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Saturday, March 20, 2010

HAKEN Debut To Receive U.S. Release Via SENSORY


HAKEN, a virtuosic progressive rock/metal band from London, England, comprising some of the country's finest young musicians, will release its debut album, "Aquarius", in the U.S. on March 29 via Sensory Records.

According to a press release, "Aquarius" is "a 72-minute, larger-than-life conceptual sci-fi/fantasy work filled with bombastic keyboard flourishes, stunning vocals, and lethal guitar work. The album was recorded in The Netherlands at Spacelab Studios (DELAIN, EVERON, WOLVERINE) and mastered in Germany at Eroc's Mastering Ranch. Graphics were created by Dennis Sibeijn at Damn Engine to tie in with the 'Aquarius' story."

An extended preview of the album is avaialble in the YouTube clip below.

Formed in 2007, HAKEN features members of TO-MERA and LINEARSPHERE. The band melds metal with progressive rock, drawing influences from contemporary acts like DREAM THEATER and IQ as well as "old-school" icons GENESIS and QUEEN.

In July 2007, HAKEN showcased its music for the very first time to a packed out London bar with a great response, followed the next week by a sold-out show at The Peel in Kingston. Within months of this double-debut performance, the band was billed in support of RIVERSIDE at Camden's prestigious Underworld. HAKEN continued performing sets to packed houses throughout London and on U.K. tours in support of cult metal bands KING'S X, BIGELF, and TO-MERA and continues to extend its fan base. One of the band's demo tracks was featured on the cover CD for the second issue of "Classic Rock presents Prog" magazine in 2009.

SYMPHONY X Begins Recording New Album

Jason Rullo of North America's progressive metal gods SYMPHONY X is scheduled to enter the studio today (Thursday, March 18) to begin laying down the drum tracks for the band's next studio album, tentatively due mid-2010 via their new record label, Nuclear Blast Records. The band's

SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo recently stated about the group's new material, "I put together some pre-production mixes for us to listen to, and it's all solid.

"We have over an hour of really good stuff that we really dig; there's more than enough stuff there that we can choose the best songs to go on the CD... but all of the songs are really strong. And there are two almost-done songs that we're going to try to wrap up in the next few days as well. One is shaping up to be 10 minutes plus.

"It's really cool stuff that we gotta use.
"I think everyone will like it," Romeo concluded. "It has a little bit of everything."

On November 4, 2008, InsideOut Music released a special 5.1 edition of SYMPHONY X's critically acclaimed album "Paradise Lost". The double-disc package includes a DVD 5.1 mix by Jens Bogren of the entire album as well as two enhanced HD videos for "Set the World on Fire" and "Serpent's Kiss".

SYMPHONY X Begins Recording New Album

Jason Rullo of North America's progressive metal gods SYMPHONY X is scheduled to enter the studio today (Thursday, March 18) to begin laying down the drum tracks for the band's next studio album, tentatively due mid-2010 via their new record label, Nuclear Blast Records. The band's

SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo recently stated about the group's new material, "I put together some pre-production mixes for us to listen to, and it's all solid.

"We have over an hour of really good stuff that we really dig; there's more than enough stuff there that we can choose the best songs to go on the CD... but all of the songs are really strong. And there are two almost-done songs that we're going to try to wrap up in the next few days as well. One is shaping up to be 10 minutes plus.

"It's really cool stuff that we gotta use.
"I think everyone will like it," Romeo concluded. "It has a little bit of everything."

On November 4, 2008, InsideOut Music released a special 5.1 edition of SYMPHONY X's critically acclaimed album "Paradise Lost". The double-disc package includes a DVD 5.1 mix by Jens Bogren of the entire album as well as two enhanced HD videos for "Set the World on Fire" and "Serpent's Kiss".

March New Bytes

  • The organizers of ProgPower Europe 2010, have announced that Norwegian newcomer ASPERA has been added to the current line-up. So far 7 bands have been confirmed: ASPERA (norway), LEPROUS (norway), OCEANS OF SADNESS (belgium), PROGHMA-C (poland), SACRUM (argentina), SERENITY (austria), THE DUST CONNECTION (the netherlands). Within the next 2 months they will have a complete line-up. Check out www.progpower.eu for all details.
  • It was announced this month that the official Genesis site is shutting down soon. UltraStar which is the host for the website along with the band and thier management have decided to close the site soon. When that will be is unkown at this time.
  • "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" is the title of the long-awaited RUSH documentary produced by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Toronto, Ontario, Canada's Banger Films Inc. which will receive a red-carpet premier at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Saturday, April 24. All three members of RUSH — singer/bassist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson and drummer Neil Peart — will be on hand for the event.