Rounding Up Some Live Ones

On By Thaddeus WertIn progressive rock5 Comments

Several bands have recently released some nice live albums. In no particular order, here are a few of the most notable:

Pineapple Thief: Where We Stood

 

Wow, when I first heard this, I wondered who or what lit a fire under this group’s collective backside. After watching the excellent film that accompanies this recording, I have to say it’s having Gavin Harrison behind the drum kit. As good as Pineapple Thief’s 2016 album Your Wilderness is, I think the versions from this show are better: tight, energetic, and riskier. And if you ever wondered where Bruce Soord came up with the band’s name, now you can find out. By the way, every song from Your Wilderness is performed here, except for “Where We Stood”. Go figure.

Spock’s Beard: Snow Live

A lot of us fans of the classic Spock’s Beard lineup never thought we would see them reunite, let alone perform the double-album masterpiece, Snow. Well, Neal Morse managed to get all the Beardsters – past and current – together at his 2016 MorseFest, and they delivered a tremendous performance of Snow in its entirety. I’m probably biased (because I was there), but it is quite an emotional experience.

Yes: Topographic Drama Live Across America

I approached this set with trepidation – it is the first recordings of Yes without the late Chris Squire participating. However, as I got into the music, I was very pleasantly surprised. Jon Davison does an excellent job on vocals and acoustic guitar, while Billy Sherwood fills Squire’s huge shoes. Steve Howe is still full of fire, and Geoff Downes is uniformly excellent on keyboards. They perform all of Drama (one of my favorite Yes albums), as well as “The Revealing Science of God” and “Ritual” from Topographic Oceans. Add in “And You and I”, “Heart of the Sunrise”, “Leaves of Green”, “Roundabout”, and “Starship Trooper”, and you have a set to satisfy any Yes lover. It definitely helps that Jay Schellen was able to play drums and assist Alan White. God bless him, but Alan’s timekeeping has gotten a little shaky over past few years. That said, this is a surprisingly strong set of performances from Yes.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO: Wembley or Bust

Holy cow, this is a fun concert to watch! I wish I’d been there in June of this year when Jeff Lynne, supported by a crack band, played songs from every phase of his career, including The Traveling Wilburys. The love for Jeff from the huge crowd is evident, and he delivers an outstanding performance. I had forgotten just how many popular (and beautiful) songs he’s written. Takes me back to my high school days when ELO’s music was inescapable on the radio. How far we have fallen…. Anyway, this show had me grinning from ear to ear from start to finish.

 

Merry Christmas from Big Big Train

On By Thaddeus WertIn progressive rockLeave a comment

If this doesn’t get you in the spirit, then nothing will:

Fractal Mirror #4

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

I’m thrilled by this news.  The first three albums were extraordinary, and I’m sure #4 will live up to expectations.  And, to make it all even better, FRACTAL MIRROR is now a part of the Bad Elephant Music family.  In addition to Kscope and Karisma, who doesn’t love Bad Elephant!!!

No. 4

Bad Elephant Music is delighted to announce that internationally renowned progressive rock band Fractal Mirror is joining the family for the release of its new album, Close To Vapour, in early 2018.

For this, their fourth album, core members Leo Koperdraat and Frank L Urbaniak are joined once again by Brett Kull (of Echolyn, and producer for label-mates Valdez) and founder member Ed van Haagen guesting.

“We’re extremely pleased to join the diverse Bad Elephant Music family”, said Frank. “We are confident that together we’ll be reach a wider audience with Close to Vapour. For us this reflects a dramatic step forward in both composition and production, and we’re grateful for BEM giving us this opportunity, and for the confidence they’ve shown in us”.

David Elliott from Bad Elephant had this to say: “I’ve been a keen follower of Fractal Mirror’s music since Strange Attractors, their first album, and we’ve been talking over the last couple of years about working together. The stars finally aligned after I met Frank at RoSFest this year, and with Close To Vapourthey’ve produced their finest work yet. We’re proud to be associated with the guys, and delighted to be once again working with Brett!”

Close To Vapour will be released on CD and high quality digital download in the first quarter of 2018.

Fractal Mirror are:
Leo Koperdraat: voice, Mellotron, guitars, keyboards, recorder and programming
Frank L. Urbaniak: drums & percussion

with:
Brett Kull: guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals
Ed van Haagen: occasional keyboards

Leo and Frank formed the band in 2013 (with Ed van Haagen, pictured above), after discovering each other’s demos posted on online music forums. Both have long been involved in the progressive music scenes in their relevant home countries, The Netherlands and the United States. Frank was involved in the progressive scene during his college years in Essence, with Larry Fast, which led to Synergy and Larry’s involvement with Peter Gabriel and others.

Fractal Mirror’s music represents a multitude of progressive, pop, rock and indie influences, having drawn comparisons to David Bowie, Tears for Fears, R.E.M. Psychedelic Furs, Blackfield and No-Man. Their debut album, Strange Attractors, gained positive reviews, with follow up Garden of Ghosts, making the shortlist for a Grammy award nomination. By third album Slow Burn 1 the band had secured the talents of Brett Kull (Echolyn) as producer, and to add additional musical embellishments.

Their new album, Close to Vapour, introduces further influences from the likes of The Grays, Jellyfish, Pugwash and Beck. Lush vocal harmonies abound, with perhaps a rougher musical edge being introduced, all without losing the characteristic Fractal Mirror sound. Close To Vapour will be released by Bad Elephant Music in the first quarter of 2018.

Fractal Mirror website

Matt Stevens News

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
Matt Stevens
Hi!
Thank you to everyone who booked tickets for the Fierce And The Dead album launch show next May, only 18 tickets left then we have our first London headlining show sold out! Incredible! If you want one of the last ones it’s:

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/423353

Album pre-order info soon.

If anyone wants a weird guitar album for Christmas you can get my Lucid album for £4.99 on CD from:
Forthcoming Fierce And The Dead shows:
Thursday 15 March 2018 w/Stick Men Robin 2
Saturday 16 June 2018 Sonic Rock Solstice Festival Senser, Evil Blizzard, Astralasia,
Cheers for your support
Thanks
Matt Stevens

My Best of 2017???

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments

Let me just state from the outset that I love that Chris had the gumption to post his favorites albums of the year already.  We’re not even in December, Chris!  Love it.

So, just as an experiment, I checked my player’s settings and calculated the albums I listened to the most.  While I can’t claim this to be a fair statement of what I think the best of the year was–after all, some albums, such as Glass Hammer’s UNTOLD TALES.  It’s only had a month to compete against some albums that have had 11 months.  Still, it’s a marker.

Additionally, because my player calculates the number of plays for the year total, it registers all albums in my collections, not just those that came out in 2017.  So, by the number, folks, by the numbers—the ten most played albums in the Birzer house for the last 11 months.

No. 10 most played of 2017:

Glass Hammer Untold

 

Continue reading “My Best of 2017???” →

Review: Painted Black – Raging Light

On By NickIn progressive rockLeave a comment

PB_Promo2017_3

Lisbon based progressive metal visionaries PAINTED BLACK released their second full length album, and follow up to their 2014 EP Quarto Vazio back in October via Wormhole Death. Titled Raging Light, you may need to ensure your seatbelts are fully adjusted as you are in for one hell of a journey.

Raging Light constantly keeps you guessing as it meanders through a varied assortment of quirky time signatures, hitting you at every turn with ruthless blastbeats and piercing vocals as the quintet encapsulate you in a maze of riffs. In particular, the combination of “The Raging Light” and “Dead Time” are both packed to the brim with beautifully crafted insanity and just as you feel your head is about to spin off “The Living Deceiver” is a welcome change of pace inundated with hypnotic riffs.

PB_RagingLight_Cover

Considering the progressive metal scene’s tendency to lean towards more extensive compositions for the most part PAINTED BLACK have devised very digestable tracks which keep the listener enticed and engaged. They combine the harmonious subtleties of OPETH, the atmospheric pace of KATATONIA and the bludgeoning force of DARK TRANQUILLITY to devastating effect but where they particularly shine is on the album closer “Almagest,” a 17-minute prog epic. Ironically when they begin to dial down the vicious assault they are at their most captivating with eerie whispering verses and a more methodical pace.

PAINTED BLACK are clearly an intellectual and forward thinking band, and hopefully The Raging Light will bring them recognition they deserve. This is a band to look forward to in the coming years.

The Raging Light is available from Bandcamp.

Review: Obiymy Doschu – Son

On By NickIn progressive rock2 Comments

OD

Ukrainian Progressive Rock six-piece Obiymy Doschu have just put out their new release titled “Son” (Ukrainian for ‘dream’). The first thing that is quite obvious is that the band sing in Ukrainian, and I would say that it makes the difference indeed.

As Progressive as Progressive Rock can be, long lingering guitar solos with chords that stretch past the count of an individual musical bar blends with softly played keyboards and piano, and beautiful vocals are earnest, and in top form. The music of “Son” is hauntingly beautiful, moving, strange, and cosmic. Fans of Nosound, Lunatic Soul, Gazpacho, Sylvan, No-Man and Blackfield will want to add this release to their collections.

Obiymy Doschu - Son

What an extraordinary collection of music this is. From the atmospheric symphonic intro of the opening track “Ostannya Myt’,” to the gorgeous acoustic guitars of the gentle, “Razom,” to the supernatural, eerie, dreamlike sequence of “Son,” the listener is transfixed, almost as if staring into the darkest regions of outer space. What Prog Rock is, Obiymy Doschu does it perfectly, and this release is proof. The longer this CD plays, the more real the music becomes, and it quickly becomes clear that the members of the band have some supreme talent in composing music that is moody, atmospheric, layered and intensely technical. Each track takes the listener on a voyage, of sight, sound and sensations. String and woodwind instruments, as well as choir, are used to their fullest potential to create that sound that is neo-classical, while the drumslay a steady backbeat, but a closer listen reveals syncopated rhythms.

“Son” is just downright amazing. Listen to the title track that when hearing it, one will feel as if they are suspended somewhere between a dream and reality. Close your eyes when hearing this song, and as the song fades into black, you will be left with emotions that don’t come to often when hearing music – breathless, spent, and moved. The title track in parts is soft, in others loud, at others heavy, while music that is bizarre but passionate as hell plays havoc with your sense of what is real and what is made up.

Again, this was downright marvelous. The mixing, courtesy of Bruce Soord (The Pineapple Thief), is incredible, the sound astonishing, with every note crystal clear. The vocals are audible and easily understood. The lyrics make sense (no, I don’t speak Ukrainian, but the band took care of it), and the musicianship was breathtaking. Not a bad track to be heard, no “fillers” to have to worry will come along and ruin the progression of sensations that are felt during this CD’s playing time. For lovers of the intense, the heartfelt, the reflective, and the sincere type of Progressive Rock that Obiymy Doschu plays – and plays so perfectly – this is a must have.

Visit Obiymy Doschu’s official website for more information.

Top 10 Albums of 2017 @asiageoff @NFO_official @schooltree @davekerzner @UnleashArchers @bigbigtrain @STYXtheBand @SonsOfApollo1 @HackettOfficial @StevenWilsonHQ

On By Time LordIn Top Albums of 20176 Comments

As a public service (to aid you in your early shopping efforts), here are my TOP 10 ALBUMS of 2017, with an extra two (by Big Big Train) added to the list, in order to round out the harsh edges of the traditional metric ranking system, making my list into the much friendlier imperial system’s dozen…

REVISED (January 2018): explanation here

Portnoy [ProgSphere]

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Mike Portnoy talked about being a member of so many bands at once – specifically the Neal Morse Band, Flying Colors, Transatlantic, The Winery Dogs and Sons of Apollo – explaining to Metal Wani about how he handles the whole situation: “I have to approach each of them differently because there’s so many different styles…

via MIKE PORTNOY Talks About Being in Many Bands — Prog Sphere

Toto’s “Africa” Turns 35

On By Kevin WilliamsIn progressive rock4 Comments

toto-africa

The song was great in 1982 and it’s still great in 2017.

The band is, too – fellow progheads would do well to check out their last album, “XIV.”

Jessica Furseth of Motherboard weighs in on its allure while taking a few jabs at it…no matter, read on!