Author: bradbirzer

By day, I'm a father of seven and husband of one. By night, I'm an author, a biographer, and a prog rocker. Interests: Rush, progressive rock, cultural criticisms, the Rocky Mountains, individual liberty, history, hiking, and science fiction.

Insideout Music News: Big Elf

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Just received some fine news from Insideout Music.

Prog metal wizards BIGELF have been through tough times during the past years including the tragic death of former guitarist A.H.M. Butler-Jones resulting in a “spontaneous hiatus” in 2011 as mastermind Damon Fox calls it.

Marking the BIGELF debut of drum god Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater) the Californian band’s fourth album “Into The Maelstrom” is also the first for new label home InsideOutMusic and takes their melodic prog-doom to new heights profiting from an inspired and reinvigorated Fox: ” Making the record has been a certain kind of journey. A few years ago I had to completely let go of BIGELF, which was painful but it came back with force and vision. As such, the music began to shape from a different perspective and I have been able to see an alternative way of accomplishing my goals. To me, ‘Into The Maelstrom’ is a genesis, a bridge between the band and a larger audience. Strap yourselves in ladies and gentlemen, you’re in for a wild ride.”

The band just released a first track, „Control Freak”, in form of a lyric video. Check it out below in the media section. ‘Into The Maelstrom’ will be available on a limited 2CD digipak which includes exclusive re-mixes & demo versions, as well as a gatefold 2LP vinyl edition which includes the full album on CD. The full track-listing is as follows:

1. Incredible Time Machine
2. Hypersleep
3. Already Gone
4. Alien Frequency
5. The Professor & The Madman
6. Mr. Harry McQuhae
7. Vertigod
8. Control Freak
9. High
10. Edge of Oblivion
11. Theater of Dreams
12. ITM
I. Destination Unknown
II. Harbinger Of Death
III. Memories

bigelf_header

Fire Garden: Prelude

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
The Ep, "Prelude," by Fire Garden.
The Ep, “Prelude,” by Fire Garden.

On one of the social media networks (the social medium?), I’ve had the pleasure to get to know Zee Baig.  As we all know, there exist no dullards in the prog community–neither in the fan base nor on the artist side.  Dullards and prog simply don’t mix.  We might be overthetop, or cynical, or demanding and particular, but we’re NEVER dull.  Zee is not only not a dullard, he’s one of those guys who immediately makes me smile and note proudly, “Yes, I’m a progger–just like that guy over there [me, pointing at Zee].”  Not only is Zee the master craftsman behind this Chicago-prog metal band, but he’s also an excellent photographer.  And, from what I know, just a really good all-around, interesting guy.  Listening to his band’s EP, “The Prelude,” my liking of him grows only stronger.

I should state that Fire Garden’s music isn’t exactly what I’d normally gravitate toward.  It’s really hard and piercing at times.  As I listen to it (and, for the record, I do love it), I keep thinking of Rush at their rocking best, Aryeon in terms of drama, The Reasoning in driving intensity, maybe a hint of Metallica in the choice and executions of the rhythm, and more than a bit of Soundgarden in the vocals.  There’s some metal growling, but it’s not over the top.  In fact, it’s rather tastefully off to the side and more in the background.

As the name of the EP suggests, “The Prelude” is an introduction to a much larger forthcoming work.  The songs here, all clocking in at around 6 – 7 minutes long, are: Time Machine, Far From Grace, and Forsaken.  Despite the rather gloomy titles, the cover art is stunningly beautiful and hopeful–a small, living green thing of life emerging from the cracks of a parched desert.  I can’t help but think of the final lines of Eliot’s Wasteland, the comfort that no matter the horrors of the present, the rains will come again and wash us clean.

Looking over Fire Garden’s website is fun and revealing as well.  Zee lists his favorite albums of 2013:

  • Steven Wilson – The Raven that Refused to Sing
  • Dream Theater – Dream Theater
  • The Aristocrats – Culture Clash
  • Alter Bridge – Fortress
  • Ghost – Infestissumam
  • Lifesigns – Lifesigns
  • Haken – The Mountain
  • The Winery Dogs – The Winery Dogs
  • James Labrie – Impermanent Resonance
  • Airbag – The Greatest Show on Earth

Ok, I think we at progarchy can accept this list!  Zee might just very well be one of us.

If you’ve been looking for a new sound, a new band, a new love, I very much recommend that you check out Fire Garden.  What they’ve already done is stunning.  What is coming, I predict, is even more so.  Without reservation, I hope we in the prog community get behind these guys and promote them in every way possible.  They deserve it, and I think they’ve already earned it.

The official Fire Garden website is: http://www.firegardenmusic.com

A Feast for the Ears: Glass Hammer Trailer for ODE TO ECHO

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The fine members of Glass Hammer have just posted a five-plus minute trailer for the forthcoming album, ODE TO ECHO.  Need a break from a long day–break here!  This is amazing and amazing and then some.  Thank you, Steve and Fred and everyone else at Glass Hammer.  This will be one of the finest releases of the year, to be sure.

TUPVR #11: Modern English, AFTER THE SNOW

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment

me after the snowA 2 minute look at an English New Wave classic from 1982 (4AD).

John Bassett’s Progressive Acousticity

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
Sketch of Bassett by the lovely Anne-Catherine de Froidmont.
Sketch of Bassett by the lovely Anne-Catherine de Froidmont.

Over the past decade, John Bassett has proven himself, time and again, one of the most important artists in music today.  He can write, he can play, and he can sing.  And, he does it all while radiating integrity and talent.  I, for one, am eagerly anticipating his solo album.  I would hazard to guess I’m not alone!  From what little I’ve heard of it, I can state with certainty that the following descriptives apply: darkly romantic and lush; psychedelic; acidly folk; and hauntingly prog.

For more information, go here: http://johnbassettmusic.wix.com/johnbassett 

jkbb

LUCIDity and Matt Stevens

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment
Photo © TheChaosEngineers. For information: info@thechaosengineers.com
Photo © TheChaosEngineers. For information: info@thechaosengineers.com

Some guy you might have heard of–a Matt Stevens, some kind of guitarist–has a new solo album coming out.  Oh, wait–we LOVE that Matt Stevens.  Congratulations, Matt!  The new album looks stunning.  Please pre-order to support Matt and his work of beauty and goodness.  It also doesn’t hurt that Matt is as kind as he is talented.

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From Matt:

I’m very pleased (and excited) to say my first solo record in 3 years and my first for Esoteric Recordings is now available to pre-order from Burning Shed.

This is what they say:

“Lucid sees Matt Stevens joined by a host of guest musicians including Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson), Lorenzo Feliciati (Naked Truth), Charlie Cawood (Knifeworld), Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and vibes player Jon Hart.

A step beyond Matt’s previous work, Lucid is an album that reflects a love of Jesu and Celtic Frost, as much as it does a passion for Mahavishnu Orchestra and King Crimson.”

Your support is very much appreciated

I think it’s also starting to appear on a few of the international sites as well, Amazon etc… If you could share this that would be lovely. We will also have a simultaneous digital release for those that like using i-tunes, amazon digital etc

https://www.burningshed.com/newsletters/newsletter_30-01-2014.html

Thanks so much to everyone who came to the recent close to sold out Fierce And The Dead gigs. I have many more solo gigs coming up and Fierce And The Dead ones. Gigs are listed here:

http://www.mattstevensguitar.com/page2.htm

Speak soon and thanks loads

Matt Stevens

 

Progression Magazine #66

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock music1 Comment
PROGRESSION #66.
PROGRESSION #66.

There are many of us at progarchy who love Jerry Ewing and PROG magazine.  Sadly, though, it’s very difficult to find issues of it in print here in the U.S.  Hastings carries it, but the issues are always two or three issues behind what our British cousins are enjoying.  PROG, of course, offers an iPad version, and it’s perfectly fine, except that it lacks the cover mount cd.  Still, nothing beats a physical copy of a magazine.

For those of us in North America who crave a tangible, physical prog rock magazine, we have one: Progression.  This is only my second issue, and I’m rather shocked I didn’t know about it before issue 65.  Better late than never, of course.  So, I’m very glad to know of it now, and I want to spread the good news to all progarchy readers.

It has far more print to it than PROG does; indeed, it packs as much print into the magazine as possible.  Issue 66 is 112 pages long, and it features a number of strong interviews and insightful, if somewhat short, reviews of current releases.  The editor, John Collinge, has done an excellent job, and he should be applauded and supported.

Each issue is $7.95, retail, and it comes out four times a year.  For more information, check out the official website:

http://progressionmagazine.com  

 

 

North American Transatlantic Friends

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If you’re a North American who has already ordered the new Transatlantic album, make sure you check your email from Neal Morse/Radiant Records.

ASAP.

Winner: Spike Worsley

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Yay, we have a winner.  Thanks to the generosity of Matt Stevens, Spike Worsley and his son will be attending the Stabbing a Dead Horse concert, February 2, 2014.  Excellent.

Great job, Spike.  The answers were:

  • The name of the third track of the first solo album of Matt Stevens: “Drama in the Coals”
  • The year Knifeworld was founded: 2009
  • Who built the Trojan Horse in the ancient world: The Greeks

Again, great job, Spike.  I hope you and your son have a blast at the concert.

Win 2 Tickets to STABBING A DEAD HORSE (Feb. 2, 2014)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock musicLeave a comment

Progarchy is happy to host our very first contest EVER, courtesy of the Mighty Matt Stevens, Anglo-Saxon demigod of guitar and all things guitar-related.

FATD

And, the prize?–2 tickets to the SLIGHT RETURN of the “Stabbing A Dead Horse, February 2, 2014, Camden Barfly.

Featuring Knifeworld, The Fierce & The Dead and Trojan Horse.

Knifeworld: A unique London psychedelic band at the forefront of the new UK progressive movement including members of Gong, Cardiacs, Guapo and Chrome Hoof.

Fierce And The Dead: “…post-hardcore bass tone; pulsing motorik drums; chiming, interlocking guitars somewhere between Afrobeat and Robert Fripp (and) shockingly brutal bursts of math-metal” Rock-A-Rolla Magazine

Trojan Horse: “THE FUTURE OF PROG WITH NOT A CAPE OR MELLOTRON IN SIGHT”

For more information regarding the tour: http://louderthanwar.com/ or http://mamacolive.com/thebarfly/listings/upcoming-events/9373/stabbing-a-dead-horse-slight-return-tour-feat-knifeworld-the-fierce-the-dead-trojan-horse/

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The rules (obviously, only for those who live within a reasonable distance of the venue; all Progarchists excluded):

Be the first to email  progarchy@gmail.com with the correct answer to the following three questions:

 

1) What is the name of the third track of the first solo album from Matt Stevens?

2) In what year did Knifeworld form?

3) Who actually built the Trojan Horse in the ancient world?

 

Good luck!