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François Cahen noted for his work with Magma passed away on 13th July 2011 after suffering from a heart attack.
A gifted composer François Cahen was Magma’s first piano player, but went to release several solo albums along with the highly acclaimed Great Winds in 1979.
Cahen also continued his association with saxophonist Yochko Seffer releasing albums with Zao and later on with Ethnic Duo & Ethnic Trio.
Maryland-based experimental, progressive metal six-piece PERIPHERY has released the following statement:
"We have some sad news to share. [Guitarist] Alex Bois and PERIPHERY have decided to part ways. This is truly a sad day for PERIPHERY, because Alex has been with us since the beginning, and he is like a brother to us. We're going to do everything we can to make the most out of this unfortunate situation, and soldier on like we always have in the past when faced with setbacks. In regards to all of our upcoming shows and tours, worry not! We will have special guest artists filling in for Alex, so our touring plans will not be changing whatsoever. Throughout all of this, we really appreciate your support and understanding."
PERIPHERY will embark on the "Frak The Gods" headlining tour in September with support from THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, TEXTURES and THE CONTORTIONIST. The trek will kick off on September 2 and will run through October 8. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.
PERIPHERY released a new EP, "Icarus Lives", on April 19 via Sumerian Records. This CD features a brand new unreleased track, a series of remixes and video clips.
PERIPHERY's self-titled debut album sold around 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 128 on the Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at No. 2 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.
PERIPHERY is:
Spencer Sotelo - Vocals
Misha Mansoor - Guitar
Alex Bois - Guitar
Jake Bowen - Guitar
Tom Murphy - Bass
Matt Halpern - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/periphery
Blue Mouth Promotions, LLC (BMP) is thrilled to announce the return of the French jazz/metal fusion masters known as Mörglbl, (www.myspace.com/morglbl) to the United States after a more than two year absence! Mörglbl returns with an updated catalogue of hard-driving and 
humorous metallic jazz to tease and tantalize audiences.
And joining Mörglbl on select dates for their very first US tour will be Sweden's own Freak Kitchen (http://www.freakkitchen.com) featuring Mattias 'IA' Eklundh!! Freak Kitchen's long awaited presence in the U.S. is sure to leave unaccustomed audiences wondering what hit them ~ and when they can get more!
Don't miss this rare chance to see two of the world's most breathtaking guitarists individually or on stage together!**
Also, remember to check out the Southeastern Guitar & Amp Show in Raleigh, NC on September 24 & 25 for some more amazing musicians! (http://guitarandampshow.com/)
MÖRGLBL
Thursday, August 25 Fountainhead - Florence, SC
Friday, August 26 Uncle Slayton's - Louisville, KY
Sunday, August 28 46th Annual Orton Park Festival - Madison, WI
Tuesday, August 30 Atlanta Institute of Music - Atlanta, GA
Wednesday, August 31 Atlanta Institute of Music - Atlanta, GA
Thursday, September 1 Boone Saloon - Boone, North Carolina (with Cameron Allen http://www.myspace.com/cameronallenmusic)
Friday, September 2 Canyons - Blowing Rock, NC
Saturday, September 3 Prog Day - Chapel Hill, NC (http://www.progday.net)
FREAK KITCHEN
Thursday, September 1 Double Door - Charlotte, NC (with Andy Wood http://andywoodmusic.com/)
Friday, September 2 Prog Day Pre-Show at Local 506 - Chapel Hill, NC (with Cameron Allen and Galactic Cowboy Orchestra http://www.galacticcowboyorchestra.com/)
Saturday, September 3 The Hangout - Florence, SC (with Panzerballet panzerballett.de/)
MÖRGLBL AND FREAK KITCHEN
Monday, September 5 Lincoln Theater - Raleigh, NC (with Andy Wood)
Tuesday, September 6 Jewish Mother - Norfolk, VA (with Andy Wood)
Wednesday, September 7 North Star Bar - Philadelphia, PA (with Consider the Source http://considerthesourcemusic.com/source/)
Thursday, September 8 The Drom - New York City (with Consider the Source)
Friday, September 9 NJ Proghouse - TBD (http://www.njproghouse.com/)
Saturday, September 10 Orion Studios - Baltimore, MD
Sunday, September 11 The Hangout - Florence, SC
**Additional shows may STILL be added in this date range.
Revolver magazine conducted an interview with guitarist John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER for its July/August 2011 issue. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
On the departure of drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy:
Petrucci: "I love Mike. We've known each other for so long… I met him when I was, what, 17? We went to Berklee [College Of Music] together. We went through everything. He's an awesome guy.
"It was a heartbreaking chapter in our lives, but it's just one of those things in life where there's a big change, and you don't expect it, and what matters is the way face that change. You can embrace it or you can run from it. We just chose to move on."
On writing the new album without a drummer:
Petrucci: "We thought it would be the best thing to do, as opposed to bringing in a new member and a new personality. We wanted to focus and get back to that sort of writing and arrangement that happens between guitar players and keyboard players in an intimate situation, where you can really get into the raw structure of the songs and reach down deep and put forth your best work."
On DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events":
Petrucci: "It's everything that makes DREAM THEATER what it is. It's all our elements — metal elements, progressive elements, melodic elements, and all the playing and fusion elements we've always had. I try to stay pure to the initial conception of our band; we're a progressive band and we're a metal band, mixed.
"We always try to push some sort of boundary and do something that's a little bit different, some sort of element we haven't done before. You'll hear that for sure. You don't want to repeat yourself, but at the same time it's important to stay focused on what makes up the sound of the band.
"My favorite bands growing up were YES and RUSH, so 'Hemispheres', 'Close To The Edge', 'And You An I' — those big, dramatic songs are a huge part of what we do, married with the metal sound and melodic sound that makes us unique. That's always be there."
SOURCE: RNR COLA
'A Night At The Union Chapel' featuring Anathema, The Pineapple Thief, Engineers and Nosound 7.30pm, Friday 30th September 2011
Kscope launched in April 2008 and has quickly established itself as a home for forward thinking post-progressive and art-rock, releasing critically acclaimed albums by Porcupine Tree, Anathema, Blackfield, Engineers, Steven Wilson, North Atlantic Oscillation, The Pineapple Thief, Lunatic Soul, Ulver, No-Man, Richard Barbieri, Nosound and more.
On Friday 30th September the label will be hosting a one-off night at the Union Chapel in London, with a number of acts from the roster performing special stripped back sets in this breathtaking venue.
Anathema will headline the show, performing a special acoustic show comprising of members Vincent, Danny and Lee. They will be joined by Engineers, Bruce Soord from The Pineapple Thief and Nosound (solo set).
Anathema’s 2010 studio album We're Here Because We're Here was awarded Classic Rock’s Prog Album of the Year as well as a host of other accolades. Formed in Liverpool in 1990, the band’s sound and musical vision has continually evolved while always remaining true to the band’s original goal of creating forward-thinking, meaningful, passionate, and honest music. With each release they moved beyond the boundaries of limited scenes and pigeon holes, creating a complex and emotive atmospheric sound. The producer of WHBWH, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as “definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.”
They return in September with Falling Deeper, a new release which features acoustic reinterpretations of tracks from throughout their back catalogue. This gig at Union Chapel will allow fans the chance to hear some of these tracks and more.
2010 was a landmark year for The Pineapple Thief. The band released their latest album, Someone Here Is Missing (‘extremely classy and frequently mesmerising’ Classic Rock), along with the Show A Little Love EP (‘it is here that the real magic of a band like TPT shines through’ Classic Rock Prog) and followed a string of festival performances with a European tour. Their recent successful dates with Blackfield, Riverside and Amplifier, suggest that 2011 is already looking pretty good too. For the Kscope night, frontman Bruce Soord will be performing a solo acoustic set.
Engineers recently released the To An Evergreen EP which has received support from Lauren Laverne and Guy Garvey on BBC6 Music. In addition to the title track, the EP featured remixes of tracks taken from last year's In Praise Of More album, which Clash stated 'should be given to most UK bands around at the moment to use as an example in making an album that is a joy to behold.'
Giancarlo Erra's Nosound create a seductive and original fusion of elements of progressive, ambient and post rock. Regarded by critics and fans alike as one of the most interesting up and coming alt/art rock bands in Europe, the band have released three critically acclaimed albums on Kscope. At the Union Chapel, Erra will be playing a solo set, similar to that which is featured on the forthcoming The Northern Religion Of Things release.
Tickets, for what promises to be a very special night, are available from the Union Chapel costing £18 (plus booking fee).
www.kscopemusic.com
www.unionchapel.org.uk
7/5/2011 - San Jose, CA - Much to the elation of Napoleon Murphy Brock fans across the globe, a rare live recording from the actual night that Frank Zappa first met Napoleon Murphy Brock has been released on CD titled 'This Is What Frank Zappa Heard - Communication Plus Live at the Red Noodle Waikiki, Hawaii'. This very significant historical document is now available and ready to be shipped to you to complete your collection of the history of The Mothers Of Invention. Frank was actually in the audience this very night, listening to two sets of music performed by Napoleon Murphy Brock and his 5-piece musical ensemble called "COMMUNICATION PLUS". After Zappa saw and heard this performance, he said to NMB, "Hello, my name is Frank Zappa, and you are my new Lead Vocalist." Having never heard of Frank Zappa or the Mothers of Invention, Napoleon asked Frank who was in his band. When he replied with the names Jean Luc Ponty, George Duke, Ruth Underwood, Tom Fowler, Bruce Fowler, and Ralph Humphey, Frank told Napoleon that this ensemble would now be complete with him, Napoleon (as the Lead Vocalist, saxophonist, flutist and Front Man), and that no audition, other than what he had heard that evening, would be required. All that Napoleon need do was to come to 5831 Sunset Blvd in Hollywood, listen to the band, and accept, if he liked what he heard. Napoleon had no idea what he would hear, see, or experience, but continued forward with an open mind. After listening to the band play five songs - non-stop - he knew at that very moment that he had come face to face with his destiny. There had been years of preparation for this historical evaluation that was not totally understood during those years, but the preparation continued with the knowledge that, one day, it all would be revealed to him. This was that moment, and the picture was clear.Napoleon accepted. And then the journey began.... Frank knew that something most important was yet to take place. Napoleon, with his voice, saxophone, flute, "and Fantastic Dancing", was to be the Interpreter of the music for the fans. This incarnation of The Mothers was raised to a new level of theatrical expression, energy, enthusiasm and entertainment.Originally recorded on Teac Reel-To-Reel 4-Track, the recording was restored and digitally enhanced in Hamburg, Germany, at Master Pinguin Studio's Audio Lab by owner director master engineer Ralph Kessler www.masterpinguin.de. The original stereo analog sound was preserved.
You will be able to hear exactly what Frank heard. But a word of advice to the listener: The best way to put yourself in the area of thought processes that Frank experienced during this performance, and to be able to imagine what he imagined, having this combination Lead vocalist/sax/flute player, who also played sax and flute parts and solos while singing in the same song, you must remove yourself from where other people are talking. Frank would always say, "LISTENING IS AN ART." It is impossible to listen to these tracks while someone is in the room talking while you are trying to listen. If you listen in focused silence, you might be able to imagine how Frank visualized Napoleon doing what he heard and saw him doing on stage that very night, but in HIS compositions and the compositions of Frank Zappa and The Mothers Of Invention.
