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Thursday, June 23, 2016

Luca Pancaldi to leave Barock Project

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

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

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

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


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


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

Info:


Barock Project:

Barock Project Facebook:

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

Artalia:

Synpress44 press agent:

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


 

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

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

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

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



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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


FATES WARNING Online:

Monday, June 20, 2016

HAKEN announce North America "Affinitour" dates

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

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


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

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

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

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

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


You can now order the album at these links: 




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


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



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

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

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

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




Monday, June 13, 2016

RIVERSIDE - Special 5.1 mix edition of "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" album in July

Polish prog masters RIVERSIDE are pleased to announce the release of a 5.1 mix version of their current album "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" (2015). This special edition of the band's latest, much acclaimed 6th studio album will be released worldwide via the band's longtime label partner InsideOutMusic worldwide on July 22nd, 2016 as CD+DVD Digipak with slightly modified artwork (see front cover by Travis Smith above!) with the following tracklisting:

RIVERSIDE - "Love, Fear and the Time Machine - Hi-Res Stereo and 5.1 Surround Mix"

Disc 1 / CD (60:32):
 "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" Album:
1. Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened By a Hat?)  (05:51)
2. Under the Pillow (06:47)
3. #Addicted (04:52)
4. Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire (06:56)
5. Saturate Me (07:08)
6. Afloat (03:11)
7. Discard Your Fear (06:42)
8. Towards the Blue Horizon (08:09)
9. Time Travellers (06:41)
10. Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching)  (04:03)

Dis 2 / DVD-AV (96:35);
"Love, Fear and the Time Machine" Album:
1. Lost (Why Should I Be Frightened By a Hat?)  (05:51)
2. Under the Pillow (06:47)
3. #Addicted (04:52)
4. Caterpillar and the Barbed Wire (06:56)
5. Saturate Me (07:08)
6. Afloat (03:11)
7. Discard Your Fear (06:42)
8. Towards the Blue Horizon (08:09)
9. Time Travellers (06:41)
10. Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching)   (04:03)

"Day Session":
1. Heavenland (04:59)
2. Return (06:49)
3. Aether (08:43)
4. Machines (03:53)
5. Promise (02:43)

"Video Clips":
1. Love (Trailer)  (01:38)
2. Fear (Trailer)   (01:58)
3. Time Machine (Trailer) (01:07)
4. Found (Video Clip) (04:06)

The bonus DVD is a hybrid disc (DVD-AV), which has a DVD-Audio and a DVD-Video session on the same disc. 

The DVD-A portion (audio only!) contains the main album and "Day Session" as high resolution 24bit lossless stereo versions as well as the main album as MLP lossless 24bit 5.1 surround version.
The DVD-V portion contains the main album and the "Day Session" as high resolution 24bit lossless stereo versions as well as the main album as high resolution 24bit DTS 5.1 surround version and 4 videos (The 3 album teasers and the promotional video clip for "Found").

RIVERSIDE commented as follows about the upcoming release:
"We had never been in favor of releasing our albums in 5.1 until we recorded LFTM. It's our best sounding release and we thought it would be an interesting experience to hear it in a new version. And so the thoughts have materialized, Bruce Soord has done a brilliant job and I'm fairly sure you're going to like the new sound of LFTM."

As last communicated, RIVERSIDE's founding member and guitarist Piotr Grudziński tragically and unexpectedly passed away of natural causes on February 21st, 2016.

RIVERSIDE recently issued the following comprehensive update in regards to their activities:

"In our statement we wrote that we had decided to cancel all concerts confirmed for this year and that hasn't changed, RIVERSIDE won't play any gigs this year. But we are going ahead with our other plans for 2016.

Many months ago, before Piotr died, we made a plan to release one of our albums in 5.1 in the early summer of 2016 and a compilation of our instrumental tracks in the autumn of 2016. We also have individual plans and guest appearances with other musicians. Our biography has been in the making for over two years and it will be published towards the end of this year - we just didn't expect that it would contain an additional chapter and that its character would change.

We've always been like a family, we have stuck together and always taken care of that bond both on and off the stage. We have also said many times that we have the best fans in the whole world. Our band wouldn't exist without you, without your commitment and all the emotional links that have been created between us over the years. Your reactions and support we have received from you have surpassed our most daring expectations. We'd like to thank you for that from the bottom of our hearts."

In other news, UK's Prog Magazine has announced that RIVERSIDE are nominated in two categories for this year's Progressive Music Awards. Their song "Towards the Blue Horizon" is nominated in the "Anthem" category and RIVERSIDE are nominated in the "Band/Artist Of The Year" category.
The awards are held on September 1st, 2016 and further details as well as voting options can be found here: www.progmagazine.com/awards

RIVERSIDE music samples for "Love, Fear and the Time Machine":
"Time Travellers (Single Version)" lyric video: https://youtu.be/eNigGgBIQ74
 "Found (The Unexpected Flaw of Searching)" video: https://youtu.be/nN0uSZ8xNcs
"Discard Your Fear" lyric-video: https://youtu.be/Vc4MSBVLF2c
"Love" (First album trailer): https://youtu.be/QcS2jOlL2ok
"Fear" (Second album trailer): https://youtu.be/QfCD5bq4yO0
"Time Machine" (Third album trailer): https://youtu.be/FR5R_4lHUO8

Upon release, "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" entered the sales charts in various countries with the following highest positions: Germany: # 18, The Netherlands: # 4, Poland: # 1, Switzerland: # 25, Austria: # 58, UK: # 67, France: # 98, Finland # 31, Belgian Top 200 Wallonia: # 51, Belgian Top 200 Flemish: # 73 and USA Heatseekers Charts: # 7.

Previous formats of "Love, Fear and the Time Machine" can be ordered here:


RIVERSIDE online:

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

HAKEN release 'The Endless Knot' lyric video




HAKEN are set to release their fourth full-length studio album 'Affinity', on April 29th, 2016. With just a few short weeks to go, the band are pleased to launch a lyric video for brand new track 'The Endless Knot'. 

Check it out here: https://youtu.be/IVZHNPyMhMo


The band had this to say: 
"The Endless Knot explores ideas of human survival instinct and the power of unity in the face of extinction. Musically, you could say this is new territory for us as we've taken sounds from dance and electronica music and blended them with our own brand of rock/metal. The end result hopefully gives the song a nice and upbeat, energetic feel. The visuals loosely follow the life-cycle of a star and Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight did an awesome job with the animation on this one!"


They also recently released a video for the track 'Initiate' which you can see here:



You can now digitally pre-order the album here: http://www.insideoutmusicshop.com/b/haken/

Preorder the album on iTunes or Amazon and receive this track immediately: 


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

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

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




'Affinity' will arrive as a Limited Edition Media Book (incl. bonus disc with instrumentals), 180g Gatefold 2 LP Edition (incl. album on CD), Standard CD Jewel Case, Digital Download and Deluxe Digital Download (incl. instrumental version of the album as bonus).


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

The band has also confirmed their first European tour dates, and you can find those below:
25.05.16  Bristol, The Fleece [UK]
26.05.16  London, The Garage [UK]
27.05.16  Zoetermeer, Boerderij [NL]
28.05.16  Verviers, Spirit of 66 [BE]
29.05.16  Paris, Divan du monde [FR]
30.05.16  Pratteln, Z7 [CH]
31.05.16  Lyon, Marché Gare [FR]
02.06.16  Barcelona, Razz 2 [ES]
03.06.16  Madrid, Caracol [ES]
04.06.16  Peralta, Minnuendo Festival[ES]
06.06.16  Milan, Legend Club [IT]
07.06.16  Munich, Backstage [DE]
08.06.16  Karlsruhe, Substage [DE]
09.06.16  Aschaffenburg, Colos Saal [DE]
10.06.16  Berlin, Maschinenhaus [DE]
11.06.16  Warsaw, Progresja [PL]
12.06.16  Gdynia, Klub Atlantic [PL]
14.06.16  Stockholm, Bryggarsalen [SE]
15.06.16  Oslo, John Dee [NO]
16.06.16  Copenhagen, Spillestedet Stengade [DK]
17.06.16  Hamburg, Logo [DE]
18.06.16  Cologne, Gebäude 9 [DE]
19.06.16  London, Stone Free Festival [UK]
25.06.16  Tel Aviv, Gagarin [IL]
26.06.16  Tel Aviv, Havana Club [IL]
17.07.16  Joensuu, Ilosaarirock [FI]


Look out for more information in the coming weeks.

LONG DISTANCE CALLING - launch video for 'Getaway' featuring German actor Ralf Richter









Long Distance Calling are set to release their new album 'TRIPS' on April 29th, 2016 via InsideOut Music. With just a few weeks to go, the band have launched the brilliant 80's-inspired video for the albums opening track 'Getaway', featuring German actor Ralf Richter (Das Boot, Bang Boom Bang). 

You can watch the video here: 


The band had this to say: "Ladies and Gents, here´s the brand new video clip for the song ´GETAWAY´. It was great fun to work with German actor Ralf Richter (Bang Boom Bang, Das Boot, etc), who played in a lot of cool movies which we really like and which we grew up to. We are big fans of movies from the 80ties and you might get a taste of that in the clip. The video shoot was fun and as you can see in the video, it was probably more fun for him than for us, haha. ´Getaway´ is the opening track on 'TRIPS' and we can´t wait to play it live. Tell all your friends!"
Love LDC

The band also recently launched a lyric video for 'Lines', featuring Norwegian vocalist Petter Carlsen. You can watch the video here: https://youtu.be/13KVmcUp9r0

You can pre-order the album from the InsideOut Music Shop.
and iTunes:



The album has already been receiving some great reactions, and you can find a selection of them below:

"This is a group that can swell with the range of an orchestra in terms of tone, texture and volume...How Long Distance Calling progress from here remains to be seen, but they couldn´t have asked for a better start." - PROG Magazine

"Incredible! Long Distance Calling at their very best!" - Boris Kaiser/Rock Hard

"... Long Distance Calling defy all expectations and deliver yet another masterpiece" - Metal Hammer Germany

"Germany's most exciting band transcending prog and metal!" - VISIONS

"Moving and intense! The best album of their career!" - eclipsed

"Fascinating hooks, spheric melodies and great songs - an exciting trip to the dark side of the moon" - GUITAR

Further to this, the band also recently announced the first European tour dates in support of the new album, and you can find those below:
Presented by VISIONS, ROCK HARD, GUITAR, GITARRE&BASS, ECLIPSED, AMPYA, METAL.DE
28th April - Skater's Palace, Münster, Germany
29th April - Uebel & Gefährlich, Hamburg, Germany
30th April - Mau Club, Rostock, Germany
2nd May - UT Connewitz, Leipzig, Germany
3rd May - Musik & Frieden, Berlin, Germany
4th May - Kulturkirche, Köln, Germany
5th May - Backstage Halle, München, Germany
6th May - Substage, Karlsruhe, Germany
7th May - KiFF, Aarau, Switzerland
8th May - Le Batofar, Paris, France
9th May - 013, Tilburg, Netherlands
10th May - Boston Music Room, London, UK
11th May - Exchange, Bristol, UK
12th May - Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, UK
13th May - Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes, UK

Support on all dates comes from Pil & Bue (featuring Petter Carlsen) plus Tiny Fingers (April 28th - May 6th) & Rendezvous Point (May 7th - May 13th).



LONG DISTANCE CALLING online: