Woolly Wolstenholme Commits Suicide

From Barclay James Harvest:

It is with great sadness that John Lees' Barclay James Harvest announces the passing of Woolly Wolstenholme. In recent weeks Woolly's mental health had taken a turn for the worse and sadly he took his own life on Monday 13th December 2010. As you can imagine, John, Craig, Jez and Kevin and everyone associated with the band are stunned that a shining light of Barclay James Harvest is no longer with us. In this difficult time our thoughts are with Woolly's partner, Sue. We would ask all of Woolly's fans to remember his incredible contribution to popular music and his unique presence on stage.

http://www.woollywolstenholme.co.uk/

Captain Beefheart Passes Away At Age 69

FROM ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/captain-beefheart-dead-at-age-69-20101217

By Maura Johnston
December 17, 2010 4:57 PM EDT
Don Van Vliet, who became a rock legend as Captain Beefheart, died today from complications from multiple sclerosis in California. His passing was announced by the New York-based Michael Werner Gallery, which represented his work as a painter.

His Trout Mask Replica was Number 58 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In a 1969 review, Lester Bangs called Trout "a total success, a brilliant, stunning enlargement and clarification of his art."

"Don Van Vliet was a complex and influential figure in the visual and performing arts," the gallery said in a statement. "He is perhaps best known as the incomparable Captain Beefheart who, together with his Magic Band, rose to prominence in the 1960s with a totally unique style of blues-inspired, experimental rock & roll. This would ultimately secure Van Vliet's place in music history as one of the most original recording artists of his time. After two decades in the spotlight as an avant-garde composer and performer, Van Vliet retired from performing to devote himself wholeheartedly to painting and drawing. Like his music, Van Vliet's lush paintings are the product of a truly rare and unique vision."

Van Vliet grew up in Glendale California. In high school he met Frank Zappa, and in 1959 he dropped out of a junior college to work with him on film and musical projects. By 1964 Zappa left for Los Angeles to form the Mothers of Invention, and Van Vliet formed Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. A&M records signed the group, but after early blues-rock singles (including a cover of "Diddy Wah Diddy") went nowhere, a crushed Van Vliet parted ways with the label.

Van Vliet teamed up with Ry Cooder for Captain Beefheart's first LP, Safe as Milk, but the disc attracted few fans outside of a small cult. That cult grew slightly with the release of 1968's Strictly Personal, but it wasn't until Frank Zappa signed Van Vliet to Straight Records that Beefheart's full creativity flowered. Without the limits imposed by a traditional label, Van Vliet began creating his masterpiece.

The double album Trout Mask Replica was written in an intense eight-and-a-half-hour session at the piano. In a 1970 Rolling Stone cover story, Van Vliet described the process. "Well, I'd never played piano before and I had to figure out the fingering," he said. "I don't spend a lot of time thinking. It just comes through me." The album redrew the boundaries of popular music, combining avant-garde jazz, R&B, poetry and garage rock in a fantastically surreal way. "It is a masterpiece," RS wrote in 1970. "It will probably be many years before American audiences catch up to things that happen on this totally amazing record."

Those words proved to be prophetic. Captain Beefheart continued to release records through the 1970s, though none aptured the acclaim of Trout Mask Replica. Van Vliet retired from music after 1982's Ice Cream Cow and began a new career as a painter. For the past three decades he was a rock and roll recluse, though unlike Sly Stone and Syd Barrett he continued to communicate with his audience through his artwork.

Van Vliet leaves behind a wife, Jan. The two were married for more than 40 years.

Andy Greene contributed to this article.

MIKE PORTNOY's Time With AVENGED SEVENFOLD Comes To An End

Former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has released the following statement:

"Yes, the rumors are true... Sadly my time with AVENGED SEVENFOLD has come to an end... The band has decided to carry on into 2011 without me...

"I had a great time with them throughout 2010, but it was their choice to end the relationship at the end of 2010 as was always the initial plan....

"I had an awesome time on stage with the guys every night and have so many cool memories from the experience with them... I am proud to always be part of the AVENGED SEVENFOLD family and history. I also adore the AVENGED SEVENFOLD fans and totally appreciate the way they welcomed me aboard and were so loving and supportive during my time with the band...thank you!

"As far as my future, I am excited by the endless musical possibilities that lie ahead of me...my love for music runs very deep and my taste is very broad and ecclectic which will give me the chance to explore many different things and collaborate with many great friends and artists I admire and respect...

"Happy holidaze to you all and c-ya in the New Year."

Drum-cam footage of Mike Portnoy performing the songs "Almost Easy" and "Welcome To The Family" with AVENGED SEVENFOLD on November 20, 2010 in Stockholm, Sweden and November 14, 2010 in Paris, France, respectively, can be viewed below.

AVENGED recruited Portnoy to play on its new album, "Nightmare", following the death last December of the band's drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan. Portnoy was Sullivan's favorite drummer.

Portnoy recently stated about his involvement with AVENGED SEVENFOLD (see video below), "The relationship started as a tribute for Jimmy, and as a result of the musical and personal chemistry making the record, it's blossomed into being on the road with them. Originally that was only going to be for a couple of months until I went back to DREAM THEATER. Now because of the way the DREAM THEATER story unfolded, I will remain out with AVENGED SEVENFOLD into 2011, and stay on the road with them through the whole album cycle."

He added, "Although I'm not a band member [of AVENGED SEVENFOLD], I'm definitely part of the onstage presentation and chemistry. During the first couple of shows I played I was trying to lean back and be respectful. I was thinking, 'This is Jimmy's drum throne, this is his space.' But they were like, 'No! Be yourself, do your thing.' I came out of my shell and now I'm totally at home with these guys. We have a great chemistry, musically and personally."

Portnoy added one of Sullivan's cymbals to his touring kit: a Sabian ride The Rev had owned for years which the company had refurbished, but hadn't been able to return before his death.

Portnoy made his concert debut with AVENGED SEVENFOLD on July 25 as they played live for the first time since Sullivan's death at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Source:RNRCOLA

Steve Nardelli Announces Original Music Collaboration with Moon Safari

The Nucleus for a New Album from The Syn

London - December 16, 2010 - In a major proclamation of musical creativity, Steve Nardelli is promising a progressively innovative new album coming out of 2010 recording sessions of The Syn with Moon Safari. The nucleus for the new album is Sweden's top band of 21st century art-rock music joining forces with one of the iconic players of progressive music history. Nardelli promises to build musical bridges spanning generations by lifting the modern progressive Syn rock sound to yet another creative level with a new album merging the musical talents of The Syn and Moon Safari.

Commenting on the upcoming Syn / Moon Safari super sessions, Moon Safari bass player and group spokesman Johan Westerlund states, 'There is no end to the creative possibilities of this collaboration. Moon Safari's outlook on life begins and ends with ideals fortified in an era in which The Syn was in full bloom, and working with Steve Nardelli will give us a taste of that dream we wish we could have experienced firsthand.'

A big Moon Safari fan himself, Steve Nardelli is proclaiming to Syn insiders that he's very much looking forward to the old guard of '60s mod prog joining forces with one of the genre's rising young groups to deliver a fresh blend of artistic Eurorock to follow up The Syn's masterworks Syndestructible and Big Sky. Big Sky was awarded the #1 Prog Album of the Year in 2009.

Speaking about this unique meeting of musical minds Nardelli states, 'I first came across Moon Safari when The Syn were on the same bill at ROSfest with them last year and was completely captivated by their musical prowess and brilliant 5 part harmony arrangements; the association will create the perfect platform to build the new Syn album!'

Recording started this month in Skelleftea, a small stretch of shoreline in the north of Sweden and will follow up with sessions in London and New York. The album is due out in early 2011.


About The Syn
While The Syn has their eyes firmly focused on the future of progressive art rock; their roots go back to the 1960s. One of the precursors of prog rock and adorned with some of the most important musicians of the genre across its remarkable history, The Syn today are a band that operates intently in the modern day world, focused on pushing the envelope of modern progressive rock and moving it in new directions. Their lineups have been littered with musical masters during their long and storied history of constantly exploring new musical soundscapes. A new chapter opens with the collaboration on a new album for 2011 between Syn founder, Steve Nardelli, and the remarkable Moon Safari.

Key members of The Syn history: Andrew Pryce Jackman, Chris Squire, Steve Nardelli, Gunnar Hakonarson, Peter Banks, Alan White, Gerard Johnson, Francis Dunnery, Tom Brislin


About Moon Safari
Just outside of reach of the deafening buzz from pop culture, in Skellefteå, a small village in the north of Sweden is where Moon Safari manufactures their special brand of music since 2003. The band quickly caught the attention of the musical world with their 2005 debut A Doorway to summer; an album that
successfully managed to mix the classical British progressive rock sound with unmistakably American vocal group arrangements and brought the band onto the path from which they've since not strayed. In 2008 they released Blomljud, a conceptual double album that portrayed the search for the last human truth over 100 minutes, to critical acclaim. This year parched critics were once again commanded to the well of beauty and freedom as 2010 saw the release of Lover’s End, the third album from the vocal fashionistas. It is certainly the strongest, the most focused and the most determined work they've mustered up in their relatively short existence and it seems Moon Safari will keep people guessing for a long time to come. It has been suggested though that 'there must be something in the water' along the outer rim of the polar circle. Visit: www.moonsafari.se


Members:
Petter Sandström - Vocals, acoustic guitars
Simon Åkesson - Vocals, piano, organ, mellotron and moog
Pontus Åkesson - Vocals, electric guitars
Sebastian Åkesson - Vocals, assorted keys
Tobias Lundgren - Vocals, drums and percussion
Johan Westerlund - Vocals, bass



About Steve Nardelli
Always on the leading-edge of music innovation, Steve Nardelli is the driving force behind The Syn. His forward thinking sense has transcended The Syn to iconic status with its cultivated artistic collaborations. In music and in business, Nardelli is a well-established pioneer. Beyond music, he founded the P3 Group as a leader in ecological house development. Since The Syn's 2009 award winning album, Big Sky, Nardelli's pioneering spirit has expanded to deliver the first eco-development in England, a 5000 house extension to NW Bicester that was master planned by Sir Terry Farrell as 4 separate revolutionary zero carbon eco villages. Nardelli says, 'I am not a house builder, but I was drawn into this project by the chance to be part of this new concept of creating homes that are harmonious with Nature, you could call it 'prog eco'!

Tomasz Dziubiński Of MetalMind Records Passes Away

From http://metalmind.com.pl


It is with utmost regret that we must inform you that, after his long struggle with a severe sickness, our Managing Director Tomasz Dziubiński passed away on the 16th of December.

He bound his life with rock and metal music already in the early 80’s, working as a journalist and, later, as a manager and an energetic organizer of the music scene. In 1989, he founded the company Metal Mind Productions and, in 1990, he started publishing the magazine Metal Hammer – a magazine whose editor in chief he remained to this day.

To the very end he remained true to music. He looked forward to the release of the new Rush and Pendragon albums and he still believed in the reunion of Black Sabbath in its original lineup...

His plans regarding the concerts and releases in the forthcoming years shall be carried out by the board and the staff of Metal Mind Productions.

KAMELOT Singer Unable To Tour Behind New Album; RHAPSODY OF FIRE's LIONE Steps In

American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT have released the following statement:

"Unfortunately, we have been informed that, due to continuing medical and
personal issues, [vocalist] Roy Khan [full name: Roy Sætre Khantatat] will not be able to finish the remaining touring in support of [KAMELOT's latest album] 'Poetry For The Poisoned'. However, we are pleased to announce that metal icon Fabio Lione (RHAPSODY OF FIRE) will be joining the tour and handling the lead vocal duties. There will also be guest vocal appearances throughout the tour by Simone Simons (EPICA), Tommy Karevik (SEVENTH WONDER), and many more surprise guests throughout this very special and rare tour."

Fabio Lione is eager to get on the road, stating, "I am excited and pleased to be part of the next KAMELOT tour..I always loved the sound of the band..and I think this will be a great experience for me, the band and for all the fans of great music and KAMELOT... See you soon on tour and let's rock!!!"

KAMELOT has announced the following two shows as part of what will be a full U.S. tour.

Aug. 30 - Grammercy Theater - New York, NY
Sep. 02 - Club Soda - Montreal , Quebec Canada

Promoters will offer a special VIP ticket for these shows. This will include a pre-show meet-and-greet, and an autographed poster commemorating the show.
Both shows go on sale today exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until January 22, when they will become available everywhere.

KAMELOT recently announced its highly anticipated return to Europe on the heels of "Poetry for the Poisoned". The 2011 European leg of "The Pandemonium Tour" will begin on April 22 at Paris' famous Elysee Montmartre venue, taking the band's spectacular show to 18 top venues and a host of new cities in Europe.

In keeping with KAMELOT's flair for the theatrical, as well as their innovative and creative spirit, the second leg of the tour promises to push the limits of the live concert experience, bringing fans a spectacle even more eye-popping than what they experienced during the thrilling first leg of "The Pandemonium Over Europe Part 1". "It's still called 'The Pandemonium Tour', but it's more theatrical and visual than before," guitarist Thomas Youngblood said in a October interview. "It has a dark theme, a new stage design and more surprises for the KAMELOT fans!"

"Poetry For The Poisoned" sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was released in North America on September 14 via the group's own label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings), and in Europe on September 10 through earMUSIC/Edel. Marquee/Avalon Records made the CD available in Japan.

Recordings took place in the familiar Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Additional tracking also took place in Tampa, Florida as well as various studios in Sweden, Greece and the U.S.

"Poetry for the Poisoned" features guest appearances by Simone Simons (EPICA), Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) and Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN). The artwork was created by many great artists, including Seth Siro Anton, Natalie Shau and Michal Loranc.

The Album Finished In The GlobalProgressive Rock Network's Top 100 of 2010 in the #22 position at http://gagliarchives.com/10top100.html

SOURCE: RNRCOLA / SW

RHAPSODY OF FIRE: 'The Cold Embrace Of Fear' To Receive North American Release In January

Italian symphonic metal masters RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release an epic monument called "The Cold Embrace Of Fear - A Dark Romantic Symphony" in North America on January 25, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was issued in Europe in October.

Commented RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli: "For this special CD we composed a unique song of around 35 minutes divided in seven 'acts.'

"Looking at the title, you can easily imagine that such long and epic song will show the most cinematic and orchestral side of our band, all our passion for the world of cinema we love so much and that always represented our main influence while composing the RHAPSODY's music.

"Essentially it is a long huge song, sounding very symphonic, full of orchestral sections very soundtrack-oriented, narrations and spoken parts. More than in other cases we tried to create a real movie atmosphere with very dynamic musical results, also thanks to the help of the English actors that gave voice to different charachters. You will just need to close your eyes and explore those new emotional dimensions we wrote the music for."

The lyrics of this monumental, epic symphony are based on the "dark secret saga" and represent a new chapter, directly connected to the band's latest album, "The Frozen Tears Of Angels".

Luca: "After the long journey to the icy frozen northlands at the borders of the known world, while facing concrete natural obstacles and the inner demons lying in the depths of their conscience, the five main charachters reach the ancient gothic fortress of Har-Kuun, a real monument of evil trapped between ice and snow, the mystic place where the Erian's book could be finally found.

"'The Cold Embrace Of Fear' tells about the entrance of those bravehearts in the ancestral world of Har-Kuun and the dramatic search for the holy book of the angels, only possible way to understand something more about the dark secret threatening the whole known world. Also in this case I liked to create particular 'bridges' connecting the new chapter of the saga with our modern life on the basis of symbolism, ancient wisdom and spiritual evolution.

"To someone who knows something about modern psychology and the study of the different 'self,' the hidden geometries and gothic labyrinths of Har-Kuun will reveal themselves very clearly."

Once again, legendary actor Christopher Lee was chosen for the spoken parts as a main narrator. "We couldn't imagine to release something like this without his fundamental participation," Luca says. "Sir Lee is one member of the RHAPSODY OF FIRE's family since a lot of time and we love him not only as an actor but also as man. Because of his great and majestic personality he has surely the aura of a king of the ancient times."

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", sold around 800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 52 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

SOURCE: RNRCOLA

CYNIC Announces Lineup Changes

Reunited progressive rock/metal band CYNIC has released the following statement:

"We're announcing a change in the band's lineup this winter.

"After much soul-searching and discussion, CYNIC will say goodbye to bassist Robin Zielhorst and guitarist Tymon Kruidenier. This decision was reached mutually, with great respect for each other as people and the work that we've done over the past 2-3 years.

"The logistical challenges of maintaining a band that is half based in The Netherlands and the other half in the United States (drummer Sean Reinert and guitarist Paul Masvidal live in California) has become unworkable.

"The pre-production stages for CYNIC's next release have just begun and it seemed like an appropriate time to define the next chapter of the band.

"The new CYNIC release is coming in summer 2011 on the Season of Mist label."

Stated CYNIC guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal: "Tymon and Robin are great guys whose hard work made it possible for CYNIC to get back out on the road and tour the world with 'Traced In Air'. I'm really grateful for their contribution and presence, and look forward to seeing where their talents and music will take them next."

Commented Zielhorst: "It has been an honor to play and perform in CYNIC.

"Tymon and I would like to thank Paul and Sean for the opportunity and to especially thank the fans for their support and for warmly welcoming us into the CYNIC family. We look forward to seeing you all on the road soon."

CYNIC's immediate plan is to continue writing and do pre-production for their new record. They are also working towards a remixed re-release of their classic recording, "Focus".

Robin and Tymon plan to work on a new release from their band EXIVIOUS, which will likely be tracked in Tymon's new soon-to-be completed recording studio.

CYNIC recently completed the inaugural Hall of Fame tour. Historic in every sense, the Hall of Fame tour, titled "Re-Traced / Re-Focused Live", saw the band performing Hall of Fame album "Focus" in its entirety, along with tracks from the group's lauded second album, "Traced in Air", and more. Direct support came from progressive masters INTRONAUT and DYSRHYTHMIA.

On May 17, CYNIC released 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.

PORTNOY: There Are 'Things Going On In My Life I Wish I Could Openly And Honestly Talk About'

Former DREAM THEATER and current AVENGED SEVENFOLD touring drummer Mike Portnoy has posted the following cryptic message on his Twitter profile:

"There's a lot of things going on in my life I wish I could openly and honestly talk about at the moment, but cannot... but when I can, I will..."

AVENGED recruited Portnoy to play on its new album, "Nightmare", following the death last December of the band's drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan. Portnoy was Sullivan's favorite drummer.

Portnoy recently confirmed that he will remain on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD until the band has completed touring in support of "Nightmare", which sold 162,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at the top of The Billboard 200 chart. He told cymbal manufacturer Sabian, "The relationship started as a tribute for Jimmy, and as a result of the musical and personal chemistry making the record, it's blossomed into being on the road with them. Originally that was only going to be for a couple of months until I went back to DREAM THEATER. Now because of the way the DREAM THEATER story unfolded, I will remain out with AVENGED SEVENFOLD into 2011, and stay on the road with them through the whole album cycle."

He added, "Although I'm not a band member [of AVENGED SEVENFOLD], I'm definitely part of the onstage presentation and chemistry. During the first couple of shows I played I was trying to lean back and be respectful. I was thinking, 'This is Jimmy's drum throne, this is his space.' But they were like, 'No! Be yourself, do your thing.' I came out of my shell and now I'm totally at home with these guys. We have a great chemistry, musically and personally."

Portnoy has added one of Sullivan's cymbals to his touring kit: a Sabian ride The Rev had owned for years which the company had refurbished, but hadn't been able to return before his death.

Portnoy made his concert debut with AVENGED SEVENFOLD on July 25 as they played live for the first time since Sullivan's death at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.