Ok, so 1) I’m not a metal guy. And, 2) see no. 1.
Despite 1 and 2: Threshold’s latest, FOR THE JOURNEY, is just astounding. Simply and movingly astounding.
Brad’s mind: officially blown.
Brad’s soul: officially happy.
Brad’s cry: Ave Threshold!
Order it now. Or, even faster than now: http://media.nuclearblast.de/shoplanding/2014/Threshold/for-the-journey.html
A proper review is on its way.
A trailer for the forthcoming Threshold album, FOR THE JOURNEY.
You can order albums from the Threshold official store: http://thresh.net/store.htm
Carl and I both gives two thumbs up to anything Threshold does!
I just found out that Chicago’s master of all things Prog, Zee Baig, became an American citizen today. Getting to know Zee–even if only virtually–over the last year has been one of the great joys of editing progarchy.
His success today is the kind of thing that makes me say: good for Zee and incredibly good for America!
So, let me be blunt–let’s please help Zee celebrate by supporting his excellent band, FIRE GARDEN.
Review: Jason Rubenstein, NEW METAL FROM OLD BOXES (Tone Cluster, 2014).
So. You’ve been a progger since the 1970s, you’re musically trained, and and you’ve enjoyed a solid if now former career as a software engineer with several major companies. What do you do? You write a brilliant, stunning, majestic soundtrack to your life, especially if you live in glorious San Francisco.
I exaggerate a bit, but not much. This, essentially, is the background to music maestro Jason Rubenstein. He has just released a rather stunning album, New Metal from Old Boxes (Tone Cluster, 2014; mixed by Niko Bolas and mastered by Ron McMaster). While many Americans and other citizens of western civilization might simply desire new wine from old bottles, those of us who live in the republic of progarchy can rejoice heartily. We can have our wine and our Rubenstein!
From the first listen, I was hooked. This is a mesmerizing album best described as cinematic. While dark and brooding (just look at Rubenstein’s photo—the guy is the perfect Hollywood dark hero), the music is always playful and mischievous, never coming anywhere near the dread of dull.
Almost effortlessly, Rubenstein employs classical jazz, noir jazz, prog, metal, classical, and jazz fusion. If I had to label it, I’d called it “Cinematic metal prog.” At times, it’s downright frantic, always extravagant, but never campy or over-the-top. While this is certainly Rubenstein’s creation, he is never shy about borrowing styles from those he clearly admires. I hears lots of The Tangent, ELP, King Crimson, Cosmograf, Cailyn, Tool, Dead Can Dance, and even Wang Chung (only from their spectacular To Live and Die in LA soundtrack)
Rubenstein credits himself with keyboards, synths, samplers, computers, programming, and angry noises. In terms of sound quality, this album is perfection itself. Pardon me for employing such a Catholic term, but its production is immaculate. Even the packaging is a work of art. Like the music, it is dark, brooding, and industrial. Intricate pipes and strings, smelting of iron, nail heads (in a V’ger pattern), more strings, more pipes, and, then, rather profoundly, a GQ-Rubenstein, looking every bit the Hollywood action hero.
Admittedly, looking over my review, I’m tempted to fear that I have given the impression this is just a hodge podge of musical ideas. Please note, that nothing could be further from the truth. This is the soundtrack of your best day.
To visit Jason Rubenstein’s beautifully designed website, go here.
[The first of at least two reviews of Fire Garden, Sound of Majestic Colors (Fire Garden Music, Chicago, IL, 2014). Official Website for the band and label:
. Kevin Williams will also be reviewing the album. Frankly, I’m not qualified enough re: prog metal to review this. But, my love of the album kind of forced my hand.–BjB]
***
With no intention of being jingoistic, I’m very happy to see a nice resurgence of progressive rock in America. The English and the Scandinavians currently provide the touchstone, but I would hate to see the Americans not compete at all!
Of course, when it comes to North America, we’ve had some great prog bands and individuals in for the long haul: Rush, Glass Hammer, IZZ, Dream Theater, John Galgano, Kevin McCormick, 3RDegree, Neal Morse, Spock’s Beard, and a few others. Recently, we’ve seen the rise of Hour of the Shipwreck and Astra as well.
Now, we have Fire Garden, a new progressive rock/metal band from America’s third largest city, Chicago.
The brainchild of professional photographer Zee Baig, Fire Garden will release its first full-length album, Sound of Majestic Colors, tomorrow. This closely follows the band’s first EP, The Prelude, which came out at the beginning of the year. Three songs overlap: “Time Machine,” “Far from Grace,” and “Forsaken,” though the former two appear in slightly different versions on the EP and the LP. Certainly, each of these releases from Fire Garden is well worth owning.
When I first heard the Sound of Majestic Colors, I wrote my thoughts down quickly:
Confident, melodic, intense, moving, driven. Fire Garden is the present and the future of progressive metal. Sound of Majestic Colors is a triumph in every way.
Additional listens have only added to my wonder and astonishment regarding this album.
First, let me discuss the superficials, that is, the appearances of things. Visually, Sound of Majestic Colors is an incredible package. The CD case (very important to me) provides a fascinating mix and incorporation of black and white photography, psychedelia, Macintosh imagery (a play on the spinning beach ball of doom—at the center of the cover photo), and weapons of mass destruction.
If I had to compare it to anything, I would compare it to the best packaging Dream Theater ever produced—that for Train of Thought LP. But, frankly, Train of Thought’s artwork tried to be a little too psychedelic., little too Floydish. The eyeball on the cover has failed to age well, and it now appears far less creepy than it does derivative. Fire Garden avoids the clichés, creating its own vision for the album. Far from contrived, its psychedelia comes from the heart and the soul.
My copy of Sound of Majestic Colors arrived with business cards, bumper stickers, circle window stickers, a full-size poster, and bookmarks (see photo below). All of this is done with absolute class, and I welcome such things greatly. Indeed, I will be keeping these things in a very safe place accompanying similar items I’ve collected and received from Rush, North Atlantic Oscillation, Porcupine Tree, etc.
Second, instrumentation, performance, and ability of the musicians. My first reaction to my even asking this is simply: “Holy Schnikees! Are you kidding me?”
Though these guys are young, they sound so very, very good. I am not a huge fan of Dream Theater, as I feel they really have little soul and more or less write music to chase notes, all of it trapped in a graceless cycle. I have always, however, respected the talents and abilities of the individual musicians in Dream Theater. Imagine that same ability, but augmented by and with real story telling strengths and melodic overrtones and undertones. Combine Dream Theater’s skills with some serious artistic class, and you have Fire Garden. Kevin Pollack—vocals. Perfect. Zee Baig—guitars. Sheesh. Beyond perfect. Frank Lucas—keyboards. Perfect. Barry Keliber—Bass. Perfect. Chuck White—Drums. Holy Moses. More than perfect.
Production and mastering—perfect. The depth to this recording is astounding. Everything is clear, everything is deep, and everything is layered. Again, imagine Dream Theater’s production, but even more top notch.
Third, lyrics. I’m a huge fan of good lyrics, and I consider them essential to the success of any album. Lyrically, this album is as layered and dark as its production. Lots of angst, guilt, and questioning in the lyrics. In the end, though, the lyrics exist for a real and meaningful purpose, a poetic one. Song titles such as “Alone,” “Endless Memories,” “Redemption,” “Forsaken,” and “Far from Grace” reveal everything about the seriousness and intent of the album. That Baig offers his greatest thanks in the booklet to Almighty Allah says about everything that needs to be said. Baig is a serious man, and he takes his art as seriously as he takes his faith. If you’ll permit some Aramaic—Amen, Zee.
If you’re looking for something well done, something taken seriously, and something that—in terms of style—varies from heavy to metal to prog to AOR to arena and back to prog metal, look no further.
Fire Garden is not just the present and future of American prog metal, the band is the present and future of all prog metal.
AUSTRALIA – Australian progressive metal quintet, Voyager, will release its fifth studio album, V, in North America on June 3 with distribution through Nightmare Records. The Kickstarter-funded, 13- track album was recorded at Templeman Audio with producer, Matt Templeman.
The band calls the release “heavy, groovy and super-catchy. This is going to be pure, polished Voyager with a modern feel; we are insanely excited about unleashing this.”
V can be pre-ordered now via Bandcamp at: http://voyager.bandcamp.com/.
1. Hyperventilating
2. Breaking Down
3. Beautiful Mistake
4. Fortune Favours the Blind
5. You, the Shallow
6. Embrace the Limitless
7. Orpheus
8. Domination Game
9. Peacekeeper
10. It’s a Wonder
11. The Morning Light
12. Summer Always Comes Again
13. Seasons of Age
With four full-length albums under its belt and shows throughout North America, Europe and Asia with the likes of Devin Townsend, Children of Bodom, Soilwork, Nightwish, Epica and Orphaned Land, the five-piece from Oceania is now firmly entrenched in its international repute as a band with heavy grooves, driving riffs and unforgettable melodies. The band’s fourth opus, The Meaning of I (2011), saw rave reviews and international acclaim of the highest caliber (including #8 in Metal Hammer Germany’s ‘Soundcheck’). The U.K.’s, Classic Rock Presents Prog, called the album a “polished collection of heavy, heavily polished anthems.”
Complimented by a fiery red keytar, a feisty female guitarist, and vocals Chino Moreno (Deftones, Crosses) recently likened to Duran Duran’s, Simon LeBon, Voyager is consistently a live force to be reckoned with. After breaking the record for the longest fan signing session in the 12 year history of America’s “Progpower Festival,” the band will return to “Progpower” Europe this year alongside Chimp Spanner, Agent Fresco, Pagan’s Mind and more.
Voyager is…
Scott Kay – guitar
Alex Canion – Bass/vocals
Daniel Estrin – vocals/keytar
Ashley Doodkorte – drums
Simone Dow – guitar
Voyager online…
www.facebook.com/Voyageraustralia
Yes, we all love Leah. You might not agree with her views, but you’ll feel compelled to take them seriously.
Most of you know me from my first full-length album “Of Earth & Angels” which I released in 2012. Others know me from the 5-song EP “Otherworld” which featured guest vocals from Testament’s Eric Peterson. A few others know me from my YouTube covers, such as King Arthur’s “We Will Go Home“. If you’ve heard any of my music, you know it is my passion. You know my own celtic roots are very influential part of my songwriting, and I’m always working on something new.
I’m ready for the next project.
Being a Do-It-Yourself artist is both challenging and rewarding these days, especially when it comes to the financial end. I love the freedom, and being able to call my own shots, and I love that so many dedicated music-lovers want to bypass labels and the big corporations and support me directly! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.
Having said all that – one thing you really need in order to do anything (ie. produce a great-sounding album, print merch, tour, etc.) — is $$$ MOOLA $$$. So while I continue to keep my family #1 priority (I’m a homeschool mom) I’m hoping you’ll join me in this journey to the next musical project — that is — a FULL-LENGTH ALBUM!
Last time I was still just getting my name out there (and still am!) so I only raised enough funds to do a little bit. I worked with what I had and made a 5-song EP, which was mixed by Spacelab Studios (Delain, Serenity, Everon, Imperia). I believe this time around I have enough faithful listeners andfriends that are willing to step up and be co-contributors to a real high-quality full-length album!
I feel more inspired than ever to write better music, always pushing and challenging myself.
Already, I have much material to sort through and refine, and in the process I usually end up writing even better songs and nix a few others (this always happens!). I’ve begun to flesh out a theme for the album content, the visualization (which will affect the photography and art), and more. I’m very excited about where this next album will take me – and you!
My main thing has been along the lines of symphonic rock/metal with Celtic and folk undertones or overtones. I will be staying along these lines, but always pushing forward. There will be some interesting players on this next one, and I think it will take me into new territory!
Thank you so much for reading, supporting and sharing this campaign with your friends and networks. That is really the only way I’ll be able to do this!
* I’m going out on a limb here and choosing the “Fixed Funding” option. It’s all or nothing baby! Either we raise all the funds needed or I get ZERO. BUT – if every fan on <<Facebook alone>> contributed ONE dollar — we would easily surpass the funding goal by a long shot.
If you can only do one thing – please share with your entire social networks!
Need some ideas?
Thanks a million – I can’t wait to get started!!!
XOXO,
LEAH
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:
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
Ayreon fans can rejoice: even though the official release date for the compact disc of The Theory of Everything is November 2, the digital version is available today (October 29). You can purchase it at iTunes, but the best deal is at Amazon. For $16.99, you can order the 2-disc album and get all 42 tracks in mp3 format to listen to now. If you prefer to go digital only, the price is a mere $6.99!
Progarchy 