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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Luca Pancaldi to leave Barock Project

After ten years in the band, the vocalist announces a friendly split from Italian sympho-rock band, right after a new double live-album release 'Vivo'.  Exciting live and studio “Barock news” coming up... 
Luca Pancaldi to leave Barock Project

"During these ten years of musical adventures together with Barock Project a lot has happened, even more it is happening now and who knows how much and what will happen in the future. Memories of us, in the early years, waiting for that "turning point" that every musician is looking for; years in which we played maybe a couple of concerts, when we rarely met for playing and practicing, years in which we were simply expecting for something to rain down from the sky. With the release of "Skyline", that something has finally appeared. Interest in the band began to increase exponentially in the last few months and, with it, a committment that each of us must make to this project in order to sustain a stable growth. After a careful analysis of what my chances and aspirations are, I came to realize that it is now, the best time to separate my own way from that of Barock Project. Not without regret and nostalgia I chose to continue to pursue other career paths, which could not coexist with equally challenging life in the band. With a bit of sadness, but also with the tranquility of having made the right choice, I wish my fellow passengers all the success and achievement they deserve, and that is finally appearing on the horizon. Always and forever, a Barock fan!".

Today’s message from Luca Pancaldi, pointing at an in-depth analysis on why he is leaving Barock Projectafter eleven years of music together. Boarding the band in 2005, Pancaldi has been the vocalist of all four studio albums of Barock (Misteriose Voci - 2007, Rebus - 2009, Coffee In Neukölln - 2012, Skyline - 2015) and of the very recent double live release Vivo. The change of speed in growth for Barock and the subsequent need of more committment and concentration will not allow Pancaldi to adequately follow the band’s evolution. After ten years of work, awarded both in Italy and worldwide, Barock Project have dramatically increased speed in their studio activity, especially with future live plans  and an intense new album preparation and ongoing recording. 

This is a friendly separation, as keyboard player and leader Luca Zabbini underlines: "Luca Pancaldi joined this band in early 2005, when we were twenty years old, bringing through his voice that special sound in our music that has characterized our records so far. Like most start-up bands, our path was difficult and full of obstacles during the early years, and we were struggling to make ourselves noticed as a new prog band, despite each one of us already had years of experience on stage with other bands. However, it has been ten entertaining years, not only in terms of music, and we are fully aware of the demand for increasingly high commitment that this group now has to, and wants to, deal with. I have always considered Luca a loyal and honest guy, and even in this situation I appreciate his honesty in making his choices, which is the reason we respect and sustain it fully. Clearly, I too will always have great nostalgia for stage times together, but this is not going to undermine the friendship that we have with Luca and the mutual respect. I can only wish him the best, and I also want to thank Luca and hug him on behalf of all the guys, because it is also thanks to him if this band became something above average. Arrivederci...shine on, Luca!".


Who will deal with singing in Barock Project now? The vocal parts always had a prominent role in the writing and during Barock live acts: soon the guys will reveal sensational news for those who follow the band ever since their early days and look forward to their return on stage after the Skyline Tour experience, as well as for those who have only recently discovered the band with the impressive double album Vivo. This importante chapter in the history of the talented Italian band, marked a milestone after ten years of intense top sympho-rock music writing and also pointed at a new future phase with the new track My Silent Sea.  


Barock Project summer 2016 line-up: 
Luca Zabbini – piano, keyboards, acoustic guitar, vocals
Eric Ombelli – drums
Marco Mazzuoccolo – electric guitars
Francesco Caliendo - bass guitar

Info:


Barock Project:

Barock Project Facebook:

Management: Stars Of Italy
 Claudio Cutrone (claudio@starsofitaly.com)

Artalia:

Synpress44 press agent:

FATES WARNING - Launch next song off "Theories Of Flight" album via guitar play through video on Guitar World website!


 

In light of the upcoming July 1st release date for the much anticipated 12th studio album, "Theories Of Flight", by U.S. Progressive Metal pioneers FATES WARNING, a new song is being debuted today via a play through video on the website of Guitar World Magazine.

Check out the track "White Flag" in a clip (with full studio album sound), which doesn't only feature multi-angle cams of guitarist and songwriter Jim Matheos, but also showcases the guest lead guitar parts by longtime FW member Frank Aresti and by recent FW live-guitarist Mike Abdow, here:

A complimentary drum and bass play through clip for the same track featuring a special audio mix will be available separately in the coming weeks too.

FATES WARNING's Jim Matheos checked in to comment about the song as follows:
"With "White Flag" I wanted to do something a bit heavier then what we've done in the recent past, but also to feature counterpoint type guitar parts, where the guitars are playing around and in between each other rather than in strict unison throughout. I also wanted to provide solo spots for Frank Aresti and Mike Abdow. Their contributions are one of the highlights in the song for me."



Previously, FATES WARNING launched a lyric-video designed by Cloud Music Typography for the impressive album opening track, "From The Rooftops", here: https://youtu.be/8kkJ8qtgLBY


An album teaser clip, featuring footage by Dennis Hlynsky entitled 'Feeding The Gulls', introducing excerpts of all songs was launched here:https://youtu.be/q1O7W9PKMEE


The album is available for pre-order at the IOM webshop here:

http://files.ctctcdn.com/4f115356201/0a67e72a-6758-42c6-8e3c-9414b050ccba.png

Tracklisting:
FATES WARNING - Theories Of Flight
1. From The Rooftops
2. Seven Stars
3. SOS
4. The Light And Shade Of Things
5. White Flag
6. Like Stars Our Eyes Have Seen
7. The Ghosts Of Home
8. Theories Of Flight

In addition to Standard CD and Digital Download, a limited 2CD version of the album (and also an Import Double Vinyl) will include an acoustic bonus-disc with the following tracks:

Acoustic Bonus tracks:
1. Firefly
2. Seven Stars
3. Another Perfect Day
4. Pray Your Gods (Toad The Wet Sprocket cover)
5. Adela (Joaquin Rodrigo cover)
6. Rain (Uriah Heep cover)

Theories Of Flight" comes packaged with artwork created by Michigan artist Graceann Warn /  www.graceannwarn.com

Performed by the core line-up that returned to form with 2013's acclaimed "Darkness In A Different Light" release (Guitarist Jim Matheos, vocalist Ray Alder, bassist Joey Vera, and drummer Bobby Jarzombek), "Theories Of Flight" was produced by Jim Matheos and mixed/mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Symphony X, Haken, etc.).


FATES WARNING Line-Up 2016:
Ray Alder - Vocals
Jim Matheos - Guitars
Joey Vera - Bass
Bobby Jarzombek - Drums


FATES WARNING Online:

Monday, June 20, 2016

HAKEN announce North America "Affinitour" dates

London-based progressive metal band Haken have just completed the European leg of their "Affinitour" in support of their latest release 'Affinity'.  Now they are pleased to announce the North America tour for this Fall.  The tour kicks off in Chicago, IL on Aug. 30th and concludes in Portland, OR on Sept. 21st. The group will also make a stop at major US festival ProgPower in Atlanta, on Sept 10th.   New Jersey Prog outfit Thank You Scientist join the group on this 17 date trek.

The band had this to say about the upcoming tour: 
"After last year's success in North America, we've been eager to get back and play to our amazing fans over there and also travel to new territory in Texas, Arizona and the west coast. To make things even more exciting, we're taking one of our favourite bands out with us - Thank You Scientist. If you haven't heard these guys, you've been missing out!"
 
North America Tour Dates w/Thank You Scientist
Aug.30: Chicago, IL - Reggie's
Aug.31: Niagra Falls, NY - Rapid's Theater
Sept.1: Toronto, ON - Mod Club
Sept. 2: Montreal, QC - Club Soda
Sept.3: Quebec City, QC - L'Imperial
Sept.4: Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
Sept.6: New York, NY - Marlin Room
Sept.7: Philadelphia. PA - Founday
Sept.8: Frederick, MD - Café 611
Sept.9: Canal Club - Richmond, VA
Sept.10: ProgPower USA - Atlanta, GA
Sept.13: Gas Monkey Bar & Grill - Dallas, TX
Sept.14: Rockbox - San Antonio, TX
Sept.16: Joe's Grotto - Phoenix, AZ
Sept.17: Complex - Los Angeles, CA
Sept.20: El Corazon - Seattle, WA
Sept.21: Ash Street Saloon - Portland, OR


'Affinity' has been receiving great reactions from press; find a selection of them below:

"dextrous prog metal with retro pizzazz and roller-coaster riffs" - PROG Magazine

"Affinity proves what a unique and spellbinding band Haken are" - Metal Hammer 8/10

"inescapable melodic hooks and absorbing textures" - Total Guitar 4/5

"Affinity will be hailed as one of the landmarks of 2016 and beyond." - Powerplay 9/10


You can now order the album at these links: 




The band has also previously launched videos for the tracks "Earthrise", "The Endless Knot" and "Initiate".


The Endless Knot: https://youtu.be/IVZHNPyMhMo
 &



The full track-listing for the album is as follows:
1. affinity.exe [1:24]       
2. Initiate [4:16]
3. 1985 [9:09]
4. Lapse [4:44]
5. The Architect [15:40]
6. Earthrise [4:48]
7. Red Giant [6:06]
8. The Endless Knot [5:50]
9. Bound By Gravity [9:29]

Recorded during the winter months of 2015, 'Affinity' marks a new approach to the song-writing process for Haken, as vocalist Ross Jennings explains; "It is the most collaborative we have ever been on an album. We wanted to develop and expand our sound by having every member contribute initial ideas from the very beginning of the process. It naturally takes longer to filter through the mass of material and fit it all together coherently, but this approach has helped to create something completely fresh whilst maintaining the core elements of Haken's sound."

The band once again called upon Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Between The Buried And Me) for mixing and mastering duties. "He is a wizard in this department! We are always confident his mix will bring out the best from our performance and this is no exception," remarks keyboardist Diego Tejeida.

Like much of Haken's previous music, 'Affinity' is full of surprises and 'The Architect', the album's centrepiece, is no exception. Blasting through a dizzying array of instrumental insanity coupled with down-tempo atmospheric tenuity, Haken welcomes friend and Leprous frontman Einar Solberg mid-song for a spot of guest vocals! Just one of many twists and turns throughout this 60-minute musical lobotomy, Haken's 'Affinity' will open up a new dimension in this UK sextet's trajectory.