a lot more restraint than me! A four strong guitar line up of John, Jonas, Randy and Krister Jonsson imbue the song with sophisticated layers and Simon Phillips is once again on top form with the drum kit. It’s another superb track but it’s the vocals that really stand out for me, just dazzlingly sublime. An edgy atmosphere arrives with the opening to All That Glitters Is Not Gold, an almost folky feel brought on by flute and accordion to this cautionary tale. Jonas’ songwriting seems to just get better and better and is brought to life by this supreme collection of highly talented musicians. John’s vocal has a catch to it, a sombre feel if you like and the music a little haunting edge, along with some fine lead guitar, all strident and dominating, from Kristen again. If it could be said that Karmakanic have a dark side, it is let loose on this deliciously dark feeling piece. A big nod must go to Rob Townsend and his ever impressive saxophone playing.

A measured guitar and keyboards add to John’s precise vocal delivery to give a cautionary feel to Gotta Lose This Ball And Chain, a harder edged piece of music that shows a more measured and considered side to the band. Sven Cirnski layers his sophisticated guitar over Tomas Bodin’s keys and the fabulous rhythm section of Jonas and Simon and Krister gets to fire off a suitably impressive guitar solo. A catchy chorus and the fine musicianship give subtle polish to the track and it is wonderful to hear Göran Edman’s stylishly theatrical vocals at the end. And so to the final, and title, track, Transmutation, Jonas and Karmakanic have always been known for delivering superb and engrossing epic tracks on their albums (Dot and Send A Message From The Heart being prime examples) and Jonas does not let us down here with a twenty-three minute musical tour-de-force. The song ebbs and flows perfectly with some utterly mesmerising musicianship from the assembled cast of legendary progressive musicians, Steve Hackett, Andy Tillison, Krister Johnson, Roger King, Rob Townsend, Jan-Olof Jonsson, Nick D’Virgilio, the list goes on and every single one of them seems just happy to be there and be involved in this amazing musical project. Thunderous guitar and drums, elegant keyboards and Hammond organ, brilliant saxophone and John Mitchell and Amanda Lehmann laying down exquisitely graceful vocals, this track literally has it all and showcases the musician’s ability to blend complex musical arrangements with superb musicianship and emotional depth. I couldn’t think of a finer way to close an album.

‘Transmutation’ takes all the best elements of ‘Who’s The Boss In The Factory’ and ‘Dot’ to create an utterly engaging listen with all the hallmarks of what makes Karmakanic such a celebrated outfit. Consistently brilliant from the first note to the last, Jonas Reingold and his FC Barcelona of progressive all stars have delivered a musical experience to transcend most others.

Released 7th March, 2025.

Order from the artist here:

https://www.jonasreingold.se/shop

FROST* launch stand-alone single ‘Western Atmosphere’ 

UK Progressive Rock group Frost* is pleased to share a new stand-alone single titled “Western Atmosphere.” This song was originally featured as a Japanese-only bonus track on the album ‘Life in the Wires,’ and sees band leader Jem Godfrey joined by Randy McStine (Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree – live guitarist), Mike Keneally (Devin Townsend) & Nick D’Virgilio (Big Big Train).

Godfrey says this about the track: “I sometimes wonder what would have happened had I stayed in bed 10 minutes longer than I did on Monday 11th of January 2010. Perhaps my life would have gone in a completely different direction and Frost* would have ended up with the lineup of myself on keys, vocals and bass, Mike Keneally on guitar, Nick D’Virgilio on drums and Randy McStine on guitar and vocals. We’ll never know, I guess.”

 You can check out “Western Atomosphere here:

https://frost-band.lnk.to/WesternAtmosphere-Single

“It’s actually a continuation from Day and Age” explains Godfrey, “the first track on the new album starts with the end of the last track from that album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?”. I remember putting that in when we did Day and Age as a possible little hook for the future; a character somewhere out there in Day and Age land trying to be heard. What does he want to say? Can anybody hear him? Day and Age kind of sets up the world that this character lives in and Life In The Wires tells his story”.

The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom. Tune in at www.lifeinthewires.com and see if you can hear Livewire on the radio.

Helping create this parallel world are the “classic” Frost* lineup of guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell.

Fans of the band’s masterful debut album Milliontown (2006) will enjoy the band revisiting the style that made that debut album one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years, a fact that was not lost on Godfrey as he was writing this new record.

“With Day and Age, we made it a very specific point: we’re not doing any solos, we’ll do clever arrangements. And we enjoyed that discipline, but this time I thought it might be good to row back on that position a bit. Plus, I wanted to have a little bit of a nod to Milliontown with this album, because it’s been nearly 20 years since Milliontown came out and I’m still proud of it. The 15-minute title track has a few of those Milliontown moments in it which were great fun to do again.”

Frost* released their critically acclaimed double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’ last October.  The album received rave reviews from press and fans alike, ending up on many end-of-year Best-Of lists and winning Album of the Year in The Prog Report Awards.  

Stream or purchase ‘Life in the Wires’ here: 

https://frost-band.lnk.to/LifeInTheWires

Review – Frost* – Life In The Wires – by Kevin Thompson

After a busy weekend I now find myself sat at home full of cold and in need of cheering up.

Ooh! What’s this in my inbox?

Ooh! It’s the latest Frost* album for review.

Ooh! It’s a double album.

Ooh! It’s a concept album.

Can this be what I need to perk myself up. Let’s cough and sniffle through the upcoming album to see what we can find.

Ivor Novello award-winning composer and musician Jem Godfrey is best known for co-writing and producing a number of commercially successful songs for some well known musicians.  His own band Frost* are about to release their new album Life In The Wires which is a direct follow up to their last album, Day And Age, this has set up the premise for the new one. Fleshing out the imaginary world who’s character imagined on the previous album was searching to be heard, we are introduced to Naio, who Jem Godfrey describes as an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an AI run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom.

‘Life in the Wires’ features the welcome return of drummer Craig Blundell (‘Blunders’ to the band), to join the continued guitar and vocal services of stalwart John Mitchell (also known as ‘Connaught’), the wonderful Nathan King on bass, and Mr Jem Godfrey himself doing just about everything else including lead vocals. Now I have a problem with John as I love his material and own all his output, but such is his distinctive voice and guitar work, that at times other people’s albums on which he features can sound like John Mitchell and Friends. But on this concept album the consistency of Jem Godfrey’s lead vocals, adds that distinguishing edge without John having to compromise.

Three tracks are already available to listen to on YouTube, (Life in the Wires, Part 1, Moral And Consequence and Idiot Box) which all seem to have been greeted with great enthusiasm. So, fortified with cold remedies, let’s without further ado, climb into the comfort of the album and delve into the individual tracks.

The first and shortest track on the new album, ‘Skywaving’, starts with the end of the last track from the previous album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?” Looping keys swirl as Naio decides he will follow his dream and the voice he has heard in the hope of finding a destiny of promise.

Notes blast morse code like from the speakers as if there is ‘Life in the Wires, Part 1′. The voice of ‘Livewire’ on the radio urging anyone listening, to step out of the dystopia they are living in and seek him out for a new life, as keys and guitars fizz across the airwaves, plundered by drums and bass. The signal drifts out on melancholy piano keys, is there something out there?

(A pause to blow my nose and grab another hot drink, must keep up the liquids and we’re back to it).

The piano drifts into the next song lyrics lamenting sorrowfully on a once warm family home devastatingly affected by circumstances and grieving guitar solo, turning it into ‘This House Of Winter’.  Warm breezes of instrumentation waft across the grooves easing the chill and drift into the following number….

‘The Solid State Orchestra’, as Naio prepares to defy the All Seeing Eye and set off on his dangerous search of paradise, will it be worth it? Will he find what he is looking for? He steps outside to the noises of the street.

Leaving no note he intends to escape the city and disappear like a mist created by an ‘Evaporator’,the music flows with urgency and there’s an increase in excitement and trepidation with bursts of guitar, as the rhythm section of bass and drums drive him forward with Jem’s keys holding it all together.

(For me this is probably the catchiest track on the album and I find myself wandering round singing the chorus, between sneezes).

Livewirebroadcasts on the hour every hour whilst Naio tries to find his way through this ‘Strange World’ on a more ambient track that blossoms and throbs to life with delicate keyboard passages from Jem’s nimble fingers.

The reverie is broken as guitar crashes in buzzing like an angry wasp and the keys jab with accusing pointed fingers. We don’t care what you want, do as you are expected and watch the Idiot Box. Turn against anyone who does not conform, they are the enemy, like a cold virus, like Naio. A message of encouragement from Livewire as another hour passes, keeps him going.

Confident in the affirmation of his decision to continue his quest, Naio thinks fondly of ‘Absent Friends’ he has had to leave behind on this gentle keys and orchestrated sound, no connections to link them to him as it is too dangerous.  They’re gone but not forgotten.

Obedience. All should follow, to learn subservience at the ‘School (Introducing The All Seeing Eye)’ (ASE) and be taught not to stray, as this foreboding instrumental patrols the grooves ensuring all toe the line. No revolution will be tolerated as the music storms forward.

The campaign and aggressive music search to discredit Naio and ‘Properganda’ is spread for all to hear, that he is not well and is against the ASE. The marching wall of instrumentation tries to rout him out and leave him no place to hide. Another message from Livewire with well wishes, but saying farewell.

(Another break for a hot drink and menthol lozenge to clear my head a little and focus on this welcome distraction).

The last message has left Naio doubting and questioning himself on this subdued track. He had hoped to find a ‘Sign Of Life’, but nothing other than repeat messages. Has this all been a futile dream, has it all been for nothing. This siren seems to have led him astray trying to crush his dreams on the rocks of oppression?

He thinks of the ‘Moral and Consequence’ he may face for his actions as fraught guitar goes round and round in his head. He had to try, there must be more to life, outside the reach of the ASE.  He is ready to face whatever happens he’s no longer afraid.

Is there ‘Life In The Wires (Part 2)‘ on this penultimate track of epic, composed music? There most certainly is with deliberate nods to the most excellent Milliontown from 2006, paying homage as it nears it’s 20th anniversary, most noticeably on this, the longest track that builds with a cornucopia of solo’s and rhythmic passages, meshed beautifully together. It ripples with ribbons of joy and flourishes like fields of swaying wheat blessed in sun-kissed fields, golden and bright.

There must be more to life, everyone needs to stand up and make waves, ‘Starting Fires’ of change and believe. The revolution will build, take shape and change the world and musical thinking as the album draws to a close, waving the banner for a better future.

Jem said he wanted to return to solos after the restraint and focus on astute arrangements for Day And Age, which has I feel added impetus to Life In The Wires, making it sound fresh and alive, with the band gelling as one in perfect harmony and synchronisation. It may not have cured my cold, but it is powerful enough to lift my spirits and give me the warm glow I always feel inside when an album hits the spot.

Milliontown is one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years and rightly held in high regard, lauded by fans and critics alike. Life In The Wires may not surpass it but damn! it runs it close. One of the best concept albums I’ve heard for sometime and one of the best albums of the year so far.

Frost* have certainly still got plenty of life in their wires, can you here me?

‘Life In The Wires’ will be available as a Limited 2CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP and as Digital Album, with subtle difference across the 3 formats for added interest. The album features artwork design by Carl Glover, who also designed the cover of ‘Day And Age’.

Released on October 18th, 2024 on InsideOut Music.

Order the album here:

https://frost-band.lnk.to/LifeInTheWires

FROST* return with their new double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’

UK progressive rockers Frost* are pleased to announce the release of their brand new double concept album ‘Life In The Wires’, due out 18th October 2024 via InsideOutMusic. “Every prog band worth their salt really should do a double album, shouldn’t they?” asks Frost* frontman Jem Godfrey. “We’ve always kind of had this idea of wanting to do one. So I sat down last summer and thought, well, I’m just gonna have to get my head down and go for it.”

Today also sees the launch of the first track taken from the album, the first part of the album’s epic title track. Watch the video for ‘Life In The Wires, Part 1’, created by Christian Rios/Ray of Light Films, here: 

Stream the single & pre-order the album here: 

Frost* – Life in the Wires, Pt. 1 (lnk.to)

“It’s actually a continuation from Day and Age” explains Godfrey, “the first track on the new album starts with the end of the last track from that album “Repeat to Fade,” where the static comes up and a voice says “Can you hear me?”. I remember putting that in when we did Day and Age as a possible little hook for the future; a character somewhere out there in Day and Age land trying to be heard. What does he want to say? Can anybody hear him? Day and Age kind of sets up the world that this character lives in and Life In The Wires tells his story”.

The story revolves around the main character Naio, an aimless kid heading for a meaningless future in an A.I. run world. He hears an old DJ talking on the ancient AM radio his mother once gave him and decides to trace the source of the signal and find “Livewire” to see if there’s a better future out there. However, the All Seeing Eye is less than impressed at this bid for independent thought and fights back. Soon Naio finds himself pursued across the country by an outraged mob as he tries to locate the home of Livewire and his freedom. Tune in at www.lifeinthewires.com and see if you can hear Livewire on the radio.

Helping create this parallel world are the “classic” Frost* lineup of guitarist John Mitchell, bassist Nathan King, and returning drummer Craig Blundell.

Fans of the band’s masterful debut album Milliontown (2006) will enjoy the band revisiting the style that made that debut album one of the most successful prog rock albums of the last 20 years, a fact that was not lost on Godfrey as he was writing this new record.

“With Day and Age, we made it a very specific point: we’re not doing any solos, we’ll do clever arrangements. And we enjoyed that discipline, but this time I thought it might be good to row back on that position a bit. Plus, I wanted to have a little bit of a nod to Milliontown with this album, because it’s been nearly 20 years since Milliontown came out and I’m still proud of it. The 15-minute title track has a few of those Milliontown moments in it which were great fun to do again.” 

‘Life In The Wires’ will be available as a Limited 2CD, Gatefold 180g 2LP & as Digital Album, with subtle difference across the 3 formats for added interest. The album features artwork design by Carl Glover, who also designed the cover of ‘Day And Age’. The full track listing is as follows:

CD1:

1.     Skywaving 1:57

2.     Life in the Wires, Part 1 5:30

3.     This House Of Winter 6:10

4.     The Solid State Orchestra 6:35

5.     Evaporator 8:09

6.     Strange World 5:09

7.     Idiot Box 4:59

8.     Absent Friends 3:58 

CD2:

1.     School (Introducing The All Seeing Eye) 3:12

2.     Propergander 5:34

3.     Sign Of Life 5.44

4.     Moral And Consequence 8:13

5.     Life in the Wires, Part 2 15:51

6.     Starting Fires 4:40 

Band picture credit Will Ireland.

FROST* launch video for ‘Skywards’ ahead of November 2022 UK tour dates

Frost* are set to hit the road in the UK later this year, for their much anticipated live-return. The band will be celebrating the release of their 2021 album ‘Day And Age’, and in advance of these tour they have launched a brand new video for the track ‘Skywards’. Watch it now here: 

Jem Godfrey comments: “It will have been 5 years and 3 days since we last played in the UK when we go onstage in Wolverhampton on November 27th so we figured we’d do something special. To that end Craig Blundell has re-joined the band and we’ll be playing Milliontown, Black Light Machine, Hyperventilate and a few other classics from the repertoire to celebrate alongside a good chunk of the new album. It’s going to be a lot of fun.” 

The full list of dates is as follows: 

Nov 2022

 Sun 27th Wolverhampton Steel Mill

Mon 28th Edinburgh Queens Hall                 

Tue 29th Leeds Brudenell Social Club

Wed 30th Bath Komedia                                   

Dec 2022

 Thu 1st London Islington Assembly Hall 

Tickets available from MyTicket.co.uk

Watch the previously released videos from ‘Day And Age’ below:

‘Day And Age’: https://youtu.be/RmiAmW3sgHs

‘Terrestrial’: https://youtu.be/wda09d-QdUk

Island Life: https://youtu.be/gT_RH_pKQFk

Frost* returned in 2021 with ‘Day And Age’, the band’s fourth record and first new studio album in five years. It features Jem Godfrey joined by John Mitchell & Nathan King, as well as 3 guest drummers: Kaz Rodriguez (Chaka Khan, Josh Groban), Darby Todd (The Darkness, Martin Barre) & Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mister Mister). The album also features actor Jason Isaacs. 

 ‘Day And Age’ was recorded over the course of 2019 and 2020, featuring 8 tracks and striking cover artwork by Carl Glover of Aleph Studios (Steven Wilson, Marillion, Steve Jansen). The album is available on Limited 2CD (including a bonus disc of instrumentals), Gatefold 180g 2LP + CD (with etching on Side D), and as Digital Album. Order now here: https://frost-band.lnk.to/DayAndAge

Frost* was formed in 2004 by keyboard player and singer Jem Godfrey, Released in 2006 the band’s debut album “Milliontown” was an instant success and is regarded by many as a classic in the modern prog rock genre featuring John Mitchell on guitar, John Jowitt on bass and Andy Edwards on drums. The band quickly followed it up with “Experiments In Mass Appeal” in 2008, in many ways the antithesis of “Milliontown” featuring a much more stripped back sound, more concise songs and a new band member and singer in the form of Dec Burke. 

The live album “The Philadelphia Experiment” followed in 2009 and the a long gap followed before 3rd album “Falling Satellites” was released in 2016 with a new line-up of Nathan King on bass and Craig Blundell on drums, plus returning guitarist and singer John Mitchell on guitar who also co-wrote much of the album with Jem Godfrey.

Lonely Robot launch ‘Recalibrating’, first single from forthcoming new studio album ‘A Model Life’ 

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by vocalist, guitarist & producer John Mitchell, recently announced the release of their fifth studio album ‘A Model Life’ on the 26th August 2022. Today, sees the launch of the album’s first single, ‘Recalibrating’. Listen to the track now here:

John comments: “A post apocalyptic breakup…the world you once knew has burned to the ground like Nero’s Rome. The only thing for it is to move forward and reset your mind. To ‘recalibrate’ if you will.” 

An album that brims with frustration at the state of things, while tugging remorselessly at the heart strings, A Model Life is plainly the most honest and vulnerable Lonely Robot record to date. From opener Recalibrating, which muses on the aftermath of a broken relationship, and Digital God Machine – a sardonic tribute to keyboard warriors everywhere, to the boys-don’t-cry pathos of Rain Kings and the absurdly moving, adoption-themed Duty Of Care, these new songs provide a scattershot but profoundly emotional soundtrack to a restless and uncertain world.

John comments: “Making ‘A Model Life’ was very much a lifeline and indeed wake up call at the end of a particularly personally challenging couple of years. Creating it made me realise that ultimately, life is impermanent and the one true thing that gives me a focus and anchor is and has always been music. Long may that be the case.” 

The album will be available as Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+CD & as Digital Album. Pre-order now here:

Lonely Robot – Recalibrating (lnk.to)

The full track-listing is as follows:

1.     Recalibrating00:05:02
2.     Digital God Machine00:06:08
3.     Species In Transition00:06:19
4.     Starlit Stardust00:05:48
5.     The Island Of Misfit Toys00:04:18
6.     A Model Life00:05:27
7.     Mandalay00:01:56
8.     Rain Kings00:06:33
9.     Duty Of Care00:06:24
10.  In Memoriam00:05:53

A lone soldier on the frontlines of creativity, John Mitchell has been at the forefront of forward-thinking and progressive rock for decades now. As a member of such revered prog ensembles as It Bites, Arena, Frost* and his own projects Kino and The Urbane, he has become a uniquely vital contributor to the modern scene, while his credentials as a producer for countless contemporary rock acts are unquestionable. But since 2015, John has been operating under name Lonely Robot: a solo project in all but name, it has enabled him to fully express his own musical vision, via some of the most vivid and fascinating music of his career to date. 

Lonely Robot announce new album ‘A Model Life’ for release 26th August 2022 

Lonely Robot, the project masterminded by vocalist, guitarist & producer John Mitchell, are pleased to announce the release of their fifth studio album ‘A Model Life’ on the 26th August 2022.

John comments: “Making ‘A Model Life’ was very much a lifeline and indeed wake up call at the end of a particularly personally challenging couple of years. Creating it made me realise that ultimately, life is impermanent and the one true thing that gives me a focus and anchor is and has always been music. Long may that be the case.” 

An album that brims with frustration at the state of things, while tugging remorselessly at the heart strings, A Model Life is plainly the most honest and vulnerable Lonely Robot record to date. From opener Recalibrating, which muses on the aftermath of a broken relationship, and Digital God Machine – a sardonic tribute to keyboard warriors everywhere, to the boys-don’t-cry pathos of Rain Kings and the absurdly moving, adoption-themed Duty Of Care, these new songs provide a scattershot but profoundly emotional soundtrack to a restless and uncertain world.

The album will be available as Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP+CD & as Digital Album, with pre-orders starting on the 24th June.

A lone soldier on the frontlines of creativity, John Mitchell has been at the forefront of forward-thinking and progressive rock for decades now. As a member of such revered prog ensembles as It Bites, Arena, Frost* and his own projects Kino and The Urbane, he has become a uniquely vital contributor to the modern scene, while his credentials as a producer for countless contemporary rock acts are unquestionable. But since 2015, John has been operating under name Lonely Robot: a solo project in all but name, it has enabled him to fully express his own musical vision, via some of the most vivid and fascinating music of his career to date.

Review – Frost* – Day And Age – by John Wenlock-Smith

What a year this is turning out to be, eh? We have had lockdowns, a new US President, I was so glad to see the back of Donald Trump and his inane ‘Twittering’s’, along with his clan of hangers on and thugs. Thankfully so were most Americans, sick of his lies and arrogance and concern for himself and so voted him out, although the incidents at the Capitol Hill probably sealed his fate, for now at least.

In other news, we have seen mass vaccinations against Covid, the emergence of random variants and possible hope for return to a more normal way of living, although some changes will probably remain in situ for now. In this time of uncertainty there are signs of new life, especially musically, as bands are emerging, once again, with the promise of live shows nearer to reality and new material in the can awaiting release.

Frost* are one such act. After a fine digital EP last year, ‘The Others’, and the ’13 Winters’ box set that brought the first ten years of the band together in one fabulous complete 8 CD set, comes this new release ‘Day and Age’ which opens the next stage of their ongoing history.

Consisting of 8 tracks lasting just over 53 minutes, this is a stroll through the modern world as seen by Frost*. Expect despair, hope, longing, confusion and fear along with strong melodies and inspired music, albeit with an edge of discomfort and unsettlement.

“Welcome to the rest of your life… sit back and remember, enjoy yourselves, you scum”, or so the disturbing child’s voice intones at the beginning of opener Day and Age. Things settle into a mid-paced track with lots happening musically, a powerful back beat and masses of keyboards and chiming guitars and with John Mitchell sounding not unlike a certain Mr Gabriel on this song. Everything passes swiftly with nary a wasted second, indeed, as an opener, it is certainly one of the most effective I’ve heard this year and stands right up there with tracks like Hypersonic from ‘Liquid Tension Experiment 3’ and Out Of This World from Kayak. Yes folks, in a dim world, there is mighty fine new music being conceived and delivered by our prog heroes who are, to a man, refusing to allow Covid restrictions to curtail their ongoing creativity and we are most thankful for that.

The album has a few shorter tracks in amongst the longer ones and, in all of these, you can hear the pop sensibilities that Frost* employ so wonderfully, along with the thunderous drums of Kaz Rodriguez, Darby Todd and Pat Mastelotto, each of whom pound away very satisfyingly indeed with power, strength and finesse..

This is especially so on the awesome The Boy Who Stood Still, which includes a fine voice over from Jason Isaacs. Sound wise, this song reminds me of the mighty Propaganda of ZTT Records fame who, through a blend of hard-edged percussion and angular vocals, married funk and progressive elements so wonderfully. Check out Duel or Dr Mabuse for an example of their sound and then see how this Frost* track compares, I can certainly see the similarities. The track is a decent length too and benefits from the extended running time to realise its ideas fully, it really is an interesting song. Lyrically this is a dark album and, were it not for the imaginative music Frost* create, could be considered very mournful and sad. Yet the music works with the lyrics to create something that is not really that sad somehow, I think it is the imagination they employ that elevates the songs to different heights. 

Another Excellent song is Kill The Orchestra, it opens with some rather dreamy piano that is completely in contrast to the darkness of the lyrics. That may, of course, be in part due to the locations involved in the writing of these songs, namely a converted coastguard tower in the south west of England amongst other locations. This possible bleakness contributes to the darkness and stark feelings contained in these songs, which, when you read the lyrics, is clearly apparent as a dark and yet interesting view of the world becomes clear.

All of this makes the album all the better for it does not sugar coat the band’s views and takes such a bold lyrical stance. Kill the Orchestra is particularly dark in tone with its tale of a would-be rock star who is lost in his own self worth to the point of self-obsession. All of this is backed by some epic musical sections to make a seriously good song.

This is an ambitious set of songs performed wonderfully and are very satisfying musically. With the modern edge to its sound, ‘Day and Age’ is an album that is impressive from its disturbing opening voice right to the end some, 53 minutes later. This is one that is best heard loud in the dark I think, you will love it!

Released 14th May, 2021

Order from Burning Shed here:

Day And Age (burningshed.com)

FROST* release ‘Terrestrial’; first single from new album ‘Day And Age’

Frost* recently announced ‘Day And Age’, their first new studio album in 5 years, set for release on the 14th May 2021. The band’s fourth record features Jem Godfrey once again joined by John Mitchell & Nathan King, as well as 3 guest drummers: Kaz Rodriguez (Chaka Khan, Josh Groban), Darby Todd (The Darkness, Martin Barre) & Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson, Mister Mister). The album also features actor Jason Isaacs.

Today the band are pleased to launch ‘Terrestrial’, the first single taken from ‘Day And Age’, and you can watch the video here: 

Jem Godfrey comments: “Terrestrial is about Donald Crowhurst who disappeared while competing in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race never to be found. The last page of his logbook contained the words: “I have no need to prolong the game. It is finished – It is finished IT IS THE MERCY.”

 ‘Day And Age’ was recorded over the course of 2019 and 2020, featuring 8 tracks and striking cover artwork by Carl Glover of Aleph Studios (Steven Wilson, Marillion, Steve Jansen). The album will be released on Limited 2CD (including a bonus disc of instrumentals), Gatefold 180g 2LP + CD (with etching on Side D), and as Digital Album. Pre-order now here: https://frost-band.lnk.to/DayAndAge

The full track-listing is below:

1.         Day And Age 11:49

2.         Terrestrial 5:13

3.         Waiting For The Lie 4:31

4.         The Boy Who Stood Still 7:33

5.         Island Life 4:14

6.         Skywards 4:13

7.         Kill The Orchestra 9:27

8.         Repeat To Fade 6:14 

In September 2019 Godfrey and Mitchell rented a cottage for a week in Helford, Cornwall and set about converting it into a recording studio. Day one saw them write and record “Skywards”, “Island Life” was written on day two. On day three, the duo wrote what was to become the title and defining track of the new album, “Day And Age”. 

The following January, the band setup a new temporary studio for a further week in a converted coastguard tower at Dungeness in East Sussex. “We were 30 feet by the sea, next to a nuclear power station and a lighthouse, in midwinter. So there was hardly any daylight and the weather was dreadful”, laughs bassist Nathan King, “We wrote “Terrestrial” and “Repeat To Fade” there and you can definitely hear the bleak isolated oppression having an effect on us. The songs we wrote were far darker – the wind howling round the building at night, the power station generating crackles on the audio, a huge lighthouse next door sweeping light into the fog every 30 seconds and John screaming “ENJOY YOURSELVES YOU SCUM” into a microphone. It was absolutely brilliant!”.

In November 2020, Frost* released the career-retrospective collection ‘13 Winters’ which featured all their studio albums to date, plus live material, b-sides & last years ‘Others’ EP, all packaged in a beautiful artbook.

Frost* was formed in 2004 by keyboard player and singer Jem Godfrey, Released in 2006 the band’s debut album “Milliontown” was an instant success and is regarded by many as a classic in the modern prog rock genre featuring John Mitchell on guitar, John Jowitt on bass and Andy Edwards on drums. The band quickly followed it up with “Experiments In Mass Appeal” in 2008, in many ways the antithesis of “Milliontown” featuring a much more stripped back sound, more concise songs and a new band member and singer in the form of Dec Burke.

The live album “The Philadelphia Experiment” followed in 2009 and the a long gap followed before 3rd album “Falling Satellites” was released in 2016 with a new line-up of Nathan King on bass and Craig Blundell on drums, plus returning guitarist and singer John Mitchell on guitar who also co-wrote much of the album with Jem Godfrey. 

It Bites – announce reissues of ‘The Tall Ships’ & ‘Map Of The Past’

It Bites are pleased to announce reissues of their albums ‘The Tall Ships’ and ‘Map Of The Past’ for release on the 7th May 2021. Both albums have been newly remastered by John Mitchell, and will be available on CD, LP & Digital formats, with it being first time that ‘The Tall Ships’ has ever been available on vinyl. The physical formats also include extensive liner notes from John Mitchell reflecting back on the making of these albums.

Listen to the remastered version of ‘Ghosts’ from ‘The Tall Ships’ & pre-order now here: https://itbites.lnk.to/TheTallShips-ReIssue2021

Listen to the remastered version of ‘Cartoon Graveyard’ from ‘Map Of The Past’ & pre-order now here: https://itbites.lnk.to/MapOfThePast-ReIssue2021

Both albums will be released as Limited CD Digipaks that include an additional booklet containing the liner notes, Gatefold 180g 2LP + CD & LP-booklet (with liner notes) & as Digital Albums. 

The track-listing for the reissues is as follows:

The Tall Ships

1.     Oh My God

2.     Ghosts

3.     Playground

4.     Memory Of Water

5.     The Tall Ships

6.     The Wind That Shakes The Barley

7.     Great Disasters

8.     Fahrenheit

9.     For Safekeeping

10.  Lights

11.  This Is England

12.  These Words (Bonus Track)

13.  When I Fall (Bonus Track) 

Map Of The Past

1.     Man In The Photograph

2.     Wallflower

3.     Map Of The Past

4.     Clocks

5.     Flag

6.     The Big Machine

7.     Cartoon Graveyard

8.     Send No Flowers

9.     Meadow And The Stream

10.  The Last Escape

11.  Exit Song

12.  Lighthouse (Bonus Track)

13.  Come On (Bonus Track)

Please note bonus tracks are not included on the vinyl LP’s, but are included on the CD’s in the package. 

It Bites fourth studio album ‘The Tall Ships’, originally released in 2008 was the first It Bites album to feature singer & guitarist John Mitchell, and the bands first new music in nineteen years.

It Bites fifth studio album ‘Map Of The Past’, originally released in 2012, was the first concept album of the bands twenty-five year career. It explores the theme of the past, as seen through old family photographs.