SCALE THE SUMMIT Working On New Material

 

Progressive instrumentalists SCALE THE SUMMIT have commenced work on the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2011's "The Collective" for a spring 2013 release via Prosthetic Records.

Commented SCALE THE SUMMIT guitarist Chris Letchford: "We just started work on our next album. The material we have written so far is definitely pushing us into new territory.

"[I'm] very excited to see what we create!

"It's been a lot of fun writing these songs with our new bassist, Mark Michell. He is a very skilled and talented guy, so these songs will definitely be our best yet!

"[I'm looking forward to getting them all finished and recorded so we can get out there and play them live."

SCALE THE SUMMIT's third album, "The Collective", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at position No. 39 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.

The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Desert Canyons", "The Collective" was recorded at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (DEVILDRIVER, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER).

SCALE THE SUMMIT formed in 2005 while attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles.
The band relocated to Texas in 2006, where they recorded their first,
self-released album. After signing with Prosthetic, they issued "Carving Desert Canyons", which Revolver called "a cinematic blast of intricately melodic fretwork and pummeling percussion," in 2009.

Former URIAH HEEP Vocalist JOHN LAWTON To Release New Concept Album

 

The music industry is buzzing about the new concept album by former URIAH HEEP/LUCIFER'S FRIEND vocalist John Lawton titled "The Power Of Mind". An innovative new CD, conceived, written and produced by the CGI member Dr. Milen Vrabevski, but performed by John Lawton and Bulgarian ensemble Diana Express, "The Power Of Mind" is an exploration into the science of positive thinking and its
applications to the subconscious mind. It features 14 amazing songs that showcase the soulful vocals of John Lawton and the powerful instrumentals by Diana Express which will leave you wanting to hear it again and again...

"'The Power Of Mind' is a concept album with positive thinking being the theme," John explains. "In the world of today, I don't think there are many better
things to focus on. The way the songs flow into each other is really the way one would read a book or relate stories to friends. The melodies
and lyrics say a lot about how we should view each other."

Lawton has built a reputation on his powerful vocals and charismatic
personality and is regarded as one of the best singers around today. And now with "The Power Of Mind', John has reached an artistic peak.

In conclusion, John has this to impart to his longtime listeners, "People who know me and my background will expect something new and with 'The Power Of Mind' they have exactly that. The album is a collection of excellent songs
very well played and produced and one which I am very proud of...so make sure you give it a good listen. Think positive and trust in the Power
Of Mind."

Available soon on iTunes, "Fairy Tale" is the first single from "The Power Of Mind".

"The Power Of Mind" will be released on November 12 via Intelligent Music.

KING'S X Drummer To Begin Recording New Solo Album In November

 

KING'S X drummer Jerry Gaskill and Nashville-based songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist D.A. Karkos will track drums for Gaskill's solo record in late November with legendary producer/engineer/mixer Michael Wagener at Wagener's WireWorld studio in Nashville. The rest of the record will be recorded at Karkos' Underdog Studio in Nashville.

Jerry writes: "One month from today, I will be in Nashville to start recording drums for my next solo record at Michael Wagener's WireWorld Studio. What a gift and what an honor! Me, my friend D.A. Karkos (who I'm making this record with) and Michael are all very excited. Can't wait for everyone to hear it. Just thought you might want to know..."

D.A. adds: "Some great news for the Jerry Gaskill project! A month from now... Jerry and I are heading over to Michael Wagener's WireWorld studio to track drums for Jerry's record! Words can't describe the way I (we) feel. Way beyond excited about this! This is HUGE!"

D.A. Karkos, who also plays lead guitar in John Corabi's band, produced/recorded Corabi's new album, "Unplugged", at Underdog.

Wagener produced the last two KING'S X albums, "Ogre Tones" and "XV".

In 2005, Karkos was guitarist and backing vocalist for Gaskill's well-received solo performances on the East Coast and became songwriting foil and producer afterward. He helped Jerry write and arrange the song "Julie", which appeared on KING'S X's fifteenth album.

Porcupine Tree "Octane Twisted" coming November 20th

The past year has been a busy period for the various members of Porcupine Tree. Steven Wilson is currently gathering rave reviews for his solo records and accompanying tours and also embarked on a rare tour with No-Man, Richard Barbieri has released an acclaimed album with Steve Hogarth from Marillion, Gavin Harrison has continued is successful partnership with 05Ric and Colin Edwin has being working on a solo record along with a new album from his Metallic Taste of Blood project. Despite all this activity, fans of the band have still been clamouring for a new Porcupine Tree release. This wait ends on November 20th in North America with the release of Octane Twisted¸ a double disc live set recorded during the tour that supported the band's most recent albumThe Incident. The album went top 30 in both the UK and USA, and the world tour climaxed with sold out shows at Royal Albert Hall in London and Radio City Music Hall in New York. The album marked another step forward in the incredible journey of the band from a solo studio project created by Steven Wilson in the late eighties, to a grammy nominated act and one of the world’s most revered live bands. Octane Twisted features the album in its entirety recorded in Chicago. The second CD contains 5 tracks classic PT tracks also recorded in Chicago, along with 3 highlights from the band's landmark show at Royal Albert Hall. A special edition version of Octane Twisted with a bonus DVD of the Chicago performance can be pre-ordered now at: https://www.burningshed.com/store/porcupinetree/product/51/4174/

Gavin Harrison and Richard Barbieri recently stopped by the Kscope office to chat about the Chicago concert which will be presented on the upcoming two-disc release, Octane Twisted. Watch their interview on the new Octane Twisted mini-site HERE The band has posted a track from the upcoming release, "I Drive the Hearse" for streaming online HERE. Fans who sign up for the Porcupine Tree mailing list will receive a free download of the track.

CD 1: The Incident - Chicago: 1. Occam's Razor 2. The Blind House 3. Great Expectations 4. Kneel and Disconnect 5. Drawing the Line 6. The Incident 7. Your Unpleasant Family 8. The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train 9. Time Flies 10. Degree Zero of Liberty 11. Octane Twisted 12. The Seance 13. Circle of Manias 14. I Drive the Hearse CD2: 1. Hatesong 2. Russia on Ice / The Pills I'm Taking 3. Stars Die 4. Bonnie the Cat 5. Even Less 6. Dislocated Day 7. Arriving Somewhere but not Here DVD: The Incident performed live in Chicago - included in Special Edition only availble at Burning Shed All tracks were recorded at The Riviera, Chicago, 30th April 2010 except CD2  tracks 5-7 recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, London, 14th October 2010. http://www.porcupinetree.com http://www.facebook.com/PorcupineTreeOfficial http://twitter.com/#!/PorcupineTree http://www.kscopemusic.com http://www.kscopemusic.com/porcupinetree/ Now on Instagram as PorcupineTreeOfficial

DEEP PURPLE, OPETH, DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X Members Featured On NEKTAR Covers CD

 

Progressive rock fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement about the forthcoming release of a new covers CD by music legends NEKTAR called "A Spoonful Of Time", featuring an all-star guest lineup. On November 27, Cleopatra Records will celebrate the band's 43rd anniversary by releasing the first-ever
covers album by the iconic U.K. ensemble, joined by an incredible
gathering of musical heroes, including members of YES, KING CRIMSON, DEEP PURPLE, SYMPHONY X, OPETH, MARILLION, ASIA, THE MOODY BLUES, DREAM THEATER, TANGERINE DREAM, MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, HAWKWIND, THE ZOMBIES, TOTO and CREAM.

Says founding NEKTAR member Roye Albrighton: "The idea originated from Cleopatra themselves. They thought it might
be a good idea to do an album of classic songs with a multitude of
different players but under the NEKTAR banner. Klaus, Ron and myself were to be the staple musicians taking part and the files
would be given out to various musicians to do their parts. I was asked
to do most of the vocals except for the one track which was ('Africa') and quite a few guitars too. Ron did a lot of the drums and Klaus was prominent on several of the tracks on Hammond and mellotron."

"A Spoonful Of Time" was produced by the band and mixed by prog icon Billy Sherwood, who also played bass on some of the tracks.

Says Billy: "I really enjoyed working with NEKTAR on their new record. It was an honor playing bass on the entire project too!! Roye is very creative and inspiring to be around. Ron and Klaus are great to work with too. I felt like it was working with friends,
making music, as it should be. I look forward to playing some gigs with
them in the future."

Adds Roye: "The songs featured on the album were chosen by Cleopatra, of which a few of them I quite like. It was good working with Billy on this covers album and our new studio album, 'Time Machine', and like me, he wants the absolute best for the music."

As far as future plans for NEKTAR, Albrighton says: "To make more music, and to experiment more in different ways."

NEKTAR will take part in the Cruise To The Edge in March with YES, TANGERINE DREAM, SAGA and others.

In closing, Roye has this to impart to the band's longstanding fans: "A huge thanks to
all those fans who have stuck by the band through thick and thin over
the years. We are only doing it for you."