Some great information from Giant Electric Pea.  Plus, Rob Aubrey is the engineer.  What else could you expect but perfection?  And, Russell Clarke has already given his full seal of approval.  Finally, a huge thank you to Peter Huth for his help.

 

IQ “The Road of Bones” (CD, Giant Electric Pia)
Release GSA: May 16th 2014
Release Europe: May 19th 2014

Info:
The tenth studio album by British progressive rock mainstay IQ shows them at their best, and with a definite edge.

Is it possible that a band, like a good wine, can continue to improve with age? Can you possibly top legendary albums such as ‘The Wake’, ‘Subterranea’ or ‘Frequency’? After just one listen to IQ´s tenth studio album the answer is a resounding Yes! Without doubt ‘The Road Of Bones’ is a unique masterpiece, fitting perfectly into the band´s impressive  body of work – whilst adding a new perspective.
IQ’s secret has always been to evolve their style while maintaining the essence of the band´s own unique brand of progressive rock: strong guitars embedded in lush keyboard melodies, a pounding yet still jazz-influenced rhythm section and the distinctive vocals and unmistakable lyrics of frontman Peter Nicholls.
On ‘The Road of Bones’ you’ll find all this and more. Take the title track for example. You may be surprised by the heavier approach of this track, beginning life as a stripped-down, almost cinematic piece until breaking into a massive wall of sound over a relentless groove – I defy you to listen to this without nodding your head.
Frontman Peter Nicholls: “Yes, the overall mood of ‘The Road of Bones’ is darker than our last album, but its not something we planned. When we come together to write there is no preconceived direction – stuff just happens.“
‘The Road of Bones’ demonstrates the free spirit of a band in complete control of their craft. From the explosive ‘From the Outside In’ to the 20-minute-epic ‘Without Walls’, all things are possible. “The advantage of being independent is that we have complete artistic freedom to do what we want, when we want. Its what allows us to be 100% IQ”, says Mike Holmes, IQ´s guitarist and musical director, who also produced the album. As with all IQ releases in the last 20 years, ‘The Road of Bones’ was recorded at Aubitt studios, with long-time engineer and live sound man Rob Aubrey.
Keyboard player Neil Durant, who joined in 2011: “Actually the process of recording with IQ was exactly as I’d imagined it – a unique mixture of concentration and creativity… and several gin and tonics in the evenings.” Bass player Tim Esau, who makes his return to the studio with the band, says: “Rejoining the band after twenty years really bought home to me what a very special atmosphere it is working with IQ…”
This atmosphere is noticeable on each and every one of the 53 minutes the journey on The Road of Bones takes. A journey that will lead the band to Portugal, Spain, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Poland and the UK to perform the album this spring and summer. Drummer Paul Cook: “Yes, the new album might sound a bit heavier than the last one, but as a drummer I appreciate that. I can´t wait to play it live.”

‘The Road of Bones’ is available as a single CD (GEPCD1046) and a special edition 2 disc package (GEPCD2046) containing over 40 minutes of extra, brand new music produced during the writing sessions.

Tracklist:
01 From The Outside In
02 The Road of Bones
03 Without Walls
04 Ocean
05 Until The End

See The Road of Bones live:
Apr-10   Sala Music Hall   Barcelona, Spain
Apr-12   Echoes Progressive Rock Festival   Lisbon, Portugal
Apr-24   Melkweg Oude Zaal   Amsterdam, Netherlands
Apr-25   Colos-Saal   Aschaffenburg, Germany
Apr-26   Spirit of ’66   Verviers, Belgium
May-03   Islington Assembly Hall   London, United Kingdom
Jul-18   Night of the Prog Festival   Loreley, Germany
Aug-30   Ino Rock Festival   Inowroclaw, Poland
Oct-11   The Met   Bury, United Kingdom
Dec-20   O2 Academy   London, United Kingdom

IQ are
Paul Cook – drums
Tim Esau – bass
Neil Durant – keyboards
Mike Holmes – guitars
Peter Nicholls – vocals

The Road of Bones
Produced by Mike Holmes
Engineered by Rob Aubrey
Artwork by Tony Lythgoe

Links:
www.iq-hq.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/IQHQLive
www.gep.co.uk