DREAM THEATER's 'Black Clouds' Lands In U.S. Top 10

The new album from DREAM THEATER, entitled "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", sold 40,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Commented DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy: "This is truly amazing.... that after almost 25 years together, this band is still growing and progressing and doing bigger and better numbers than ever... I can't think of many bands that can claim that. Plus — a progressive metal album with four songs over 12 minutes in the U.S. Top 10??? (wedged between JONAS BROTHERS, EMINEM and HANNAH MONTANA!) Hell must've frozen over!!!! (This must be a first of its kind...)"

DREAM THEATER's last CD, "Systematic Chaos", opened with 36,000 units in 2007 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

In addition to the standard-version CD, DREAM THEATER's tenth studio album, "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", was also made available on vinyl LP, as well as a three-disc, special-edition CD that includes the full album, a CD of instrumental mixes of the album and a CD of six cover songs.

DREAM THEATER's "Chaos In Motion 2007/2008" double DVD set sold just under 9,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 on the Top Music Videos chart.

THRESHOLD, SERENITY, SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE To Team Up For 'Essence Of Progression' Tour

Progressive metallers THRESHOLD, SERENITY and SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE will team up for the first "Essence Of Progression" tour across Europe this autumn.

Austrian progressive metallers SERENITY will be THRESHOLD's special guests for the trek. They are currently promoting their second album, "Fallen Sanctuary", released in 2008 through Napalm Records. SERENITY opened for THRESHOLD during their "Live Reckoning" tour in 2007 and recently supported KAMELOT on their "Rule The World" trek.

French progressive metallers SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE will open the shows (except London). The band released its third album, "Unreal", in 2009. They have opened for acts such as SCORPIONS and ULI JON ROTH in France, and recently performed at the ProgPower Scandinavia and ProgPower USA festivals.

Commented SPHERIC UNIVERSE EXPERIENCE: "We are greatly honoured, proud and excited to play with such a great band we've been listening to for years."

The dates are as follows:

Oct. 29 - Essen, Germany - Zeche Carl

Oct. 30 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal

Nov. 01 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7

Nov. 02 - Munich, Germany - Backstage

Nov. 04 - Wroclaw, Poland - Firlej

Nov. 05 - Reichenbach, Germany - Bergkeller (date moved)

Nov. 06 - Verviers, Belgium - Spirit of 66

Nov. 07 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - BoerderijFor more information, visit www.essenceofprogression.com

Drummer Paul Kopecky Passes Away At Age 37

The following release was sent from the Kopecky family. We, at the gagliarchives, are saddened to learn this news. Rest In Peace Paul

Paul Kopecky (1971-2009)

We are deeply saddened to announce that our brother Paul James Kopecky passed away on June 22, 2009 due to complications related to juvenile diabetes. He was only 37 years old.

For the past two years KOPECKY was unable to play because of Paul's deteriorating health. We hoped beyond hope to play together again, but unfortunately it was not to be.

Paul was an exceptional drummer whose unique style shaped and helped define the KOPECKY sound. His drumming was powerful but precise, innovative but instinctive, and always, always tasteful. He played selflessly, crafting his parts to suit the song, not his ego. We were always suprised by his phenomenal talent, and we often marveled at how he could, with a minimum of practice, play extremely complicated tracks in just one or two takes in the recording studio. And in concert, Paul was solid as bedrock and played his absolute best despite being frequently ill on stage.

His excellent drumming can be heard on all five KOPECKY CD's: Kopecky (Mellow, 1999), Serpentine Kaleidoscope (Cyclops, 2000), Orion (M.A.C.E., 2001), Sunset Gun (Musea, 2003), and Blood (Unicorn Digital, 2006).

The world of progressive rock has lost an amazing drummer, and this planet has lost one of the kindest, most warm-hearted souls that ever walked the earth. He will surely be missed by many.

Thanks to all friends and fans who have offered their condolences. Your kind words are deeply appreciated.

With love and respect, Joe and William

More on Kopecky at http://kopecky.8m.com and www.myspace.com/kopeckymusic