New Werner Herzog Film Features Many Phases Of Henry Kaiser

Werner Herzog's new feature film, ENCOUNTERS AT THE END OF THE WORLD, which opens THIS MONTH, JUNE 2008 in cities across the USA, features the music of HENRY KAISER - a longtime Cuneiform associate - in collaboration with his pal David Lindley.
A widely respected avant garde guitarist and improviser, Kaiser has released numerous recordings on Silver Spring/Washington DC-based Cuneiform Records, his most recent being *Healing Force: The Songs of Albert Ayler*. His other Cuneiform recordings include two double disc recordings by *Yo Miles!*, a group dedicated to the late/electric music of Miles Davis that he co-leads with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith; a double disc compilation of his guitar improvisations with Fred Frith, called Friends & Enemies; a CD of his solo improvisations, called *Lemon Fish Tweezers*, and a various artists compilation of acoustic guitar music called *156 Strings*, which he both curated and appears on. In addition to his work on Cuneiform, Kaiser has released numerous recordings on other labels, including Shanachie. Most notably, Kaiser and Lindley released 3 CDs in the A WORLD OUT OF TIME series of Malagasy collaborations on Shanachie, which was nominated for a Grammy. Very recently, Kaiser released a recording of shakuhachi-guitar duets with Kiku Day: ZEN KAIJU. Imagine that Hiroshi Teshigahara directed GOJIRA (GODZILLA), instead of Inoshiro Honda, with a soundtrack by Toru Takemitsu, to get an idea of the nature of the unusual ZEN KAIJU project....
But Kaiser is not only a musician whose music is internationally acclaimed - he is also a professional underwater videographer AND a movie producer and filmmaker. Besides supplying the music with Lindley for Herzog's Encounters, he also produced the movie and did all of the underwater photography; as well as appearing as a character on camera.

Festival Showings:
Silverdocs Film Festival: Washington, DC area international festival for documentary films [Silver Spring] on Friday June 20, at 2:30 and also Sunday June 22, at 12:45. Tickets and directions can be found on the website: http://silverdocs.com/festival/films/2008/encounters-end-world/
Whether it be experimenting with guitar riffs from outer space or experimenting with science, deep beneath the ice of Antarctica's Ross Sea, Henry Kaiser is no stranger to pushing the limits. Now, Kaiser is at it again with his new project. *Encounters at the End of the World.* Henry Kaiser again takes on a new challenge by not only producing the film and composing the music for the film's soundtrack, but also by taking on the role of cameraman down in the frigid climate of mysterious Antarctica.
For decades Henry Kaiser has been known as a world renowned avant-garde musician. He has been widely recognized as one of the most creative guitar players and improvisers. His music has been described as unique, exciting, and adventurous. Before his recording career began, Kaiser was a professional film and TV director. Recently Kaiser had several projects where he has made great strides working with Werner Herzog. Kaiser and Herzog explored life with a pack of grizzly bears and then dove down deep into the sea.
Now, working on their fourth collaboration, Kaiser and Herzog decided to invade the secret sides of Antarctica and uncover some of the polar mysteries, human and inhuman, of one of Earth's last unexplored territories. *Encounters* has already earned rave reviews at the Telluride Film Festival and it opens to the public this summer.

To Find Out More, Visit: Encounters at the End of the World http://encountersfilm.com/

Abigail's Ghost To Play Progday 2008

ABIGAIL'S GHOST Comes To ProgDay 2008. When one thinks of music from Louisiana, progressive rock is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. With a few exceptions, like ProgDay alumni WOODENHEAD, the state is best known for jazz, blues and zydeco. So it was a bit of a surprise in 2007 when the album “Selling Insincerity” burst out of the bayou by a young band that went by the moniker of ABIGAIL'S GHOST. The album drew rave reviews on the Internet and in both the prog and mainstream rock press. Founded by childhood friends JOSHUA THERIOT and KENNETH WILSON, both former students at the Berklee College Of Music, the band draws influences from a wide array of both modern and classic progressive rock and art rock. Often compared to PORCUPINE TREE, shades of OPETH, RIVERSIDE and PINK FLOYD can also be found within the framework of the band’s material. The songs are emotional and atmospheric, encompassing both soft acoustic interludes and bombastic heaviness bordering on metal.

The ProgDay staff has stated how proud they are to welcome ABIGAIL'S GHOST to the Storybook Farm stage. They are sure they are going to be a major highlight of the weekend. ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), Canvas Solaris (US), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US).

To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit their website at http://www.progday.com

Marco Lo Musico Does Tribute To Steve Hackett

'New Horizons' is an album of Hackett compositions arranged for grand piano and pipe organ, performed and transcribed by international organist & pianist Marco Lo Muscio. It features pieces from 'Voyage Of The Acolyte', 'Bay Of Kings', 'Guitar Noir' and 'Momentum'. Depending on the track Marco either plays a Steinway grand piano or the mighty Ruffati pipe organ of the Canadian church in Rome.
There are also 2 bonus live tracks including a 'Firth Of Fifth' piano solo performed in Russia.
For more information, visit: http://www.camino.co.uk

Avantasia Kicks Off Tour In Europe

EDGUY singer Tobias Sammet's solo project AVANTASIA kicked off its European tour on Thursday, June 5 at the Rocksound Festival in Huttwil, Switzerland. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert's opening song can be viewed below.
AVANTASIA's touring lineup consists of the following musicians:
Tobias Sammet
Jörn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN)
André Matos (ex-ANGRA)
Amanda Somerville (EPICA stand-in singer)
Olli Hartmann
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; not all shows)
Sascha Paeth
Miro
Robert Hunecke
Claudy Yang
Felix Bohnke
The new album from AVANTASIA, "The Scarecrow", was "officially one of the 20 best-selling albums in whole Europe during the fourth week of January," according to a press release."The Scarecrow" was released on January 25 as a standard CD as well as rare picture (double) vinyl. "The Scarecrow" features guest appearances by the following artists:
Alice Cooper (vocals)
Amanda Somerville (vocals)
Bob Catley (MAGNUM; vocals)
Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN; vocals)
Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY; guitar)
Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN; vocals)
Oliver Hartmann
Roy Khan (KAMELOT; vocals)
Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS; guitar)

Flower Kings Prepping For Upcoming Tour And Releases

The Swedish progressive rockers The Flower Kings have some new news from the camp, and within the camp. The band recently announced 2 new additions to the family. New drummer/percussionist Erik Hammarström and vocalist, keyboardist, guitarist Ola Heden. This new lineup will premiere with the 6 piece line up at the Loreley festival in Germany on July 19th.

The band is working on a number of side projects at the present as well, including new releases from Karmakanic, Tomas Bodin, and there are two yet unnamed project/groups from Roine Stolt and Jonas Reingold. Erik Hammarstöm is also part of the new Brightseye Brison CD. The Flower Kings will reunite in a couple of weeks for a series of rehearsals for upcoming shows/festivals and then for an eventual recording.

The Upcoming Shows:

SAT July 19th - Loreley outdoor Festival "Night Of The Prog" (with Roger Hodgson, It Bites, Pain Of Salvation, Fish, Neal Morse, Isildurs Bane, Barcley James Harvest)

SUN Aug 24 - Pittsburgh, PA - the Pepsi Roadhouse, "3 Rivers Festival"(with California Guitar Trio, Spock's Beard, Rocket Scientists)

TUE Aug 26 - New York City, NY - BB Kings - Lucilles Grille (237 W 42nd Street)

WED Aug 27 - Arlington, MA - Regent Theater

SAT Aug 30 - Chicago, IL - Martyrs (MARTYRS' 3855 N. Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL 773-404-9494)

SAT Sept - 6th - Another progfestival: Cascais - Portugal (it is near Estoril/Lisboa)

SAT Oct - 11th - Motstoy (prog & metal) Festival - Norway

Visit the Flower Kings at: http://www.flowerkings.se

Twelfth Night Sign To Festival Music Records

F2 Records has officially announced the signing of a worldwide deal with TWELFTH NIGHT, one of the most important and exciting Prog bands to come out of the 80s Progressive Rock Revival in the UK. Recent concerts have given rise to a renewed interest in the band, their back catalog and their forthcoming live DVD, and the label is estatic.
TWELFTH NIGHT formed in 1979 and became regulars at the Marquee Club, London, touring extensively over the years and releasing a number of critically acclaimed albums. Brian Devoil, drummer and founder member of the band said 'Signing with Festival Music is a very positive move for us, and we are delighted to be working with such an enthusiastic label.'
David Robinson (owner of Festival Music, progrock.co.uk and F2 Music) has been a lifelong fan of the band, and is looking forward to working with the band on some very exciting releases.'
Festival Music will be releasing double CD 'Definitive Edition' versions of the TWELFTH NIGHT back catalogue. Each CD set will include the full original album along with a second disc containing demos, rehearsals and/or live recordings from the same era, much of it previously unreleased. The CDs will be issued with updated artwork, new sleeve notes and previously unseen photographs. The first release in the series will be 'Smiling At Grief - The Definitive Edition', making the Smiling At Grief album available for the first time in eleven years. TWELFTH NIGHT joins Credo, Solstice, Manning, Bittertown, Tinyfish, Ezra and Citizen Cain on the Festival Music label. http://www.festival-music.co.uk

ASIA Featuring John Payne Performs July 4th Concert for the Troops

Los Angeles, CA - Classic prog rock, hit making band ASIA Featuring John Payne will perform at the upcoming Concert for the Troops to celebrate Independence Day on July 4, 2008. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Sports Arena from 4-9PM and will be full of surprises, including military flyovers, and over 1500 uniformed men and women on the concert floor as Los Angeles celebrates those who serve our country. A spectacular fireworks show will follow the event. The concert will be recorded and will be shown overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.
John Payne has been lead vocalist, bassist and driving force for the supergroup ASIA for some 16 years, releasing over 15 albums with them and participating in extensive world tours. To continue this legacy after Downes’ departure in 2006, keyboard wizard Erik Norlander was brought into the fold with existing members Guthrie Govan and Jay Schellen. On October 16th, 2007, Sony/BMG released ASIA featuring John Payne - EXTENDED VERSIONS. A new studio CD release is planned for later this year.

Canvas Solaris To Perform at ProgDay 2008

CANVAS SOLARIS have defied the constraints of their beginnings in the death/mathcore scene to evolve into one of the most cutting edge instrumental bands to hit progressive rock in many years. Initially a vocal quartet playing an unusual and experimental form of death metal, by the time they recorded their first official release they had shed their vocalist and shifted focus to intricate instrumental arrangements. TRIBUNAL RECORDS called it "...genius level stuff." The evolution continued as CANVAS SOLARIS incorporated additional elements in their work. Their sound became eloquently expansive as more prominent keyboards, integral acoustic arrangements, and ethnic percussion widened their musical vocabulary.
Signing with SENSORY RECORDS (The Laser's Edge) in 2005, they began a series of releases that has shown just how far they have come from their origins. Contrasting intense hyper-technical passages with introverted, spacey, quiet and acoustic-based interludes, today CANVAS SOLARIS have established themselves as one of the bands pointing a new direction for the heavy progressive and progmetal scenes. As Tribunal Records has said, "We guarantee it will blow your mind!"
ProgDay, the world’s longest running progressive rock festival, takes place this year on August 30th and 31st at Storybook Farm near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Other bands announced so far are Ain Soph (Japan), CHEER-ACCIDENT (US), Holding Pattern (US), and VonFrickle (US). To hear music and get information about all the bands, please visit the Progday website at http://www.progday.com.

The Aurora Project signs to The Laser’s Edge

Dutch progressive rock band The Aurora Project has signed to the American label The Laser's Edge. The second album, titled Shadow Border, is being mixed at the moment by Joost van den Broek (Ayreon, After Forever) and will be released worldwide in September.

The Aurora Project debuted in 2005 with the album Unspoken Words, released by DVS Records. It was critically acclaimed in the international music press and got raving reviews. As a result the band shared the stage with bands like Pain of Salvation, Riverside en Van Den Plas, toured in Belgium and Germany and was invited to international progressive rock festivals like Progpower and Symforce.

After DVS Records seized business in 2007, the band had to look for a new label. Guitarist Remco van den Berg explains: "Our first record was obviously not missed out since we got various offers from record companies. The Laser's Edge immediately appealed to us, they've got great bands and history, worldwide distribution and are thrilled to work on the project. We are proud to be part of the family!"
Just as the first, the new album, Shadow Border, will be a concept album. The record contains seven tracks, including a 17-minute title track. Joost van den Broek, famous for his work for Ayreon and After Forever, signed for the recording, mixing and producer credits. Guitarist Remco van den Berg explains "Joost van den Broek is an absolute bullseye! He's a very nice guy and a real metalhead. You will definately hear this back in the mix. We cannot wait for the moment it will blow out of the speakers." The album was recorded in the famous Dutch Excess studio (Epica, Gorefest) and the album will be mastered by the legendary Bob Katz who received several Grammy's for his work in the past. In the fall, the band will go on tour to promote the album. An extensive production and video diary of the making of the album has been made available on www.theauroraproject.com.