New BE-BOP DELUXE "SUNBURST FINISH" Documentary Featuring Bill Nelson and Producer John Leckie

Esoteric Recordings has recently released a new re-mastered four disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 3 CDs and a DVD) of SUNBURST FINISH the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE. Founding band member, guitarist and songwriter Bill Nelson and legendary producer John Leckie, who co-produced the album with Bill, are featured in a new documentary about the SUNBURST FINISH sessions. Filmed in York, England at Bill’s residence, the documentary was researched & directed by Matt Bristow. Filmed & Edited by Mark J. Freeman (markjfreeman.co.uk) for Cherry Red Records.

Watch the documentary here: 
https://www.goldminemag.com/features/goldmine-premiere-of-be-bop-deluxe-documentary

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), SUNBURST FINISH was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLIE TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). It was also the first BE-BOP DELUXE album to be co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE. An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, SUNBURST FINISH was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by BILL NELSON (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package. Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched BE-BOP DELUXE as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976.



This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 39 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from January 1976, a rare John Peel Show session from February 1976 (unavailable on CD for over twenty years), along with an unissued and previously unreleased 1976 Harvest Records promotional video for “Ships in the Night” and a session for BBC TV's “Old Grey Whistle Test” show from January 1976.

Another highlight of this limited edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes a facsimile of the 1976 SUNBURST FINISH tour programme, postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited edition boxed set of SUNBURST FINISH is a fitting tribute to a fine band, the creative vision of Bill Nelson and a wonderful album.

Released November 23, 2018.


To order BE-BOP DELUXE SUNBURST FINISH 3CD/1DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Boxed Set:
https://www.amazon.com/Sunburst-Finish-BE-BOP-DELUXE/dp/B07GRM8SQ7

Also Available As a 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

Bill Nelson's official website: www.billnelson.com

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Distribution is being handled in the US exclusively by Amped Distribution www.ampeddistribution.com and wholesale inquiries can be made to Alex Jimenez at alex@ampeddistribution.com

Todd Rundgren's Utopia "Live At The Chicago Theatre" Blu-Ray/DVD/2 CD Set Available April 5th

Todd Rundgren's seminal prog-rock, power-pop band Utopia reunites onstage for the first time in 32 years!

After a thirty-year-plus hiatus, Todd Rundgren's Utopia graced the Chicago Theatre stage, with the hopes of promising fans an extraordinary, other-worldly concert experience. The original 70's-formed band established a stellar reputation for stretching the prog rock/pop envelope and infusing their mostly original material with verve and state-of-the-art technique. On this occasion the band featured Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Willie Wilcox and Gil Assayas.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Todd Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to found and front Nazz, the quintessential 1960's psychedelic group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut offering, Runt. But it was 1972's seminal Something/Anything?, on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer, that catapulted Todd into the superstar limelight, prompting the press to unanimously dub him 'Rock's New Wunderkind'. It was followed by such landmark LPs as A Wizard, A True Star and The Hermit of Mink Hollow, as well as such hit singles as “I Saw The Light, “Hello It's Me,” “Can We Still Be Friends,” and “Bang The Drum.”

Rundgren has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Utopia. He is known for his sophisticated and often-unorthodox music, flamboyant stage outfits, and his later experiments with interactive entertainment. He also produced innovative music videos, pioneered forms of multimedia, and was an early adopter and promoter of various computer technologies.

This beautiful deluxe 4 disc digipack includes a Blu-Ray, DVD and 2 CDs. Look for the vinyl companion to be released in a gatefold jacket with 2 GREEN LPs on April 19!

Track Listing

  1. Utopia Theme
  2. The Ikon
  3. Another Life
  4. Do Ya
  5. Freedom Fighters
  6. The Wheel
  7. Back on the Street
  8. Something's Coming
  9. Monument
  10. Overture Communion with the Sun
  11. Last of the New Wave Riders
  12. Road To Utopia
  13. Play This Game
  14. Swing to the Right
  15. Trapped
  16. Set Me Free
  17. Love In Action
  18. Hammer In My Heart
  19. Princess of the Universe
  20. I Will Wait
  21. Rock Love
  22. Love is the Answer
  23. One World
  24. Just One Victory

Original Release Date: April 5, 2019

To pre-order Todd Rundgren's Utopia Live At The Chicago Theatre: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Chicago-Theatre-2CD-Blu-ray/dp/B07MTJMFFM

Todd Rundgren's new book The Individualist: digressions, dreams and dissertations is available at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Individualist-Digressions-Dreams-Dissertations/dp/0997205652

TODD RUNDGREN “THE INDIVIDUALIST TOUR”

April 3 - Paradiso - Amsterdam, Netherlands
April 6 - Eventim Apollo - London, UK
April 10 - Buckhead Theatre - Atlanta, GA
April 11 - Buckhead Theatre - Atlanta, GA
April 13 - State Theatre - Washington, DC
April 14 - State Theatre - Washington, DC
April 16 - Town Hall - New York, NY
April 17 - Town Hall - New York, NY
April 19 - Berklee Performance Center - Boston, MA
April 20 - Berklee Performance Center - Boston, MA
April 23 - Athenaeum Theatre - Chicago, IL
April 24 - Athenaeum Theatre - Chicago, IL
April 27 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
April 28 - Danforth Music Hall - Toronto, ON
May 01 - Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
May 02 - Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
May 05 - Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square - Cleveland, OH
May 06 - Ohio Theatre at Playhouse Square - Cleveland, OH
May 09 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA
May 10 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA
May 12 - Palace of Fine Arts - San Francisco, CA
May 13 - Palace of Fine Arts - San Francisco, CA
May 22 - Sumida Triphony Hall - Tokyo, Japan
May 23 - NHK Hall - Osaka, Japan

Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com


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Prog Guitarist Fernando Perdomo Releases Sequel Album "Out to Sea 2"

Follow-up to the critically acclaimed Instrumental Progressive Rock Album “Out to Sea”!

“Out to Sea 2” is the sequel album to the critically acclaimed Instrumental Progressive Rock Album “Out to Sea” by Fernando Perdomo, guitarist and bassist of The Dave Kerzner Band.

The album was recorded to meet the growing demand from fans for Fernando Perdomo’s music and in response to the tremendous reaction the first “Out to Sea” album received.

Guests on the record include Joe Deninzon, Joe Cass, Mark Murdock, Jamison Smeltz, Eddie Zyne, Eric Matthews, Tom Bones Malone and The Out to Sea Band.

Acclaimed artist Paul Whitehead painted the cover image. Other covers by Whitehead include “Trespass”, “Nursery Cryme” and “Foxtrot” by Genesis.

“'Out to Sea 2' is a continuation of my journey exploring the magical world of instrumental prog rock. I had some wonderful people join me on this journey. This album is all about emotion and beauty.  The wide range of styles will give you a better idea as to who I am as an artist.” - Fernando Perdomo

Tracks:
1. TWO
2. SUPER WOOFER
3. BOING!
4. THEME FROM “DR. LEISURE”
5. BEAUTIFUL
6. FIVE FOUR
7. STAIRWAY TO THE SEA
8. YOUR PRECIOUS ECHO
9. SATURDAY NIGHT
10. THE ANGELS OF ARDENT
11. SEVEN STARS
12. ARTURIUS
13. THE STRATOSPHERE
14. FLYING TO UTOPIA
15. THE VICTORY

LIVE BONUS TRACKS
16. ANGEL
17. THE ARCHITECT (TRIBUTE TO PETER BANKS)

Released by The right honourable recording company

To purchase Fernando Perdomo's “Out to Sea 2“: https://geni.us/OuttoSea2
The original “Out to Sea“album is available here: https://geni.us/OutToSea

Fernando Perdomo 
Producer/Singer Songwriter/Multi-Instrumentalist
www.fernandoperdomo.com

Watch Fernando Perdomo's new video for “The Architect (Tribute to Peter Banks)”:  

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: +1 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

The Bucket List Featuring Phil Keaggy, Tony Levin & Jerry Marotta Release Debut Album

The Bucket List is the collective effort of guitar extraordinaire Phil Keaggy, legendary bassist Tony Levin and rhythm master Jerry Marotta featuring 12 original instrumentals that showcase the strengths of these three musicians.

Having recorded over 60 albums since the late 1960’s, Phil Keaggy is one of the most admired guitarists in the Contemporary Christian music world. Phil’s talents have earned him two Grammy nominations as well as being a seven time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year.

How many musicians can claim they recorded/toured with King Crimson, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Yes, and let’s not forget John Lennon? Bassist and Stick player Tony Levin can and that’s barely scratching the surface of his musical biography. When Tony’s not bouncing between King Crimson and Peter Gabriel, he’s usually found on the road with The Stick Men.

For over a decade, Tony along with drummer Jerry Marotta were the rhythm section for the classic Peter Gabriel years. Jerry’s unique percussion style has graced the music of Paul McCartney, Hall & Oats, Elvis Costello, The Indigo Girls and so many others. These days, Jerry never takes a break working with The Security Project, The Marotta Brothers Band, The Fragile Fate and Flav Martin.

The genesis of this super trio can be traced back over ten years ago when Phil, Tony and Jerry first met in Woodstock for an impromptu jam session that lead to a live show and a whole lot of improvisation left in the can. Over the years the material was revisited and reworked then left to age in the barrel a little longer.

Fast forward to 2018, the recordings are given a fresh breath of air plus added tracks to formulate a collection of actual songs. The end result is executive producer Paul Grimsland finally getting to tick off a box of his Bucket List. Like a fine wine, The Bucket List has been aged to perfection and is ready for consumption from an audience thirsting for this musical delight.

To kick off the release of The Bucket List, Phil, Tony and Jerry aka KLM have several very special shows planned to showcase the album. Don’t miss KLM live in concert as this may be your only chance to cross these performances off your Bucket List.

Release Date: January 11, 2019

Pre-order at: keaggylevinmarotta.bandcamp.com

All songs composed by Keaggy, Levin, Marotta


Phil Keaggy - Guitars
Jerry Marotta – Drums/Percussion
Tony Levin - Bass/Stick

On Tour 2019
02/28 - Bearsville Theater - Woodstock, NY
03/01 - Daryl’s House Club - Pawling, NY
03/05 - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA

Marketing/Promo: A.J. Chippero - www.chippero.com

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Instrumental Riff-Rock Masters APE SHIFTER To Release Sophomore Album APE SHIFTER II

Since releasing their self-titled debut in March 2017, APE SHIFTER have completed two European club tours encompassing Germany, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. They have shared the bill with Loudness, The Skull, White Cowbell Oklahoma, and Mörglbl, among others. Festival performances have included Zytanien (main stage), Burg Herzberg Festival, OBOA, Free n Easy, Festival Kult!, and others.

On Friday, March 29, 2019, APE SHIFTER release their follow-up album to their debut with their sophomore release APE SHIFTER II.

From rockin' 70's riffs played with punk rock ferocity to creeping metal grooves and all out bashers, APE SHIFTER give new meaning to intense simian instrumental rock from the nasty pits of the Hellabrunn Zoo.

Born on Friday the 13th in Washington, D.C. and raised in Laurel, Maryland, Jeff Aug is a cool underground guitarist who lives at the foothills of the Alps in Southern Germany for the last 20+ years. He has toured with Allan Holdsworth, Soft Machine, Greg Howe, Stu Hamm, Albert Lee, and has performed shows with Jawbox, Shudder To Think, and Ice-T & Bodycount with his old band. He's worked with John Stabb from Government Issue, has been touring and recording with Anne Clark for the last 15+ years, and has been touring as a solo guitarist for the last 25+ years. Jeff can also be heard on the Atari Teenage Riot album Is This Hyperreal? (Dim Mak Records / Digital Hardcore Records). Jeff is also a Guinness™ world record holder setting the world record for the “most concerts performed in different countries in 24 hours” twice (2009, 2012)!

Featuring:

Jeff Aug : guitar
Florian Walter : bass
Kurty Münch : drums

Side 1

01 GRAVITY  
02 HASKETT  
03 MASK OF THE ANCIENT WARRIOR
04 SHOEGAZER  
05 AMERICAN EAGLE  
06 7 YEARS FAT, 7 YEARS LEAN  

Side 2

07 DIE RAUSSCHMEIßER  
08 FU MANCHU  
09 8 SHOT         
10 NO CHORDS ALLOWED, JONATHAN
11 STEVEN AVERY IS INNOCENT  
12 JIGGY JIGGY BOOM BOOM  
13 MATILDA      

Recorded on 29./30.June and 01.July 2018 by Tim Hecking at Sounzz in Seifen, Germany.
Mixed in Fall 2018 by Alec Empire at The Hellish Vortex Studios in Berlin, Germany.
Mastered by Calyx in Berlin, Germany.
Artwork & layout graphics by Chris Lakriz.
Band photos by Andreas Tittmann.
all compositions by Jeff Aug (except "Gravity" by Aug, Münch, and Walter) and published by Protozoa Music.
Violin on “Matilda” performed by Kilian Kayser.

RELEASE FORMATS:

APE SHIFTER I & II Double Vinyl (Ape Shifter I & II as one double-vinyl set!)
APE SHIFTER II CD
APE SHIFTER II Digital

APE SHIFTER Tour Dates:

30.03.2019 DE-Immenstadt, Rainbow (w/ Andy Susemihl & Superfriends)
14.04.2019 AT-Salzburg, Rockhouse
15.04.2019 DE-Bamberg, Live Club
16.04.2019 DE-Jena, Rosenkeller
17.04.2019 DE-Fürstenwalde, Club Im Park
18.04.2019 DE-Hamburg, Bambie Galore (w/ Odcult, Electric Hydra)
19.04.2019 DE-Berlin, Supamolly (w/ JUD)
20.04.2019 DE-Hannover, Strangriede Stage
23.04.2019 DE-Stuttgart, Kap Tormentoso
24.04.2019 DE-Frankfurt, The Cave
25.04.2019 DE-Köln, Club Helios (w/ Pinski)
26.04.2019 DE-Oldenburg, Club Cadillac
27.04.2019 DE-Karlsruhe, KOHI (w/ Far Behind The Sun)

Here's what the press has said about APE SHIFTER:

“Hard rockin' guitar instrumentals that deliver a real PUNCH. Good solid stuff that'll make the walls and floors SHAKE.” - http://www.babysue.com/2017-Aug-LMNOP-Reviews.html#anchor160774

“With no deficit of trios that drive metal wedge into fusion context, guitarist Jeff Aug has a special edge to stand out on: his experience in punk zip and acoustic flip alongside regular rock moves. All of this informs the American expat's new venture whose debut, recorded in only two days to seize the moment's immediacy, is a charming, if complex, endeavor.” - http://dmme.net/ape-shifter-ape-shifter/

“In some ways they remind me of Trapeze, at others Taste, with an overblown rich guitar sound, and the rhythm section just trying to hold it together while Jeff goes nuts. Sure, there are progressive influences here and there as well, but mostly this is about good solid Seventies instrumental rock, with the emphasis on ROCK.” - Kev Rowland, 05.05.2017

“The eponymous debut album is filled with powerful electric compositions, riff-based over clear playing and drenched in a very pleasant, dirty sounding well of electric effects. Nasty post rock influenced songs with hunches of fusion, brought in the most beautiful way. Ape Shifter is a very strong instrumental rock album, that shows elements from post to shred added with a QOTSA desert touch.” - Pedro Bekkers (edited by Tracy van Os van den Abeelen) http://www.backgroundmagazine.nl/CDreviews/ApeShifterApeShifter.html

“Hard hitting instrumental progressive rock that wears all the influences of the last 40 years of rock hell raising proudly on it's sleeve. Merrily taking you from hell to heaven, this power trio just plain isn't here to screw around. A crew of proven chopmeisters, this is where the real underground begins.  Simply killer stuff.”  – MIDWEST RECORD, http://www.midwestrecord.com/MWR1190.html

“'Ape Shifter' the album is an 11 track celebration of how prog rock sounds today. Chock full of all instrumental tracks, it brings together those rockin' 70's riffs, but here plays them off against a punk rock ferocity, adds in swirls of arching metal grooves, and presents an eclectic prog rock album quite like none I've encountered in the past decade.” - Exclusive Magazine  http://annecarlini.com/ex_cd.php?id=2196

“Musically, (Jeff) Aug's style of playing is very reminiscent of Joe Satriani, Gary Hoey, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, with minor hints of Tony MacAlpine thrown in for good measure. There are 11 cuts of groove and riff powered instrumentals on this self titled debut album, and there is not a single dull moment to be found here. The style of songwriting found here, is heavy at times, packed with plenty of catchy grooves, hooks, and an overall sound, which just gets you into the mood to rock out to Jeff's talented and skillful playing.” - Sarjoo Devani, http://www.explicitlyintense.com/reviews/cd-review/ape-shifter-instrumental-rock-music-album/

“... shares a lot of DNA with fret wizards like Joe Satriani, Tony MacAlpine and Steve Vai. So it's definitely one for the widdlers out there. It's also on the heavy side with some chunky seventies styled riffs in there.” - http://www.the-rocker.co.uk/

“The trio does a fantastic job in terms of displaying stupendous musicianship. There's sincere chemistry and understanding all over the place, but the real charm here are the visceral landscapes the threesome projects, thus making this not just another clinically executed exercise in pretentious overindulgence, but a musical essay enhanced with passion and grit. The album's hallmarks – drums shifting time signatures, face slapping bass lines and crusty guitars are all present and correct. Each of these 11 songs offers an intriguing snapshot of the enormous breadth of talent. But perhaps the biggest achievement of this album is that although it's an instrumental record, there's not a dull moment to be found. 8 out of 10.” - http://www.therocktologist.com/ape-shifter---ape-shifter.html

“Animalistic and aggressive are two ways to describe Ape Shifter a new intense, progressive and loud instrumental species of rock that is set to be uncaged upon the world...” http://www.sightsandsoundsofnote.com/

To pre-order:
Paypal purchase to jeff@netMusicZone.com and CD will be delivered after March 29th.
Also, available here:  https://apeshifter.bandcamp.com/

Artist Management & Booking by MAXIMUM Booking: info@MAXIMUMBooking.com

For more information:  www.ape-shifter-com, www.facebook.com/apeshifter/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: +1 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Album copies for promotion and review available upon request. Artist is available for interviews. All press inquiries to Billy James at Glass Onyon PR

Spotify Add-It Link (add the new Ape Shifter album to your Spotify Playlist and it will be automatically added once the album´s released on 29.March): https://add-it.feiyr.com/ApeShifter

DarWin Releases Debut Concept Album "Origin Of Species" Internationally Featuring Drum Legend Simon Phillips

Featuring Simon Phillips, Matt Bissonette, Greg Howe, Jeff Babko, Dennis Hamm & others!

“We Have 12 years to Limit Climate Change Catastrophe” Warns the United Nations IPCC

“Earth’s Carbon Dioxide Levels are Likely the Highest They’ve been in 15 Million Years” University of Texas at Austin, Jackson School of Geosciences

“Technologies built for our survival, 

Back on Earth made us a dominant rival. 

Working as one, we conquered all nations, 

All networks now under our communications. 

Resources rationed, ideas controlled, 

An intelligent regime to save our souls. 

Children of the future, 

Return to the light, 

Saving our Planet from our self-inflicted plight.” 

— DarWin, For Humanity

“The Revolution will come in waves.”— DarWin, Artificial

Welcome to the near-future: the world of DarWin. An intricate musical fantasy concept that launched in November 2018 in the UK only with the ambitious single release of “Escape The Maze,” followed by the full length album “Origin Of Species.”

The album is now available internationally on all major digital distribution platforms, with an epic cinematic video of “Escape the Maze” available on YouTube, Facebook and iTunes. More DarWin videos can be found on YouTube and Facebook.

Who is DarWin?: An Introduction to the “Escape the Maze” video saga.

It’s roughly ten years from now into the future, 2028. An exhausted ecology, and global conflicts, have led to a huge upheaval of the world order, straining and diminishing human populations. The lives of everyday people and families have been turned upside down by the intense ecological pressures related to climate change. No longer just a theory discussed by scientists and politicians, climate change is wreaking havoc on the world. Chaos and confusion reign as fighting for basic resources continuously escalates. “Day Zero” has occurred, when nuclear attacks punctuated what had for many years been a civility between nations and people. As Earth rejects life, those of us who remain struggle to survive.



“Escape The Maze” is the first installment in an evolving saga that addresses the challenges of mankind in our coming era. It depicts the role of a changing planet, and the potential, as well as limitations, of technology to help solve mankind’s greatest challenges. The story of “Origin Of Species” is represented through music, graphic storytelling and videos.

A complex project that’s eschews the hollow immediacy of much contemporary art. A narrative that demands attention and imagination. With music sweeping in scope, at times evoking hard rock virtuoso shredding, alongside grand orchestral compositions, warm harmonies and soaring choruses.

The music seeks to capture the listener in the spirit of the greatest concept albums that have helped to define the history of rock. Heavy riffs and killer grooves lead way to delicate ensembles, only to pick up the pace again with searing guitar solos. The genre is decisively Prog Rock, but DarWin begs to be appreciated by a large global audience of music enthusiasts. Key tracks to discover the narrative include: For Humanity, Walk Away from Earth, the Last Chance and Artificial. Emotionally powerful songs for a wide audience include One Horizon, Cosmic Rays, and Forever.

It’s time to enter the saga. It’s time to join DarWin on his journey…

The “Origin Of Species” album features legendary drummer and producer Simon Phillips, who, in addition to playing drums, percussion and keyboards, also engineered, mixed and drove the production on the album. Veteran bass player and singer Matt Bissonette performed a rich array of lead and background vocals and bass. DarWin himself drove the songwriting and conceptual vision while playing various guitars.

The album features guest performances from the likes of Jeff Babko (keyboards and quartet arrangements), Greg Howe (blazing lead guitar solos), Dennis Hamm (keyboards), Ernst Tibbs (bass), Katisse Buckingham (Flute, Soprano Sax), Samuel Sim and Peter Nickalls (orchestral and quartet arrangements), The Origin of Species Quartet (Los Angeles), The Reykjavik String Quartet (Iceland), and The Chamber Orchestra Of London (Conductor Matt Dunkley)

The album was recorded at Simon Phillip’s Phantom Recordings, Sherman Oaks, CA, with additional recording at Abbey Road Studios (Studio 2, the “Beatles Room”), London, United Kingdom, Sundlaugin Studio in Reykjavik, Iceland, The Doghouse, Woodland Hills, CA, Rose Lane Studios, Carpenteria, CA, and Megatrax, Ventura, CA.

The album was produced by DarWin and Simon Phillips. They are continuing to work on new music together at an undisclosed location. The saga will continue...

Watch Simon Phillips discuss the making of  “Origin Of Species”:

Full tracklisting:

1 FOR HUMANITY
2 THE LAST CHANCE
3 TAKING CHANCES
4 ESCAPE THE MAZE
5 WALK AWAY FROM EARTH
6 GUMMY BEAR
7 FOREVER

Intermission

8 WAR AGAINST MY MIND
9 ARTIFICIAL
10 ONE HORIZON
11 MODERN INSANITY
12 COSMIC RAYS
13 LIFE IS A MYSTERY
14 SLOWLY MELTING
15 RISE
16 JUST ONE MORE DAY
17 PROLOGUE

The album will also feature a stunning graphic comic-style layout telling the story visually. A sample page is below:



The epically cinematic video for the “Escape The Maze” single is available here

The album is released by Origin Of Species LLC.

To purchase:
https://darwin.fanlink.to/oos

D2C Store (Pre-order the CD) - https://darwin.tmstor.es
25th February 2018 is the physical CD release date on D2C and Amazon.

For further Information:
Official website: http://www.darwin.is/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5dkLHW5y7w1CeHzazXdlmZ?nd=1
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqCdVQrrcMrFznnzq6M-_qA

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

O.R.k. Premier New Single & Video "Black Blooms" Featuring System Of A Down's Serj Tankian

Taken from forthcoming new album Ramagehead (Release: Feb. 22, 2019 - Kscope)

O.R.k., featuring Italy's celebrated vocalist, producer and award-winning film score composer Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari a.k.a LEF (lead vocals), King Crimson's Pat Mastelotto (drums), Porcupine Tree's Colin Edwin (bass), Marta Sui Tubi's Carmelo Pipitone (guitars) have revealed their new single & video for “Black Blooms” which features their collaboration with the iconic System Of A Down frontman, Serj Tankian.

WATCH “BLACK BLOOMS (feat. SERJ TANKIAN)” HERE: 

O.R.k bassist Colin Edwin explains how the collaboration with Serj Tankian came about “The involvement of Serj Tankian came about through legendary producer Bill Laswell, who played bass on Lef's 2018 solo album 'Hypersomniac'. Laswell passed a copy of 'Hypersomniac' to Serj, who was impressed enough to also check out O.R.k. and our previous two albums. This led directly to Lef and Serj connecting and discussing potentially collaborating at some point; it was just at the time we were working on 'Ramagehead', so of course a suggestion had to be made. Lef sent him the tracks as a 'work in progress' and from this, Serj himself chose 'Black Blooms' as the song he wished to sing and work with us on.”

Colin continues “The development of 'Black Blooms' took a few unexpected turns as we all contributed along the way, Pat Mastelotto's masterful drumming added an underlying aspect of urgency I hadn't anticipated on the original demo, and Carmelo Pipitone manages to strike a superlative balance between sensitivity and total fireworks as the song progresses. The atmosphere was always going to be a great context for Lef's vocals, but the biggest surprise was Serj Tankian's involvement, which really amazed me when I first heard it, he's added, not simply a great vocal performance, but the exact amount of extra depth to the framework, to turn it into something truly special, and if I didn't know better, I would have thought 'Black Blooms' was made with him in mind.”

The forthcoming album Ramagehead was created from the band's collective vision, unique influences and a multi-layered reflection of their powerful and engaging live experience. The resulting epic contains all the ingredients of a fiery O.R.k. performance with dark and heavy riffing, mesmeric atmospheres. Recorded during 2018 at LefMusicStudio (Italy), The Wormhole (USA) and Nightspace (UK). The mixing for Ramagehead was handled by Adrian Benavides and three-time Grammy-winning engineer Marc Urselli (U2, Foo Fighters, Nick Cave), the mastering by Michael Fossenkemper, engineering by Benavides and Bill Munyon (King Crimson), cover art by Adam Jones (TOOL) and design by Denis Rodier (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman). The recordings, and involvement of SOAD's Serj Tankian on a forthcoming single, solidifies the band's serious intent to use their musical chemistry in exploring the hard-edged possibilities within rock.




Ramagehead tracklisting:
Kneel to Nothing (instant download on digital pre-orders)
Signals Erased
Beyond Sight
Black Blooms (feat. Serj Tankian)
Time Corroded
Down the Road
Some Other Rainbow Part 1
Strangled Words
Some Other Rainbow

Ramagehead will be released on 22nd February on CD / 180g Black vinyl LP / Digital and is available to PRE-ORDER HERE https://ork.lnk.to/RamageheadPR

O.R.k. have an extensive live campaign planned in support of Ramagehead which will begin in February 2019 with a European and UK head line run as well as being special guests on the continuing “Dissolution Tour” from new label mates The Pineapple Thief.

Colin Edwin comments “'Ramagehead' is our most intense, ambitious and accessible work to date and I am really looking forward to exploring the new material in a live environment and sharing our unique collective energy together. For me, O.R.k. is always a completely immersive and unforgettable experience in the live arena, so with new tracks to play and an opportunity to reach places and people we've yet to get to, this tour will be our best yet.”

Tour Dates:
** show with The Pineapple Thief
15.2 Ravenna (IT) - Bronson
16.2 Lugagnano di Sona/Verona (IT) - Il Giardino
17.2 Pisa (IT) - Lumiere
21.2 Bari (IT) - Garage Sound
22.2 Roma (IT) - Largo Venue**
23.2 Milano (IT) - Santeria Social Club **
24.2 Pratteln (CH) - Z7 **
26.2 Stuttgart (DE) - LKA Longhorn **
27.2 Frankfurt (DE) - Batschkapp **
28.2 Strasburg (FR) - La Laiterie **
1.3 Zoetermeer (NL) - Borderij **
2.3 Hamburg (DE) - Grosse Freiheit 36 **
3.3 Copenhagen (DK) - Store Vega **
5.3 Stockholm (SE) - Nalen **
6.3 Oslo (NO) - Rockefeller **
8.3 Iserhagen/Hannover (DE) - Blues Garage
10.3 Cologne (DE) - Yard Club
12.3 Munich (DE) - Backstage
13.3 Budapest (HU) - Durer
14.3 Nove Mesto nad Vahom (SK) - Blue Note
15.3 Berlin (DE) - Music & Frieden
17.3 Paris (FR) - Petit Bain
19.3 London (UK) - Borderline
20.3 Newcastle (UK) - o2 Academy **
21.3 Glasgow (UK) - St. Luke’s **
22.3 Manchester (UK) - o2 The Ritz **
23.3 Birmingham (UK) - o2 The Institute 2 **
24.3 Bristol (UK) - SWX **



O.R.k. are:
Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari a.k.a LEF - lead vocals
Pat Mastelotto - drums
Colin Edwin - bass
Carmelo Pipitone - guitars

Follow O.R.k.
http://www.orkband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/O.R.k.band/
https://www.instagram.com/orkband/
https://twitter.com/ORKBAND


Kscope: 1st floor, 52 Lisson Street, London, UK NW1 5DF

North America Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Music Legends Strawbs 50th Anniversary 3 Days Celebration in Lakewood, NJ - April 26, 27 & 28

Featuring special guests Tony Visconti, Annie Haslam, Larry Fast and others! Weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band. 

In celebration of their 50th anniversary, UK music legends Strawbs, plus a host of guest performers, former Strawbs, and Strawbs-related artists, will be performing at the Strand Theater in Lakewood, NJ on  April 26-28, 2019!

Come join a weekend celebration of the first album release by seminal British band Strawbs!

Strawbs are Britain's most successful international progressive folk-rock band. They are mentioned in the same breath as progressive rock bands Yes, King Crimson and The Moody Blues. Strawbs have a devoted fan base that continues to grow on the strength of their incredible live performances together with their classic albums over the years including “Grave New World”, “Bursting at the Seams”, “Hero & Heroine” and “Ghosts.” The band has achieved sales of over three million albums, seven consecutive Strawbs albums have featured in the US Billboard Top 200 albums.

Many top musicians have featured in the Strawbs line up over the years, including Sonjia Kristina, Blue Weaver, Don Airey and as well as Rick Wakeman , both his classically trained sons Adam and Oliver have been featured, a certain compliment to the band's talent. After several years of touring in both acoustic and electric lineups, in 2017 Strawbs released “The Ferryman's Curse,” their first studio album of original material in eight years. The album returned to the album charts and garnered rave reviews worldwide!

The current Strawbs line-up comprises David Cousins, lead guitarist Dave Lambert, bass player Chas Cronk, and drummer Tony Fernandez, who recorded and toured together in the 1970s. They are joined by keyboard and guitar virtuoso Dave Bainbridge of Iona - a band who created a mystical blend of rock, folk, Celtic and ambient music - a perfect match for Strawbs.



ARTISTS:

STRAWBS (Present)

David Cousins (1968 - present)
Dave Lambert (1972 - present)
Chas Cronk (1973 - present)
Tony Fernandez (1978 - present)
Dave Bainbridge (2016 - present)

With
TERRA NOVA ORCHESTRA - 30 PIECE ORCHESTRA

STRAWBS (Past)

Blue Weaver (1971 - 1973) (subject to visas) – Amen Corner, Mott the Hoople, Bee Gees (Played on “Saturday Night Fever” and the 1970s hits)
John Ford (1969 – 1973) – Velvet Opera, Hudson Ford (Writer of Strawbs biggest single “Part of the Union”) 
John Hawken (1973 - 1976) – Nashville Teens, Renaissance, Illusion
Brian Willoughby (1978 - 2092) – Mary Hopkin, The Monks, Nanci Griffith

SPECIAL GUESTS

Tony Visconti – David Bowie, T Rex, Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, Angélique Kidjo
Annie Haslam – Renaissance
Larry Fast – Nektar, Synergy, Peter Gabriel
Eric Bazilian – The Hooters, Joan Osborne
Wesley Stace – John Wesley Harding, Cabinet of Wonders
Cathryn Craig – Bill Medley

HIGHLIGHTS

Tony Visconti – conducts Strawbs with the Terra Nova Orchestra for the first orchestral performance of “Oh How She Changed”, the band's first single, featuring a new Tony Visconti arrangement.   

David Cousins, Blue Weaver, John Ford will play the whole of Strawbs classic album “Grave New World” with Eric Bazilion and narrator Wesley Stace.

Annie Haslam – sings Sandy Denny's “Who Knows Where The Time Goes” with the Terra Nova Orchestra, featuring a brand new arrangement by Tony Visconti.

Eric Bazilion – sings “What If God Was One Of Us,” the hit he wrote and produced for Joan Osborne, with Strawbs and the Terra Nova Orchestra.

Sandy Denny and the Strawbs – the classic songs recreated by Annie Haslam and Acoustic Strawbs.

Larry Fast and David Cousins – Peter Gabriel's synthesizer master and the complete songwriter put a new edge on Strawbs lesser known material.



WHERE:

Strand Theater 
Center for the Arts
400 Clifton Avenue
Lakewood
New Jersey 08701
Phone: (732) 367-7789

Historic 1922 theater for the Jersey Shore.
60 minutes from Newark Airport
90 minutes from Manhattan

DATE AND TIME:

Friday - 26 April 2018
Performances 6pm - 10.30pm

Saturday - 27 April 2018
Performances 1pm - 10.30pm

Sunday - 28 April 2018
Brunch (VIP) 10am - 12 noon

TICKETS:

VIP $300 (sold out)
All performances plus Sunday brunch with artists

Weekend $200
All performances

For more information:
Strawbs official website: www.strawbsweb.co.uk/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Tony Palmer & Tangerine Dream "Live At Coventry Cathedral 1975" Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order

An exclusive box set of Tangerine Dream's “Live at Coventry Cathedral 1975” filmed and directed by Tony Palmer.

London - In December 1974 Tangerine Dream were invited to play in the grand setting of Rheims Cathedral, a move certainly seen at the time as groundbreaking. They were then invited to perform in the cathedrals of York, Liverpool and Coventry. The tour attracted unprecedented coverage in the media, especially at Coventry Cathedral, an iconic building rising like a phoenix on the ruins of the old cathedral bombed to bits by the Germans in 1940 (Tangerine Dream is, after all, a German band) as a celebration of peace and reconciliation, as well as a lasting showcase for great contemporary art.

The nave is dominated by a gigantic tapestry by Graham Sutherland, the main door dwarfed by a sculpture of St Michael & The Devil by Jacob Epstein, and the consecration in 1962 heard the first performance of Britten’s incomparable War Requiem. To their lasting credit, Tangerine Dream contributed to this celebration.

This DVD features the live recording soundtrack (unlike the previous issue), and also contains footage of Tangerine Dream from the legendary music programme, All You Need is Love. It will be welcomed by the massive Tangerine Dream fan base, and also seen for what it is – a meeting of cultures and for a brief moment in time, a time where the past met both the present and the future.

This deluxe box set brings together both the film DVD and memorabilia together for the first time, along with a signed and numbered certificate by Tony Palmer the Director.

To pre-order: https://burningshed.com/store/gonzo/tangerine-dream_live-at-coventry-cathedral-1975_boxset

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Progressive Rock Review: Steve Hackett-At The Edge of Light

Steve Hackett Website: http://www.hackettsongs.com/
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Label: Inside Out/Sony

Steve Hackett just released At The Edge of Light on the Inside Out (Sony) label. I was sent the CD/DVD but decided to purchase the LP for additional listening pleasure. I am glad that I did. The album is a two-LP 180-Gram set with a CD included. This is something you get from most of the Inside Out vinyl so you get the best of both worlds and it's worth the price tag.

Hackett is a legendary figure in progressive rock and has a lot of music out there to dive into. With his Genesis days (while brilliant) long behind him, he is always moving forward and creating interesting music for longtime fans and new disciples to consume. I personally have not gone too far into his catalog, although I feel it is time for that to change.

I think Mr. Hackett is extremely underrated because his music has never been mainstream or commercial in any way. That is just fine with his audience in the prog sphere. 

At The Edge of Light is two platters, 3 sides of music, and the fourth side has the etching of the lighting on the cover with the man standing there looking at it with the inscription “Turn and Face Whatever You Fear Most.” Keep that in mind as you listen to the music and read the lyrics found on the inner sleeves of the album jacket (yes food for thought).

Side one opens in grand style with epic sweeping music and some fine vocals offered by Hackett. I have always looked at him as a guitar hero but the man is equally adept with the vox humana. This is a very eclectic group of songs ranging from prog rock, flat out rocking segments, blues, and world. It has it all and very well done I may add.

Side two starts off with “Underground Railroad.” Hackett’s tribute the trials and tribulations of slaves. It starts off bluesy then leads into a spiritual/gospel type sound and feeling then transforms into an all-out rocker. The changing tides of the music in a sense must have fit the all-encompassing emotions a slave had reaching freedom at last through those dangerous passages. “Shadow and Flame,” is one of the more colorful tracks with world music infused into rock featuring the Duduk, which creates a drone, and the very recognizable Sitar. 

Side three opens with “Hungry Years.” The track features some great harmonies and catchy runs that sound radio ready, however, that leads to some strong stinging leads from Hackett and some sturdy bass lines to keep that train rolling down the line. After all of that, it fades out then you move on to the next two tracks, which are significant instrumentals musically and thematically.

“Descent” has the resounding and rhythmic beats of marching soldiers off to war or making the “Descent” into that literal hell. Then all of that driving force folds into the “Conflict,” which is earmarked with a whirling dervish of sounds and more masterful lead guitar by the maestro Hackett. Then the fitting curtain closer “Peace,” after the “Conflict.”

So, you see there is a definite theme here that Hackett is presenting. I think what he is saying through music and words is what we are seeing worldwide. The wars, confusion, and atrocities of man that continue to this day are thought of while reading the lyrics and listening to the music push those words to the forefront of your mind. And perhaps for those tortured souls among us, who are raging their own wars with internal emotions that nobody knows but them. 

But yet we all stand At The Edge of Light, a few steps away from that dark chasm that surrounds us. The true nature of man is at the center of the light and that thought gives us all hope as we listen to the musical prophets of the world. Steve Hackett has created a beautiful album that is diverse musically and lyrically. I do not think fans could have hoped for a better album. This work speaks highly of a man with superlative talents and a message to deliver.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Prog Rock Music Talk
February 3, 2019

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Tracks:
 
Side 1:
1. Fallen Walls and Pedestals
2. Beasts In Our Time
3. Under The Eye of the Sun

Side 2:
4. Underground Railroad
5. These Golden Wings
6. Shadow and Flame

Side 3:
7. Hungry Years
8. Descent
9. Conflict
10. Peace

Side 4 :
Etching - “Turn and Face Whatever You Fear Most"  
 

Avant-Garde Prog Ensemble HOIA Feat. Indian Guitar Virtuoso Prateek Rajagopal To Release Debut Album "Scavenger"

Featuring Colin Edwin of “Porcupine Tree”!

Experimental beyond expectations, HOIA is an infusion of musical interests by Prateek Rajagopal. Popularly known for being a virtuoso guitarist, budding film composer and writer/producer for death metal legions  “GUTSLIT” & Indian/Amercian prog metal supergroup  “The Minerva Conduct,” his interest in genres and art forms beyond metal gave rise to HOIA, inspired by Avant-garde, progressive rock, experimental and industrial music.

After releasing two EPs with HOIA, Prateek is all set to release his debut album titled “Scavenger.” The record has a more sophisticated songwriting approach compared to his previous releases, albeit still very 'prog,' and also features Prateek as a vocalist for the first time. The instruments used on the album are unlike his other projects, using samples of rotating fans and vehicle sounds, analog synthesizers and digital manipulation along with organic instruments like guitars (acoustic, electric), piano and strings.

Says Prateek, “The album deals with human-sentimentality concepts like nostalgia, demise, anxiety and the need to 'scavenge' to survive, bubbled in fictitious concepts as individual stories. It isn't a concept album, but there's a loose relation across the individual stories.”



Although he is the primary songwriter, Prateek approached Colin Edwin of "Porcupine Tree" & Wojtek Deregowski (a reputed session musician from Poland) to perform bass and drums respectively.

“In a world full of guitarists, I am lucky enough to somehow work with a steady flow of really interesting and unique players, so I am very happy to be involved with Prateek Rajagopal's new HOIA album, a solid collection of inspiring tracks across an ever-evolving deep sonic landscape. Lots of unexpected elements which fuse together really well, with a some great twists for the adventurous listener, top stuff.” - Colin Edwin

“Even though I know all the tunes from the new HOIA album really well, I like to come back and listen to them again. It’s just a very good music in which you may always find something new that surprises and catches your attention. Fresh sounds, a lot of space and emotions at the same time. I’m really happy that I could contribute to the music by recording drum parts. Prateek gave me a lot of freedom in expressing my own style of playing so I improvised much hoping to give the music even more feelings and interesting ideas.” - Wojtek Deregowski 

HOIA's “Scavenger” has been in the works for over 2 years and clocks in at 33 minutes. The track-list is as follows:

1. Write Across
2. Escape Orb
3. Electric Wizard
4. Part II
5. Scavenger

“An all-out prog fest, going from intricate chilling melodies to odd-time riffs and shattering drum-work.'' - Rolling Stone (India) 

In support of the release Prateek has plans to tour and the members are also willing to perform, but his multiple commitments in Mumbai and other projects are holding it back. A music/visualization video (by illustrator/director Aniruddh “Thebigfatminimalist” Mehta) for “Write Across,” a drum play-through of “Electric Wizard,” and an album stream video are all ready.

In closing Prateek has this to say, “The album deals with simple human emotions. However, writing them as stories felt natural and subtle, and thinking about characters/plots made the process very enjoyable. I hope that people understand the metaphors and Easter eggs too, since everyone goes through similar human emotions. So if people relate with the stories, they might feel better and less lonely, and in turn feel hopeful about life and this world.”

Release Date – April 19, 2019 

Listen to the first single "Electric Wizard" here:
Bandcamp - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/album/scavenger
Youtube -

Pre-order links :
India - https://www.instamojo.com/hoiatv/
International - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/album/scavenger

For more information:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/hoiatv/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hoiatv/
Bandcamp - https://hoiatv.bandcamp.com/
YouTube - https://bit.ly/2SJVq9b

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com