Tag: Mascot

With Apologies to Arjen!

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

Yesterday, I posted an editorial about 2018 being a moment of prog “selah”–as we all take a collective breath.  If anything, 2018 thus far has been defined not by its studio albums, but by its live albums.  I listed three: Glass Hammer’s Mostly Live in Italy; Marillion’s All One Tonight, and Big Big Train’s Merchants of Light.  Very stupidly–and quite by oversight–I forgot to mention a critical fourth live release, Ayreon Universe.

Here’s my review of Ayreon Universe: https://progarchy.com/2018/07/01/ayreon-opera-prog-totally-and-utterly-over-the-top/

With all of my apologies, Arjen!  As I noted in the previous review, you are THE MASTER!

Mascot’s Massive Independence Day Sale

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock3 Comments
MASSIVE CLEAROUT SALE!
Our tiny storage room has to make way for some upcoming new albums, so we decided to cut prices in half on some items.

That’s right, folks. FIFTY PERCENT discount on vinyl, CDs, blu-rays and DVDs from Flying Colors, Robert Cray, Robben Ford, Big Jesus, Black Sites, Teramaze, Meshiaak, Guilt Machine, Matt Schofield, and even some Europe-only albums by Crippled Black Phoenix and De Staat!

There are some real gems in the sale, like signed Robben Ford vinyl or the limited edition Flying Colors Live In Europe vinyl box set or the Ayreon zip hoodie.

Click on the giant red button or your favorite item, and start shopping !
SEE ALL 4TH OF JULY SALE ITEMS
APPAREL : UP TO 75% OFF!

Flying Colors Ayreon Ayreon Matt Schofield
Live In Europe shirt The Source shirt The Source zip hoodie British Blues Explosion Live
$ 5.00 (last ones!) $ 20.00  $ 10.00 $ 50.00  $ 25.00 $ 20.00  $ 5.00
Sizes M-XXL Size XL only Sizes M / L / XXL Sizes S / M / L
CD AND VINYL : 50% OFF ON SELECTED TITLES

Robben Ford Robert Cray Crippled Black Phoenix Flying Colors
A Day In Nashville In My Soul White Light Generator Live In Europe
CD: $ 4.99 CD: $ 4.99 CD: $ 4.99 Triple Vinyl: $ 15.00
SIGNED VINYL: $ 9.99 Vinyl: $ 9.99 2LP + 7″: $ 9.99
Flying Colors Big Jesus Matt Schofield Robert Cray
Second Nature Oneiric As Far As I Can See 4 Nights of 40 Years Live
CD: $ 4.99 CD: $ 4.99 Double Vinyl : $ 9.99 Bluray + 2CD : $ 8.49
Double Vinyl: $ 11.49 Vinyl: $ 9.99 2CD + DVD: $ 8.49
Double Vinyl: $ 11.49
Meshiaak Teramaze The Jelly Jam Flying Colors
Alliance of Thieves Her Halo Profit Live In Europe
CD: $ 4.99 CD: $ 6.49 CD: $ 4.99 Bluray: $ 4.99
Vinyl: $ 9.99 Double Vinyl: $ 9.99 Vinyl: $ 9.99 DVD: $ 4.99
2CD: $ 4.99
SEE ALL 4TH OF JULY SALE ITEMS
The fine print
  • The US store only ships within the USA, and to Canada. We don’t accept orders from addresses outside North America.
  • Prices are valid on the MLG US store only, from July 2, 2018 to July 9, 2018.
  • Stock is limited. If you can’t select a certain item, that means it’s sold out.

Ayreon, Opera, Prog: Totally and Utterly Over the Top.

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment
ayreon cover
Masterful.

Ayreon Universe: The Best of Ayreon Live (Mascot, 2018).  In various forms-including CD, DVD, and/or Blu-Ray. Whichever version you purchase, you’ll get 30 tracks.

The stage is massive. The number of musicians is massive. The visuals are massive.  The sound is massive.  Some might even state—without exaggeration—that this whole thing is over the top.  But, then, what do you expect?  It’s part opera, which is always over the top.  It’s part prog, which is always over the top.  How could prog opera not be doubly over the top?

Then, of course, it’s all written by Arjen Anthony Lucassen, who is always over the top.  Now, it must be at least triply over the top, right?

No, you’d be wrong.

Continue reading “Ayreon, Opera, Prog: Totally and Utterly Over the Top.” →

Black Stone Cherry (Mascot)

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

It was my ubercool English friend, Steve Dalton of the Black Vines, who originally introduced me to Black Stone Cherry–a band that makes me realize that rock is not only not dead, but it’s breathing like mad!  And, I’m quite partial to Mascot, too!
Exclusive ‘Kentucky’ CD+DVD with alternate cover
Available from the MLG US store!

We got a hold on the last few copies of the limited edition CD+DVD of Black Stone Cherry’s 2016 album “Kentucky”. This version, with an alternate rusty brown cover, was previously only available at Best Buy stores.

It can be yours for the incredible low price of $9.99 (plus shipping). We have BSC’s other Mascot Records albums in stock as well, so why not treat yourself to a truckload of Black Stone Cherry!
Kentucky (CD/DVD) – Alternate cover

$9.99
Buy Now
Family Tree

Available on CD and vinyl
Buy Now
Black To Blues EP

Available on CD and vinyl
Buy Now
Copyright © 2018 Mascot Label Group, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, or through a free song or album download or you purchased an item from our shop.

Our mailing address is:

Mascot Label Group

PO Box 231

Berkel, 2650AE

Netherlands

Second Spring #5: “One Small Step” by Ayreon

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
lego ayreon
Lego Ayreon

As much as I love all things Arjen Lucassen, nothing of his has hit me quite as hard as Universal Migrator Part I.  I’m sure it has to do with the fact, in large part, that Ayreon takes the overall story of the blind minstrel from Arthur’s court from high fantasy to high science fiction with this album.  It serves as a wonderful transitional album, essentially moving Lucassen as well as us from Ayreon 1.0 to Ayreon 2.0.

(For what it’s worth, I think we’re living in Ayreon 4.0, but that’s a post for a different time.)

Continue reading “Second Spring #5: “One Small Step” by Ayreon” →

Ayreon Universe Now Available

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock1 Comment

This, today, from the master of prog opera, Arjen Lucassen.

I also want to take this moment (and opportunity) to thank as publicly as possible, Jon Bleicher of the U.S. office of Mascot, for being so gracious and generous.

ayreon-universe-740x385

Dear Ayreonauts and other prog-loving people,

It’s finally here! 6 months after Ayreon Universe was performed in the 013 venue in Tilburg, the Netherlands, the show is available on CD, vinyl, bluray, DVD and digital (more on that later).

ITEMS AND FEATURES
Here’s a list of all the items:

  • Earbook – 2CD/2DVD/Blu-ray (album + full show + bonus material on DVD and blu-ray)
  • Blu-ray
  • 2DVD
  • 2CD
  • Triple Black Vinyl

The DVD and blu-ray will have an extensive making of documentary, including interviews with the entire cast, and highlights from the try-out show performed a few weeks earlier.

The triple vinyl is currently out of stock in our European store, so get out the door and pick it up at your local record store instead. A repress has been scheduled, but it could take some time before we have it back in stock.

SIGNED BY ARJEN
We still have a few signed items in stock, but it’s subject to availability.

MERCH
A few Ayreon Universe merch items are still available in the EU store, like the worker shirt and some longsleeves (very handy for the upcoming summer!). An inventory of other items is in the works, and we’ll add them back to the store in the coming weeks.

DIGITAL
Many people asked if the Ayreon Universe show is available digitally, because they don’t own a DVD- or Blu-ray player. We’ve looked into it, and found a way! Visit https://vimeo.com/ondemand/ayreonuniverse to rent or buy Ayreon Universe digitally.

All the best,
The Ayreon Team

THE SOURCE Understandably Delayed in North America

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment

This from Mascot and Arjen–for which I say, no worries!  Eager for the final product when it arrives.

ed81c31d-3dd9-4133-a357-115dea3b416c

Dear Ayreonauts,

Here’s some important news about your Ayreon-The Source pre-order.

There is a delay in processing the orders from US and Canadian addresses. A few weeks ago, Arjen visited the Mascot warehouse in the Netherlands to sign thousands and thousands of Earbooks, vinyl, CDs, and what-have-you. After that, everything had to be shipped to our new fulfillment center in Albany, NY. Usually we process mailorder from our cozy New York office, but Ayreon is such a big project, there’s simply no room for that… 🙂

The shipment took a very long time to be processed by US customs, longer than usual. This delay is beyond our control, but we apologize for it anyway.

Everything has now been processed by US customs, and is now on its way to the MerchNow fulfillment center, where all your orders will be packed and sent out. Our order system is not linked to them, so you will receive 2 shipping notifications: One from MerchNow, one from MLG.

Of course, all these delays mean that you will not receive The Source on the release day, April 28. We are very sorry about this, but the logistics around this album ran into a few more bumps than expected. We really, really, really appreciate your support for Ayreon, and we thank you for your patience while you wait for your Source-goodies to arrive.

Until MerchNow has processed your order, we are not able to give you a status update. Please don’t ask us where your order is, or if it has been shipped. We simply have to wait until MerchNow gets back to us with an update. It’s also not possible anymore to update your order, t-shirt size or address.

Again, our sincere apologies for the delay. We hope you like… No, you WILL like The Source!

Kind regards,
The friendly folks of the MLG Webstore

THE SOURCE: Ayreon’s Deeply Moving 9th Album

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rock2 Comments

A review of Ayreon, THE SOURCE (Mascot, 2017).  Summation: Arjen Lucassen climbs ever higher in the prog pantheon.

ed81c31d-3dd9-4133-a357-115dea3b416c

On April 28, 2017, Arjen Lucassen releases the ninth studio album of his progressive rock space opera project, Ayreon.  Entitled THE SOURCE, Lucassen’s latest–to no one’s surprise–throws everything the great man possesses into it.  From heavy guitar riffs to Queen-inspired vocal melodies to Celtic folk, the album comes in at over 88 minutes long.  Quite an amazing feat, even for Arjen Anthony Lucassen.

After all, what can’t the man do?

If I tried to pretend objectivity, I’d be readily and truly accused of dishonesty.  Since I first listened to Ayreon–well over a decade ago–I was quite taken with it.  Since then, I have collected every thing that Lucassen has done–from Star One to Guilt Machine to The Gentle Storm to Ambeon to Stream of Passion to his solo work.

Continue reading “THE SOURCE: Ayreon’s Deeply Moving 9th Album” →

Ayreon THE SOURCE Earbooks Available for Preorder

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
Dear Ayreonauts,

Good news! After your many requests for more limited edition Earbooks, I begged the record company to print more because they sold out really fast. After my endless nagging they decided to print more! So here’s your chance to get one after all 🙂

As always, I’ll sign every copy that is sold through the MLG webstore. They will be shipping from May 12.

Arjen
To order, click here.

New Ayreon Information

On By bradbirzerIn progressive rockLeave a comment
ayreon-source-back-cover
Courtesy of Mascot.

This came this morning from Mascot Records:

Hello Ayreonauts and other prog-lovers!

As many of you requested, here is the track list for the new Ayreon album The Source! Oh, and prepare for a BIG update this Thursday 🙂

Chronicle 1: The ‘Frame
1. The Day That The World Breaks Down
2. Sea Of Machines
3. Everybody Dies

Chronicle 2: The Aligning Of The Ten
4. Star Of Sirrah
5. All That Was
6. Run! Apocalypse! Run!
7. Condemned To Live

Chronicle 3: The Transmigration
8. Aquatic Race
9. The Dream Dissolves
10. Deathcry Of A Race
11. Into The Ocean

Chronicle 4: The Rebirth
12. Bay Of Dreams
13. Planet Y Is Alive!
14. The Source Will Flow
15. Journey To Forever
16. The Human Compulsion
17. March Of The Machines