Laser’s Edge Signs Chicago's District 97 For Debut Release

Ken Golden, President of Laser's Edge Group, announces the addition of Chicago's District 97 to the Laser's Edge label. The label will release the band's debut album Hybrid Child in Fall 2010. Featuring 2007 American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt, District 97 mixes adventurous musical prowess with accessible catchy vocal melodies.

The band features exceptional musicians including Chicago Symphony Orchestra cellist Katinka Kleijn. District 97 was formed in the Fall of 2006 by drummer Jonathan Schang, keyboardist Rob Clearfield, bassist Patrick Mulcahy and guitarist Sam Krahn. The foursome from Chicago honed a no-holds barred style of Liquid Tension Experiment inspired Instrumental Rock before deciding to add the right vocalist.

They found their vocalist in Hunt, a 2007 American Idol Top 10 Female Finalist. With a look, sound and stage presence comparable to a young Ann Wilson from Heart, Hunt's dynamic performances pushed the band into a new direction. After attending a show and being highly impressed, Kleijn joined the band. She was followed shortly thereafter by one of Chicago's finest young guitarists, Jim Tashjian. With this new lineup of peerless musicianship in place, District 97 began wowing crowds and establishing a devoted fanbase through packed shows at legendary Chicago venues such as House of Blues, Schubas and Martyrs'.
 For further information, go to www.lasersedgegroup.com or www.district97.net.

Therion Announces South America, Mexico Dates

Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION have scheduled the following dates in Mexico and South America:

Oct. 01 - Argentina - Buenos Aires - El Teatro Flores
Oct. 03 - Brazil - Sao Paulo - Carioca Club
Oct. 05 - Chile - Santiago de Chile - Teatro Teleton
Oct. 06 - Peru - Lima - Teatro de la Uni
Oct. 08 - Venezuela - Caracas - Teatro Emil Friedman
Oct. 09 - Colombia - Bogota - Metropol
Oct. 10 - Colombia - Medellín - Teatro Metropolitano
Oct. 12 - Costa Rica - San Jose - Pepers
Oct. 13 - El Salvador - San Salvador - Pabellon 3 Cifco
Oct. 14 - Mexico - Mexico City - Woda
Oct. 15 - Mexico - Puebla - Salon Country San Manuel
Oct. 16 - Mexico - Chihuahua - Salon Pistoleros
Oct. 17 - Mexico - Ciudad Neza - Estadio Neza

THERION recently completed work on its new album, "Sitra Ahra". The CD was mixed at the legendary Polar Studios in Stockholm by Lennart Östlund (LED ZEPPELIN, ABBA), who commented, "What you have made here is truly unique." 13 songs were recorded for the CD, although it is presently unclear if all of the tracks will end up on the final record.

"Sitra Ahra" was mastered in New York for a late 2010 release.

THERION mainman Christofer Johnsson previously stated about the upcoming CD, "Expect something spectacular, even by THERION's standards!"

Christofer Johnsson announced in May 2009 that vocalist Thomas Vikström (ex-CANDLEMASS) had become a permanent member of THERION.

THERION's new rhythm section is comprised of Johan Koleberg (ANIMAL, ZAN CLAN, LION'S SHARE) on drums and Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson (TREAT, ZAN CLAN, VINDICTIV) on bass guitar.

THERION's latest CD/DVD, "The Miskolc Experience", was released in June via Nuclear Blast Records.

RUSH Documentary Named One Of Top 10 Audience Favorites At HOT DOCS Festival

Attendees of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival, which ran from April 29 to May 9 in Toronto, Ontario, have selected the rockumentary "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" as one of the Top 10 audience favorites as determined by audience vote.

The entire Top 10 (with "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" coming in at No. 6) can be found at this location.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Tribeca Film Festival attendees selected "Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage" for the fest's 2010 Heineken Audience Award.

Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn's Canadian feature received the $25,000 award on May 1 at the TFF Wrap Party in Chelsea's Altman Building. The film chronicles the 42-year history of the band, which is currently working on its 20th studio album with producer Nick Raskulinecz (co-producer of RUSH's 2007 CD, "Snakes & Arrows") in Nashville. Interviews with fans such as Gene Simmons, Billy Corgan and Jack Black are featured alongside profiles of RUSH bandmates Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

"The best documentary films are just great stories with characters who jump off the screen, and that is certainly the case with 'Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage', " said TFF executive director Nancy Schafer. "An intimate but energetic portrayal of one of the most prolific rock bands, 'Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage' highlights the juxtaposition of music and film as an art form and we hope that RUSH fans and audiences around the world embrace the film the way Tribeca audiences have."

"Receiving the Heineken Audience Award at Tribeca means a lot to us as RUSH has always been a band of the people," said directors McFadyen and Dunn. "It was great to see RUSH fans and non-fans enjoy the movie together."

"Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage" will make its television debut on June 26 on VH1 and VH1 Classic.

DEEP PURPLE Guitarist Steve Morse Says Second LIVING LOUD Album Will Be Completed

DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse has issued the following road update:

"Type A in Taipei... I am still getting used to being in Asia, food-wise, but they sure have managed to keep order out of what looks like too many people in a small space. The audience in Taipei was incredible, very energetic! We just arrived in Hong Kong, and you just can't imagine the immensity of high rise buildings on top of hills, everywhere.

Australia was a blur, I think I was still trying to get over the change of day to night, and then we were gone. It was better than last time, I think, and it felt like a good result for all. A guitarist that I met years ago at a Guitar Player guitar concert, Nathan Cavaleri, sat in with us, and played very well, as I expected. I touched base with LIVING LOUD bassist Bob Daisley (ex-OZZY OSBOURNE, URIAH HEEP, GARY MOORE, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW), and we made plans to finish the tunes we started. I do wish Australia would float a few thousand miles closer to the USA, though! Always a good experience."

Living Loud's second album was set to feature Morse, Daisley, Aussie superstar JIMMY BARNES, Deep Purple keyboard player DON AIREY and Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake.
RNR

CYNIC: European Tour Dates Announced

Reunited progressive rock/metal band CYNIC has scheduled the following European dates:

Jun. 04 - Toulouse, France @ Le Phare
Jun. 05 - Lyon, France @ Le Transbordeur
Jun. 06 - Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
Jun. 08 - Düdingen, Switzerland @ Bad Bonn
Jun. 09 - Gorizia, Italy @ Pieffe Factory
Jun. 10 - Alessandria, Italy @ Mephisto Rock Cafe
Jun. 11 - Luzern, Switzerland @ Schüür
Jun. 12 - Nickelsdorf, Austria @ Novarock Festival
Jun. 14 - Barcelona, Spain@ Be Cool
Jun. 15 - Bilbao, Spain @ Sala Santana-Fever
Jun. 16 - Lisbon, Portugal @ Music Box
Jun. 17 - Madrid, Spain @ Sala Ritmo y Compas
Jun. 18 - Gothenburg, Sweden @ Metaltown

On May 17, CYNIC will release a brand new EP entitled "Re-Traced", featuring reinterpretations of four songs from the group's critically acclaimed "Traced In Air" album as well as a previously unreleased song.

"'Re-Traced' is an experiment for us — an opportunity to turn four songs from 'Traced in Air' inside out and to share something new", comments guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal.

"In our exploration, we've created music that is part 'sci-fi prog folk,' part psychedelic rock, part minimalist restraint. These interpretations feel channeled from another galaxy.

"For the most part, the tunes reference some of our favourite musical forms and in our own curious way (electronic/ambient, jazz/fusion, drum n' bass, experimental, shoegaze). There is no vocoder, no traditionally busy CYNIC riffs that are some of our most signatures sounds, but the music retains its song structure, integral melodic sense, harmony and lyrical inspiration."

Masvidal on the new song: "It is entitled 'Wheels Within Wheels' and it is the most rock/metal tune on the EP. Mood-wise it has a melodic optimism that is a bit more transparent than in other CYNIC songs, giving it a unique and emotive color.

"We are really pleased with the performances and energy of this track. Considering this song is perhaps the closest reference to a familiar CYNIC sound, it still leaves behind many of the former trademarks and introduces a new shade of groove and dynamic.

"Progressive music has many faces, and that is always the name of the game for CYNIC: reinventing ourselves and pushing our own musical boundaries for ourselves and our fans."

"Re-Traced" track listing:

01. Space
02. Evolutionary
03. King
04. Integral
05. Wheels Within Wheels

Check out the cover artwork below.

Commented Masvidal: "The artwork on the EP takes Venosa's original song paintings from the 'Traced in Air' booklet and reinterprets them by extracting the basic outlines, almost appearing as though they are etched in wood. Travis Smith helped manifest these conceptions graphically. The idea was to have the 'tracing' of the original work in tact, so it almost morphs into a simple line drawing of the sculptural shapes found in Venosa's work. The end result appears like unearthed, archival etchings from an alien planet."

"Traced in Air" was released in North America on November 25, 2008 via Season of Mist.

OPETH's 'Still Life' To Be Re-Released On Double Vinyl With New Artwork

OPETH's "Still Life" album will be re-released on double vinyl on June 7 via Peaceville Records.

"Still Life" was OPETH's first outing for Peaceville and armed with renewed enthusiasm, the band delivered a flawless gem of an LP.

Originally released in 1999, the enigmatic "Still Life" is an ambitious concept album focusing on a tale of forbidden love in dangerous times.

Featuring the extraordinary voice and poetic lyrics of Mikael Åkerfeldt, "Still Life"'s moods range from brutal passages of extreme metal to predominantly acoustic moments of breathtaking beauty.

The vinyl edition is limited to 2,000 numbered copies and comes on double 180-gm vinyl in a deluxe heavyweight gatefold sleeve featuring reworked artwork by original designer Travis Smith. The vinyl edition also features an 18-page, LP-sized booklet containing original artwork by Travis Smith and full lyrics and is packed in a heavyweight PVC sleeve.

Side A:

01. The Moor (11:28)

Side B:

01. Godhead's Lament (9:47)
02. Benighted (5:01)

Side C:

01. Moonlapse Vertigo (9:00)
02. Face Of Melinda (7:59)

Side D:

01. Serenity Painted Death (9:14)
02. White Cluster (10:02)