GlobalProgressive Rock Weekly

Collins Attends Brother's Mbe Ceremony

2012-01-27T14:27:00.002-05:00

Music legend Phil Collins jetted into London on Thursday (26Jan12) to attend a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace where his cartoonist brother was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (Mbe).

The former Genesis drummer, who now resides in Switzerland, returned to his native U.K. as a guest of his sibling Clive, who was honoured with the medal for his career as an artist and newspaper cartoonist.

Charles, Prince of Wales decorated Clive with the honour, as his more famous brother watched on. Collins' nephew was supposed to attend with his father, but had to pull out.

Clive Collins told reporters outside Queen Elizabeth II's London residence, "(Phil's) been incredibly chuffed (pleased) about me receiving this award and been absolutely marvellous, he's been so supportive.

"My brother stepped in and flew over from Switzerland to join me after my son, also called Phil, couldn't make it."

The musician added, "I shared a bedroom with him when we were boys and he was always drawing. He used to do Christmas cards and birthdays cards for the family."

SOURCE: CONTACT MUSIC

JOHN SYKES/MIKE PORTNOY Project Is No More

2012-01-25T13:52:00.001-05:00

The much-anticipated new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) and guitarist/vocalist John Sykes (WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER, THIN LIZZY) is no more.

Portnoy and Sykes announced their collaboration during a July 2011 taping of season eight of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". The program's co-host Eddie Trunk tweeted about the project at the time, "I heard demos. Sounds like killer BLUE MURDER meets '1987' WHITESNAKE. Amazing!" He also said that the new group would perform some BLUE MURDER material when it hits the road.

The project last year demoed more than a dozen songs at a Los Angeles studio, with Portnoy describing one track as "copping the [LED] ZEPPELIN/[BLACK] SABBATH vibe" and another as "[PINK] FLOYD meets [DEEP] PURPLE!!! Some serious old-school classic rock."

In a new posting on his official web site, Trunk writes, "There has been much speculation on the status of the band and
this project since we first revealed it, and as a friend and fan of both musicians I was very much at the center of it helping where I could and serving as a sounding board with all involved. Sadly, I can confirm
that as of now this project is no longer moving forward.

"When I first talked about Portnoy and Sykes working together, I joked with them that I had never met two guys with such different work ethics. Mike wants to do everything yesterday and John really takes his time and is much more conservative. That truly is the
only reason why what could have been a killer band has dissolved.

"Obviously,
bands are like any relationship — some click, some do not. This was
simply a case of two different people not only getting to know each
other musically but also personally, and the schedule and timing for
making this work just fell apart. Mike and the band's bass player were ready to go, and John simply was not on the same timetable. There is truly no bigger story or any drama to report. It just didn't work and everyone is moving on. Mike has several amazing projects in the works, including the killer ADRENALINE MOB album coming in March, and John may very well do a solo album or something else. He has some great
material written and was singing and playing in top form when this
dissolved. They both remain friends and I wish them both nothing but the best going forward and who knows what the future holds?"

Commented Portnoy on Twitter, "Sad but true... I tried my best to make it work... Me and the bass player [Billy Sheehan] couldn't wait around any longer... [Billy and I] moving on and now working with another guitarist/singer."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.

Sykes announced his departure from THIN LIZZY in July 2009, explaining that "I feel it's time to get back to playing my own music."

TESSERACT To Release Acoustic EP

2012-01-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

U.K. progressive metallers TESSERACT are working on an acoustic EP, tentatively titled "Perspective", for a spring release via Century Media Records. The effort will contain reworked versions of tracks from the band's debut album, "One", plus "a very special" cover version.

Commented TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams: "The EP was inspired by an acoustic session we filmed last year in New York, whilst on tour with PROTEST THE HERO. It made us realize that a few of the tracks sounded really great when
re-arranged and approached at from a different perspective.

"Once we finish off this EP, we will stay in the studio and begin work our new album. This is shaping up to continue the TESSERACT sound we began to develop on 'One'. A sound that is dynamic, tender, crushing, soaring, visceral,
beautiful, emotive and heavy. A box of contradictions and infinite
possibilities. With maybe the exception of Euro House... we're not
really that into Euro House... sorry."

In other news, TESSERACT will play day three of Bamboozle Festival on May 20 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.

"Festivals are always great to do, but for our first U.S. festival to be Bamboozle is crazy," said the band. "To be on the same bill as INCUBUS, FOO FIGHTERS and BON JOVI is a great boost for us. Bamboozle has a great tradition of mixing things up, and the bill for the 10 year anniversary festival looks to be adhering firmly to this, with bands
like TESSERACT, PERIPHERY and WHITECHAPEL sharing the stage with SKRILLEX, JIMMY EAT WORLD and ALL AMERICAN REJECTS. It looks like it's going to be great fun!"

SOURCE: RNR

DEEP PURPLE To Release New Studio Album Next Year

2012-01-23T14:01:00.000-05:00

British hard rock legends DEEP PURPLE are very excited by the
prospect of making a new and significant album. To that end, they have
decided to extend their writing and recording period through the summer
of 2012.

Commented DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan:
"We know we will disappoint some of our fans this summer. However, we
look forward very much to our autumn/winter tour and continuing our
worldwide tour with our new album in 2013."

Durung a 2011 interview with U.K.'s Express & Star, Gillan was asked when fans might be able to expect DEEP PURPLE's follow-up to 2005's "Rapture Of The Deep" album.

"The fact is that we've been touring flat out," said Gillan. "We did 48 countries last year. We're getting so much off on that we just don't feel the drive at the moment for writing."

Gillan did reveal, though, that DEEP PURPLE convened for a mini writing session earlier in the year.

"We
were in Spain for a little while and we had a week off," he said. "We
spent most of the time in the bar, to be honest with you. It was a good
session, but nothing absolutely dynamic came out of it.

"I think
to get some progress as far as an album's concerned you've got to have a
target, you've got to work to a date, and that gives you pressure. If
you've got the pressure, you get stuff done. We don't have a plan, to be
honest.

"Things have always been chaos, certainly since I
joined, and we've never been able to plan anything. If we'd been able to
make plans, we'd probably have retired by now!"

"People like to
do stuff that they're good at, that they enjoy, that they get something
out of. So while it's fun and we're all getting older and bits are
dropping off here and there, it's still great. I think there probably
will be another album.

"And because we're not doing an album
(right now) doesn't mean I don't write every day. It's a day off today
and for me it's a full day at the office. This morning is interviews and
this afternoon I've got two or three interesting pieces I'm working on
at the moment. I write every day and so when I do come round to making
an album there's never a shortage of what I call color material."

DEEP PURPLE's 18th studio album, "Rapture of the Deep", was released in November 2005. It was the fourth studio CD from DEEP PURPLE since guitarist Steve Morse joined the band in 1994. It was also the second album to feature veteran keyboardist Don Airey.

"Rapture of the Deep" was produced by Mike Bradford, who also worked on the band's previous release, 2003's "Bananas".

DREAM THEATER Keyboardist's Mother Dies At 86

2012-01-22T14:08:00.000-05:00

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following statement:

"It's with great sadness that I share the news that my mom, Rita Rudess, has passed away at the age of 86. She dedicated so much of her life to
taking care of my musical spirit. Driving me back and forth to Juilliard and both encouraging and enjoying my talent. Her passing was not a
surprise as she was quite ill for a while. I'll miss her very much."

DREAM THEATER's European headlining tour is scheduled to kick off this coming Monday, January 23 at the Ice Hall in Helsinki, Finland.

Jordan Rudess' video message from tour rehearsals in Finland — recorded on January 21, 2012 prior to the announcement of his mother's passing — can be seen
below.

Rudess, 55, has been the full-time keyboardist for DREAM THEATER since the recording of 1999's "Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes From A Memory". He has recorded six other studio albums with the group: 2002's "Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence", 2003's "Train Of Thought", 2005's "Octavarium", 2007's "Systematic Chaos", 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings" and 2011's "A Dramatic Turn Of Events". In addition, he has appeared on the live albums "Live Scenes From New York", "Live At Budokan", "Score" and "Chaos In Motion".

DREAM THEATER is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

MASTODON Confirms North American Tour With OPETH, GHOST

2012-01-21T15:00:00.000-05:00

Bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders of Atalanta progressive metallers MASTODON has confirmed that the band will team up with Sweden's OPETH and GHOST for a North American tour in April (as first reported by BLABBERMOUTH.NET on January 14). Sanders gave out the information during an interview yesterday (Thursday,
January 19) at the studios of the Belgian national radio station Studio Brussel, where he was accompanied by his bandmate, guitarist Bill Kelliher.

When asked about MASTODON's plans for the immediate future, Sanders said, "We go to Australia take part in the Soundwave Festival, which is going to be lovely… Take a short break. Do a North American tour with OPETH and GHOST. And then take another break and come back over here for the European festival season."

DREAM THEATER Singer Begins Writing New Solo Album

2012-01-18T15:17:00.000-05:00

Singer James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has issued the following update:

"[LaBrie's longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist] Matt Guillory and I are very happy to announce that writing for my next solo album has started.

"We're very pleased with how well [LaBrie's last solo CD] 'Static Impulse' was received and are excited to be making a follow-up.

"You can expect all the usual suspects: (Marco Sfogli, Peter Wildoer, Ray Riendeau) In addition to this, we'd also like to announce that Peter Wichers (SOILWORK) is onboard as a co-songwriter. Peter loved 'Static Impulse' and looks forward to making a kick-ass record with us. He is extremely talented and we're stoked to have him!"

James LaBrie's solo tour — which was scheduled to kick off on November 26, 2010 in
Charlotte, North Carolina and end on December 20, 2010 in Houston, Texas — was canceled "due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with
securing work visas" for a couple of the members of LaBrie's band.

"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.

"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marked LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.

Mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (OPETH, KATATONIA), "Static Impulse" featured Guillory; Peter Wildoer from Swedish thrashers DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals; Marco Sfogli on guitar; and Ray Riendeau (HALFORD) on bass.

STEALING AXION Signs With INSIDEOUT MUSIC

2012-01-18T15:15:00.000-05:00

InsideOut Music has announced the signing of progressive groove metallers STEALING AXION. The band's full-length debut, "Moments", will be released later in the year.

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, STEALING AXION was formed in the winter of 2009 by three friends, Dan Forbrich (vocals, guitar), Josh DeShazo (vocals, guitar), and Phil Willmarth (vocals, bass.) By early 2010, the band recorded and released their
buzzworthy self-titled EP while continuing to write and record more
material. While "Stealing Axion" circulated around the web, fans and critics praised it for its musical proficiency, atmospheric passages and heavy grooves.

The band then enlisted Charlie Shaughnessy (guitar) and Blake Ferris (drums) to round out their lineup while working closely with Acle Kahney (producer, guitarist of TESSERACT, who mixed and mastered these new tracks). STEALING AXION finally had enough material to put together a full-length CD.

In regards to their signing and the exciting year ahead, STEALING AXION comments, "We're beyond excited to join the InsideOut family! We've been listening to bands from this label for years and are thrilled to be working with an amazing team!"

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/stealingaxion.

Rumor: MASTODON And OPETH To Team Up For U.S. Tour

2012-01-16T22:41:00.000-05:00

MASTODON and OPETH are rumored to be teaming up for a U.S. tour in April. Support on the trek will likely come from GHOST.

MASTODON is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's Grammy nomination is for "Curl Of The Burl", the first single from MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter".

MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise Records debut album, "Blood Mountain".

OPETH's new album, "Heritage", sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's
previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23.

"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000.

OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", premiered with a little over 5,000 copies.

Symphonic Rock Vocalist LANA LANE To Release 'El Dorado Hotel'

2012-01-15T11:30:00.000-05:00

After a four-year break since her last album, Lana Lane is back with her most powerful release to date, "El Dorado Hotel". The veteran symphonic rock diva delivers a 10-song tour-de-force of
finely crafted original tracks in an audiophile production by
husband/keyboardist, Erik Norlander. "El Dorado Hotel" hosts Lane's usual broad spectrum of musical styles and genres with a cohesiveness
that fans of the artist will recognize instantly. The opener, "A Dream Full Of Fire", is a new Lana Lane classic that blurs the line between prog metal and jazz stylings in a mélange that only she can deliver. "Maybe We'll Meet Again" is a European-styled melodic AOR radio anthem blending classic rock with modern sensibilities. The song "El Dorado" is a Lana Lane epic with a soaring chorus reminiscent of her classic, "Queen Of Ocean". The robust "Darkness Falls" introduces an Irish folk style combined with a gothic metal element
with its haunting choral vocals and arena-crafted chorus. Then "Hotels" is an acoustic track that evokes jazz standards like "Autumn Leaves". The tracks "Believe", "Life Of The Party", "Gone Are The Days" and "Moon God" add further threads to the "El Dorado Hotel" tapestry. The album closes with the 11-1/2 minute opus "In Exile" that producer Erik Norlander describes as a "vintage progressive rock epic."

The musicians of "El Dorado Hotel" are a top-notch group of artists including both new and familiar faces. Lane says about the musicians, "Both Freddy DeMarco and Mark Matthews did some fantastic work on Erik's solo project, "The Galactic Collective". I then had the opportunity to play with them both during some live
appearances in 2011 when I sang with the band. After having played with the guys and getting to know them, I knew that I wanted them to be a
part of this project as well. Then for John Payne, Jay Schellen, Guthrie Govan and Bruce Bouillet (ex-RACER X), as you know, Erik has playing with John Payne for about five years now. When the original 1982 lineup of ASIA reformed a few years back, John Payne formed his own separate band to continue all the work that he had done with ASIA during his 14-year run and many albums with them. So John and Erik tour as "ASIA featuring John Payne," and they've probably played over a hundred shows together. Jay is the drummer in the band, and both Guthrie and Bruce have been the guitarists. Bruce is working with them currently. I of course go to a lot of their shows
and have become friends with all of them. It is a great group of people, and they are all very talented musicians. Since we see them so much and Erik plays with them constantly, it was only natural to work with them on this album. And then finally for Mark McCrite, Neil Citron and Don Schiff, all three of them have been on so many Lana Lane albums going all the back to my very first album in 1995. It's great to continue working with them through all these years."

Songs for "El Dorado Hotel" were written by Lana Lane, Erik Norlander and longtime collaborator Mark McCrite, who comments, "My favorite songs on the album are 'El Dorado' (with the fantastic Spanish guitar) and 'A Dream Full of Fire' — that's a really killer 'classic' Lana Lane track."

"El Dorado Hotel" musicians:

* Lana Lane - vocals
* Erik Norlander - keyboards, additional guitars, bass and programming

With

* John Payne - harmony and choral vocals, mandolin
* Mark McCrite - guitars, bass, choral vocals, programming
* Bruce Bouillet - guitars
* Neil Citron - guitars
* Freddy DeMarco - guitars
* Guthrie Govan - guitar
* Don Schiff - NS/Stick
* Mark Matthews - bass
* Jay Schellen - drums

"El Dorado Hotel" track listing:

01. A Dream Full Of Fire [8:25]
02. Maybe We'll Meet Again [5:39]
03. El Dorado [6:12]
04. Darkness Falls [5:12]
05. Hotels [3:40]
06. Believe [6:03]
07. Life Of The Party [4:03]
08. Gone Are The Days [6:23]
09. Moon God [5:08]
10. In Exile [11:43]

"El Dorado Hotel" will be released on January 25 via Think Tank Media (Avalon in Japan).

ÅKERFELDT/WILSON Collaboration: New Photos Posted Online

2012-01-14T23:02:00.002-05:00

Several new photos of STORM CORROSION, the much-anticipated collaboration project between OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt and PORCUPINE TREE's Steven Wilson, can be seen below.

STORM CORROSION last year completed work on its self-titled debut album for an April 2012 release through Roadrunner Records. Apart from Mikael and Steven, the CD includes guest appearances by Gavin Harrison (PORCUPINE TREE) on drums/percussion, Ben Castle on woodwinds and Dave Stewart on string arrangements.

In a interview with Metal Injection conducted on November 11 at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, Wilson was asked how STORM CORROSION is different from his previous collaborations with Åkerfeldt. "Well, the only stuff I've collaborated with Mikael on in the past has been working on his records," Wilson replied. "This is obviously a collaboration, so it's a different
approach. We sat in a room together and we wrote music together, rather
than taking his music that he'd already written and working it into a
record. We actually started from the very basics — composition and
arranging."

He continued, "If you'd asked me three months ago
about the music, I would have said, 'Expect the last thing you would
expect.' But actually, now that [OPETH's new record] 'Heritage' has come out and [Steven Wilson's solo album] 'Grace Of Drowning' has come out, I don't think it's going to be that much of a shock to
people, because it's almost like a third part of the trilogy, in a way.
If anything, it's even more orchestral, even more stripped down, even
more dark, twisted and melancholic… but it certainly feels like it comes from the same place as 'Heritage' and 'Grace For Drowning', which indeed it does because it was written during the same period — it was written during a period that he was playing the tracks that he'd
written for 'Heritage' and I was playing the tracks that I had written for 'Grace Of Drowning'. So we were kind of, in a way, egging each other on, encouraging each
other to do those particular records, but also at the same time coming
up with this music that is now gonna be on STORM CORROSION. So
it's a very orchestral record, it's very — as you'd expect — epic, the
songs are quite long and they develop in quite unusual ways."

He
concluded, "I'm realistic that half the people are gonna hate it and
half the people probably will fall in love with it. I'd be happy with
that anyway."

Although former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was initially supposed to be part of the STORM CORROSION project, he did not take part in the recording sessions for the CD. "To be honest, there's just no room for drums on what we've done," Åkerfeldt told Classic Rock magazine last year. "I called Mike up, and he was cool about it. He's got so much going on anyway, and I'm sure we will work together in the future."

NIGHTWISH To Release 'The Crow, The Owl And The Dove' Single

2012-01-14T01:22:00.000-05:00

"The Crow, The Owl And The Dove", the second single from "Imaginaerum", the new album from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, will be released in Europe on March 2 via Nuclear Blast Records. Along with the title track, the single will include a previously unreleased song called "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" (theme from the movie "The Piano"). The cut will be available in two different versions, including an instrumental one.

"The Crow, The Owl And The Dove" is featured in three versions: the radio edit, album version and an instrumental.

You can order the single on CD, or as a vinyl in clear or blue color, at this location.

As previously reported, NIGHTWISH will take part in a CD-signing session at SoundCheck Hollywood on Friday, January 20 at 6 p.m. Stop by the store starting Tuesday, January 10 to pick up the band's new album, "Imaginaerum", and get a wristband which guarantees your access to meet the band.

SoundCheck Hollywood
8872 Sunset Blvd.
W. Hollywood, CA 90069
310.358.0280

"Imaginaerum" has been certified gold in Germany for sales in excess of 100,000
copies. The CD also entered the official chart in Finland at position
No. 1 and has already been certifield triple platinum in the country
after shifting more than 60,000 units.

[Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach
platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the
current 20,000.]

The band's first CD since 2007's "Dark Passion Play" — which was then-new singer Anette Olzon's debut — "Imaginaerum" was released in North America on January 10 via Roadrunner Records.

NIGHTWISH will play a "secret" gig under the name RUBBER BAND OF WOLVES at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California on January 19 — two days
before the Finnish/Swedish symphonic metal act's world-tour kick-off
performance at the Gibson Ampitheater in Universal City. The Universal
City concert will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

2012-01-12T23:17:00.000-05:00

Mascot Label Group has announced the release of the eponymous debut album from FLYING COLORS — the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/metal rock band formed by drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) and guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE). The CD will be made available via Music Theories Recordings in the U.K. on Monday, March 26, followed by a U.S. release on Tuesday, March 27.

FLYING COLORS is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar).

"This album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us," says Portnoy. ""The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved."

The formation of FLYING COLORS began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining
together to make new-fashioned music the old-fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many
styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have
delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary
music.

In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world-renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea and the prospect of working together, the four
musicians signed on to form a band and record a first album.

Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed magical music chemistry over the years that began early in their careers as partners in DIXIE DREGS. In 1995, Morse subsequently became a member of DEEP PURPLE, while LaRue's ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy.

Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, whose notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, SPOCK'S BEARD in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group TRANSATLANTIC.

Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and
rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of
numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum magazine's "Drummer Of The Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut DREAM THEATER, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's #1 album "Nightmare" and their subsequent tour.

It was Portnoy who recommended ALPHA REV's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join FLYING COLORS. McPherson, whose 2010 Hollywood/Disney album "New Morning" debuted in the Top 5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the Top 10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on VH1's Top 20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."

FLYING COLORS convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session.

"It was quite an experience," recalls Dave LaRue. "The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all
times. Sections of tunes were arranged, and then re-arranged. Ideas
were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases,
discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a
challenge!" The album is filled with trial and triumph. It's been an
inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big
recording."

Touring plans for FLYING COLORS will be announced in the coming months.

CYNIC Members' PORTAL Project: Early 1990s Demos To See Light Of Day

2012-01-12T01:02:00.000-05:00

PORTAL, the early 1990s project featuring CYNIC masterminds Paul Masvidal and Sean Reinert alongside guitarist Jason Gobel, bassist Chris Kringel and female vocalist Aruna Abrams, will have its demo recordings officially released as "The Portal Tapes" on March 27 in North America (four days earlier in Europe) in strictly
limited editions of 5,000 digipak CDs and 1,000 vinyl LPs via Season Of Mist.

"I never thought this day would come", Masvidal comments. "A couple demos we'd record after [CYNIC's 1993 debut album] 'Focus', under the name PORTAL, would develop a life of their own, and somehow become part of CYNIC's larger discography. As an artist, it's an amazingly unpredictable
journey, to see these quiet labors of love, find their way, in their own time."

CYNIC recently released the "Carbon-Based Anatomy" EP, which has been described as "equal parts KING CRIMSON, TOOL, MUSE and ALLAN HOLDSWORTH." It's a 23-minute transcendent musical journey through the fertile musical minds of Masvidal and Reinert.

2012-01-10T01:09:00.000-05:00

HALFORD guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak has tapped Mike LePond of progressive metallers SYMPHONY X to play bass on Chlasciak's solo album, "The Metalworker".

"I am really excited to have once again being able to work with Mike," said Chlasciak.

"Mike's ability as a musician and bassist are hard to match. He came in
unbelievably well prepared and just tore it up as we all expect of him
to. It was amazing to see how quickly he works in the studio.

"I would like to thank Mike for his fantastic work!"

He
added, "If you are in need for no-apologies screaming heavy metal we
all love, then we have the record for you. I'm really looking forward to
sharing this with everyone."

Drummer Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, CHIMAIRA, HATE ETERNAL, DYING FETUS) stated about his involvement with "The Metalworker", "As a full-time studio drummer, it is sometimes overwhelming to
constantly track ultra-technical brutal death metal songs. But, while
tracking 'The Metalworker' album for Metal Mike, it
reminds me why I got into metal in the first place … straight-forward
brutal catchy riffs without any of the B.S. associated with most metal
bands today. This is the 'meat and potatoes' of metal, if you will. It's not one of those 'Can I have a side salad, please?' type of bands. The
album plows with killer riffage, ragin' leads, and ultra-sick double
bass for days."

"The Metalworker" is currently being mixed at Dead Room Recording Studio in San Antonio, Texas with engineer Orlando Villasenor.

"The Metalworker" additionally features vocal siren Carlos Zema (OUTWORLD).

Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "On Leather Wings", "Don't Shoot The Crown" and "Hell No".

NIGHTWISH: 'Imaginaerum' Certified Gold In Germany

2012-01-10T01:08:00.000-05:00

"Imaginaerum", the first album in four years from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, has been certified gold in Germany for sales in excess of 100,000 copies.

Commented NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen: "Germany never fails us! Only five weeks since the release and 'Imaginaerum' goes gold! Magical, wondrous, imaginative and grateful times we're living. Huge thanks to all the fans and the fellowship of Nuclear Blast!"

"Imaginaerum" entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1 and has already been certifield triple platinum in the country after shifting more than 60,000 units.

Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach
platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the
current 20,000.

The band's first CD since 2007's "Dark Passion Play" — which was then-new singer Anette Olzon's debut — "Imaginaerum" is due in North America on January 10 via Roadrunner Records.

"Imaginaerum" track listing (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):

01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose the Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove
11. Last Ride of the Day
12. Song Of Myself
Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf
Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still
Song 3: Piano Black
Song 4: Love
13. Imaginaerum

NIGHTWISH will play a "secret" gig under the name RUBBER BAND OF WOLVES at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California on January 19 — two days
before the Finnish/Swedish symphonic metal act's world-tour kick-off
performance at the Gibson Ampitheater in Universal City. The Universal
City concert will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

ADRENALINE MOB's Self-Titled Debut EP Going Out Of Print

2012-01-10T01:04:00.000-05:00

The self-titled debut EP from ADRENALINE MOB, which was released
last summer, will soon be going out of print. Self-produced by the band, the effort features four original tracks as well as a cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules". The group states, "We put it out so you all could have a little taste
of what this band was going to be about, but with the release of [the ADRENALINE MOB full-length debut] 'Omertà' coming quickly, it's time to take it down. 'Omertà' will have new versions of the four original tracks [that were featured
on the EP]. Parts have been re-recorded and the songs have been
completely remixed and remastered. Once our current inventory of
physical CDs are gone, they will not be re-ordered. The digital version
of the EP will be removed from iTunes and other digital outlets
here in the U.S. by Friday of this week. We thank all of you who loved
the EP and we appreciate all your support!"

The EP is now available for streaming in its entirety using the player below.

ADRENALINE MOB is the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP).

"Omertá" will be released on March 13 via the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services. The 11-song CD — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

"Omertá" track listing:

01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.

Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) announced their departures from ADRENALINE MOB last week due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.

DYSRHYTHMIA Signs With PROFOUND LORE RECORDS

2012-01-09T01:18:00.000-05:00

Queens, New York progressive instrumental trio DYSRHYTHMIA has inked a deal with Profound Lore Records. The band will enter the studio this spring with DYSRHYTHMIA bassist Colin Marston handling production duties to begin recording its next album for a late summer/early fall release. The group states, "We're gonna do our most
to make this the best DYSRHYTHMIA [effort] yet."

DYSRHYTHMIA's latest album, "Psychic Maps", was released on CD and LP in July 2009 in via Relapse Records.

DYSRHYTHMIA is:

Jeff Eber - Drums
Kevin Hufnagel - Guitar
Colin Marston - Bass

Former VISIONS OF ATLANTIS Singer Dies At 27

2012-01-07T01:51:00.000-05:00

Nicole Bogner, who was the vocalist for Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS from 2000 to 2005, has died after fighting a "severe disease over a long period of time." Bogner, 27, sang on the band's first two albums, "Eternal Endless Infinity" (2002) and "Cast Away" (2004).

Commented VISIONS OF ATLANTIS in a statement: "In deep mourning and with highest respect we have to notify all VISIONS OF ATLANTIS fans that our former female singer, Nicole Bogner, has passed away at the age of 27 after fighting a severe disease over a long period of time. The band is shocked about the loss of an old VISIONS OF ATLANTIS family member but wants to express sincere gratitude to Nicole not only for five years of sharing a musical vision but also for more than a decade of friendship inside and outside of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS. Without Nicole, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS would have never been born and her unique voice and personality were a big part of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS. With Nicole, a great part of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS died as well. We will always treasure your warm-hearted soul; you will never be forgotten, Nici."

An "In Memoriam Nicole Bogner" Facebook page has been launched at this location.
http://www.facebook.com/inmemoriamnicolebogner?sk=wall#!/inmemoriamnicolebogner?sk=wall

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS will enter the studio at the end of January to begin recording its fifth album.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS' fourth album, "Delta", was released in North America on March 15, 2011 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany and marked the debut of the group's new singer, Maxi Nil, who joined the group in 2009.

OhioProg 2012 Canceled

2012-01-06T01:58:00.000-05:00

The OhioProg 2012 three-day progressive rock festival — which was scheduled to take place September 7-9, 2012 at the Canton Palace
Theatre in Canton, Ohio — has been canceled.

Commented the organizers: "OhioProg 2012 turned to crowd funding platform to make tickets available for the
three-day progressive rock festival in an attempt to ensure enough
people would attend to cover the costs and expenses of holding such a
grand event. The Kickstarter campaign ended on January 2, 2012
with only 60 tickets pledged. A total of around 400-450 tickets pledged
at the various levels would have reached the funding goal.

"The festival adopted Kickstarter's project criteria in that, it is all-or-nothing funding. So, since the goal was not reached OhioProg 2012 has been canceled. Also, because funding on Kickstarter is all or nothing, all pledges have been automatically canceled.

"We
thank the many that did pledge and committed to attending the festival.
The support meant a lot. We'd also like to thank those at the Canton
Palace Theatre and those in the Canton area who have been very gracious
to our staff and efforts. And, of course, all of the bands who were
invited to perform at OhioProg 2012, we thank you for believing in our event!

"To join the OhioProg mailing list to be notified of future related events, please visit the OhioProg web site at www.ohioprog.com."

OhioProg 2012 was slated to include a Friday pre-show, "A Tribute To The Classics,"
and a Saturday and Sunday full-day main event featuring eleven bands
spanning five countries. Scheduled performers included FM, GLASS HAMMER, NIGHTINGALE, ARENA, PERSEPHONE'S DREAM, ORPHAN PROJECT, AFTER THE FALL, CRYPTIC VISION and KINETIC ELEMENT.

Upcoming Eloy Dates

2011-12-09T23:26:00.002-05:00

FROM THE ELOY CAMP:

Dear friends of ELOY,
Firstly, a very special thank you for the incredible reactions you gave us at our shows in the summer. We were deeply touched by the strong and emotional response we received at each event.
After the emotional time spent on the stage and the tremendous response to our three concerts in June of this year, we received many emails and letters expressing a desire for more concerts. Despite the well-attended festivals where some people had travelled from far-flung countries - some even travelling from outside Europe - in order to see us live, we received many messages from Germany from people who regretted that they couldn’t attend the shows due to being on holiday and asking us to play more concerts.
Thus we have decided to play a comprehensive tour of Germany for you in March 2012. We have aimed to choose more intimate settings in order to create yet more closeness, which of course means that visitor numbers will be somewhat limited here and there. This tour is about creating events that are tailored especially to our closest fan community. This applies to the music as well as to the environment in which the concerts take place. We want to offer you a special concert experience where the almost unique connection between band and audience - as we have recently experienced again - is just right.

24.03.2012 Berlin, Postbahnhof
25.03.2012 Hamburg, Markthalle
26.03.2012 Cologne, Gloria
27.03.2012 Stuttgart, Longhorn
28.03.2012 Pratteln (CH) - Z7
29.03.2012 Munich, Muffathalle
30.03.2012 Mainz, Frankfurter Hof
24.06.2012 - Nearfest, Bethlehem, PA - USA

For the 6 German ELOY Shows and the show in Pratteln we exclusively offer hard-tickets available at the ELOY Webshop only. Details regarding the tour in Germany in March can be found in the forum here, and regarding the appearance at the legendary Nearfest here.
We don’t want to keep it from you that the shows this spring could well be our last in Germany and that it’s possible that we will stop performing after headlining the legendary Nearfest in the U.S. in June 2012. For this reason, we are especially looking forward to the concerts in March and hope for numerous reunions with lots of fans in lots of full venues!
Sincerely yours,
Frank Bornemann

http://www.eloy-legacy.com/

NIGHTWISH's 'Imaginaerum' Tops Finnish Chart

2011-12-09T23:20:00.001-05:00

"Imaginaerum", the first album in four years from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, has entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 1.

According to Rytmi.com, "Imaginaerum" sold 50,000 copies in Finland in its first two days of release. The band's first CD since 2007's "Dark Passion Play" — which was then-new singer Anette Olzon's debut — is due in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records.

Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach
platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the
current 20,000.

"Imaginaerum" track listing (note that track 12 is broken down into four parts):

01. Taikatalvi
02. Storytime
03. Ghost River
04. Slow, Love, Slow
05. I Want My Tears Back
06. Scaretale
07. Arabesque
08. Turn Loose the Mermaids
09. Rest Calm
10. The Crow, the Owl and the Dove
11. Last Ride of the Day
12. Song Of Myself
Song 1: From A Dusty Bookshelf
Song 2: All That Great Heart Lying Still
Song 3: Piano Black
Song 4: Love
13. Imaginaerum

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginaerum" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take
place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on
Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

ULI JON ROTH Schedules 'Sky Academy' Seminar, Announces North American Tour Dates

2011-12-09T23:12:00.001-05:00

Legendary guitarist Uli Jon Roth's (SCOPRIONS) Sky Academy seminar is now confirmed for Anaheim, California for January 23, 2012.

Sky Academy was conceived by Uli to provide knowledge and inspiration to those who take guitar seriously and to help them reach a new plateau.

The seminars are designed to open people's eyes to new possibilities and to trigger an awakening of the student’s full awareness.

The philosophy and approach of Sky Academy is consistent with the ideals of its founder.

The teaching will center on achieving the student’s transition to a noticeably higher level of ability. This includes raising their general and specific musical awareness, as well as facilitating an increase in their technical abilities. The participants will be able to receive
invaluable direct insights into the way Uli approaches the art of guitar playing, as well as concerning his philosophy of music in general.
In other news, Uli will embark on a North American tour in January, beginning with three shows during NAMM and then picking up again in Milwaukee on January 26.

Confirmed dates so far (more to be added):

Jan. 20 - Corona, CA @ The Marque 15
Jan. 21 - Hollywood, CA @ Key Club (NAMM Jam)
Jan. 22 - Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
Jan. 26 - Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
Jan. 27 - Chicago, IL @ Reggies
Jan. 29 - Toronto, ONT @ The Rockpile
Jan. 31 - New York, NY @ B.B. Blues Club & Grill (with Leslie West)
Feb. 01 - Foxbourough, MA @ Showcase Live (with Leslie West)
Feb. 02 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
Feb. 03 - Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater (with Leslie West)
Feb. 04 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom (with Leslie West)
Feb. 09 - Tempe, AZ @ Club Red
Feb. 10 - Redondo Beach, CA @ The Brixton
Feb. 11 - Oakland, CA @ The Pound West
Feb. 14 - Tacoma, WA @ Backstage Live
Feb. 15 - Seatle, WA @ El Corazon
Feb. 17 - Orangevale, CA @ The Boardwalk
Feb. 18 - Garden Grove, CA @ The Can

Pallas Annouce Christmas Shows and UK/European tour Feb/March

2011-12-07T23:36:00.000-05:00

Pallas are pleased to announce that once again they will be releasing a FREE single as a pre Christmas ‘Thank You’ to everybody who has made 2011 a very special year for the band. The track is a cover of Emerson Lake and Palmer’s Black Moon. Originally intended for inclusion on the ill-fated Classic Rock Presents Prog ELP tribute CD, it was the first track recorded with (then) new vocalist Paul Mackie,

The Download is available via the Pallas website http://www.pallasxxv.com and is released to coincide with the band’s appearance at this years Hard Rock Hell Festival the following day.

As well as Black Moon Pallas have a few more special Christmas freebies in store and on December 17th will be making available for FREE download a very radical reworking of Monster, from their last album XXV as well as a specially designed downloadable version of the 2012 Pallas artwork calendar. To finish the year with a live bang, the band will also be playing a hometown Christmas gig/party at The Tunnels in Aberdeen on Saturday December 10th, tickets are available in advance from the venue and through the usual outlets, so all in all it is going to be a very happy Christmas for Pallas fans.

2012 will begin with Pallas beginning work on the follow up album to XXV before the band hit the road in late Feb/March for a series of UK and European shows. The first show will be at The Classic Grand in Glasgow on Friday Feb 24th, followed by The Peel (House of Progression), Kingston the following night Sat Feb 25th and then The Robin, Bilston Sunday Feb 26th.

Following this the band head out to Europe with shows in Paris on Feb 27th (venue tbc), Galery in Pratteln Switzerland on Feb 28th, Frankfurt Germany (venue tbc) on Feb 29th, W2, Den Bosch, Holland on March 1st, The Boerderij Zoetermeer Holland March 2nd and finally March 3rd Spirit of 66, Verviers, Belgium. On their return to the UK, the band will be continuing work on the new album. Pallas will also be appearing at a number of Festivals throughout the summer in the run up to the release of the new album in September 2012

Pallas website: http://www.pallasxxv.com
Pallas Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/PALLASOfficial
Pallas Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/pallasofficial
Pallas Official Reverbnation: http://www.reverbnation.com/pallasofficial

November News Bytes

2011-11-04T00:24:00.002-04:00

According to the Los Angeles Times, RUSH drummer Neil Peart has bought a home in Santa Monica, California for $4.95 million.The6,200-square-foot, two-story house was built in 2001. The step-down living room adjoins a music room. French doors off the dining room lead to an outside courtyard. A double-sided fireplace in the master suite opens to both the bedroom and bathroom. The basement includes a media room, a wine cellar and a wet bar. There are a total of five bedrooms and 61/2 bathrooms.

SYMPHONY X and ICED EARTH will join forces for a North American co-headlining tour in early 2012. The 30-plus-date trek will kick off on January 31 in Hartford, Connecticut and conclude on March 11 in Clifton Park, New York. Support on the trek will come from WARBRINGER."I'm excited to tour with SYMPHONY X," ICED EARTH founder Jon Schaffer said. "They're phenomenal musicians and very cool guys. This co-headliner tour will be a great experience for the fans. It is also way overdue for us to play a proper tour of North America. Get ready!"SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo added, "We are very excited about the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH. We first met Jon and the guys a few years back and they were really cool. When the idea of a co-headline tour surfaced, we thought it would be awesome. The fans can expect a night of great music from both bands. We look forward to seeing you all real soon!"

DREAM THEATER Drummer Schedules Nashville Clinic

2011-11-04T00:23:00.001-04:00

DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini will take part in a drum clinic on November 15 at Fork's Drum Closet in Nashville, Tennessee.

For more information, go to this location.

In a recent interview with Zoiks! Online, Mangini stated about the fan reaction to his addition to DREAM THEATER, "It depends on what you mean by fan reaction, because there are people
who have seen the show and then there are people who have not seen the
show, so you have to divide them into two distinctly different groups. A lot of times the people who haven't seen it have more to say, but they
haven't seen it, so I don't know what that is all about sometimes. The
people that have seen it, by the third song they are making me feel so
welcome that it has transformed everything for me to another level. It
makes it that much easier because they have been overwhelmingly
positive. It's great."

When asked about the fact that DREAM THEATER's current tour setlist is remaining consistent for the entire duration of the trek as opposed to when Mike Portnoy was a member of the band and it would change from night to the next, Mangini said, "The consistent setlist is the way to go. It allows the crew to
be consistent each night. It allows the transitions to be consistent. It allows us to get comfortable with the flow. For me I wouldn't want to
mix up the set at all, because I haven't been in the band for too long.
My past would dictate that just throwing songs in would be risky for the flow… It might be fun, though. I don't know; I've never done it."

CYNIC Announces Release Party And Special Acoustic Performance

2011-10-31T00:27:00.000-04:00

Coinciding with the release of "Carbon-Based Anatomy", progressive rock/metal band CYNIC has confirmed a special release party for this Wednesday, November 2 at Idle Hands Bar in New York City. The band will be on hand to sign
copies of the new EP and will take part in a special intimate acoustic
performance.

Idle Hands is located in the East Village on 25
Avenue B, between 2nd and 3rd streets. There will be plenty of drink
specials, including the $10 Tasting Night with Sierra Nevada.

On "Carbon-Based Anatomy", CYNIC has once again taken its natural interfusion of musical styles and
turned it into something truly singular. The EP is equal parts KING CRIMSON, TOOL, MUSE and ALLAN HOLDSWORTH. It's a 23-minute transcendent musical journey through the fertile musical minds of guitarist Paul Masvidal and progressive drumming icon Sean Reinert.

Beginning with its much-venerated 1993 debut release "Focus", CYNIC has long been famous for pushing musical boundaries. Now in 2011, CYNIC has redefined itself once again with a six-song EP that combines
diverse influences from '70s prog rock to cutting-edge metal, tribal
folk and futuristic alien shapes and sounds. All of these diverse
elements have been harnessed and carefully shaped by mixer John Hiler into what is unquestionably the most open and expansive-sounding release of CYNIC's career. "Carbon-Based Anatomy" is retro, yet at the same time is unapologetically modern. It is
respectful of the groundbreaking artists that have made musical
evolution possible yet refuses to be stifled by that reverence. It is
wholly appreciative of past musical landmarks but is unashamedly
forward- thinking.

"Carbon-Based Anatomy" track listing:

01. Amidst The Coals
02. Carbon-Based Anatomy
03. Bija!
04. Box Up My Bones
05. Elves Beam Out
06. Hieroglyph

New CD by Discipline. "To Shatter All Accord"

2011-10-28T00:37:00.001-04:00

From the Discipline camp:

"To Shatter All Accord"...a new studio CD from Discipline.We happily introduce the new release: "To Shatter All Accord" (Discipline. 2011). Two years it took, or longer if you reckon since the time we last recorded.We leave behind a journey arduous. The pain we felt in making now forgot; the work all done, it is for you to judge. If in our efforts you detect a fault, or sourness that your ear cannot correct, or some augmented insult, slur, or stain, or if you think it bland or too repeating, or like the dull discordant city strains, unordered, incoherent, self-indulgent, then we truly thank you for your time. But if you search beneath the stone for treasure, and root within the dirt for bits unseen, there will we join you, with grimy, swollen hands and feet unbooted, to sift, to sort, and seek a world sublime.The cover artwork for "To Shatter All Accord" was done by Detroit artist and longtime friend, Graem Whyte.

http://strungoutrecords.com

Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4 Spotlit For Its 30th Anniversary In The Wire Magazine December Issue

2011-10-28T00:22:00.003-04:00

NEWS FROM MANUEL GÖTTSCHING: For the 30th anniversary of Manuel Göttsching's E2-E4 The Wire Magazine dedicates him the cover story of December 2011 issue

Dear friends,

if you scrall down to "FEATURES" you will discover something interesting about Manuel Göttsching & his E2-E4's 30th anniversary!

And in London a Manuel Göttsching Music Festival will be installed where Manuel will perform, but also musicians, DJs influenced by his music - and these are quite a view :-)

Also a film about MG is planed by Alexander Snelling, an award-winning director and editor from London. Alex's last feature documentary "Tantric Tourists" has won festival awards in London, Canada, US and Mexico and was released in 2011.

Another film project in development is about The Making of SEVEN UP, by internationally renown director Ilona Ziok (Fritz Bauer - Death by Instalments, The Count and the Comrade, The Sounds of Silents, Kurt Gerron's Karussel).

SEVEN UP (http://www.ashra.com/disco/1731se.htm) is a cult album by Manuel Göttsching's band Ash Ra Tempel & Timothy Leary. See recent article about it in French La Libération (3 pages): http://www.ashra.com/press/pics/liberation_2011.pdf or one in UK Mojo Magazine: http://www.ashra.com/press/pics/mojo_2003_1.jpg, http://www.ashra.com/press/pics/mojo_2003_2.jpg, http://www.ashra.com/press/pics/mojo_2003_3.jpg, http://www.ashra.com/press/pics/mojo_2003_4.jpg
This album together with ASH RA TEMPEL - First and SCHWINGUNGEN has been remastered by Manuel Göttsching and re-released by our label - soon available all over the world.

But for the moment don't miss THE WIRE issue from December 2011 (out on 10th November) with 6 pages on Maestro Göttsching, the Ash Ra Tempe Gure as THE WIRE explains it!

The ANABASIS release debut CD, BACK FROM BEING GONE, on 10T Records

2011-10-27T23:52:00.000-04:00

The ANABASIS, Featuring Ryo Okumoto, Release Debut CD, BACK FROM BEING GONE, on 10T Records

Charleston, SC – October 24, 2011 (10T Records) - 10T Records is thrilled to announce the pending release of the full length debut concept CD by The ANABASIS, entitled Back From Being Gone, on November 22, 2011, with an official street date of January 17, 2012.

The ANABASIS is a progressive rock collaboration project, conceived by USA multi-instrumentalist and composer, Barry Thompson, with lyrics by noted professional author, George Andrade, who is also Executive Producer. A group of extraordinarily talented musicians were recruited from all over the world to take part in the project. The premise was to provide a basic framework for the songs and then to allow the musicians to play their parts with their own style and sound.

This amazing lineup of musicians and vocalists on Back From Being Gone make up a “who’s who” of some of the world’s top tier players in the progressive rock and progressive metal universe. In addition to Barry on guitar, bass and keyboards, The ANABASIS features internationally renowned virtuoso musician Ryo Okumoto (Spock’s Beard) as primary keyboardist and arranger. The band is further rounded out by Per Fredrik "PelleK" Åsly (Damnation Angels) on lead vocals, Gerald “Mully” Mulligan (The Lee Abraham Band) on drums, Gordon Tittsworth (Images of Eden, All Too Human) on lead and backing vocals, Lee Abraham (Lee Abraham Band) on bass, Stefan Artwin (Relocator) and Brick Williams (Hourglass) on lead guitar, plus a host of other special guests too numerous to list. Lee Abraham also serves as producer/mixer for the release.

Back From Being Gone is a stunner that melds classic progressive rock and metal into a tasty whole, with 3 epic tracks including the massive closing track, which clocks in at 24 minutes. The concept behind the CD is from the mind of George Andrade, who uses this musical tapestry to weave a sweeping sociopolitical narrative based on 3 ancient civilizations – the Roman, the Norse, and the Egyptian.

“George and I are both humbled and thrilled to have been given the opportunity to join the 10t records family,” says Barry. “To have been invited to take our place among such an impressive roster of progressive rock artists - especially alongside our friends Mars Hollow - is beyond our wildest dreams. We look forward to a mutually beneficial partnership filled with fun times and great music!”

“We were immediately taken with the scope and scale of Back From Being Gone when we heard it,” says 10T Records President, Steve Carroll. “The level of imagination and ambition is truly inspiring, and the musicianship is stellar.”

Back From Being Gone by The ANABASIS is available for immediate pre-order through the 10T Records website. All orders received between now and the direct release sale date of November 22nd will ship by the end of the week prior to the release.

Additionally, all tracks from Back From Being Gone are now available to preview in their entirety on The ANABASIS artist page at 10T Records

ProgPower Europe, In Memory Of Mikko Laine

2011-10-27T23:49:00.001-04:00

From the folks at Progpower Europe

As you probably all know, Mikko Laine, gitarist of Sole Remedy from Finland, died in a terrible accident right after the last day of ProgPower Europe 2011. To say a final goodbye to Mikko, we invite you this Saturday October 29 at the basement of JC Sjiwa, Baarlo, The Netherlands. We think it will be good to come together one more time to share all our feelings about the disastrous accident. We will play the full Apoptosis album and a couple of new songs already recorded by the band together with Mikko. You also will be able to sign a condoleance book and a condoleance card that we will send to Mikko’s family. This way you will be able to personally say goodby to Mikko. And we will present a commemorative stone, that will get a permanent place outside Sjiwa, close to where the accident happened. This way Mikko will be with us forever.

The basement of Sjiwa will open at 20.00 hrs, coffee and thee will be served for free, but the bar is also already open at 20.00 hrs. Around 21.30 hrs we will present the commemorative stone. Right after this we will play the Apoptosis album in its full length and most likely play a few new songs the band recently recorded. The basement of Sjiwa will be open until 02.00 hrs. The address of Sjiwa is Hoogstraat 1a, 5991XC, Baarlo (L), The Netherlands.

For those of you who are not able to attend or who live to far away, please sign the online condoleance. We will print all condoleances and together with the condoleance book we will send everything to Mikko’s family. Go to www.progpower.eu to sign the online condoleance.

Early november we send a newsletter about ProgPower Europe 2012, we have decided to continue but first want to say a final goodbye to Mikko.

Greetings,
ProgPower Europe
http://www.progpower.eu/

RHAPSODY OF FIRE: First Photo Of New Lineup Released

2011-10-27T22:33:00.002-04:00

The first official photo of the new lineup of Italian symphonic metal masters RHAPSODY OF FIRE can be seen below.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE is:

Fabio Lione - Vocals
Alex Staropoli - Keyboards
Roberto De Micheli - Guitar
Tom Hess - Guitar
Oliver Holzwarth - Bass
Alex Holzwarth - Drums

Staropoli and RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli recently announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he will be joined by musicians Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers and Alex Holzwarth.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE's latest album, "From Chaos To Eternity", was released in North America on July 12 via Nuclear Blast Records. Described by the band as "the natural evolution" from last year's "The Frozen Tears Of Angels", the CD marks RHAPSODY OF FIRE's final release based on the fantasy saga started in 1997 with the group's debut album, "Legendary Tales".

RUSH Frontman Talks To Rolling Stone Magazine About 'Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland' DVD

2011-10-27T22:20:00.001-04:00

Legendary rock band RUSH played its 1981 album "Moving Pictures" every night on its 2010-2011 "Time Machine" tour and bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee tells Rolling Stone it was a tough to pick one show to film for a DVD and CD release. "We
realized that we've recorded almost all of our DVDs abroad," he says.
"And we had never done one in America, and we noticed we were doing
Cleveland on the last leg of the tour. We though it was an appropriate
choice seeing as Cleveland's such an important town in our history. It
was the first city that was ever warm to us. We thought it would be kind of apropos to come full circle and do that particular show there."

"Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" will be made available on Blu-ray and DVD formats on November 8 via Rounder Records in the U.S. and Eagle Rock Entertainment abroad.

Captured in April at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena during the renowned trio's extensive "Time Machine" world tour, "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" marks the band's first live effort recorded at a U.S show, a deliberate nod of gratitude to the first city to support RUSH on its radio airwaves. The wildly popular tour featured a set filled with classic hits, fan favorites, and a glimpse into RUSH's forthcoming 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels". As a centerpiece for the concerts, the band performed their landmark album "Moving Pictures" in its entirety — a first in the band's long and illustrious career. Rave reviews of the tour included The Hollywood Reporter's declaration that "the current 'Time Machine' jaunt is nothing less than a must see… for nearly three hours, with intermission, RUSH proved why it remains among rock's elite live acts."

Track listing:

Set One

* The 'Real' History of Rush Episode No. 2 "Don't Be Rash"
* The Spirit of Radio
* Time Stand Still
* Presto
* Stick It Out
* Workin' Them Angels
* Leave That Thing Alone
* Faithless
* BU2B
* Free Will
* Marathon
* Subdivisions

Set Two

The 'Real'' History of Rush Episode No. 17 "...and Rock and Roll is my name."

* Tom Sawyer
* Red Barchetta
* YYZ
* Limelight
* The Camera Eye
* Witch Hunt
* Vital Signs
* Caravan
* Moto Perpetuo (featuring Love For Sale)
* O'Malley's Break
* Closer To The Heart
* 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
* Far Cry

Encore

* La Villa Strangiato
* Working Man

Bonus Material

* Outtakes from "History of Rush, Episode 2 & 17"
* "Tom Sawyer" featuring the cast of "History of Rush, Episode 17"
* "Need Some Love" Live from Laura Secord Secondary School
* "Anthem" Live from Passaic New Jersey

October News Bytes

2011-10-27T21:58:00.003-04:00

The California Guitar Trio begin a long Fall tour, starting in Salt Lake City and Denver, and from there to the East Coast. The first three shows of the tour will feature special guest Fareed Haque. On November 11th, CGT will do two shows with Tony Levin in Albany, New York. The second half of the tour is a double bill with the Montreal Guitar Trio.

Pat Metheny's 1999 duo collaboration with Jim Hall, whom Metheny has called the "father of modern guitar playing," features 17 tracks reissued for the first time on Nonesuch - original tunes from each guitarist, several improvisations captured in the studio, plus six tunes recorded live in concert, including Gershwin's "Summertime." "The excellence of the playing is the heart of the matter," says the Philadelphia Inquirer. "It's a privilege to listen in." The Los Angeles Times calls it "extraordinary."

OPEN – The New Opus By Jon Anderson

2011-10-23T00:32:00.000-04:00

Open Doors Will Always Open Hearts... OPEN – The New Opus By Jon Anderson

Digital Download Available October 25, 2011

10/21/2011 – Asheville, NC – Much to the excitement of music fans across the globe, on October 25, 2011 legendary YES vocalist Jon Anderson will release as a digital download an epic musical work entitled "OPEN." A return to the long-form composition that Jon Anderson is best known for, (“Close To The Edge”, “Gates of Delirium”, "Revealing" and “Awaken”), OPEN is a 21-minute exhilarating musical journey; a pioneering effort that weaves intricate melodic and harmonic themes within a classical music framework whilst showcasing Anderson's iconic vocals and timeless melodies throughout. In many ways OPEN is a return to Jon Anderson's musical roots, as YES music continually flows through his veins, making it only natural to revisit now and again. Coupled with wonderful orchestration by his neighbor and good friend Stefan Podell, messages of peace, love, light and freedom are further explored within OPEN, making listening an uplifting and joyous experience!

" 'Forever taken to that place of understanding,' are the first lyrics of 'OPEN', as though I am always remembering my true musical journey. To create this work, I sat with my 19th Century guitar and strummed ideas last spring 2010. Songs just poured out of me that week, and before I knew it I had created a long form musical idea, and with the help of Stefan Podell's powerful orchestration, we put together what is now 'OPEN.'

It has 4 movements all intertwined, and seems to have a life of its own. For those who love this kind of music, I feel so happy to present it as one of many I hope to create over the coming years. My love 'Janee' has helped in production with her unique musical observations and her angel voice. I am so happy and thankful... Many Blessings." Jon Anderson - October 2011

In other news, Jon Anderson is currently on tour in the US and Canada with fellow former YES member Rick Wakeman. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release 'The Living Tree', and have now brought their highly anticipated show to America! In December 2011 Jon will be performing select solo concerts in South America. Go to www.jonanderson.com/tour.html for more information. Lastly, Jon Anderson's latest CD release 'Survival & Other Stories' has been garnering rave reviews worldwide by critics and fans alike. You can purchase the CD at: www.amazon.com/Survival-Other-Stories-Jon-Anderson/dp/B004XIQHWU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308606761&sr=1-1

Jon Anderson's OPEN is available as a digital download on October, 25, 2011 and can be obtained at:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/open-single/id474552662?ls=1

For more information: www.JonAnderson.com www.facebook.com/thejonanderson, www.olias-jewelry.com

'This Mortal Coil' First-Week Sales Revealed

2011-10-22T22:48:00.000-04:00

"This Mortal Coil", the fifth studio album from REDEMPTION, the U.S. progressive metal band featuring in its ranks guitarist/songwriter Nick van Dyk and legendary FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, sold around 1,100 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at No. 32 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.

Released on September 26 in Europe and October 11 in North America via InsideOut Music, the follow-up to 2009's "Snowfall On Judgment Day" was recorded and mixed with producer Neil Kernon (QUEENSRŸCHE, NEVERMORE, DEICIDE). The CD's cover artwork was created by acclaimed artist and longtime band collaborator Travis Smith (OPETH, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, NEVERMORE).

"This Mortal Coil" track listing:

01. Path Of The Whirlwind
02. Blink Of An Eye
03. No Tickets To The Funeral
04. Dreams From The Pit
05. Noonday Devil
06. Let It Rain
07. Focus
08. Perfect
09. Begin Again
10. Stronger Than Death
11. Departure Of The Pale Horse

In North America, "This Mortal Coil" is also available as a 2CD package featuring a special bonus CD with the following six (!) cover versions:

01. Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding (ELTON JOHN)
02. Jane (STARSHIP)
03. Hold The Line (TOTO)
04. Edge Of The Blade (JOURNEY)
05. Love To Love (UFO)
06. Precious Things (TORI AMOS)

Nick van Dyk previously stated about REDEMPTION's new CD, "It was a pleasure to work with Neil Kernon during the production, although I dare say we had more challenges and
curve-balls in this process than either of us is accustomed to.
Nonetheless, we overcame everything in our path, from Internet failures
to lightning strikes, and since one of the themes of this CD is
essentially overcoming adversity, the production process served as a bit of a metaphor for the whole concept!

"The new CD continues our
creative effort to combine heaviness with melody — fusing those
disparate elements has always been part of REDEMPTION's sound, along with an element that I have called emotional urgency, which we've maintained here. All in all, it sounds like REDEMPTION — although importantly I think it's by far our best-sounding record, owing to the work of Neil Kernon and the mastering of Alan Douches."

Regarding the artwork, Van Dyk said, "We have worked once again with the incredibly talented Travis Smith on our art; we work very well together and he has a proven knack for bringing my concepts to life visually."

NEARFEST APOCALYPSE TO BE FINAL EDITION OF FESTIVAL

2011-10-19T02:32:00.000-04:00

From The Nearfest Staff This Week

In 1999, the North East Art Rock Festival was started as an effort to return progressive rock music to the area where it thrived back in its heyday. In the 1970s, the Philadelphia area was a well-known hotbed of fandom for the brand of rock music featuring exemplary virtuosity. With the re-emergence of progressive music worldwide in the early '90s, festivals became a novel way to feature both new bands and re-invigorate some from the past. A few festivals had come before, namely ProgFest (CA), the ever-present ProgDay (NC), BajaProg (Mexico), and the short-lived ProgScape (MD), plus several after, but none have taken on the notoriety NEARfest had achieved. In just a few short years, NEARfest became the "most prestigious progressive rock festival in the world" and has remained so for over 12 years.

From its inception, NEARfest has strived to merge extraordinary bands from the global Prog Rock underground and the devoted community of eclectic music fans on this side of the pond. It was felt that otherwise, never would the two meet, especially en masse. This emotional combination of musical dedication has produced many a weekend of musical bliss. Ask any former attendee of the festival and you will get a different list of highlights from years past, which is validation in itself of NEARfest's dedication to a diverse lineup of Prog Rock subgenres. Favorites will range from Camel and Keith Emerson to Sleepytime Gorilla Museum and Miriodor; from Steve Hackett and Banco to Echolyn and Hidria Spacefolk; from Magma and Univers Zero to Kenso and Kraan; from Eddie Jobson and Three Friends to Cabezas de Cera and Beardfish; from Porcupine Tree and PFM to Anekdoten and Änglagård. And that's only a fraction of the over 120 bands that have performed at NEARfest to date.

And now, the time has come to complete the cycle.

2012 will mark the final edition of the North East Art Rock Festival. NEARfest has always employed a model, for right or wrong, where lineups were typically anchored by legends of the greater genre and featured a plethora of world-class bands spanning the broad range of subgenres. Part of the success of NEARfest and its rapid sellouts was its ability to attract legendary progressive bands that had played only infrequently, if ever, on the East Coast of the United States. As time has marched inexorably, it started to become clear that this headliner-centric model would not be sustainable indefinitely. Too much of a change in the model and those dedicated to attending and supporting the festival may feel that it is no longer in the spirit of NEARfest itself. Therefore, we have decided to retain the marriage of our successful model to our NEARfest brand name.

After the unfortunate events leading to the cancellation of NEARfest 2011, we could not allow the legacy of NEARfest to end with a dark and empty stage. The festival has meant too much to too many, including us, to just disappear without at least making an attempt at a joyous swan song. Therefore, since the spring of 2011, the three of us have been conspiring to put together a final NEARfest, one true to its roots and special to its faithful. We are happy to say that this will indeed happen.

NEARfest Apocalypse will be held over the weekend of June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2012 at its rightful home, the Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University in beautiful Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This will be a true celebration of progressive rock music as well as a "raising of the glass" to everyone who has made NEARfest so special to so many of us over the last 13 years, including our outstanding crew and production team, the wonderful staff at Zoellner, and everyone who has ever bought a ticket to NEARfest. There are plans for activities beyond the norm for the weekend, which will be detailed as the festival draws closer. For now though, we can tell you that both Roger Dean and Mark Wilkinson will be involved in the artwork for this final special event. We will also do our best to make sure that both of these fine gentlemen are in attendance.

In the coming weeks, we will announce the entire NEARfest Apocalypse lineup live on the air on the Gagliarchives radio program. The exact air date will be determined shortly and announced online NEARfest.com, our Yahoo mailing list, Facebook, Twitter, and Progressive Ears. Stay tuned!

We sincerely hope that you will join us for the final chapter of NEARfest. After all, the world ends in December 2012 anyway, right?

Most humbly,
Chad Hutchinson
Rob LaDuca
Kevin Feeley

Links:
NEARfest Website, http://www.nearfest.com
Yahoo Mailing List, http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/NEARfestNews/
Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/page/NEARFEST
Twitter, https://www.twitter.com/#nfapocalypse
Gagliarchives Radio, http://www.gagliarchives.com
Progressive Ears, http://www.progressiveears.com

DREAM THEATER Singer: 'This Album Really Brought Us Closer Together'

2011-10-19T01:22:00.000-04:00

Mike Sullivan of ExploreMusic conducted an interview with vocalist James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER on October 6, 2011 at Massey Hall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. You can now watch the chat below.

DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", sold 36,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8. The band's previous
CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at No. 6. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

In a recent interview with The Aquarian Weekly, DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci stated about the making of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", "Going into it and writing it, we had made a conscious decision to
really focus in again on the core compositional elements: What are the
things that we really want to explore and focus on on this album? I knew that I wanted it to be a broad album, that we wanted to give everybody
the band an opportunity to shine, whether that's in an arrangement way
or an orchestration way. I knew and hoped that it would be mixed by Andy Wallace, which it was. I wanted the presentation sonically to be epic and grand
and high-fi and all that stuff. Those were some of the goals. We really
wanted to infuse the elements of progressive music that we grew up with
and make sure that it was a melodic album and rich in the lyrical
message. Those were all the things that were on our mind, that we talked about the whole time."

When asked why the band's new drummer, Mike Mangini, was not included in the writing of the new record, Petrucci said, "I decided to do it this way because I wanted to make sure that we were able to focus on DREAM THEATER's core compositional elements and sounds without a new person coming in. Whatever that Mike might have brought to the table, I thought it was too early to kind of
bring in somebody that we didn't really know at all, as far as their
compositional abilities. I've been writing this music forever and just
felt comfortable in that kind of environment. When you can focus on just guitar, keyboards, bass and our singer is there, it's just a more
intimate environment and you're not trying to integrate somebody else
and feel them out. I just kind of wanted to eliminate that whole
process. I mean, it could have been great, but I was more comfortable
doing it this way for this album at least."
SOURCE: RNR

PERIPHERY Announces New Guitarist

2011-10-19T01:21:00.000-04:00

Maryland-based experimental, progressive metal band PERIPHERY has announced the addition of guitarist Mark Holcomb to the group's ranks. Holcomb previously had a project with PERIPHERY axeman Misha Mansoor called HAUNTED SHORES and was the fill-in guitarist on PERIPHERY's "Frak The Gods" tour.

Commented Mansoor: "We are happy to announce that Mark Holcomb will be joining the PERIPHERY ranks as a full-time guitarist! He toured with with us our headlining run of Australia, our 'Frak The Gods' U.S. headliner and our two shows opening for DREAM THEATER and we feel that we have found a perfect fit for us both live and in
the studio. We are extremely excited to have him on board, and can't
wait to show you all the cool new music we have been working on
together!

"Since we made arrangements for the tour before Mark was inducted, our good friend Nolly (RED SEAS FIRE) will be filling in on the European tour opening for DREAM THEATER. However that will be the last tour we do with a fill-in guitarist, as Mark will join on full time after that!"

Added bassist Thomas Murphy: "The most important thing about a band is the chemistry between its members. We've all known Mark for years and are very proud to announce him as our newest member. Not
only is he an amazing writer and guitarist, but also an amazing person.
We can't wait to see what the future holds for the band now that he has
joined."

Stated Holcomb: "I couldn't be more excited as
not only have these guys been great friends of mine for a long time but I consider every last one of them musical siblings in a sense. Each of us brings something different to the table and I can't wait to see what we can accomplish."

PERIPHERY will be direct support for DREAM THEATER throughout Europe from January 23 through February 26.

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.

SOURCE: RNR

DREAM THEATER Keyboardist Schedules Solo Concert In New York City

2011-10-15T02:06:00.000-04:00

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has scheduled an "Evening With Jordan Rudess" solo concert at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City on November 12.

Rudess in 2009 recorded solo piano versions of some of DREAM THEATER's favorite ballads as well as creating some original, progressive piano pieces for an album called "Notes On A Dream".

Rudess' "The Road Home" CD was released in 2007. Having been influenced by classic progressive acts such as GENESIS, YES and GENTLE GIANT, Rudess revisited some of the great songs from those bands with his own special Jordan Rudess touch. He was assisted on "The Road Home" by a great group of guests, such as Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD), Kip Winger (WINGER), Rod Morgenstein (WINGER), Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES), Bumblefoot (GUNS N' ROSES), Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), Ricky Garcia (LAFEE) and several others.
SOURCE: RNR

CYNIC: New Touring Lineup Revealed

2011-10-13T02:14:00.000-04:00

Progressive rock/metal band CYNIC will be joined by Brandon Giffin on bass and Max Phelps on guitar and vocals during the group's upcoming North American and European tours in support of CYNIC's new EP, "Carbon-Based Anatomy".

The dates are as follows:

North America:

Nov. 03 - West Chester, PA - The Note
Nov. 05 - New York, NY - Gramercy (The Metal Suckfest)
Nov. 07 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
Nov. 09 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Electriques
Nov. 10 - Toronto, ON - The Annex Wreck Room
Nov. 11 - Pontiac, MI -Clutch's Cargo - iLounge
Nov. 12 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
Nov. 13 - St. Paul, MN - Station 4
Nov. 15 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
Nov. 16 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
Nov. 17 - Sparks, NV - The Alley
Nov. 18 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne
Nov. 19 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Nov. 22 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Nov. 23 - West Hollywood, CA - Key Club

Europe:

Dec. 03 - The Village, Dublin, Ireland
Dec. 04 - Limelight, Belfast, UK
Dec. 05 - The Underworld, London, UK
Dec. 07 - Baroeg, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Dec. 08 - Divan Du Monde Paris, France
Dec. 09 - Kiff, Aarau, Switzerland
Dec. 10 - Rock'n'Roll Arena, Romagnano Sesia (NOVARA), Italy
Dec. 11 - Gala Hala, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Dec. 12 - Arena, Vienna, Austria
Dec. 13 - Club 202, Budapest, Hungary
Dec. 14 - Randall, Bratislava, Slovakia
Dec. 15 - KD Kyje , Prague, Czech Republic
Dec. 18 - Templet, Lyngby, Denmark
Dec. 20 - P60, Amstelveen, The Netherlands
Dec. 22 - Plan B, Moscow, Russia

Support on the North American trek will come from 3 and SCALE THE SUMMIT.

"Carbon-Based Anatomy" will be released on November 11 in Europe and November 15 in North America via Season Of Mist. Unlike last year's "Re-Traced", this new EP consists exclusively of brand new material.

"Carbon-Based Anatomy" track listing:

01. Amidst The Coals
02. Carbon-Based Anatomy
03. Bija!
04. Box Up My Bones
05. Elves Beam Out
06. Hieroglyph

Check out a preview in the YouTube clip below.

The artwork was designed by the great Robert Venosa, the artist behind the covers of CYNIC's previous releases "Focus", "Traced in Air" and "Re-Traced".

Paul Masvidal describes this new EP as "both a philosophical as well as a musical
journey, one that begins in the Amazon jungle on the lips of a shamanic
wisewoman (as portrayed by Amy Correia) and ends in outerspace."

All bass parts on "Carbon-Based Anatomy" were recorded by one-time CYNIC bassist Sean Malone.

CYNIC last year parted ways with bassist Robin Zielhorst and guitarist Tymon Kruidenier due to 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 Masvidal live in California).

CYNIC last fall completed Decibel magazine's inaugural Hall Of Fame tour. Historic in every sense, the trek, dubbed "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.

In May 2010, CYNIC released "Re-Traced", featuring reinterpretations of four songs from the group's critically acclaimed "Traced In Air" album as well as a previously unreleased song.

THRESHOLD Begins Recording New Album

2011-10-13T02:09:00.000-04:00

British progressive metallers THRESHOLD have entered Thin Ice Studios (DRAGONFORCE, PENDRAGON) in Surrey, England to begin recording their ninth album. "We've got
about 75 minutes of music at the moment so there's plenty to do," said
keyboard player Richard West, who is producing the CD alongside guitarist Karl Groom. "I'm very pleased with the way this album is coming together," added Groom. "It is particularly good to see contributions in writing from more bandmembers."

THRESHOLD's new album marks the return of the band's original vocalist Damian Wilson (HEADSPACE, STAR ONE) who rejoined the group in 2007 following the departure of Andrew "Mac" McDermott, who sadly passed away in August.

THRESHOLD's previous studio album, "Dead Reckoning", was released in 2007 and featured guest vocals by Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, BLOODBATH). The CD entered the charts at position 64 in Germany, 95 in The Netherlands and 37 in the U.K. (rock chart).

THRESHOLD's new CD will be released in early 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records.

THRESHOLD is:

Damian Wilson - Vocals
Karl Groom - Guitar
Richard West - Keyboards
Johanne James - Drums
Steve Anderson - Bass
Pete Morten - Guitar

SOURCE: RNR

NEARFEST TO RETURN IN 2012

2011-10-12T02:10:00.000-04:00

Official NEARfest Press Release
October 12, 2011

NEARFEST TO RETURN IN 2012

We are very happy to announce that the North East Art Rock Festival will return in 2012. Over the last several months, we have thoroughly discussed what it would take for another edition of NEARfest to become a reality. This was new ground for us, so we took our time, had long, heart-felt conversations, and even put feelers out to bands we thought would make for a solid lineup – one worthy of NEARfest's legacy and, more importantly, the expectations of the progressive rock community whom has been so unbelievable supportive over the years.

Scheduled for June 22nd, 23rd, and 24th, 2012, NEARfest will once again be staged in beautiful Baker Hall at Lehigh University's Zoellner Arts Center in Bethlehem, PA. We are very happy to be able to continue wonderful relationships with both the concert venue and the host hotel, the Comfort Suites Bethlehem. We will also once again be join forces with the Bethlehem Brew Works to create a delicious one-off beer for NEARfest weekend.

So now the question is: "Who will be playing?!" Well, we can't tell you quite yet, though we are working on finalizing the lineup as we speak. We are also working on some other cool ideas for the weekend's festivities. Once we have o's umlauted and eyes crossed, we will reveal the bands... and not before. So you still have time to debate who might be playing.

We are glad to be able to bring NEARfest back and we hope you will join us next June. As always, be sure to visit us online at www.nearfest.com for all the latest information and where you can join our Yahoo mailing list, mingle with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and participate in the discussion forum.

Stay tuned for further updates!

Very sincerely,

Chad Hutchinson
Rob LaDuca
Kevin Feeley

MIKE PORTNOY: Seeing DREAM THEATER Go On Without Me 'Breaks My Heart'

2011-10-10T02:21:00.000-04:00

Drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) was interviewed on the latest episode of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", which premiered on Saturday, October 8. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On what led to his departure from DREAM THEATER:

"The quick Reader's Digest version is, like any musician will tell you, being in a band like being in a marriage, but actually, being in a band is like four marriages —
you're not married to one person, you're married to four people. So,
like any marriage, you go through bumps. I'll just say that I think we
could have used a break. 'Cause 25 years without a break is a long time. I can't name any bands that have been together 25 years — boom, boom,
boom, write-record-tour, write-record-tour — without taking a break. And I love the guys — we're brothers, and it was really hard for me to even suggest it. But I love the baby — DREAM THEATER is my baby, it's my child — but sometimes a marriage stays together for the sake of the
child and not necessarily the sake of the relationship. I'll always love the baby; I guess I kind of fell out of love with a couple of the
wives. But I just wanna say that I didn't wanna leave the band. I said,
'Look, 25 years is a long time. Let's just take a year or two and then
come back together.' The fans would be excited, we would be refreshed.
And they didn't wanna wait. So I either had to go unwillingly and start
the next record or step aside."

On whether his involvement with AVENGED SEVENFOLD played a role in his decision to leave DREAM THEATER:

"No. Well, that could have played into [the other members of DREAM THEATER] not wanting to wait anymore, but the fact of the matter is when I was playing with AVENGED, DREAM THEATER had just finished up 14 months [of touring], and after a 14-month tour, we'll always take a few months off. But I was talking about a year or
so. And AVENGED played no part in my decision. To be completely
honest, I had been thinking about it for awhile. And the writing was
kind of on the wall, internally. There were two moments of clarity for
me that happened before this went down that I knew maybe it was time for a break. One was I was out one night in New York with you guys
[referring to 'That Metal Show' hosts Eddie Trunk, Jim Florentine and Don Jamieson. — Ed.]. I was out when FOZZY played. We were out, we went and saw [FOZZY singer Chris] Jericho, our good friend, and the AVENGED guys were there with us that night, and the ANTHRAX guys were there, and Vinnie Paul [PANTERA, HELLYEAH drummer] was there, we went out for dinner with Jericho and Bumblefoot [GUNS N' ROSES guitarist], the ZO2 guys… I remember going for dinner with all these guys — you guys and Jericho and the ANTHRAX guys. I looked around and I said [to myself], 'None of the DREAM THEATER guys really know any of these people who are, like, my best friends.'
And I was, like, 'Man, I guess I've really grown apart. I have a whole
different circle that I move in.' And the other moment was, it was the
very last show of the DREAM THEATER tour, we were in Tokyo. We
had just spent 14 months on the road. It was the last show of the tour
and we had a band and crew dinner at the hotel after the show. And we
were all feeling sentimental — it's the end of the run; the band and the crew, everyone's tight — and without naming names, one of the
bandmembers showed up to dinner with headphones and iPod and sat at the
entire dinner listening to his iPod rather than socializing with us. And I said to myself, 'Something's gotta change.' I thought the band
needed a shakeup, I just didn't think it was gonna be removing myself
that was gonna do it."

On whether there is any chance at all of him going back to DREAM THEATER one day:

"Yeah.
Whether or not that will happen, I don't know. It's up to them, really.
I would absolutely love to be reunited with the guys in a couple of
years, but you know, who knows what's gonna happen with them right now?!
So, really, it's up to them and where they go. In the meantime, I
really don't want people to think that I'm lingering on this; I'm only
answering it because you've asked me. . . It's been difficult for me to
even talk about this. And people think… 'cause there'll be Blabbermouth headlines… I'll pour out my heart and soul trying to explain this so
people understand, and yet these web sites will reduce it to a shocking
blurb and just trying to strike up controversy. The reality is, this is a heartbreaking thing for and I miss and love those guys, and that was my band for 25 years. So it's a hard thing for me to stand and see
[them carrying on] without me. I used to joke with those guys all the
time. I was like, 'Guys, if I die in a plane crash, don't go on without
me. Don't say, 'He would have wanted us to continue.'' I used to say,
'That's basically saying, 'Well, he's completely replaceable.' So I used to joke about that all the time. So now when I see a DREAM THEATER without me, I've gotta be honest — it breaks my heart. There's the Blabbermouth blurb right there. Oh, God, I'm doomed. Oh, man."

RUSH: 'Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland' Trailer Released

2011-10-07T01:17:00.000-04:00

Legendary rock band RUSH will release "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" on Blu-ray and DVD formats on November 8 via Rounder Records in the U.S. and Eagle Rock Entertainment abroad.

Captured in April at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena during the renowned trio's extensive "Time Machine" world tour, "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" marks the band's first live effort recorded at a U.S show, a deliberate nod of gratitude to the first city to support RUSH on its radio airwaves. The wildly popular tour featured a set filled with classic hits, fan favorites, and a glimpse into RUSH's forthcoming 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels". As a centerpiece for the concerts, the band performed their landmark album "Moving Pictures" in its entirety — a first in the band's long and illustrious career. Rave reviews of the tour included The Hollywood Reporter's declaration that "the current 'Time Machine' jaunt is nothing less than a must see… for nearly three hours, with intermission, RUSH proved why it remains among rock's elite live acts."

Track listing:

Set One

* The 'Real' History of Rush Episode No. 2 "Don't Be Rash"
* The Spirit of Radio
* Time Stand Still
* Presto
* Stick It Out
* Workin' Them Angels
* Leave That Thing Alone
* Faithless
* BU2B
* Free Will
* Marathon
* Subdivisions

Set Two

The 'Real'' History of Rush Episode No. 17 "...and Rock and Roll is my name."

* Tom Sawyer
* Red Barchetta
* YYZ
* Limelight
* The Camera Eye
* Witch Hunt
* Vital Signs
* Caravan
* Moto Perpetuo (featuring Love For Sale)
* O'Malley's Break
* Closer To The Heart
* 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
* Far Cry

Encore

* La Villa Strangiato
* Working Man

Bonus Material

* Outtakes from "History of Rush, Episode 2 & 17"
* "Tom Sawyer" featuring the cast of "History of Rush, Episode 17"
* "Need Some Love" Live from Laura Secord Secondary School
* "Anthem" Live from Passaic New Jersey

WITHIN TEMPTATION Schedules Gothenburg Signing Session

2011-10-07T01:14:00.002-04:00

Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will take part in a signing session at Media Markt Bäckebol in Gothenburg, Sweden on October 26 at 3.30 p.m. (15.30).

WITHIN TEMPTATION's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48). The band asked comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men) to draw the characters and scenery of "The Unforgiving", which was made available via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia.

WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt recently announced that he will step down from touring duties in order to focus on taking care of the three children he has with the band's
lead singer, Sharon den Adel. His replacement on stage is Stefan Helleblad, who has been working with the band behind the scenes for a few years.

New DREAM THEATER Drummer On Joining Band: I Go To Bed Every Night And Say 'Thank You'

2011-10-05T21:55:00.002-04:00

John Dunphy of the Morristown Patch recently conducted an interview with new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On
dedicating himself fully to one thing — the band — after marrying in
2005 and spending several years as associate professor of percussion at
the Berklee College of Music:

"I wanted to make a family. I
wasn't able to for one reason or another get that done. Once I moved
back home I could be in the area for a long time, I could network. Meet,
get married, have children."

On joining DREAM THEATER in the fall of 2010:

"I was looking to get in a band. I had to wait for the right time and opportunity, and it just matched."

On the songwriting process for DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events":

"This is important: they composed this with no drummer. This is [guitarist and founder] John Petrucci that always came up with the riffs. He's still here. This is back to John showing up with bags of riffs, as he always did. Except this time, no
drummer to steer it in different directions. It was what the writing has been now with no drummer."

"When I write on a keyboard, bass or
guitar — which I don't play well but can write on — when I compose,
it's good to have only chordal structure and a sense of feel without
drums. It changes things. Those guys composed with no drummer. And all
the ideas flowed with such ease. I couldn't believe it."

On how he gets along with the other members of DREAM THEATER:

"We're
very much the same. We talk music, the show, practice, we share things
with a common ground. That's special. I feel like I'm with people I've
known for a long time. I don't have to try hard to be someone else.

"I go to bed every night and say 'thank you.' I'm really grateful for this opportunity with all the things that make it so."

SOURCE

DREAM THEATER Guitarist: First Tour With MIKE MANGINI 'Was So Smooth That It Was Almost Scary'

2011-10-05T21:51:00.001-04:00

Jose Bosso of Guitar World conducted an interview with guitarist John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER for the magazine's November 2011 issue, which features the "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal (METALLICA, MEGADETH, SLAYER and ANTHRAX) on the cover. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.

On drummer Mike Portnoy's decision to leave DREAM THEATER in September 2010 while he was on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD:

Petrucci: "Mike had played on AVENGED's album ['Nightmare'] and that was fine. We all do side projects when time permits. But touring with the band, that was a different story. That was taking
significant time away from DREAM THEATER at a point when we were all planning to start recording. Initially, we put off recording to go on tour with IRON MAIDEN — that was too good an opportunity for us to turn down. And then when Mike said he was going on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD right after the MAIDEN tour, that didn't feel right."

On Portnoy's request that DREAM THEATER take an extended hiatus, with no firm date in sight for reconvening:

Petrucci: "In the end, it was something we couldn't do. Mike wanted to hold all the cards. He wanted to get back together when it suited him. We couldn't abide by that. So he decided to quit. It was
quite a blow. As much as we wanted to continue as a band, we didn't want Mike to leave."

On whether Portnoy was hoping his place with AVENGED SEVENFOLD would become permanent:

Petrucci: "I guess Mike was looking at them as the new girlfriend or something. They were
younger, up-and-coming… You can definitely draw the parallels."

On Portnoy's request in late 2010 for DREAM THEATER to take him back:

Petrucci: "Mike Portnoy asking to be back in was a problem on a few levels. First, we were very happy to have selected Mike Mangini [as the new drummer]. Second, [Mangini] had quit his teaching gig at Berklee. We certainly weren't going to hang him out to dry when he sacrificed so much for us. Mike Portnoy was too late in asking to come back. We had moved on."

On the "mystery" surrounding Portnoy's decision to leave DREAM THEATER:

Petrucci: "I can't speak for him. I can only see things from my point of view.
For him to leave a successful band, one he had been with for 25 years…
he must've had his reasons. I guess he really needed a change. Maybe he
was confused or conflicted at the same time. I don't know. The biggest
thing for me is to not be negative or resentful. I understand the way
life is, and change is part of that. People get divorced, they leave
companies, they quit bands — it happens. Mike needed a change in his life. That's really the only way I can look at it."

On how the recent European tour with Mike Mangini went:

Petrucci: "It was so smooth that it was almost scary. Even though we felt very good about our decision to hire Mike Mangini, we wouldn't predict how things would've gone during our first tour with him, because we're still getting to know him on a variety of levels.
But recording with him was fantastic, touring was great, every night
onstage got better and better. I feel like I've been playing with him 20 years already.

SOURCE:RNRCOLA

September News Bytes

2011-09-29T23:45:00.002-04:00

There is a forthcoming CD of 14 melodic pieces written and performed by flautist/guitarist John Hackett, plus Debussy's 'Syrinx' for solo flute and JS Bach's 'Andante' from BWV 1034 with guest guitarist Andy Gray. "I am very proud of this new album. I hope it goes some way to building a bridge between classical and progressive music" - John Hackett

Corroncho is a Spanish speaking album recorded by Roxy Music guitarist Phil Manzanera and Colombian artist/sculptor, Lucho Brieva in London between 2003-2008. The new CD is due out in November.

MASTODON's 'The Hunter' Projected To Sell 35K-40K First Week

2011-09-29T23:39:00.000-04:00

"The Hunter", the new album from Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON, is likely to sell between 35,000 and 40,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on September 27 via Reprise Records.

MASTODON's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to land at position No. 11 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.

"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting
interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology,
created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines
virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive
experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.

The physical configurations for "The Hunter" are as follows:

*
Standard CD: Includes the album's 13 tracks, plus a basic Augmented
Reality Experience in which the users head becomes the "creature" on the
album's front cover in full 3D.

* Deluxe Physical CD/DVD: Sold
as a 13-song digipack with an alternative cover, this package includes
the standard CD, with the basic Augmented Reality Experience, plus a DVD
that includes a track-by-track, psychedelic visualizer, the "Deathbound" and "Black Tongue" videos.

*
Direct-To-Fan Package: This exclusive package is comprised of the
complete 13-song digipack album. Additionally, buyers received two
digital bonus tracks on day of release. An exclusive insert was
included which triggers an enhanced Augmented Reality Experience and
contains additional embedded content. Also included is a 20" x 30"
lenticular poster of the standard album cover artwork.

"The Hunter" track listing:

01. Black Tongue
02. Curl Of The Burl
03. Blasteroid
04. Stargasm
05. Octopus Has No Friends
06. All The Heavy Lifting
07. The Hunter
08. Dry Bone Valley
09. Thickening
10. Creature Lives
11. Spectrelight
12. Bedazzled Fingernails
13. The Sparrow
14. The Ruiner (limited-edition bonus track)
15. Deathbound (limited-edition bonus track)

The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.

OPETH's 'Heritage' Cracks U.S. Top 20

2011-09-29T23:27:00.000-04:00

"Heritage", the new album from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 19 on The Billboard 200 chart.

OPETH's previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23.

"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000.

OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", premiered with a little over 5,000 copies.

"Heritage" was produced by OPETH vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt. Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.

"Heritage" first-week chart positions so far:

Denmark: #8
Norway: #8
Germany: #9
Netherlands: #10
Australia: #12
Austria: #16
U.S.A.: #19
U.K.: #22
France: #24
New Zealand: #26
Ireland: #34
Belgium: #87

"Heritage" was released in several configurations that will certainly incite the interest of OPETH's legion of fans, known for their passion for collecting and
collectibles. The album was made available as a standard version; as a
special edition loaded with extras; as a box set exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP.

Standard CD

01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Häxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth

Special-Edition Digipack CD/DVD

As above plus additional DVD including:

* Bonus audio tracks: "Pyre" and "Face In The Snow"
* 5.1 mix of the whole album
* "Making of the album" documentary
* Card to download the bonus tracks
* Limited-edition OPETH coin (until stocks last)

The Deluxe Box Set:

* Double-LP set of "Heritage" with exclusive lenticular artwork (180-gram vinyl
in gatefold jacket)
* Custom gatefold jacket that houses the "Heritage" special edition CD/DVD set
(includes 2 bonus tracks, 5.1 audio mix of album and "Making Of Heritage" documentary)
* Exclusive 7" of 2 bonus tracks
* Litho print of album cover
* Oversized 16-page booklet with exclusive photos and artwork
* All content housed in custom slipcase
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release

In a recent interview with Radio Metal, Åkerfeldt stated about "Heritage", "I never heard music like that, so I can't compare it to other bands.
If you want to compare it to another band, it has to be us. But still,
it's different. For me, it kind of makes sense, because I've been doing
this for such a long time. So it's not a massive departure for me and
for the guys in the band. But for fans, if they are, for example, into 'My Arms, Your Hearse' [OPETH's third album, released in 1998], it might be a bit different. But I'm
hoping that a lot of people are ready for this type of album from us.
The music is all over the place. It's hard to define the album and say
it sound like this or like that. There are no songs that represent more
the album than any other songs. It's an album as whole. You can't listen to only one song and you'll know what the album is going to be like.
Because, like I said, it's all over the place."

OPETH made its live debut with keyboardist Joakim Svalberg (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, GLENN HUGHES) at the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival on June 10, 2011 on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville.

Keyboardist Per Wiberg, who joined OPETH in 2005, was relieved of his duties in April as part of a mutual decision with the remaining members of the band.

LESLIE WEST Comments On '3 Guitar Heroes' Tour Postponement

2011-09-29T23:03:00.000-04:00

The previously announced "3 Guitar Heroes" tour featuring Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth and Leslie West has been postponed until early 2012 due to West's recent partial leg amputation.

West has released the following statement regarding the tour postponement:

West has issued the following official statement: "To everyone involved on
this tour. I am very sad today. I was so hoping this would happen.
Everyone worked so hard, and it would have been FUN. Yeah, I wanted it
to be fun. Unfortunately it was not being able to climb stairs, go to a
simple thing like a bathroom on a tour bus, which is tight for a normal
person, let alone me. I start training with my new leg Wednesday, so I
can get back to a normal life.

"I do hope that everyone would consider doing West coast to East after NAMM. Bob [West's manager Bob Ringe] and Wayne [Forte at booking agency Entourage Talent Associates] think this is possible.

"If
you guys think you would want to do this, I will work that much harder
to learn to walk, which I will do anyway, but thought I would throw this
in there."

West's leg was removed in late June just
above the knee due to complications from diabetes. "I cried a couple
fuckin' times," he told Billboard.com. "You still feel the nerves and stuff like that. I had to make a decision — lose my leg or lose my
life. What are you gonna do? But I'll tell you, it's a good thing it
wasn't one of my arms. Then I'd be really fucked."

West's manager Bob Ringe was the mastermind behind the "3 Guitar Heroes" tour, and there are some very special surprises for this excursion.
Following sets by each artist, the evening will climax with a jam of
these highly influential artists on stage together, with special guests
earmarked to join them in most markets, including Dean Guitars CEO, Elliott "Dean" Rubinson, who will be the tour bassist for both Schenker and Roth. Source: RNR

EVERGREY's 'A Decade And A Half' Two-Disc Greatest-Hits Collection Due In November

2011-09-29T23:01:00.000-04:00

Swedish metallers EVERGREY will release "A Decade And A Half", a two-disc greatest-hits collection, in North America on November 22 via SPV/Steamhammer. This deluxe package contains previously unreleased songs, live tracks and an extensive booklet.

Since the band arrived on the scene with its first album in 1998, EVERGREY has brought out eight studio albums and one live release. All of them
made the Top 20 in their native Sweden and the last two landed in the
Top 10. On top of that, their DVD, "A Night To Remember", was No. 1 for four weeks and nominated for an the Swedish Grammy equivalent.

"A Decade And A Half" track listing:

CD 1

01. The Masterplan
02. Blackened Dawn (live)
03. Rulers Of The Mind
04. A Touch Of Blessing
05. Frozen
06. For Every Tear That Falls (live)
07. More Than Ever
08. Blinded
09. Faith Restored
10. These Scars
11. Broken Wings
12. Words Mean Nothing
13. Wrong (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)

CD 2

01. The Great Deceiver
02. Monday Morning Apocalypse
03. Wrong
04. Waking Up Blind (live)
05. Solitude Within
06. Recreation Day
07. Still In The Water
08. Leave It Behind Us
09. Fear
10. When The Walls Go Down (live)
11. Frozen (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)

EVERGREY's latest album, "Glorious Collision", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at position No. 49 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.

EVERGREY's current lineup includes Englund and keyboardist Rikard Zander alongside new members Marcus Jidell (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Johan Niemann (bass).

SOURCE: RNR

OPETH Frontman On 'Heritage': "I Knew Early On That It Was Going To Be An Odd Album"

2011-09-29T22:57:00.002-04:00

Josh Hart of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

GuitarWorld.com: A lot of people have immediately compared "Heritage" to "Damnation", mainly because of the absence of death metal vocals. Do you think that's a fair comparison?

Mikael Åkerfeldt: Yes and no. The only thing that's got anything to do with the "Damnation" album is the fact that there's no screams on there. I don't think there are many other similarities, to be honest. ["Heritage"] is a lot closer, I think, to the music I listen to to gain inspiration. To be honest, I don't really mind what album they compare it to. I guess it's the easy way out, so to speak, to compare it to the "Damnation" record, but I think the only similarities between those albums in reality is the fact that there's no screams.

GuitarWorld.com: At what point in the songwriting process do the albums start to take shape for you? For instance, when writing "Heritage", how soon did you realize the album wouldn't have screaming and would be more progressive-rock sounding?

Mikael Åkerfeldt: The initial idea was actually to do a modern-sounding... almost like a continuation of "Watershed". I wanted to do three-part harmony vocals all the time, like some type of metal version of THE BYRDS. [laughs] But it didn't really work out. I wrote a couple of songs but I didn't feel that it was interesting enough for me. So I scrapped a
couple of songs that I had been working on and started from scratch,
writing a song that became "The Lines in My Hand" on the new
record. Which was a really odd song in comparison to anything else I've
ever done before. I got more freedom to do whatever I wanted after
writing that song. I kind of knew pretty early on that it was going to
be an odd album, and at the time I wasn't particularly interested in the most extreme, heavy type of metal, I was more into something else. So I knew pretty early on that it wasn't going to be a super, super extreme metal record.

GuitarWorld.com: This record definitely displays the wide range of music that influences you outside of metal. I detect a hint of PINK FLOYD's David Gilmour on the song "Folklore", for instance. Who are some of the non-metal players that have really influenced you?

Mikael Åkerfeldt: Well, if you're talking guitar players, there are a lot of good guitar players out there. There's acoustic players like Bert Jansch. I like Nick Drake, and Jackson C. Frank. I love Jerry Donahue. Ritchie Blackmore has always been a big influence for me. I really appreciate his
integrity. I might not necessarily be the biggest fan of the renaissance music he's doing now, but I love an artist or musician who has followed some time of calling, if you know what I mean. Other than that, there are so many great guitar players out there. Joni Mitchell, I think she's a great guitar player, piano player, songwriter. I've been listening to a lot of her. All sorts of stuff.
SOURCE: RNR

NIGHTWISH 'Imaginaerum' Movie Director Issues Update

2011-09-28T23:50:00.000-04:00

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH recently spent time not only putting finishing touches to their new album, "Imaginaerum", but also planning a movie of the same name.

"Imaginaerum" is one of the projects which recently received grants from the Finnish government institution called the Finnish Film Foundation. The movie, directed by Stobe Harju, about an old man on his deathbed who glimpses a childhood dream in
which he refuses to grow old, and fights aging with his imagination,
will get $575,000 toward its $3.7 million budget.

During a September 8 interview with Petri Silas of Finland's Soundi magazine, NIGHTWISH mainman/keyboardist Tuomas Holopainen revealed that all the filming for the "Imaginaerum" movie will be done in Canada with mostly Canadian actors/actresses.
Post-production will take place in Canada and Finland. He aso revealed
the names of the actors who have two of the main roles in the film: Marianne Farley and Quinn Lord.

Stobe Harju has issued the following update on the "Imaginaerum" film:

"Two
weeks have passed since the first day of shooting. It has been a
triumph so far. Even as the band sat down to look at some raw pre-edited
scenes, their faces couldn't lie. They were very happy with what they
saw.

"Many of you must be dying for information and images from
the set. We can't pour all that out since we really believe that some of
the reveals would spoil the show. However, if you've read the previous
update you know some of the character names already, which of at least Tom and Ann sound familiar to a many. And they should sound familiar.

"As I started to write 'Imaginaerum' screenplay, I planted one single parameter above everything else: This is a NIGHTWISH film, no matter how fictional story about the band it would be. I
didn't just wanted to use the band's name but also, to come up with
character names resembling NIGHTWISH members' names. The band in Imaginaerum became Ann, Tom, Marcus, Emil and Jack. I know, not very clever when it comes to molding names. Yet, I wanted the audience to feel the presence of NIGHTWISH and to me the convergence had to be clear. I had endless battles trying to convince people that using names similar to Anette, Tuomas, Marco, Emppu and Jukka was a perfect bridge between NIGHTWISH in reality and NIGHTWISH in a fantasy world. The band didn't agree with me originally. It became my decision and my responsibility I am proud of. That said, if someone
ever thinks this might be an ego thing for the band, think again. It's
my decision completely, and that's how I intend to keep it.

"These
first two weeks have been a blast. So many great people have bled
together with us pouring their fantastic creativity into the project. We
have a fantastic art director and her team. Our director of photography
couldn't be more dedicated to his line of work or his visuality. Our
make-up and wardrobe departments have made magic in a short period of
time. And the cast... wow! The whole crew is filled with professionals I
could've only dreamt of when starting the project. And, our producers
are the kind who really understand the drama, art and the story while
keeping our budget safe and sound. I must be the luckiest director in
the world. What more can I say.

"What strikes me the most, is
the fact that this project is not only titled as 'the trip to one's
imagination,' but it is exactly that on every aspect of the game with
all the beloved people involved."

Several photos from the "Imaginaerum" movie shoot can be found at this location. A couple of the pictures are also available below.

The "Imaginaerum" album will be released in the U.S. on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records; in Finland on Wednesday, November 30 and the rest of Europe on Friday, December 2 via Nuclear Blast Records.

NIGHTWISH's new single, "Storytime", will be released on Friday, November 11 via Nuclear Blast Records.

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginaerum" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take
place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on
Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

SYMPHONY X, EPICA, REDEMPTION, PRETTY MAIDS Confirmed For PROGPOWER USA Festival

2011-09-27T00:12:00.000-04:00

SYMPHONY X, EPICA, REDEMPTION and PRETTY MAIDS are among the confirmed bands for next year's edition of the ProgPower USA festival, set to take place in September 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia (exact dates to be announced).

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

Friday:

SINBREED
KINGCROW
SOLUTION .45
SERENITY
PRIMORDIAL
REDEMPTION
EPICA (headliner)

Saturday:

ABOVE SYMMETRY
LANFEAR
AMARANTHE
MYSTIC PROPHECY
MAYAN (WITH SPECIAL GUESTS)
PRETTY MAIDS
SYMPHONY X (headliner)

For more information, visit www.progpowerusa.com.

MIKE PORTNOY Sued DREAM THEATER For 'Wrongfully Excluding' Him From Band

2011-09-25T23:57:00.000-04:00

According to Courthouse News Service, ex-DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy filed a lawsuit against his former bandmates in April claiming that
they "wrongfully excluded" him from the group and are "wrongfully using
the name of the band in connection with [their] recording of an album
without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]." In addition, the drummer's complaint, which was filed on April 27, alleges that the defendants — John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), James LaBrie (vocals), along with associated companies Ytse Jam, Inc. and Infinity Tours, Inc. — "are wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with the
promotion of live performances by the individual defendants, without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]."

In an August 2011 interview with the Greek edition of Rock Hard magazine, Portnoy stated about his departure from DREAM THEATER, "I didn't make the decision to leave DREAM THEATER before [hooking up with] AVENGED SEVENFOLD [as their touring drummer], but I knew that something had to change in the DREAM THEATER camp. It's unfortunate that it was me that had to change, because I
never wanted to leave the band — it was never my intention; I never
wanted the split. I just merely thought that the band really could use a break, because I think the romance was really dying — backstage and
between [the members] personally. 25 years without a break is a very,
very, very long time and sometimes these relationships need a break from each other to rekindle the flame. So that's all I suggested. And even
before I [went on the road] with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, I remember touring with [the progressive rock project] TRANSATLANTIC at the beginning of 2010 and already knowing that something was wrong in the DREAM THEATER world and that I really needed a break from the guys and the whole DREAM THEATER machine. I knew something was brewing and I knew that I was unhappy,
and as has been well documented elsewhere, I merely just wanted a break. But unfortunately, those guys [the rest of DREAM THEATER] didn't see it that way and didn't respect my request for time off. It's unfortunate [that it turned out that way]."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, announced his departure from the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.

DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", was released on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.

ARCH/MATHEOS: 'Sympathetic Resonance' First-Week Sales Revealed

2011-09-23T03:12:00.001-04:00

"Sympathetic Resonance", the debut album from ARCH/MATHEOS — the new progressive rock band featuring FATES WARNING/OSI guitarist Jim Matheos and former FATES WARNING singer John Arch — sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at No. 13 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.

"Sympathetic Resonance" entered the official chart in Germany at No. 27, in Austria at No. 67, and in Switzerland at No. 78.

Cover art for "Sympathetic Resonance" was fashioned using an image created by light painting photographer Dennis Calvert, who has described light painting as "The ability to see in four
dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light."

Released on September 13 via Metal Blade Records, "Sympathetic Resonance" features the following track listing:

01. Neurotically Wired
02. Midnight Serenade
03. Stained Glass Sky
04. On the Fence
05. Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)
06. Incense and Myrrh

ARCH/MATHEOS features an all-star lineup, including the talents of Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) on drums, and Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) on additional lead guitar.

Comments Matheos: "I think John and I work really well together. There's a lot of mutual respect and
trust in what we do. But we're also both very critical of ourselves, and each other. This can make for a long and sometimes tedious process. But ultimately it's one I enjoy because I think it brings out the best in
both of us."

Adds Arch: "When I first heard some of the arrangements Jim had written and recorded, it took quite some time before I could wrap
my mind around the odd time signatures and guitar work going on here.
There are some long compositions, so putting anxiety and apprehension on the back burner it was time to dissect these numbers into digestible
bits. After the lengthy process of lyrics and melodies, listening to the songs now, I can't imagine them any other way."

In terms of the lyrical content on "Sympathetic Resonance", John Arch notes that "the lyrics this time around are more in line with [Arch's 2003 solo EP] 'A Twist Of Fate' and not of the mystical nature of some past albums."

ARCH/MATHEOS recording lineup:

* John Arch (FATES WARNING) - Vocals
* Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, OSI) - Guitar
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) - Bass
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) - Drums
* Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) - Additional Lead Guitar

DREAM THEATER's 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' Lands In U.S. Top 10

2011-09-23T03:09:00.001-04:00

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events", the new studio album from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, sold 36,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8. The band's previous
CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at No. 6. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition exclusive box set includes the following:

* "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album
* Instrumentals of the entire album
* DVD of "The Spirit Carries On" – a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer auditions
* Double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket)
* DREAM THEATER branded custom turntable slipmat
* Litho Print of album cover
* 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life" (randomly inserted)
* All content housed in a custom box
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release

CD1

01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface

CD 2

01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)

"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess said. "All the life-changing events that surrounded us before, as well
as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within
ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."

Vocalist James LaBrie added, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive,
fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never
been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our
fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."

OPETH's 'Heritage' Projected To Sell 15K-18K First Week

2011-09-23T03:07:00.002-04:00

"Heritage", the new album from Swedish progressive metallers OPETH, is likely to sell between 15,000 and 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on September 20 via Roadrunner Records.

OPETH's previous studio CD, 2008's "Watershed", opened with more than 19,000 units to land at No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Watershed" was the follow-up to the band's acclaimed "Ghost Reveries" CD, which debuted at No. 64 on the Billboard chart back in September 2005 with first-week sales of just under 15,000. OPETH's 2003 album, "Damnation", opened with a little over 5,000 copies.

"Heritage" was produced by OPETH vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt. Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.

"Heritage" was released in several configurations that will certainly incite the interest of OPETH's legion of fans, known for their passion for collecting and
collectibles. The album was made available as a standard version; as a
special edition loaded with extras; as a box set exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP.

Standard CD

01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Häxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth

Special-Edition Digipack CD/DVD

As above plus additional DVD including:

* Bonus audio tracks: "Pyre" and "Face In The Snow"
* 5.1 mix of the whole album
* "Making of the album" documentary
* Card to download the bonus tracks
* Limited-edition OPETH coin (until stocks last)

The Deluxe Box Set:

* Double-LP set of "Heritage" with exclusive lenticular artwork (180-gram vinyl
in gatefold jacket)
* Custom gatefold jacket that houses the "Heritage" special edition CD/DVD set
(includes 2 bonus tracks, 5.1 audio mix of album and "Making Of Heritage" documentary)
* Exclusive 7" of 2 bonus tracks
* Litho print of album cover
* Oversized 16-page booklet with exclusive photos and artwork
* All content housed in custom slipcase
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release

In a recent interview with Radio Metal, Åkerfeldt stated about "Heritage", "I never heard music like that, so I can't compare it to other bands.
If you want to compare it to another band, it has to be us. But still,
it's different. For me, it kind of makes sense, because I've been doing
this for such a long time. So it's not a massive departure for me and
for the guys in the band. But for fans, if they are, for example, into 'My Arms, Your Hearse' [OPETH's third album, released in 1998], it might be a bit different. But I'm
hoping that a lot of people are ready for this type of album from us.
The music is all over the place. It's hard to define the album and say
it sound like this or like that. There are no songs that represent more
the album than any other songs. It's an album as whole. You can't listen to only one song and you'll know what the album is going to be like.
Because, like I said, it's all over the place."

OPETH made its live debut with keyboardist Joakim Svalberg (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, GLENN HUGHES) at the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival on June 10, 2011 on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville.

Keyboardist Per Wiberg, who joined OPETH in 2005, was relieved of his duties in April as part of a mutual decision with the remaining members of the band.

VH1 Classic To Celebrate 24 Hours of 'RUSH Hashanah'

2011-09-23T02:39:00.002-04:00

VH1 Classic is once again ringing in the Jewish New Year with a 24-hour marathon of Canada's greatest music export, RUSH. "Rush Hashanah" begins Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m. and features the world premiere of "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland". "Time Machine" delivers the first live performance of the entire "Moving Pictures" album and other fan favorites from their many celebrated albums. The RUSH extravaganza will include unforgettable concerts, performances and a behind-the-scenes look into the phenomenal 40-year career.

Beginning Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m. and ending on Thursday, September 29 at 7 p.m., the RUSH takeover on VH1 Classic will give viewers the opportunity to immerse themselves in all things RUSH. With a glimpse into the renowned band's life with the award-winning VH1 rock doc "Beyond The Lighted Stage" and "Classic Albums '2112' And 'Moving Pictures'", there is no portion of RUSH's legacy that will go unseen. Relive throwback hits with memorable concerts including the world premiere of "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" and other hit concerts, including "Rush In Rio" and "R30".

Additional information for "Rush Hashanah" below:

* Classic Albums: Rush '2112' And 'Moving Pictures'" premieres Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m. ET/PT. The story of the making of two of RUSH's greatest albums.

* "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" premieres Wednesday, September 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Filmed in Cleveland in April 2011, the "Time Machine" tour was an evening with RUSH, where the band performed new songs, classic hits and, for the first time ever, performed the "Moving Pictures" album in its entirety.

* "Beyond The Lighted Stage" premieres Wednesday, September 28 at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. Regarded as the world's biggest cult band, "Beyond The Lighted Stage" explores the phenomenon behind the forty-year career of the legendary rock group RUSH. Features never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with the band.

* "R30" premieres Thursday, September 29 at 1 a.m. ET/PT. RUSH performs live on September 24, 2004 in Frankfurt, Germany.

* "Rush In Rio" premieres Thursday, September 29 at 12 p.m. ET/PT. Taped in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on the final night of RUSH's 2002 "Vapor Trails" tour.

SOURCE: RNR

MASTODON To Perform On 'Late Show With David Letterman'

2011-09-22T03:14:00.001-04:00

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will guest on the Wednesday, October 5 edition of CBS-TV's "Late Show With David Letterman" at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings for details.

MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", will be released on September 27. The set will be made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users
can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.

The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.

MASTODON To Perform On 'Late Show With David Letterman'

2011-09-22T03:14:00.000-04:00

Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will guest on the Wednesday, October 5 edition of CBS-TV's "Late Show With David Letterman" at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings for details.

MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", will be released on September 27. The set will be made available in
several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D
experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los
Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real
worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users
can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and
the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.

The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.

There Is No Pending Lawsuit Between MIKE PORTNOY And DREAM THEATER

2011-09-21T03:19:00.000-04:00

Ronald S. Beinstock, an attorney for progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, has contacted BLABBERMOUTH.NET to make it clear that there is currently "no pending litigation" between the current members of DREAM THEATER and the band's former drummer, Mike Portnoy.

Courthouse News Service reported on April 28 that Portnoy filed a document listing his former bandmates as defendants in which he claimed that they "wrongfully excluded" him from the group and were
"wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with [their]
recording of an album without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]." In addition, the document alleged that the defendants — John Petrucci (guitar), John Myung (bass), Jordan Rudess (keyboards), James LaBrie (vocals), along with associated companies Ytse Jam, Inc. and Infinity Tours, Inc. — were "wrongfully using the name of the band in connection with the
promotion of live performances by the individual defendants, without the participation or consent of [Portnoy]."

In a letter to BLABBERMOUTH.NET dated earlier today (Tuesday, September 20) Bienstock wrote, "On or around April 27, 2011, Mr. Portnoy filed a 'Notice With Summons.' This document is not a formal complaint. Further, the document was never served on any of the named defendants,
rendering it moot. There is no pending litigation between DREAM THEATER and Mr. Portnoy."

Writing on his official forum earlier today, Portnoy commented, "I did NOT sue them [referring to the current members of DREAM THEATER. — Ed.] ....and second of all, I DESPERATELY tried to discuss matters
with them personally to avoid ANYTHING LIKE THIS and yet THEY insisted
on only using lawyers...so my lawyers filed those papers (BACK IN APRIL, mind you) as that was the position they chose to take...if the band
would've talked to me, it would've NEVER come to that!!!

"All that aside, this was 6 months ago....so yes indeed, we have all moved on since then...

"I'm
still really not allowed to discuss any of this publicly, but I feel
everybody's hasty and half-truth filled witchhunt yesterday deserves to
be addressed to help at least try to clear my name and reputation that
was so wrongly tainted by yesterday's false conclusions...

"The
fact is, when you have a band (or a corporation or marriage) for 25
years, there are business and financial things that need to be sorted
out behind the scenes...however, it was incredibly LAME of Blabbermouth to exploit these private issues and divulge personal information that
is clearly nobody's business other than our own. They are creating hate
and negative propaganda and poisoning the minds and spirits of music
fans around the world...shame on them."

In an August 2011 interview with the Greek edition of Rock Hard magazine, Portnoy stated about his departure from DREAM THEATER, "I didn't make the decision to leave DREAM THEATER before [hooking up with] AVENGED SEVENFOLD [as their touring drummer], but I knew that something had to change in the DREAM THEATER camp. It's unfortunate that it was me that had to change, because I
never wanted to leave the band — it was never my intention; I never
wanted the split. I just merely thought that the band really could use a break, because I think the romance was really dying — backstage and
between [the members] personally. 25 years without a break is a very,
very, very long time and sometimes these relationships need a break from each other to rekindle the flame. So that's all I suggested. And even
before I [went on the road] with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, I remember touring with [the progressive rock project] TRANSATLANTIC at the beginning of 2010 and already knowing that something was wrong in the DREAM THEATER world and that I really needed a break from the guys and the whole DREAM THEATER machine. I knew something was brewing and I knew that I was unhappy,
and as has been well documented elsewhere, I merely just wanted a break. But unfortunately, those guys [the rest of DREAM THEATER] didn't see it that way and didn't respect my request for time off. It's unfortunate [that it turned out that way]."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, announced his departure from the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.

DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", was released on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.

SOURCE: RNR

VOIVOD's 1984 Demo To Be Released On CD, Vinyl

2011-09-21T03:17:00.000-04:00

Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD will release their original demo tape from 1984.

Entitled "To the Death 84", the set will include material that was recorded in the band's Quebec
jam space in January 1984. The lineup for this record includes Snake (Denis Bélanger) on vocals, Piggy (Denis D'Amour) on guitar, Blacky (Jean-Yves Thériault) on bass and Away (Michel Langevin) on drums.

In addition to material that would later appear on the band's "War And Pain" debut, this collection includes several other early VOIVOD offerings, as well as covers of MERCYFUL FATE and VENOM.

"To The Death 1984" will be released on November 22 as a CD or double LP via Alternative Tentacles.

The track listing is as follows:

01. Voivod
02. Condemned To The Gallows
03. Hell Driver
04. Live For Violence
05. War And Pain
06. Incantation
07. Buried Alive / Suck Your Bone
08. Blower
09. Slaughter In A Grave
10. Nuclear War
11. Black City
12. Iron Gang
13. Evil
14. Bursting Out
15. Warriors Of Ice

RUSH: More 'Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland' DVD And Blu-Ray Details Revealed

2011-09-20T03:20:00.000-04:00

Legendary rock band RUSH has announced details for the first offerings through their recently announced partnership with Roadrunner Records. On November 7, Anthem/Roadrunner will simultaneously release a two-disc live album entitled "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" as well as "Moving Pictures: Live 2011" on vinyl and digital formats.

Captured in April at Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena during the renowned trio's extensive "Time Machine" world tour, "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" marks the band's first live album recorded at a U.S show, a deliberate
nod of gratitude to the first city to support Rush on its radio
airwaves. The wildly popular tour featured a set filled with classic
hits, fan favorites, and a glimpse into RUSH's forthcoming 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels". As a centerpiece for the concerts, the band performed their landmark album "Moving Pictures" in its entirety — a first in the band's long and illustrious career. Rave reviews of the tour included The Hollywood Reporter's declaration that "the current 'Time Machine' jaunt is nothing less than a must see… for nearly three hours, with intermission, RUSH proved why it remains among rock's elite live acts."

"Moving Pictures: Live 2011" marks the first live recording of the band's most successful album to
date. Originally released in 1981, this year marks the 30th anniversary of "Moving Pictures", which features some of RUSH's most well-known songs like "Tom Sawyer", "Limelight" and "YYZ".

In related news, RUSH is also releasing "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" on Blu-ray and DVD formats on November 8 via Rounder Records in the U.S. and Eagle Rock Entertainment abroad. VH1 will be airing a two-hour concert culled from the footage as part of their annual "Rushashana" program on September 29.

This fall, RUSH will be returning to the studio to resume work on their highly anticipated 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels", due out in 2012.

Track listing:

Set One

* The 'Real' History of Rush Episode No. 2 "Don't Be Rash"
* The Spirit of Radio
* Time Stand Still
* Presto
* Stick It Out
* Workin' Them Angels
* Leave That Thing Alone
* Faithless
* BU2B
* Free Will
* Marathon
* Subdivisions

Set Two

The 'Real'' History of Rush Episode No. 17 "...and Rock and Roll is my name."

* Tom Sawyer
* Red Barchetta
* YYZ
* Limelight
* The Camera Eye
* Witch Hunt
* Vital Signs
* Caravan
* Moto Perpetuo (featuring Love For Sale)
* O'Malley's Break
* Closer To The Heart
* 2112 Overture/The Temples of Syrinx
* Far Cry

Encore

* La Villa Strangiato
* Working Man

Bonus Material

* Outtakes from "History of Rush, Episode 2 & 17"
* "Tom Sawyer" featuring the cast of "History of Rush, Episode 17"
* "Need Some Love" Live from Laura Secord Secondary School
* "Anthem" Live from Passaic New Jersey

ADRENALINE MOB Recording Three New Songs

2011-09-20T00:34:00.000-04:00

ADRENALINE MOB — the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward — has entered the studio to record three new songs for inclusion on the group's forthcoming debut album, tentatively due in early 2012. Portnoy stated in an online posting, "All three [tracks] are AMAZING!!"

The self-titled debut EP from ADRENALINE MOB sold 1,800 copies in its first week of release. The CD landed at
position No. 13 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.

"Adrenaline Mob" is available via iTunes and is being sold in physical form at the group's shows and online
store. Self-produced by the band, the effort features four original
tracks as well as a blistering cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules". From the opening riff of "Psychosane" through the over-six-minute epic-sounding "Hit The Wall", it is clear that ADRENALINE MOB are in class all their own as musicians.

"Releasing the EP gives fans around the world a chance to get a taste of the MOB NOW without having to wait until the full-length album comes out at the beginning of next year," stated Portnoy.

"Adrenaline Mob" track listing:

01. Psychosane
02. Believe Me
03. Hit The Wall
04. Down To The Floor
05. The Mob Rules

The EP is now available for streaming in its entirety using the player below.

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.

MASTODON To Tour With THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, RED FANG

2011-09-16T12:23:00.000-04:00

MASTODON, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and RED FANG will join forces for a U.S. tour in the fall. The dates are as follows:

Oct. 25 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
Oct. 27 - Houston, TX - Fitzgeralds
Nov. 01 - Los Angeles, CA - Wiltern Theatre
Nov. 02 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
Nov. 03 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield
Nov. 05 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theatre
Nov. 06 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
Nov. 07 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Nov. 08 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
Nov. 09 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
Nov. 11 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
Nov. 12 - Milwaukee, WI - Rave Ballroom
Nov. 13 - Sauget, IL - Pop’s
Nov. 14 - Kansas City, MO - The Beaumont
Nov. 16 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore Detroit
Nov. 17 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room
Nov. 19 - New York City, NY - Terminal 5
Nov. 20 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Nov. 21 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
Nov. 23 - Montreal, QC - Metropolis
Nov. 25 - Toronto, ON - Kool Haus
Nov. 26 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
Nov. 27 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Nov. 28 - Norfolk, VA - The NorVa
Nov. 29 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
Dec. 01 - Lake Buena Vista, FL - House of Blues
Dec. 02 – [to be announced]
In other news, MASTODON will perform the song "Curl Of The Burl" on the October 5 edition of CBS-TV's "Late Show With David Letterman" at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings for details.

MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", will be released in several configurations that feature an exciting
interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology,
created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines
virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive
experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.

The physical configurations for "The Hunter", which will be released by Reprise Records on September 27, are as follows:

*
Standard CD: Includes the album's 13 tracks, plus a basic Augmented
Reality Experience in which the users head becomes the "creature" on the
album's front cover in full 3D.

* Deluxe Physical CD/DVD: Sold
as a 13-song digipack with an alternative cover, this package includes
the standard CD, with the basic Augmented Reality Experience, plus a DVD
that includes a track-by-track, psychedelic visualizer, the "Deathbound" and "Black Tongue" videos.

*
Direct-To-Fan Package: This exclusive package will be comprised of the
complete 13-song digipack album. Additionally, buyers will receive two
digital bonus tracks on day of release (more on that soon). An
exclusive insert will be included which triggers an enhanced Augmented
Reality Experience and contains additional embedded content (again, more
on the subject to be revealed shortly). Also included is a 20" x 30"
lenticular poster of the standard album cover artwork.

"The Hunter" track listing:

01. Black Tongue
02. Curl Of The Burl
03. Blasteroid
04. Stargasm
05. Octopus Has No Friends
06. All The Heavy Lifting
07. The Hunter
08. Dry Bone Valley
09. Thickening
10. Creature Lives
11. Spectrelight
12. Bedazzled Fingernails
13. The Sparrow
14. The Ruiner (limited-edition bonus track)
15. Deathbound (limited-edition bonus track)

The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.

"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.

MIKE PORTNOY To Play With STONE SOUR At ROCK IN RIO Festival

2011-09-16T12:21:00.000-04:00

Drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) will sit behind the kit for STONE SOUR during the band's appearance at the Rock In Rio festival on September 24 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil..

STONE SOUR's regular drummer, Roy Mayorga, is currently home and anxiously awaiting the birth of his first daughter (due the very same day as STONE SOUR's Rio show). Roy personally asked his friend Portnoy to fill in for what is sure to be a special "once-in-a-lifetime" event for the fans in attendance.

Commented Mike: "It's my honor and pleasure to be able to help out my good friends in STONE SOUR and my brother Roy in their time of need. It's also an unexpected treat for me to get
another visit with some of the greatest fans in the world down in
Brazil."

Added STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor: "We've been waiting a long time for the opportunity to come to South America. This year's Rock In Rio should be fantastic. With Roy expecting his first child, we'll charge on without him, but having Mike fill in for this one show will be great. We can't wait to take the stage and lay it down the only way STONE SOUR knows how — full-on and in your face!"

STONE SOUR canceled a number of tour dates this past spring after Mayorga suffered a stroke following a gig in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mayorga joined STONE SOUR in 2006 after the band's previous drummer, Joel Ekman, was forced to leave the group in order to spend time with his son, who was diagnosed with brain stem cancer.

According to The Pulse Of Radio, Taylor recently did an extensive interview with HardDrive Radio in which he revealed that STONE SOUR is definitely planning to release a concert DVD and cover songs EP in one package sometime before the end of the year. Taylor went into detail about the project, saying, "We shot a concert last year on the co-headlining tour that we did with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, and we shot it in Brighton (England), and we've been trying to get it
together ever since and it's just been insane. There's been so much work and we just haven't had a chance to kind of get a handle on it. But
we've been talking about doing a covers EP forever. This is just a kind
of a cool way to put something cool out that the fans will dig."

Taylor added that each member of STONE SOUR will get to pick one song for the covers EP.

OPETH: Australian Tour Announced -

2011-09-15T12:19:00.000-04:00

Swedish progressive metallers OPETH have scheduled a four-date Australian headlining tour in December:

Dec. 15 - The Tivoli - Brisbane, Australia
Dec. 16 - The Enmore - Sydney, Australia
Dec. 18 - The Palace - Melbourne, Australia
Dec. 20 - Fremantle Metro - Perth, Australia

OPETH's new album, "Heritage", is available for streaming in its entirety at NPR.org. Due on September 20 via Roadrunner Records, the CD was produced by OPETH vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt. Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.

"Heritage" will be released in several configurations that will certainly incite the interest of OPETH's legion of fans, known for their passion for collecting and
collectibles. The album will be released as a standard version; as a
special edition loaded with extras; as a box set exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP.

OPETH made its live debut with keyboardist Joakim Svalberg (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, GLENN HUGHES) at the 10th annual Bonnaroo Music And Arts Festival on June 10, 2011 on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee, 60 miles south of Nashville.

OPETH will embark on a North American headlining tour in September with support from fellow Swedes KATATONIA.

Keyboardist Per Wiberg, who joined OPETH in 2005, was relieved of his duties in April as part of a mutual decision with the remaining members of the band.

DREAM THEATER's 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' Projected To Sell 30K-35K First Week

2011-09-15T12:16:00.001-04:00

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events", the new studio album from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, is likely to sell between 30,000 and 35,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.

DREAM THEATER's previous CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at position No. 6 on The Billboard 200 chart. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.

The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition exclusive box set includes the following:

* "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album
* Instrumentals of the entire album
* DVD of "The Spirit Carries On" – a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer auditions
* Double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket)
* DREAM THEATER branded custom turntable slipmat
* Litho Print of album cover
* 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life" (randomly inserted)
* All content housed in a custom box
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release

CD1

01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface

CD 2

01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)

"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess said. "All the life-changing events that surrounded us before, as well
as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within
ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."

Vocalist James LaBrie added, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive,
fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never
been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our
fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."

ANIMALS AS LEADERS: 'Weightless' Cover Art Unveiled

2011-09-15T12:16:00.000-04:00

Progressive instrumentalists ANIMALS AS LEADERS will release their second full-length album, "Weightless", in North America on November 8, in mainland Europe on November 4 and in the U.K. on November 7 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was produced by drummer Navene Koperweis and his bandmates, and was mixed by guitarist Javier Reyes. The album marks the recording debut of Koperweis and Reyes with ANIMALS AS LEADERS.

"Weightless" track listing:

01. An Infinite Regression
02. Odessa
03. Somnarium
04. Earth Departure
05. Isolated Incidents
06. Do Not Go Gently
07. New Eden
08. Cylindrical Sea
09. Espera
10. To Lead You To An Overwhelming Question
11. Weightless
12. David

Check out the cover artwork below.

In a recent interview with "Ryan's Rock Show!", ANIMALS AS LEADERS guitarist Tosin Abasi stated about the songwriting process for the band's forthcoming CD,
"When we did the first album, it wasn't anything anyone knew about, so
there was total freedom — there was no expectation. A lot of people
really liked the first album, and it created a weird sense of obligation to continue in a direction that allowed people to like it in the first
place… But that isn't necessarily the best way to make music."

ANIMALS AS LEADERS is currently in Europe opening for BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME following a string of shows as direct support to the DEFTONES. They will kick off an extensive North American tour alongside BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME on October 27.

SOURCE: RNR

Did DREAM THEATER Rewrite 'Images And Words' Songs For Latest Album? MIKE PORTNOY Comments

2011-09-12T12:27:00.000-04:00

Former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy has commented on an article written by a longtime fan of the band which points out the
alleged musical and structural similarities between DREAM THEATER's new album and that of the group's breakthrough 1992 release, "Images And Words".

Thiago Campos, the Brazilian guitarist/producer/mixer/editor of "VRA! Split-Screen Covers", an online collaborative project where different artists record cover performances and post them on YouTube, penned his article after arriving at the "wonderfully shocking conclusion" that the entire "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", album — or "at least six songs" — was "written based off the charts of 'Images And Words' songs." He writes, "I know this might come across as an absurd
accusation to many of you, but I wouldn't be coming out in public with
this information if I hadn't done my homework, and if I wasn't confident this approach to writing the new album was a conscious/intentional
decision, maybe even humorous, by the band."

He continues, "When
I say the songs were 'written off the charts,' I mean arrangement-wise,
their structures, sometimes even orchestrations and nuances that make
the parts what they are, and their roles within the songs. This doesn't
mean they will sound alike at all, because within a given guideline for
arrangement, you could write virtually an infinite amount of different
songs, and mainstream/pop has been doing so for decades to back me up on
this statement. :)

"Some of these songs are so equal in terms
of arrangements that I'm surprised more people didn't catch on to this
nugget yet. Others just follow a rougher guideline (or so it seems to me
at this point)."

After reading Thiago's article, Portnoy took to his own forum to write, "Well done, Thiago.... Great post and spot-on! I *immediately* noticed everything you wrote
about upon my first listen... and found it all incredibly strange...
If they are indeed intentional 'nuggets,' then I guess that's a pretty
cool idea... However, if they were desperate attempts of secretly
re-writing the past... hmm, maybe not so much... I guess only they
[presumably referring to the current members of DREAM THEATER. — Ed.] will know the real reason for it..."

"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" — which marks new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini's recorded debut — will be released in North America on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band last summer while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

ADRENALINE MOB: Las Vegas, Tulsa Shows Canceled

2011-09-05T17:42:00.001-04:00

ADRENALINE MOB — the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward — has released the following statement:

"We regret to announce that our upcoming shows in Las Vegas and Tulsa will unfortunately be cancelled. Our bus had major mechanical failure today and we are stuck in San Francisco. With the holiday weekend here, we cannot get the part we need in time to make the shows. We truly regret
and apologize for any inconvenience this will cause for our fans. We were looking forward to playing for you and will hopefully get back to your town soon!"

Affected dates:

Sep. 04 - Las Vegas, NV - LVCS
Sep. 06 - Tulsa, OK - The Marquee

The self-titled debut EP from ADRENALINE MOB sold 1,800 copies in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 13 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.
"Adrenaline Mob" is available via iTunes and is being sold in physical form at the group's shows and online store. Self-produced by the band, the effort features four original tracks as well as a blistering cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules". From the opening riff of "Psychosane" through the over-six-minute epic-sounding "Hit The Wall", it is clear that ADRENALINE MOB are in class all their own as musicians.

"Releasing the EP gives fans around the world a chance to get a taste of the MOB NOW without having to wait until the full-length album comes out at the beginning of next year," states Portnoy.

"Adrenaline Mob" track listing:

01. Psychosane
02. Believe Me
03. Hit The Wall
04. Down To The Floor
05. The Mob Rules

The EP is now available for streaming in its entirety using the player below.

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour runs through mid-September. The trek will make stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB has also been tapped to open for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.

Jonathan Barrett Leaves The Tangent

2011-09-05T17:33:00.002-04:00

FROM THE TANGENT FACEBOOK PAGE:

STATEMENT FROM JONATHAN BARRETT 04 SEPT

Hello everybody.
I'm afraid that I'm leaving The Tangent.
The last year has been a difficult one emotionally,and I've been pushing myself a bit too hard for a bit too long.The effects have caught up with me.
Secondly,I'm suffering quite bad...ly as the result of a neck injury I received some years ago.I have constant,sometimes severe,pain in my neck,both arms and my right hand,which manages to be almost completely numb and extremely sore.Quite an achievement! I'm scheduled for surgery in the very near future,and am assured by the Neurosurgeon that my chances of a full recovery are very high.Fingers crossed,if possible!
Thirdly,my spirit has been somewhat sapped by the acceptance of theft as a way of acquiring music.All our efforts are scuppered by thieves.The minute we start to get a little bit ahead financially,somebody posts our latest CD or DVD online,and sales plummet.This is incredibly depressing.I know that some of you have been offended by my intemperate language on the subject in recent threads on The Tangent FB page. Please accept my apologies.
I'd like to wish Andy,Luke,Tony,Sally and Theo all the very best for the future.It's been a fantastic experience,some highs, some lows and some hysterical giggling in a Midnight Garden in The Netherlands, 4,000 miles in a collapsing van and a lot of Full English Breakfasts.And that's just the last 3 months!
So,to finish-all the very best to all of you.
Thanks for all the friendship and general loveliness I've received.
Toodle Pip,and Hurrah for all Tangerines!
Jonathan Half Badger.

PS At the risk of being a little bit mischievous,I know who the new recruit is,and you're all in for a hell of a treat!

SOURCE: The Tangent

DREAM THEATER Keyboardist: Writing Without PORTNOY 'Gave Us More Freedom To Do What We Wanted'

2011-09-05T17:23:00.003-04:00

“I don’t want to be limited by other peoples desires or abilities.” (Jordan Rudess)
Interview with Jordan Rudess by Phil Ashcroft

To the outside eye things had seemed pretty stable in the Dream Theater camp. Founder members John Petrucci (guitars), John Myung (bass) and Mike Portnoy (drums) had been mainstays since the mid-80s, whilst singer James LaBrie had joined in the early 90s and appeared on all but the debut album, and even the new guy, keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess, has been around for over a decade. Therefore it came as a huge shock to the band and its fans when undisputed band leader Portnoy announced his departure late in 2010. After a brief period of confusion the rest of the band decided to carry on without him and started to audition many of the world’s top rock drummers. Obviously surprised by this development, Mike Portnoy asked for some sort of reconciliation, stating that he’d only wanted some time off, but with personality issues obviously going deeper than anyone realised, the remaining members declined his offer and continued their audition process, selecting the wonderful Mike Mangini and entering the studio in the new year to record their new nine-track opus – the autobiographically titled ‘A Dramatic
Turn Of Events’.
All my previous Dream Theater interviews have been with either Mike Portnoy or singer James LaBrie, so I was particularly looking forward to speaking with Jordan Rudess for a different view. So the first big surprise as I waited in the press area at London’s High Voltage festival was that the whole band turned up to do five separate interviews simultaneously, even the usually reticent John Myung and new drummer Mike Mangini are on press duty. I shook Jordan’s hand as we were introduced and expressed my surprise about this unexpected situation, to which the keyboard player quipped with a grin, “Yes, these days even the unheard Dream Theater members get to be heard!” With Portnoy having played such a huge role in every aspect of the band’s career it was perhaps inevitable that everyone in the band would have to change their roles slightly to take up the slack.

Yeah, in a way there’s been a kind of natural shift just to make up for the fact that we lost a member,” agrees Rudess, “and now we have a member that’s new and has different concerns and a different personality. At first it was a little bit ‘Oh my God! What are we going to do now?’, but
then we started making lists of what needs to get done in this band. Mike Portnoy had so much to do with so many things that we really needed to step up to the plate and say, ‘OK, we’ve been a little bit complacent here, let’s figure out what needs to happen,’ which I think
we’ve done quite successfully.”
As for making their first Portnoy-less album, Jordan reveals that the band had absolutely no doubts that they could pull it off.

“We went into it with a feeling of really wanting to focus, do our thing and be able to create the best music that we knew how to do, just to show people that Dream Theater can continue on in a positive, strong and musical way,” he explains. “Actually the least of our concerns was the
music. If you look at the bigger picture then the guys in this band are all very capable musicians and writers, so going into this album was more about continuing on with the music as we’ve done before and showing people that everything is still cool in Dream Theater land.”
Another area where work has been spread around since Portnoy’s departure is the songwriting.

“Well,” begins Rudess, “our new drummer Mike Mangini was not there at that point so he wasn’t involved, but the main writers are John Petrucci and myself, and John Myung was very involved in the process, he contributed freely and he came up with some great riffs, and James (LaBrie) was very particular about the vocal melodies and said what he did and didn’t like, and what he wanted to keep.” But are there any songs that definitely wouldn’t have happened if Mike Portnoy was still in the band? “Yes!” he says without hesitation. “As creative and talented as Mike obviously is, his opinion and his style of drumming would sometimes push us in a different direction, whereas this way we could write whatever we wanted and then later tell Mike Mangini how to play it. It worked out
quite well for us because as composers it opened us up a little bit and gave us more freedom to do what we wanted. I liked that, I don’t want to be limited by other peoples desires or abilities.”
One of the things that the guys have complained about in the past was Mike Portnoy insisting they rehearse far more songs than they really need so that he could change the set almost nightly.

“That’s something that we don’t want to do that much anymore,” says the obviously relieved keyboardist, “and right now we’re sticking to the songs we most want to play. I don’t know how we’re going to approach it in the future but I can pretty much promise that no-one is particularly
into changing the set every night. What we really value and what everybody could never really do to a point where we were comfortable, was nailing down a show. We have sound people and lighting people and what they really need to do is time everything so that the show is really smooth, and it’s really important to all of us in this period of transition to say ‘You know what? We have the opportunity to really work out a show, so that when we move from one song to another it’ll be
really smooth and professional!’ We think the fans will really enjoy it more that way.”
Does Jordan think that the set has suffered because of that before? He pauses before replying,
“I think that the show has suffered. I think there are fans out there who value having a different set every night because they go to more than one show, but they’re relatively few, and I think sometimes our performance has suffered because of that approach. There’s a lot to be
said for a show that’s dialled in – I mean we’re playing in different towns, so how many people are seeing it from night to night? Only a few I think, so why not just do the same set and work on it until it’s dialled in, so that’s what we’re doing and it’s really working so far, there’s a lot of good stuff. That’s not to say it’s not without its challenges, and nothing against what Portnoy did - he led this band for quite a number of years and did a good job - but we’re enjoying where we’re at now, the music is really happening, we’re running around the stage and we’re smiling, and it seems like the audience seems to be really elated.”

‘A Dramatic Turn Of Events’ will be released by Roadrunner on September 12th.

SOURCE: RNRCOLA

Pink Floyd News

2011-09-05T17:19:00.003-04:00

Originally released in 1973, The Dark Side of The Moon became the band’s first number 1 album in the US, remaining on the chart for 741 weeks between 1973 and 1988. One of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed albums of all time The Dark Side of The Moon also introduced
The iconic album cover artwork by Hipgnosis featuring a prism representing the band’s stage lighting, the record’s lyrics, and the request for a ‘simple and bold’ design. The Immersion version features the classic Studio album digitally remastered and presented as a limited edition high quality boxset featuring 6 discs of rare and unreleased audio and video material, plus a new 40 page oversized perfect-bound booklet, a book of original photographs edited by Jill Furmanovsky, exclusive merchandise and facsimile collectables.

TheDarkSideOfTheMoon - Immersion Box contents:

Disc 1 – CD 1:
The Dark Side Of The Moon digitally remastered by James Guthrie 2011

Disc 2 – CD 2:
The Dark Side Of The Moon performed live at Wembley in 1974 (2011 Mix and previously unreleased)

Disc 3 – DVD 1, all audio:
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround Mix
(previously released only on SACD) in standard resolution audio at 448
kbps
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround Mix
(previously released only on SACD) in high resolution audio at 640 kbps
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, LPCM Stereo mix (as disc 1)
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, Alan Parsons Quad Mix (previously
released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape in 1973) in standard resolution
audio at 448 kbps
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, Alan Parsons Quad Mix (previously
released only on vinyl LP/8 track tape in 1973) in high resolution audio
at 640 kbps

Disc 4 - DVD 2, all audio visual:
- Live In Brighton 1972:
'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' (previously unreleased on DVD)
'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' (previously unreleased on DVD)
- The Dark Side Of The Moon, 2003 documentary (25 min EPK)
- Concert Screen Films (60 min total):
British Tour 1974
French Tour 1974
North American Tour 1975

Screen films play in stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound

Disc 5 – Bluray, Audio+audio Visual

- Audio: The Dark Side Of The Moon, James Guthrie 2003 5.1 Surround
Mix (previously released only on SACD) in high resolution audio at 96
kHz/24-bit

- Audio: The Dark Side Of The Moon, Original stereo mix (1973) mastered in high resolution audio at 96 kHz/24-bit

- Audio visual: Live In Brighton 1972:
'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' (previously unreleased on DVD/BluRay)
'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' (previously unreleased on DVD/BluRay)

- Audio visual: The Dark Side Of The Moon, 2003 documentary (EPK)

- Audio visual: Concert Screen Films (5.1 Surround Mix):
British Tour 1974
French Tour 1974
North American Tour 1975

- Audio visual: Concert Screen Films (High Resolution Stereo Mix):
British Tour 1974
French Tour 1974
North American Tour 1975

Disc 6 - CD3:
- The Dark Side Of The Moon 1972 Early Album Mix engineered by Alan Parsons (previously unreleased)
- 'The Hard Way' (from Household Objects project)
- 'Us And Them', Richard Wright Demo (previously unreleased)
- 'The Travel Sequence', live from Brighton June 1972 (previously unreleased)
- 'The Mortality Sequence', live from Brighton June 1972 (previously unreleased)
- 'Any Colour You Like', live from Brighton June 1972 (previously unreleased)
- 'The Travel Sequence', studio recording 1972 (previously unreleased)
- 'Money', Roger Waters’ demo (previously unreleased)

Extras:
- 40 page 27cm x 27cm booklet designed by Storm Thorgerson
- Exclusive photo book edited by Jill Furmanovsky
- 27cm x 27cm Exclusive Storm Thorgerson Art Print
- 5 x Collectors’ Cards featuring art and comments by Storm Thorgerson
- Replica of The Dark Side Of The Moon Tour Ticket
- Replica of The Dark Side Of The Moon Backstage Pass
- Scarf
- 3 x Black marbles
- 9 x Coasters (unique to this box) featuring early Storm Thorgerson design sketches
- 12 page credits booklet

RUSH Signs With ROADRUNNER RECORDS

2011-09-03T00:35:00.000-04:00

Roadrunner Records has announced a new worldwide partnership with Anthem Records and rock trio RUSH. The band will remain on Anthem/Universal Music in Canada only.

"We have tremendous respect for Roadrunner Records and what Cees Wessels and Jonas Nachsin have built on a worldwide level. After years of Roadrunner pursuing the band, Tom Lipsky presented a deal that worked and the timing was right. We wanted to be at a label focused on the rock genre — and that's Roadrunner," said Ray Danniels, manager of RUSH.

"In another life I worked with RUSH and their great management team more than 30 years ago and to have RUSH finally on the Roadrunner label is a dream come true. I am grateful for Ray Danniels' confidence in this new partnership," said Cees Wessels, Roadrunner Records Chairman.

"RUSH has a tradition of excellence and independence, both in the studio and
on the live stage, and they remain as prolific today as at any point in
their career. We are excited to be their label partners," said Tom Lipsky, President of Lipsky Music, LLC, who brokered the significant deal for Roadrunner.

The first release from RUSH through this deal will be various live configurations recorded during their highly successful Time Machine tour that wrapped earlier this summer. Details of the release will be revealed in the coming weeks.

RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee recently spoke to The Plain Dealer about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's upcoming 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels", for which a release date has not yet been set.

"We've got about seven songs written," Lee said. He added, "When you hear the first two songs ['BU2B' and 'Caravan'], which we're playing live now, they definitely have a heavier sound. It's the heavier side of RUSH in the early going. But when I think of all the songs that we've
written already, there's quite a lot of diversity there. I think — I
hope — RUSH fans will like it. We're certainly going to work hard to make it a great record, as we always try."

ANIMALS AS LEADERS: New Album Release Date Announced

2011-09-03T00:31:00.000-04:00

Progressive instrumentalists ANIMALS AS LEADERS will release their second full-length album, "Weightless", in North America on November 8, in mainland Europe on November 4 and in the U.K. on November 7 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded with drummer Navene Koperweis handling production duties.

In a recent interview with "Ryan's Rock Show!", ANIMALS AS LEADERS guitarist Tosin Abasi stated about the band's forthcoming CD, "When we did the first album,
it wasn't anything anyone knew about, so there was total freedom — there was no expectation. A lot of people really liked the first album, and
it created a weird sense of obligation to continue in a direction that
allowed people to like it in the first place… But that isn't necessarily the best way to make music."

ANIMALS AS LEADERS is currently in Europe opening for BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME following a string of shows as direct support to the DEFTONES. They will kick off an extensive North American tour alongside BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME on October 27.

NIGHTWISH: 'Storytime' Single Due In November

2011-09-03T00:28:00.001-04:00

"Storytime", the new single from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, will be released on Friday, November 11 via Nuclear Blast Records.

In order to "avoid mix-ups" with various things named "Imaginarium", the title of NIGHTWISH's upcoming album and movie has been changed to "Imaginaerum".

The "Imaginaerum" track listing and audio samples of all the songs that are set to appear on the CD will be unveiled in a week.

NIGHTWISH recently inked a new European deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's new album, "Imaginaerum", will be released in December. The U.S. version of the CD will be made available through Roadrunner Records.

Regarding the musical direction of the forthcoming album, NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon wrote on her official blog, "I think it's a great and varied CD. The
feelings in it are great and there are a lot of elements in it, so I am
sure it will have many different favorite songs for the listeners since
the songs are so different in styles and sound. [2007's] 'Dark Passion Play' is a great album and this one, too, so I don't know yet which one I
like more, but, of course, for me personally, this one feels better to
do since the songs are more adjusted to my voice and my style."

NIGHTWISH recently spent time not only putting finishing touches to its new album, "Imaginaerum", but also planning a movie of the same name. If all goes well, the film will arrive at some point in 2012.

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginaerum" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take
place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on
Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

Jon Lord/Deep Purple News

2011-09-01T00:36:00.000-04:00

Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord, who recently revealed that he is fighting cancer, has released the following statement:

"Just a quick line or two from an absolutely overwhelmed, gratified and humbled musician. Your responses to the news of my condition have touched my heart in a way that has truly helped to make my life a better place to be than it had occasionally threatened to become these last few weeks. Your wonderful messages wishing me strength and courage have given me even
more strength and courage — and so much more than you can ever know. I read many of them with tears in my eyes, grateful for this cast-iron proof of the innate goodness of the human being, and grateful to every single one of you for your invaluable support.
This message goes out, too, to all the similarly wonderful folk on other websites whose
support has been equally warm and strong and I want you all to know how
greatly heartened and comforted I am by all this. The treatment continues and I am confident and being supported by my glorious family and an amazing group of friends.

See you soon."

Jon Lord is recognized for his Hammond organ blues-rock playing and unique sound and for his pioneering work in fusing rock and classical or baroque forms. He has most famously been a member of DEEP PURPLE, the band he co-founded in 1968.

Lord recently received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Leicester.

FREE LIVE WEBCAST FROM MAGNA CARTA 9/23/11

2011-08-30T22:13:00.003-04:00

"LIVE AT METALWORKS"
On Sunday September 25, 2011 at 3PM EDT* Magna Carta Recording artists Dave Martone and Glen Drover will take part in an historic performance that will be webcast worldwide as part of the “Live At Metalworks” series from Mississauga, Canada. The webcast can be seen at: http://live.magnacarta.net/

Magna Carta has long been known for being a leading independent label producing and distributing some of the best talent on the contemporary music scene with an emphasis on musical virtuosity. Both Dave Martone and Glen Drover have produced critically acclaimed albums for the label, showcasing their world class talents as guitarists and composers. Dave and Glen individually have developed fans and followers throughout the world who have been impressed with both their technical abilities and emotional depth as artists. Both guitarists will be backed by their own group of outstanding musicians making this both a showcase of amazing talent and an informal “clinic” for musicians around the globe.

Now Magna Carta will break ground by presenting both artists in a manner in which very few independent label artists have been seen: live webcasting with superior audio and video capabilities at no cost to the audience who will be able to receive the webcast worldwide. One of the foremost webcasting companies in this field, Orchard TV, will be providing these technological services.

“Live At Metalworks” refers to the Metalworks group of companies including award-winning Metalworks Studios the most renowned and recognized recording facility in Canada for more than 30 years. The September 25 webcast of Dave Martone and Glen Drover will be presented from the facility's newly completed North Auditorium.

The webcast will also be available as an archive on the Magna Carta website as well as clips being available on Youtube after the live webcast.

We invite everyone that has a love for guitar, guitar players, great musicianship, rock'n'roll, cutting edge technology and history made in front of your eyes.

Peter Morticelli, President of Magna Carta, says “With Dave Martone from Vancouver and Glen Drover from Toronto, we not only have two of the greatest guitar talents that Canada has ever produced but we have two musicians that have made their mark internationally. The September 25 webcast will allow both of these great players to showcase their abilities to the world via the internet. Magna Carta is proud to be able to present a milestone event such as this.”

http://live.magnacarta.net/
http://www.magnacarta.net/
http://davemartone.com/
http://www.glendroverband.com/

*12 Noon - Los Angeles, USA
*3 PM - Toronto, Canada/ New York, USA
*8 PM - London, UK
*9 PM - Paris, France
*4 AM - Monday -Tokyo, Japan

"Thick as a Brick" Played in Special 2012 Tour and AQUALUNG-Special Edition in October

2011-08-30T22:06:00.001-04:00

TWO ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM IAN ANDERSON AND JETHRO TULL

Ian Anderson Announces the Thick As A Brick Tours for 2012.

Ian Anderson performs Thick As A Brick in its entirety for the first time since 1972, going out for a world tour commencing in Great Britain in Mid-April. Then, it's on to European countries in the late Spring and Summer before landing in the USA for two tours spanning September, October and early November.

This tour will feature a more theatrical production with video, additional musicians and a troupe of dancing elephants. (Just kidding about the dancing elephants: they don't dance...)

In 1972, Ian wrote the music (and the lyrics which were credited at the time to the fictitious character, 8 year-old Gerald Bostock, whose parents lied about his age) and recorded with Jethro Tull, Thick As A Brick. The record became a number one Billboard album and enjoyed huge commercial success in most countries of the world. The album featured only one song, lasting nearly 45 minutes. To accommodate the album on LP vinyl and cassette, the seamless track was split on both sides of the record. It reached number one on the US Billboard Pop Albums chart.

Tull then dutifully took the somewhat theatrical show on the road in the Great Britain, USA, and other world markets.

Since 1972, the album has never been performed in its entirety although a few minutes of the material have been a regular repertoire staple in both Tull and IA solo shows over the years.

Now, scheduled for performance again in 2012, Ian will take the original album to a theatre near you. It will be performed in its entirety in a theatrical getting with band, and additional guests.

BACKGROUND on Gerald Bostock: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Gerald Bostock is the fictional author of the poem used as the lyrics for the 1972 Jethro Tull album Thick as a Brick. The album cover is designed to look like a small village newspaper, the St. Cleve Chronicle & Linwell Advertiser. The front page story describes how eight-year-old Gerald, nicknamed "Little Milton," received an award for his poem.

Due Fall 2011, The Aqualung 40th Anniversary Collector's and Special Editions

"Aqualung" is Tull's most recognized album and a definitive rock classic. Now, 40 years after its release, this prized recording gets a collection worthy of its historic status.

This is not a simplistic rehashed remastering aimmed at squeezing another few pounds, dollars, euros, etc. out of the recording. Want proof? The limited collector's edition's contents include:
180g heavyweight LP, 2CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray including various unreleased materials, a new stereo mix, the original Quad mix, and 5.1 DTS and Dolby Digital Surround. The "special edition" includes just the two CDs.
12"x12" 48-page hardback book featuring liner notes and an interview with Ian, Q&A with engineer John Burns, Don Lawson (initially written for 'Classic Rock Presents Prog' in March 2011), memoirs from band members (Jeffrey Hammond-Hammond (Bass Guitar), Martin Barre (Guitar), Clive Bunker (Drums), Barrie Barlow (Drummer following Clive Bunker's departure), Glenn Cornick (Original Bassist on early recordings), Terry Ellis (Manager)) and Jennie Franks (Ian's first wife who wrote the lyrics for the title track), rare photos, notes on the new mixes by producer Steven Wilson, and Billie Ritchie (from 60s rock band & label mate 'Clouds'), rare photos, album lyrics, and more.

Ian's Comments "Well - it's finally here! The superb remixes by Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson in both stereo and 5.1 Surround. Plus the re-mastered original mixes, bonus tracks, alternative versions and takes of the classic Aqualung material from 40 years ago.

When I wrote and recorded these songs and slaved over a hot audio-mixer in Island Records' Basing Street Studios, I never thought we we would be celebrating this 40th Anniversary release, soon to be released in October. But you can't keep a good song down. Many of these are still favourites on stage today in our concerts throughout the world.

I hope you enjoy this splendid EMI release and, if there's someone out there you really love, then why not treat them to the Collector's Edition in all its glory. Or, come to think of it, if there's someone out there you really dislike, then the same might apply. Each to his own. Me - I kinda like it.....

For those of you easily confused about such things, a 'remix' is not the same as a 're-master.' Remixing involves going back to the original studio multi-track masters and balancing and perfecting the sound on all the individual instrumental and vocal tracks and creating from them a new stereo or 5.1 surround master.

'Re-mastering' is just the cleaning up and making a new copy of the original stereo master - which usually results in a clearer and more sparkling listening experience than the original, when CDs were usually just the vinyl master copied straight to the then new CD medium. These days, with digital audio, we can afford to get more dynamic range and frequency response compared to the vinyl album and (God forbid) cassette versions of old.

Many thanks to Tim Chacksfield and Steve Davis at EMI for all their hard work and initiative in making this happen. And to the enthusiastic and espectful Steven Wilson, who has just sent me the remixes of another album to listen to, which he has been working on. But, another year, another story....
Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull

TRACKLISTING

VINYL

Side 1
1. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
4. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
6. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)

Side 2
1. My God (New Stereo Mix)
2. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
3. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
4. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)

CD 1 - New Aqualung Stereo Mix (Previously Unreleased)
1. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
4. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
6. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
7. My God (New Stereo Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
9. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
11. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)

CD 2 - Additional 1970 &1971 Recordings include some Previously Unreleased New Stereo Mixes.
1. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
2. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
3. My God (Early Version)
4. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
5. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
6. Slipstream (Take 2)
7. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
8. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
9. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
10. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
11. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
12. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
13. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
14. US Radio Spot

DVD
1. Aqualung (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
4. Mother Goose (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
6. Up To Me (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
7. My God (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
9. Slipstream (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
11. Wind-Up (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
12. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
13. My God (Early Version) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
14. Up The 'Pool (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
15. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
16. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
17. Cross Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
18. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
19. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
20. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
21. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
22. My God (New Stereo Mix)
23. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
24. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
25. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
26. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)
27. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
28. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
29. My God (Early Version)
30. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
31. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
32. Slipstream (Take 2)
33. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
34. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
35. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
36. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
37. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
38. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
39. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
40. Aqualung (Quad Mix)
41. Cross-Eyed Mary (Quad Mix)
42. Cheap Day Return (Quad Mix)
43. Mother Goose (Quad Mix)
44. Wond'ring Aloud (Quad Mix)
45. Up To Me (Quad Mix)
46. My God (Quad Mix)
47. Hymn 43 (Quad Mix)
48. Slipstream (Quad Mix)
49. Locomotive Breath (Quad Mix)
50. Wind-Up (Quad Mix)

BLU RAY
1. Aqualung (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
2. Cross-Eyed Mary (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
3. Cheap Day Return (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
4. Mother Goose (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
5. Wond'ring Aloud (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
6. Up To Me (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
7. My God (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
8. Hymn 43 (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
9. Slipstream (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
10. Locomotive Breath (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
11. Wind-Up (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
12. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
13. My God (Early Version) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
14. Up The 'Pool (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
15. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix) (5.1 Surround Sound Mix)
16. Aqualung (New Stereo Mix)
17. Cross-Eyed Mary (New Stereo Mix)
18. Cheap Day Return (New Stereo Mix)
19. Mother Goose (New Stereo Mix)
20. Wond'ring Aloud (New Stereo Mix)
21. Up To Me (New Stereo Mix)
22. My God (New Stereo Mix)
23. Hymn 43 (New Stereo Mix)
24. Slipstream (New Stereo Mix)
25. Locomotive Breath (New Stereo Mix)
26. Wind-Up (New Stereo Mix)
27. Lick Your Fingers Clean (New Mix)
28. Just Trying To Be (New Mix)
29. My God (Early Version)
30. Wond'ring Aloud (13th December 1970)
31. Wind-Up (Early Version - New Mix)
32. Slipstream (Take 2)
33. Up The 'Pool (Early Version)
34. Wond'ring Aloud, Again (Full Morgan Version)
35. Life Is A Long Song (New Mix)
36. Up The 'Pool (New Mix)
37. Dr Bogenbroom (2011 - Remaster)
38. From Later (2011 - Remaster)
39. Nursie (2011 - Remaster)
40. Aqualung
41. Cross-Eyed Mary
42. Cheap Day Return
43. Mother Goose
44. Wond'Ring Aloud
45. Up To Me
46. My God
47. Hymn 43
48. Slipstream
49. Locomotive Breath
50. Wind-Up
51. Aqualung (Quad Mix)
52. Cross-Eyed Mary (Quad Mix)
53. Cheap Day Return (Quad Mix)
54. Mother Goose (Quad Mix)
55. Wond'ring Aloud (Quad Mix)
56. Up To Me (Quad Mix)
57. My God (Quad Mix)
58. Hymn 43 (Quad Mix)
59. Slipstream (Quad Mix)
60. Locomotive Breath (Quad Mix)
61. Wind-Up (Quad Mix)
Jethro Tull - "Aqualung" 40th Anniversary Special Edition
Alongside the Collector's Edition, is a 2CD Special Edition, containing CD1 and CD2 plus a 36 page booklet, in a digipack sleeve.

ProgDay 2011: Irene Cancels QUANTUM FANTAY...FREAK KITCHEN Steps Up!

2011-08-30T21:18:00.002-04:00

Due to problems with cancelled flights and rebooking costs associated with Hurricane Irene, QUANTUM FANTAY was not able to make it into the US this past weekend. The result is that they have been forced to cancel their upcoming tour scheduled to start this week and will therefore not be able to perform at ProgDay this year.

Fortunately for ProgDay attendees, Sweden's FREAK KITCHEN, originally slated to perform at this year's Friday night Preshow, has graciously agreed to rework its tour schedule in order to appear at ProgDay on Sunday, September 4. The band will not appear at the Local 506 on Friday.

For further details on the final lineup for the Friday Preshow, please watch the Preshow page at http://ProgDay.net

ProgDay 2011 features THE TEA CLUB (US), ZEVIOUS (US), PERSEPHONE'S DREAM (US), MÖRGLBL (France), THE REBEL WHEEL (Canada), PANZERBALLETT (Germany), FREAK KITCHEN (Sweden) and FIBONACCI SEQUENCE (US). ProgDay's 17th edition will take place on Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4 at Storybook Farm in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. For more information, and to hear music from all of this year's bands, please visit Progday at http://progday.net

August News Bytes

2011-08-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

One time Tangerine Member and Kluster co-founder Conrad Schnitzler sadly passed away from stomach cancer in the evening on August 4th. Please visit the Global Living Project page as a memory to Con.

According to a posting on the RUSH fan site RushIsABand.com, Left Field Media will release a CD of the WMMS radio broadcast of RUSH's August 26, 1974 concert at the Cleveland Agora under the title "Rush ABC 1974". Due in the U.K. on October 24, this broadcast has been available as a bootleg for many years, but this seems to be the first legal release. This was RUSH's first recorded performance in the U.S. to feature Neil Peart on drums. Donna Halper, a former music director at Cleveland's WMMS-FM who was among the first to champion the enduring band's 1974 self-titled debut album, introduced the band.

Swedish progressive metal band ANDROMEDA has inked a deal with Inner Wound Recordings. The group's new album is tentatively due before the end of the year. ANDROMEDA's fourth CD, "The Immunity Zone", came out in North America in September 2008 via Nightmare Records. The band's live DVD, "Playing off the Board", was released in Europe in April 2007 via Metal Mind Productions. The disc was filmed on October 31, 2006 at the Wyspianski Theater in Katowice, Poland. ANDROMEDA's third album, "Chimera", was issued in June 2006 via Massacre Records.

Italian band DGM completes this year's line-up of ProgPower Europe 2011. The band played the festival already a couple of years ago, they will now return on stage for a 1 hour performance. Check out the complete line-up at http://www.progpower.eu/.

GOJIRA Frontman Talks Next Studio Album

2011-08-27T17:09:00.001-04:00

Joseph Duplantier of French progressive metallers GOJIRA recently spoke to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's
next studio album, which is not expected to arrive until early 2012. Duplantier revealed that, rather than the heavily researched themes of the last CD, lyrics for the upcoming, yet-to-be-titled effort — which may end up getting produced by Greg Fidelman (METALLICA, SLAYER, HIGH ON FIRE, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS) — are a lot more spontaneous, with "stream of consciousness"-style "spiritual" compositions.

"I've been about spirituality since the first album," he said. "It's hard to define what spirituality is, but it's more like getting closer to [oneself]. It's where each thing we do is sacred; not like going to a
church or when you are with a dying person, but waking up in the morning… I've tried to take this dimension when I've written the music, like sometimes I don't even know what I'm going to sing and the words come out fluently. It's not a concept album like in the past, it's more about being spontaneous with feeling, and it's more true and honest."

The quartet is currently without a label home, having parted ways with Listenable Records after the release of 2008's "The Way Of All Flesh".
"Listenable did an amazing job with us, we're very good friends with the owner and we are still working with them on stuff, but now it's time for us to move on to something a bit bigger; we need to bring some fresh energy and new blood into GOJIRA," said Duplantier.

"A few record companies have now put a bit more money on the table, so it feels like something really important is happening. We don't know where we're going to go for the next album, but everything is moving and we'll be recording by the end of the summer."

GOJIRA last year entered the studio to record a new four-song EP, the proceeds from which will benefit Sea Shepherd, an anti-whaling organization. The CD will feature guest appearances by Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), Fredrik Thordendal (MESHUGGAH), Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD), Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES) and Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SEPULTURA).

"It's almost finished — it's been almost finished for months now and I still have gaps to fill with voices," Duplantier told Terrorizer. "Some of the singers are on tour, so I had to change my plans a bit and contact different singers. This is something so important to us, it's completely non-profit and we've spent a lot of time and energy on it already, but we don't want to release it until we're 100 percent happy with it. Our goal is mid-September."

Also in the works is a GOJIRA live DVD with a bonus section entitled "The Way Of All Flesh From The Inside", with footage from rehearsals demoing the album, studio and the tour that was filmed by the bandmembers themselves.

"It's very lo-fi, but it's real!" enthused Duplantier. "It's an hour-long movie and I'm even more excited by this than the live stuff. It will be in our deal with the next record company and will probably come out January 2012."

RUDESS: New CD Was Written Without PORTNOY Being DREAM THEATER Police Telling Us 'Yes' Or 'No'

2011-08-25T18:06:00.000-04:00

Greece's Rock Your Liferecently conducted an interview with keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Rock Your Life: With your new album ["A Dramatic Turn of Events"], do you feel more creatively free as musicians and as a band now that Mike [Portnoy, drums] has left the band?

Rudess: Mike Portnoy was a very good friend of mine. He is a very open-minded guy and we had many great years doing many things together. However, one of the things we did with this new approach in the new album was that we thought how we could maximize who we are and make our roles even more vital. I should say that I loved that approach. In some of the music in the past, I thought that the keyboards could have been stronger. Sometimes, the approach in the past when we had a heavy riff was to just double it on the keyboards. We took away that kind of fear and went for more harmonic ideas. John Petrucci [guitar] and I decided to compose something cool. I am a composer and I love using this ability. Our new approach is more open to my keyboards than in the past.

Rock Your Life: In the last years, in every record you have a more "commercial" song that turns to be a single or a video like "Forsaken", "Wither" and "These Walls". Now, I think you did it with "Build Me Up, Break Me Down". Do you have this in mind when you enter the studio?

Rudess: We are aware that the record companies like these songs. We have it on our minds but we do not "have" to write a radio song. In addition, we do not have this concern because we just like that kind of songs. So we write that kind of songs anyway.

Rock Your Life: I understand that in the past Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci were handling the production of your albums. This time although you had the chance to hire a producer you did not. Why?

Rudess: Well, John came to us and said, "Guys, I really want to produce this album. I
think I can do a good job." The rest of us thought, "Why not, let him do it," and he did such a great job. John Petrucci has a very solid and strong personality. He is very clear and knows exactly what he wants plus he is very capable. So, what he ended up doing was to bring
out the best of everybody. I felt, for example, that my energy was being used in the group. He did that with the others. He worked beautifully with [new drummer] Mike Mangini and John Myung [bass] who had a new spirit about this. With Mike Portnoy leaving, John became, like, free. The fact that Mike Portnoy left did not make us suffer. John Petrucci and I, we are the core composers of DREAM THEATER, and it has been that way since I joined the group. So, even though Mike was extremely talented, there were certain limitations of what he could do in terms of the production. So when we moved on, we looked at each other and said, "We can produce this album. We do not need somebody else telling us what is good or not," and we enjoyed that challenge. The biggest difference in writing music to this album was that we decided to write this music choosing what is best for us without Mike Portnoy being the DREAM THEATER police telling us "yes" or "no." I think that it took us a little more time to craft our music before putting our stamp of approval on it.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS: 'Maria Magdelena' Track Listing, Cover Artwork Unveiled

2011-08-25T17:55:00.001-04:00

Austrian symphonic metallers VISIONS OF ATLANTIS will release a new EP called "Maria Magdelena" on October 21.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Maria Magdalena
02. Melancholia
03. Change Of Tides
04. Last Shut Of Your Eyes
05. Distant Shores
06. Beyond Horizon- The Poem Pt. II

Check out the cover artwork below.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS recently announced the addition of guitarist Cris Tian to the group's ranks.

VISIONS OF ATLANTIS's fourth album, "Delta", was released in North America on March 15 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded Dreamscape Studios in Munich, Germany and marks the debut of the band's new singer, Maxi Nil, who joined the group in 2009.

RUSH: 'Changing Hemispheres' Book, 4-DVD Set Due In September

2011-08-25T17:52:00.000-04:00

Abstract Sounds Books has set a September 26 U.K. release date for RUSH's "Changing Hemispheres", a 116-page hardcover book and four-DVD set.

Play.com describes the release as follows: "This is the true story of RUSH from humble Canadian beginnings through to international super stardom. Featuring a masterful and comprehensive text packed with great photographs of the band this unique production also includes four
documentary DVDs packed with candid audio interviews with the band members compared and contrasted with the views of a leading team of music journalists, insiders and musicologists. This uncensored and independent title has not been viewed or approved by the band or its
management and is completely free to tell the unvarnished story of RUSH as it really happened. The contents of this amazing book and DVD combination are completely essential reading and viewing for RUSH fans everywhere."

"Changing Hemispheres" will only play on European Region 2 or multi-region DVD players.

It is not presently clear if the set will receive a North American release.

Adrenaline Mob News

2011-08-25T17:33:00.001-04:00

Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with drummer Mike Portnoy (ADRENALINE MOB, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

GuitarWorld.com: Unfortunately these days the importance of [releasing] physical [CDs]
is diminishing. You've been around for so many years, and seen it all.
What do you feel about this change?

Portnoy: Well, change is inevitable with the evolution of technology. In the '70s we had
records, in the '80s we had CDs, and now we are living in the digital age. You can say it's sad or unfortunate, but the reality is you've got to roll with the times and the technology. I still love collecting because I'm a huge collector myself and I love to go out and buy music, particularly the special editions. But the reality is, when I'm sitting in a hotel room at 3 in the morning and I see something on the Internet that interests me in the form of a band I want to hear, I like the
ability to just go online to iTunes and download it immediately. So it's something I as a fan enjoy being able to have. I see both sides of the coin.

GuitarWorld.com: Drumming-wise, what kind of a challenge does [ADRENALINE MOB] present to you? Obviously there is a huge gap between this and DREAM THEATER.

Portnoy: The thing is about restraint, and playing what's best for the groove of the song, and I'm down with that. I'm totally cool with that. I played with DREAM THEATER, and so far that's been everything I'm about. This is far from what I'm about, and I'm about many, many different things. I could be just as happy playing a BEATLES song as I am when I'm thrashing out the double-bass stuff with ADRENALINE MOB. The stuff I'm playing with ADRENALINE MOB is all about the energy and the song. It's about groove and riff-oriented songs. So, if anything, I have to show some restraint and make sure I play what's best for the song.

GuitarWorld.com: Obviously you are always involved with so many other projects. Is there anything in the pipeline or is ADRENALINE MOB your primary focus?

Portnoy: I have a few other things going. Actually, this year alone I did three different bands and projects in the studio. They're all slowly coming around, so throughout 2012 and beyond, you'll see me with three other bands. ADRENALINE MOB right now is my main focus, but I've also got a thing going with John Sykes which is in more of a classic rock vein, and then I also have a thing with Steve Morse which is kind of an alternative, proggy thing. So each of these bands
is taking me down different musical roads and in the coming year or so, there will come a situation where they will all be releasing music, and at that point I'll be kind of juggling all of them on tour but they are all very different from each other and I'm very proud of each of them
for different reasons. But ADRENALINE MOB is what I'm doing now. This is the first one to actually come out and it's very exciting for me to move into the next phase of my career.

SOURCE:RNR

New Rush DVD Pushed Back

2011-08-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

The release date of RUSH DVD and Blu-ray titled "Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" has been pushed back to November 8 from the previously announced October 25 (via Zoe Records). The disc will contain footage of RUSH's April 15 concert at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio filmed by the award-winning documentary makers Banger Productions from Toronto in Canada, who have received international critical acclaim for their previous movies "Metal: A Headbanger's Journey", "Global Metal" and the RUSH documentary called "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage".

RUSH's Cleveland performance of its "Time Machine" show was filmed as a tribute to the U.S. city that first played the band's music.

Cleveland is remarkable for being one of the very first U.S. cities where RUSH performed, in addition to being the first city to provide American airplay. This also marked RUSH's first live full-length filming on U.S. soil.

The "Time Machine" tour was an evening with RUSH, where the band performed its classics, gave a taste of the future and — for the first time ever — featured the "Moving Pictures" album live in its entirety.

"Time Machine 2011: Live In Cleveland" will feature the following track listing:

01. The Spirit of Radio
02. Time Stand Still
03. Presto
04. Stick It Out
05. Workin' Them Angels
06. Leave That Thing Alone
07. Faithless
08. BU2B
09. Freewill
10. Marathon
11. Subdivisions
12. Tom Sawyer
13. Red Barchetta
14. YYZ
15. Limelight
16. The Camera Eye
17. Witch Hunt
18. Vital Signs
19. Caravan
20. Closer to the Heart
21. 2112 Overture/Temples of Syrinx
22. Far Cry
23. La Villa Strangiato
24. Working Man

The full list of supplementary and technical specifications for Zoe Records' Blu-ray are still unknown, but the disc will feature a number of bonus materials, such as:

* Outtakes from the intro, intermission, and outro videos from the "Time Machine" tour
* Full clip of RUSH's 1974 Canadian Bandstand act in St. Catharines, Ontario
* 1976 black-and-white bootleg video of their performance in Passaic, New Jersey

TESSERACT Announces New Singer

2011-08-24T20:42:00.000-04:00

U.K. progressive metallers TESSERACT have announced the addition of vocalist Elliot Coleman to the group's ranks. Elliot's huge range, distinctive character and brutal roars demonstrated on his work with OMNOM, SKY EATS AIRPLANE and ZELLIACK made him the perfect replacement for former vocalist, Dan Tompkins.

TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams makes the introduction: "We'd like to take this opportunity to introduce somebody special, Elliot Coleman. Some of you may know him as a member of ZELLIACK, SKY EATS AIRPLANE and OF LEGENDS, or maybe from OMNOM, or HAUNTED SHORES. Well, now he's part of TESSERACT!

"We're very excited about working with Elliot as we feel he has a great talent and personality, as well as, and most
importantly, a voice that transcends the norm and continues the TESSERACT tradition of taking things to the next level."

Elliot's catalogue of work is as impressive as it is extensive, including numerous appearances with HAUNTED SHORES and a guest spot on PERIPHERY's track "Race Car". He most recently played bass in Washington D.C. tech metallers OF LEGENDS, but as a passionate vocalist, he jumped at the chance to front TESSERACT.

Commented Elliot: "I'm very much excited to be a part of the juggernaut that is TESSERACT. I know I have big shoes to fill, as Dan is a fantastic vocalist, but I'm confident that we'll be producing some great new music in the coming year and I'll be adding some new flavors
to this ever-evolving machine."

Tompkins left TESSERACT in July due to other life priorities. He explained in a statement,
"This has been the most difficult decision I have had to make in my
career as a singer. My priorities in life have changed and as such I can no longer continue with the band. Our friendships are strong and I wish to thank Acle, Mos, Jay and James for all
their support and dedication over the past few years. We have achieved
great things, travelled the world and met many incredible people and I
stand proud to say that I have been a part of the band's success and
helped to carve a wonderful album. I will hold onto these memories for
the rest of my life. It has been an incredible journey and it is
certainly not the end for myself or TESSERACT. I look forward to new beginnings and wish my good friends all the very best for the future."

Added Amos: "You know, when you travel so far and spend so much time together, as
well as achieving as much as we have over the past three years, you
become like family. And it is precisely because of that close bond that
we fully understand and respect Dan's choice to no longer be a part of TESSERACT. We are and will always be close friends, and hope there will be a time
in the future when we will work together again. Thank you, buddy, for
being part of the TESSERACT journey; we will always have fond memories of the Dan Tompkins years!"

Approaching the lineup adjustment as a progression rather than a setback, TESSERACT is already hard at work writing the follow-up to the critically acclaimed album "One" with Elliot.

TESSERACT will headline the "Lowering The Tone" European tour in September and October before heading to the U.S. for the "Saints And Sinners" trek in November and December with ANIMALS AS LEADERS and BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME.

NIGHTWISH's 'Imaginarium' To Arrive Before End Of The Year

2011-08-23T21:35:00.000-04:00

"Imaginarium", the long-awaited new album from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, will be released before the end of the year via Nuclear Blast Records in Europe and Roadrunner Records in North America. A movie of the same name is currently in production and is expected to arrive in 2012.

More information about the "Imaginarium" album, including the CD's complete track listing and details of the first single, will be made available in the coming weeks.

"Imaginarium" is one of the projects which recently received grants from the Finnish government institution called the Finnish Film Foundation. The movie, directed by Stobe Harju, about an old man on his deathbed who glimpses a childhood dream in which he refuses to grow old, and fights aging with his imagination, will get $575,000 toward its $3.7 million budget.

The Finnish Film Foundation grants support for professional Finnish film production. The Foundation's goal is to promote high-quality, versatile and unique Finnish film. The support can be granted for feature-length, short and episodic fiction, documentary, animation and children's films.

The production support is granted for the writing of a film script, development of a film project, the actual production of a film and for the marketing and distribution of the film in Finland. The Foundation also grants post-release support on the basis of a film's total attendance.

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginarium" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

ARCH/MATHEOS Confirmed For Germany's KEEP IT TRUE XV Festival

2011-08-23T21:32:00.000-04:00

ARCH/MATHEOS — the new progressive rock band featuring FATES WARNING/OSI guitarist Jim Matheos and former FATES WARNING singer John Arch — has been confirmed for the Keep It True XV festival, set to take place April 27-28, 2012 ay Tauberfrankenhalle in
Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. The group's setlist will include early FATES WARNING material performed live for the first time in Europe with Arch on vocals.

ARCH/MATHEOS' lineup for the Keep It True XV festival will be as follows:

John Arch (vocals)
Jim Matheos (guitar)
Frank Aresti (guitar)
Joey Vera (bass)
Bobby Jarzombek (drums)

Keep It True XV festival final billing:

* ARCH/MATHEOS (USA)
* PSYCHOTIC WALTZ (USA)
* ANVIL (CAN)
* NWOBHM ANNIVERSARY SHOW PART II (feat. ROXXCALIBUR and lots of original vocalists)
* SWORD (CAN)
* SLOUGH FEG (USA)
* TYTAN (UK)
* OZ (FIN/SWE)
* TENSION (USA)
* MYSTIC FORCE (USA)
* ADRAMELCH (ITA)
* OSTROGOTH (BEL)
* WITCH CROSS (DEN)
* MYSTIK (USA)
* SENTINEL BEAST (USA)
* PORTRAIT (SWE)
* FUELED BY FIRE (USA)
* DARK WIZARD (HOL)
* SAVAGE BLADE (CAN)
* VOLTURE (USA)

ARCH/MATHEOS's full-length debut, "Sympathetic Resonance", will be made available on September 13 via Metal Blade Records. The cover art for the CD was fashioned using an image created by light painting photographer Dennis Calvert, who has described light painting as "the ability to see in four
dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light."

DREAM THEATER: 'Live At Budokan' To Receive Blu-Ray Release

2011-08-23T21:03:00.000-04:00

Eagle Rock has set an October 18 release date for the Blu-ray edition of DREAM THEATER's 2004 concert video "Live At Budokan".

"Live At Budokan" presents DREAM THEATER's entire three-hour performance at Tokyo's famed Budokan arena on April 26, 2004, along with a bonus disc rich in supplementary material. Disc 1 finds the metallic progressive-rock quintet at its awe-inspiring best, plowing through its catalog of dramatic epics and jack-hammer instrumentals, including five of the seven songs from 2003's "Train of Thought". Disc 2 features an extended drum solo from percussionist extraordinaire Mike Portnoy; gear tours from guitarist John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess (fascinating for lay people and downright revelatory for musicians); and a half-hour documentary on DREAM THEATER's 2004 stint in Japan punctuated by tantalizing snippets of band rehearsals. The shooting and editing for the concert are a music lover's dream, with lengthy shots that linger on the performances of individual band members. Disc 2 takes this even further with a multi-angle sequence of the 12-minute "Instrumedley".

"Live At Budokan" track listing:

The entire Budokan concert:

01. As I Am
02. This Dying Soul
03. Beyond This Life
04. Hollow Years
05. War Inside My Head
06. The Test That Stumped Them All
07. Endless Sacrifice
08. Instrumedley
09. Trial of Tears
10. New Millennium
11. Keyboard Solo
12. Only a Matter of Time
13. Goodnight Kiss
14. Solitary Shell
15. Stream of Consciousness
16. Disappear
17. Pull Me Under
18. In the Name of God

Documentary and extra features:

* "Riding The Train Of Thought": Japanese Tour Documentary
* John Petrucci "Guitar World"
* Jordan Rudess "Keyboard World"
* Mike Portnoy Drum Solo
* "The Dream Theater Chronicles": 2004 Tour Opening Video
* "Instrumedley" Multiangle Bonus

NIGHTWISH Signs New Deal With NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS

2011-08-23T20:57:00.000-04:00

Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH have inked a new European deal with Nuclear Blast Records. The band's new album, "Imaginarium", will be released in December. The U.S. version of the CD will be made available through Roadrunner Records.

Commented NIGHTWISH keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen: "We are very happy to continue working with the Nuclear Blast family! Our collaboration started on a friendship basis and continues to do so.

"I was utterly happy and relieved to see they truly understood what 'Imaginarium' is all about, and we seem to share similar profound enthusiasm towards it. I feel privileged working with such people who, despite the infinite maze of business they must handle properly, still have a huge heart for
music itself. " Added Andy Siry, head of A&R and label manager of Nuclear Blast: "We are very happy that NIGHTWISH and Nuclear Blast Records can continue as a team.

"NIGHTWISH became the biggest success of our label and everyone in the band, their management and crew also became trustful and close friends. For us, it is a pleasure to work with such highly gifted musicians and a genius like Tuomas Holopainen, as a songwriter and composer. We also thank King Foo Entertainment [NIGHTWISH's management company] for their belief and the great relationship between all of us.

"We are looking forward to the next releases with the band, starting with the upcoming masterpiece, 'Imaginarium', which is another big step for this visionary band, which is simply outstanding and brilliant."

NIGHTWISH recently spent time not only putting finishing touches to its new album, "Imaginarium", but also planning a movie of the same name. If all goes well, the film will arrive at some point in 2012.

NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginarium" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.

Pictured below (left to right): Michael Langbein (Nuclear Blast), Toni Peiju (King Foo), Markus Klumpp (Nuclear Blast), Yorck Eysel (Nuclear Blast), Patrick Walch (Nuclear Blast), Andy Siry (Nuclear Blast), Ewo Pohjola (King Foo), Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH), Markus Wosgien (Nuclear Blast), Uwe Dannenmann (Nuclear Blast), Holger Tiefenbach (Nuclear Blast), Tobias Pfletschinger (Nuclear Blast)

OPETH: World-Exclusive Live Album To Be Made Available With Germany's ROCK HARD Magazine

2011-08-12T11:43:00.001-04:00

The September 2011 issue of Germany's Rock Hard magazine will include a big cover story and world-exclusive live CD by Swedish progressive metallers OPETH that won't be available at record stores. "The Devil's Orchard - Live At Rock Hard Festival" is a five-song, 50-minute effort which is described as "an outstanding
recording made in 2009" when the band stunned the audience with an
awesome performance in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The CD will also include "The Devil's Orchard", the first single from OPETH's long-awaited new studio album, "Heritage".

Commented Rock Hard publisher Holger Stratmann: "OPETH are among the most important contemporary metal bands — and after that
extensive U.S. tour, they were really able to strut their stuff. That
was certainly one of the best performances ever in the history of our
festival."

"The Devil's Orchard - Live At Rock Hard Festival" track listing:

01. Heir Apparent
02. Ghost Of Perdition
03. The Leper Affinity
04. Hessian Peel
05. Deliverance

Snippets from the CD can be heard in the YouTube clip below.

The September 2011 issue of Rock Hard will be available at newsstands in Germany on August 24. You can order a copy directly from the publishing company by writing to
versand@rockhard.de.

"Heritage" is scheduled for release on September 20 (one day earlier internationally) via Roadrunner Records. The CD was produced by OPETH mainman Mikael Åkerfeldt and was recorded earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm. Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt. Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.

"Heritage" will be released in several configurations that will certainly incite the interest of OPETH's legion of fans, known for their passion for collecting and
collectibles. The album will be released as a standard version; as a
special edition loaded with extras; as a box set exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP.
SOURCE: RNR

DREAM THEATER Keyboardist Says Fans Welcomed New Drummer 'With Open Arms'

2011-08-11T21:25:00.000-04:00

Keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has issued the following update:

"This summer of touring was a highlight of my 13 years with [DREAM THEATER]. Still buzzing from the great hangs on the tour bus, memorable backstage group practice sessions, lots of laughs and a unity onstage that was
apparent to all who came to our shows. Fans welcomed [new drummer Mike Mangini] with open arms and the audiences were ecstatic. Can’t wait to share this new level of [DREAM THEATER] with the rest of the world!"

DREAM THEATER's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", will be released on September 13 via Roadrunner Records.

The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition exclusive pre-order box set includes the following:

* "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album
* Instrumentals of the entire album
* DVD of "The Spirit Carries On" – a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer auditions
* Double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket)
* DREAM THEATER branded custom turntable slipmat
* Litho Print of album cover
* 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life" (randomly inserted)
* All content housed in a custom box
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release

CD1

01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface

CD 2

01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)

SOURCE RNR

MAN ON FIRE Release 4th CD, CHRYSALIS, on 10T Records

2011-08-10T00:42:00.001-04:00

MAN ON FIRE Release 4th CD, CHRYSALIS, on 10T Records

Charleston, SC – August 1, 2011 (10T Records) - 10T Records is excited to announce the pending release of the newest full length CD by MAN ON FIRE, entitled Chrysalis, on September 20, 2011, with an official street date of October 18, 2011. Chrysalis marks the triumphant return of Man on Fire after a 6-year period following the release of their critically acclaimed concept CD, Habitat, which still stands as 10T’s biggest selling release to date.

Chrysalis songwriter & producer Jeff Hodges and lyricist Steve Carroll stayed quite busy during the hiatus, putting their collective efforts into the successful launch of 10T Records in late 2005. 10T has since grown into one of the leading progressive rock labels in the US. Additionally, Jeff launched Charleston Sound (www.charlestonsound.com) in 2009, which has quickly become one of the most in-demand commercial recording studios in the Southeast US. Hodges himself has also seen his skills as a producer expand, working with many independent and progressive acts such as From.UZ and Farpoint, to more established artists such as Band Of Horses, Gov’t Mule, Grace Potter, The Indigo Girls, and a host of others.

Chrysalis sees Man on Fire significantly stretching their sound, which has always been described as refreshingly free of obvious influences. For Chrysalis the band has expanded to a six-piece group. In addition to founding member Eric Sands, once again providing his signature and distinctive elastic fretless bass and dynamic guitar work, and vocalist keyboardist Jeff Hodges on grand piano, vintage organs, synths and samples, the new Man on Fire lineup features the soulful voice of Elise Testone on co-lead and backing vocals, percussion phenom Quentin Ravenel on drums, internationally renown trumpeter Cameron Harder Handel, and classically trained virtuoso violinist Jenny Hough. Together they create a sound that is more natural, yet ornate, organic and darkly cinematic than previous Man on Fire releases.

"Making this record with the caliber of musicians in the band has been a blast," says Jeff. "We worked hard through the entire creation, recording, and mixing stages to present all the instruments and tones in the most musical and pristine aural quality for the listener. In the end I think the emotion and feeling of the songs are able to shine through more powerfully because the listener can immerse him or herself more into the composition."

Chrysalis by Man on Fire is available for immediate pre-order through the 10T Records website. All orders received between now and the direct release sale date of September 20th will ship by the end of the week prior to the release.

Additionally, all tracks from Chrysalis are now available to preview in their entirety on the Man on Fire artist page at 10T Records:

http://10trecords.com/artists/genres/progressive-experimental/man-on-fire/discography/

After October 18th, Chrysalis will be available at your favorite online, digital download, or retail outlet.

http://www.10trecords.com/

CIRCA: Featuring Former YES Members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood Release New CD 'And So On'

2011-08-10T00:35:00.003-04:00

8/1/2011 – Los Angeles, CA - Prog fans across the globe are buzzing with excitement about the new CD release by CIRCA: featuring former YES members Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood. 'And So On' is the 4th release from the innovative progressive rock ensemble and currently available at the band's official website www.circahq.com Along with veteran YES rockers Tony Kaye (keyboards) and Billy Sherwood (guitar, vocals), CIRCA: features Johnny Bruhns on guitar and Ronnie Ciago on drums. “Although the album was not written as a concept record, the songs are somehow tied together and are all symbiotic,” Billy Sherwood explains, “it's really just an evolution of CIRCA: music. This is our 3rd Studio release.”

The band was formed in 2007 by Tony Kaye and Billy Sherwood. The debut self-titled CD, 'CIRCA:', also featured YES drummer Alan White and Jimmy Haun on guitar, with guest appearances by Michael Sherwood and Cole Coleman. The album includes two tracks based on material Billy Sherwood co-wrote with Trevor Rabin in 1995. A two-track download-only EP was previously available for a short period in the United States. The band's debut live show was on August 23, 2007 in San Juan Capistrano, with a set that included an extended instrumental medley of Yes tunes. A DVD of this show was released as 'CIRCA: Live' in February 2008. A few North American dates followed in early 2008, with Jay Schellen, a previous collaborator of Sherwood's and Kaye's, filling in for White on one date.

In July 2008, Jay Schellen permanently replaced Alan White, who chose to focus on his work in Yes. The new line-up recorded an album 'CIRCA: HQ' in the latter half of 2008, and was released on January 14, 2009. Early 2011 saw a band change, with guitarist Johnny Bruhns replacing Jimmy Haun and Ronnie Ciago replacing Jay Schellen, who wanted to focus on work with Asia Featuring John Payne. CIRCA's next release 'Overflow' is a collection of extra bonus material from the first and second recording sessions, available only as a digital download via iTunes. And now in 2011, after years of anticipation from fans of the band around the world, the new CIRCA: CD 'And So On' is available! In support of the new CD release, plans to tour are in the works.

“There are plans to get out there and do shows,” says Billy, “we are heading to Mexico to play Mexicali and Ensenada in September and some Southern California dates to follow... it's early going but we are working hard to get the band on the road.” Stay tuned via CIRCA's official website for any updates regarding live shows.

“CIRCA: would like to thanks all the fans who have followed us from the start, along the way... and now into the future!”

Please visit the online store at www.circahq.com and for Billy Sherwood solo works visit www.billysherwood.com where his forthcoming 5th solo CD titled 'What Was The Question?' is due out August of 2011.

http://www.facebook.com/circahq
http://www.circahq.com/CircaStore/