PRESTO BALLET Pulls Out Of U.K. Dates

PRESTO BALLET, the project led by ex-METAL CHURCH guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, has pulled out of its previously announced U.K. dates as the support act for John Jowitt's ARK. PRESTO BALLET says in a statement, "We have experienced some unexpected delays in recording our new album, and we feel that is where we need to focus our efforts right now. That said, the recording is rolling right along and we're still looking at a release date sometime later in the fall.

"We WILL be in the U.K. in the coming months; we're eyeing some early 2011 dates. More on all this will be posted in the coming weeks.

"Many thanks to ARK for being cool and understanding, and many thanks to the fans for your patience. We promise the new disc will be worth the wait!"

PRESTO BALLET's current lineup consists of Vanderhoof, former METAL CHURCH singer Ronny Munroe, drummer Bill Raymond, keyboardist Kerry Shacklett and bassist Bobby Ferkovich.

PRESTO BALLET released its second LP, "The Lost Art of Time Travel", in 2008 in the U.S. through ProgRock Records.
PRESTO BALLET's music was previously described as "highly reminiscent of '70s prog rock, as the band was founded chiefly as a tribute to classic progressive bands such as YES and KANSAS. Their debut album, 'Peace Among the Ruins', was released in 2005 to general praise and considerable press. Critics consistently commented on the album's warm and organic sound, a feeling created through the use of analog recorders and vintage instruments, played with great skill and precision. The band used no drum machines, digital recorders or sequencers in the studio."

Moog Synthesist Virtuoso Erik Norlander Continues to Support The Bob Moog Foundation

El Dorado Hills, CA - Erik Norlander is many things to the world of synth-driven symphonic rock. He is a maestro at the keys, a composer, producer, synth designer and a sterling bandmate and colleague to many in the music industry. For a limited time only, the Bob Moog Foundation will offer his new CD, the very Moog-centric "The Galactic Collective", with a donation of $25.00 to the BMF. Norlander's most recent CD release includes insightful liner notes from Michelle Moog-Koussa where she speaks to Norlander’s connection to Bob Moog, the synthesizer pioneer whose namesake inventions revolutionized popular music in the late 1960s and 70s. Here is a sampling from those introductory notes : "It is said that in hands of the highest caliber, the use of technology becomes magic. Not pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat magic, but awe-inspiring transcendental connection. Bob handed off his technological, musical baton and Erik Norlander has cradled it in his hands, skillfully, lovingly exploring the limits of sonic expression and incorporating it into his expressive, epic music. Magic.” Each $25 donation supports the Bob Moog Foundation’s mission to educate, inspire and innovate through electronic music. To donate $25, please visit this link: https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=11672 . All donations are tax deductible.

Erik Norlander reflects on Bob Moog's legacy at this video link: http://tinyurl.com/2dueouy

About The Galactic Collective:

Erik Norlander's "The Galactic Collective" CD was released by Chian Productions on March 27, 2010. "The Galactic Collective” is a fresh and innovative take on the best of Norlande’s vast instrumental catalog written for Rocket Scientists, Lana Lane, and his own solo albums over the years. The versatile keyboardist recorded the CD with an astounding array of classic analog synthesizers, Hammond organ, and a Steinway grand piano at Cleveland’s Magnetic North Studio with engineer Chris Keffer (Syzygy) and executive producer Dena Henry. Musicians included bassist Mark Matthews, drummer Nick LePar, and a cadre of stellar guest guitarists including John Payne (Asia Featuring John Payne), Mitch Perry (Asia Featuring John Payne, Michael Schenker Group) and Mark McCrite (Rocket Scientists) along with leading Ohio artists Freddy DeMarco and Ron Redfield.



http://www.moogfoundation.org/
http://www.eriknorlander.com/
http://www.myspace.com/eriknorlanderandlanalane
Erik Norlander Facebook Fan Page - http://tinyurl.com/ycfxd8k

K2 Signs To Magna Carta Records

California-based Progressive band K2 has signed to Magna Carta Records and has released the first single “Widows Watch” from their upcoming release Black Garden. "Widows Watch" is currently available on both Amazon.com and iTunes respectively. Black Garden is scheduled for release world-wide on September 21, 2010.

K2 is a true progressive rock band that combines influences of Genesis, Yes, ELP and UK. With vocals reminiscent of Peter Gabriel, bass recalling Yes’ Chris Squire and keyboards from Ryo of Spock’s Beard that bring to mind Rick Wakeman and Tony Banks, K2 is a prog lover’s dream.

Black Garden, K2’s first release on Magna Carta Records, is an instant Prog classic featuring skillful instrumentation, haunting vocals and a rich lyrical backdrop that tells the story of ancient Oceania. Black Garden describes the epic journey of the ancient Polynesians sailing over a third of our world before settling the islands of the South Pacific. And they did it more than 2000 years before Columbus sailed.

Jaquess took on the challenge of writing this ancient tale after visiting the South Pacific and Hawaii and being inspired by the islands’ beauty and history. He was fascinated by the story of how man first came to inhabit the islands so dense with splendor and seemingly cut off from the known world.
The early explorers had only small boats to cross the ocean’s vast emptiness drenched in molten sunlight during the day and veiled in complete darkness by night with only the stars and moon to guide them. The Polynesians traveled across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean from the Asian mainland to find the mystic islands looming on their horizon after months of confinement on their small vessels.

K2 realizes this imagery in both their lyrical and musical approach to this album. K2 captures the essence of these travelers’ amazing journey where the abundant natural majesty found on the islands was only matched by the danger they faced every day both on land and sea.



Release Date: September 21, 2010

1) Black Garden 6:25
2) Passage to the Deep 11:37
3) Widows Watch 6:38
4) Encounter or Absence 7:12
5) Storm at Sunset 11:06
6) Summer's Fall 2:13
7) Path of the Warrior 10:44

TESSERACT Signs With Century Media

Century Media has announced the worldwide signing of progressive metal act TESSERACT.

Hailed as one of the best unsigned bands from everyone from the Washington Post to U.K.'s Rock Sound magazine, TESSERACT is pleased to finally shed the "unsigned" tag as it announces a worldwide recording deal with Century Media.

The band comments: "TESSERACT is very excited to be working with Century Media. We have been looking for a long time and have spoken to many companies but feel that the hard work ethic and enthusiasm that Century Media showed will help take us to the next level and will see TESSERACT emerge from the underground and on to the international scene."

TESSERACT has spent the last year finalizing its debut album, "One", which was produced by TESSERACT bandmembers Acle Kahney and Amos Williams.

With constant support from the U.K. media, TESSERACT has been able to achieve a loyal following in its home country as well as the rest of Europe, having their video for "Concealing Fate Part II" in constant rotation on Scuzz TV and other media outlets. They've toured throughout Europe, playing everything from clubs to festivals and last spring made it over to Russia for the first of what will surely be many stops. Their international touring plans continue as they are pleased to announce they were invited as special guests on DEVIN TOWNSEND's North American West Coast run.

"For TESSERACT to be on the road with DEVIN TOWNSEND is just unbelievable for us. From his work with Steve Vai to the craziness of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and all the way through to his latest solo albums, he's always been way out there, pushing the boundaries of modern rock and metal and has been a constant in cutting-edge music. It'll be a great opportunity for us to watch and learn from a very creative and accomplished musician and song writer. We cannot wait for October to come!"

Formed in 2003 as a solo writing project in the mind of guitarist Acle (who was a founding member in FELL SILENT), TESSERACT first broke through in the scene with their 2007 demo and later appearances at U.K.'s Bloodstock, Hammerfest, Caos Emergente in Portugal and the Hellfire 2 festival at the Birmingham NEC arena. TESSERACT soon become one of the most-talked-about bands among musicians and tech-heads, thanks to the quintet's time signatures and musical complexity.

TESSERACT is:

Acle Kahney - Guitar
Amos Williams - Bass
Dan Tompkins - Vocals
Jay Postones - Drums
James Monteith - Guitar

For more information, visit www.tesseractband.co.uk.