Open Doors Will Always Open Hearts... "OPEN" The New Opus By Jon Anderson
Much to the excitement of music fans across the globe, on October 25, 2011 legendary Yes vocalist Jon Anderson will release as a digital download an epic musical work entitled Open. A return to the long-form composition that Jon Anderson is best known for, (Close To The Edge, Gates of Delirium, Revealing and Awaken), Open is a 21-minute exhilarating musical journey; a pioneering effort that weaves intricate melodic and harmonic themes within a classical music framework whilst showcasing Anderson's iconic vocals and timeless melodies throughout. In many ways Open is a return to Jon Anderson's musical roots, as Yes music continually flows through his veins, making it only natural to revisit now and again. Coupled with wonderful orchestration by his neighbor and good friend Stefan Podell, messages of peace, love, light and freedom are further explored within Open, making listening an uplifting and joyous experience!
"'Forever taken to that place of understanding,' are the first lyrics of Open, as though I am always remembering my true musical journey. To create this work, I sat with my 19th Century guitar and strummed ideas last spring 2010. Songs just poured out of me that week, and before I knew it I had created a long form musical idea, and with the help of Stefan Podell's powerful orchestration, we put together what is now Open.
It has 4 movements all intertwined, and seems to have a life of its own. For those who love this kind of music, I feel so happy to present it as one of many I hope to create over the coming years. My love Janee has helped in production with her unique musical observations and her angel voice. I am so happy and thankful... Many Blessings."
Jon Anderson - October 2011
In other news, Jon Anderson is currently on tour in the US and Canada with fellow former YES member Rick Wakeman. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release The Living Tree, and have now brought their highly anticipated show to America! In December 2011 Jon will be performing select solo concerts in South America. Go to www.jonanderson.com for more information. Lastly, Jon Anderson's latest CD release Survival & Other Stories has been garnering rave reviews worldwide by critics and fans alike. You can purchase the CD at: www.amazon.com
Jon Anderson's OPEN is available as a digital download on October, 25, 2011 and can be obtained at: itunes.apple.com
Frost* to reform in 2015 to record expected fourth album
Hot news reaches the Silhobbit newsdesk that Prog impresario Jem Godfrey has hatched up top secret plans to reform his band Frost* in 2015 in order to record and perform their, by then, long awaited fourth album.
Jemery, who has just announced the bands second phoenix-like reincarnation, is already planning out their third album, while he also plans to fold the band again in the spring of 2013, by which time he will be working on Kerry Katona's short-lived comeback album.
Swindon proggers Credo have enjoyed their most successful year so far, with the release of their excellent Against Reason album and several high profile gigs, including a fine set at this weekends Summer's End extravaganza in Lydney, Gloucestershire.
Credo have never been a band to rest on their laurels though, so they've got a couple more gigs coming up before the end of the year.
First of all, they are supporting former King Crimsonite David Cross at The Peel in London, on the 11th November. This is followed by their "IT'S CHHHHRRRRIIIIISSSSTTTTMMMMAAAAAAASSSSSSSS" special at Riff's Bar in Swindon on the 25th November.
Next year sees the band out on tour with Comedy of Errors in February.
Unnamed UK Prog Rock band ask fans to stop wearing their clothing
In a move oddly mirroring Abercrombie & Finch's "Jersey Shore" ban, an unnamed UK based Progressive Rock band have reportedly taken the unusual step of sending out letters to several of their fans, asking them to refrain from wearing clothing bearing the bands name whilst out in public.
The bands frontman told Silhobbit "While we are happy that everyone can buy our music and other things, we were concerned that some of our fans were, truth be told, quite ugly, and that's something we, as a band, feel uncomfortable about".
The band, who stopped selling XL, XXL and XXXL t-shirts a few years ago also deny doctoring crowd images on their recent live DVD, but have admitted a "Beautiful-only" policy does exist for the front row at their gigs.
Beginning Of September
The bands publicity agent told us that the letters were sent out "at the beginning of September", so, if like me, you haven't received one yet, it's safe to say that you're safe.
Artwork and track listing revealed for Damian Wilson retrospective
Damian Wilson (Threshold, Landmarq, Ayreon, etc) has revealed the artwork and track listing for the upcoming compilation album I Thought The World Was Listening 1997-2011 to be released on 28th October 2011.
This 31-track, 2-disc album features re-mastered tracks from throughout Wilson's solo career, re-recorded versions of important songs and previously unreleased new material.
Disc 1
1. Disciple
2. Commune
3. Beating Inside
4. Please Don't Leave Me 'Til I Leave You
5. Never Close The Door
6. One Life
7. A Long Way Home
8. Naturally *
9. Homegrown (original demo version)
10. Adam's Child
11. Quietly Spoken *
12. When I Leave This Land
13. She's Like A Fable (feat. Rick Wakeman)
14. Spin **
15. See You There ***
16. Wedding Song **
Disc 2
1. Array Of Lights **
2. Brightest Way
3. Light In The Middle
4. Smile
5. For The One I Long **
6. Warning Light
7. Moment Of Your Doubt **
8. Naked
9. Subway
10. Fine Weather *
11. Nothing In This World Remains The Same *
12. Just The Way It Goes
13. Feels Good
14. Nothing Without You
15. Part Of Me *
* New version ** Previously unreleased *** Hidden track on Disciple
"I Thought The World Was Listening 1997-2011" will be released on CD and as digital download.
An acoustic solo tour in support of this release is being planned for November.
The album can be pre-ordered until October 10. The Pre-Order Package includes:
- A signed copy of the CD
- A bonus CD as digital download, featuring the live set Damian did in 2006 with Stream of Passion
- A Damian Wilson Band t-shirt - 2 designs to choose from.
- A Damian Wilson Band stick-on tattoo
To pre-order this package or for more information, visit the only official Damian Wilson website, www.damian-wilson.net.
Steven Wilson mini-site for 'Grace For Drowning' has loads of goodies
Grace For Drowning the new solo album from Steven Wilson will be available on Kscope from September 26th.
Grace For Drowning is the second album released under Wilson’s own name, and builds on the artistic inroads he forged with 2009’s exceptionally well-received Insurgentes. A double album ('two 40-45 minute albums in the same package') Wilson has described it as "my biggest project to date".
The album will be followed by a digital single Postcard which will be available from October 10th. The digital single will feature the album version of the track, a special stripped back (voice and piano only) version of the track recorded by Wilson this week especially for the single and two remixes. The first is a mix of Postcard by Kscope label mates North Atlantic Oscillation and the second is the Necro Deathmort remix of Index.
Steven Wilson is a twice Grammy-nominated producer, writer and performer, best known as founder and front man of British rock band Porcupine Tree. He has also produced and/or mixed albums for artists as diverse as Swedish metal band Opeth, Norwegian chanteuse Anja Garbarek and progressive rock institution King Crimson. Last year, he also co-wrote and sang a track from Pendulum's number one album 'Immersion'. Porcupine Tree’s last album was a top 30 album in both the UK and USA, and the tour climaxed with sold out shows in October last year at The Royal Albert Hall in London and Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Grace For Drowning will be released on CD, vinyl and download along with a Blu-ray edition of the album. The Blu-ray disc contains the album in 5.1 surround sound with accompanying video content, created by long-term collaborator Lasse Hoile, as well as photo galleries, hand written notes and lyrics.
For the most avid collectors there is also a deluxe edition of the album. Limited to 5000 copies worldwide, the deluxe edition features 3 CDs, the Blu-ray Disc and a 120-page book. In addition to the album on 2 CDs, the third CD features out-takes and demo material. All 4 discs will be packaged in a hard back book which features 120 pages of artwork and notes. The Kscope store has already sold out of the deluxe edition but a few copies are still available from three online retailers.
The mini-site has also been updated to feature another video. Lasse's video for Remainder The Black Dog is now on the site along with the videos for Index and Postcard. The site also includes a free download, tour dates, album info and artwork.
The videos are also available on the Kscope iPhone app, which has been updated to include audio from the album along with pictures from the album and more. In addition to the videos for the tracks the app also features a series of short teaser videos created by Lasse Hoile. The app is free to download from the iTunes app store.
YouTube of the Week - Galahad "Suspended Animation"
It seems like only a few weeks ago that we made Galahad's Battle Scars our YouTube Of The Week, and posting news of their album(s) progress. However, last Friday, 2nd September, we got the sad news that bass player Neil Pepper had lost his fight against cancer.
The band themselves have released a track, Suspended Animation in Neils memory. The track was written by Neil and Stu and is taken from their forthcoming Battle Scars album.
A Statement from Stu Galahad...
Neil Pepper, affectionately known as ‘Big One’ to the band, has finally lost his battle against cancer.
Throughout the whole of the last eighteen months or so and despite all the problems he suffered he always remained incredibly positive, showed immense dignity and never gave in to this most unforgiving of illnesses. He even bought new recording equipment and a new bass guitar as well as writing many new songs, several of which will appear on the next Galahad album ‘Battle Scars’.
Ironically, in the last couple of years Neil had brought a renewed vibrancy and spirit to the band, making it a very productive and positive time in the bands career from a writing and recording perspective. In fact, despite being in a great deal of discomfort he still managed to record all his bass tracks on both the forthcoming new Galahad albums.
Neil was and still is an integral part of the ‘Galahad’ family having been involved for many years, we shared so many good times in the studio and on the road which will never be forgotten.
We are all devastated and Galahad will never be the same without him and he can never be replaced. Therefore for the foreseeable future Galahad will continue ‘officially’ as a four piece.
We will always think of him when writing, rehearsing or performing and we will miss him so, so much.
He passed away on Friday 2 September 2011 aged just 44, exactly one year after having performed his final show with the band at Loreley in Germany, which fittingly was one of the most memorable gigs we have ever played.
He leaves behind his lovely wife Jojo and three young children Finnian, Poppy and Rosie.
Doom Prog pioneers Black Widow to release new album in October
70s doom proggers Black Widow are preparing to release their first new album since 1973s Black Widow IV. Entitled Sleeping With Demons, it will be released on 17th October and will feature formerBlack Sabbath singer Tony Martin guesting on one track.
You can check out the creepy video for Sleeping With Demons and download the track by signing up to their mailing list via their website at www.blackwidowrockband.co.uk.
Coastproggers Galahad hard at work doing stuff somewhere
Wondering where Galahad have disappeared to? Well, when they're not off 'sunning' themselves at the Grand Prix (yes you, Dean Baker), they're hard at it in the studio working on a pair of albums. We've already showed you the Battle Scars preview to whet your appetites.
The band are also working with Andrew Wild (author of the Twelfth Night biog "Play On") on One For the Record, the Official Galahad biography. There's also a live DVD, Live in Tiana on its way as well. There may even be a new website somewhere along the way.
All in all a busy time for the coastproggers!
Keep up with the band on Facebook or twitter (or just Dean Baker and Neil Pepper if you're some kind of stalker...). They've even promised to update their blog when they're not quite so busy!
Panic Room to tour three countries and release ltd edn EP
Panic Room are about to embark on their biggest set of gig dates so far. The band, fronted by Anne Marie Helder, will be playing a 22-date, four month tour, covering three countries. England, Scotland and Wales. During the tour, the band will be selling a special limited edition tour EP Altitude. The EP will contain the bands cover of ELPs Bitches Crystal that was to have appeared on the ill-fated CRPP ELP covermount CD. Also on the CD are an instrumental version of Dark Star along with a track each from Visionary Position and Little Satellite. Capping it all off there will be an animated film promo of Satellite produced by award winning animator Cole Jeffries. There will only be 100 of the EPs for sale each night, on an enterprising "one-per-person, first-come-first-served" basis. As it also comes in two different sleeves, one read and the other blue (both with cover photography by Anne-Marie) I'm guessing there'll be fifty of each each night.
The tour dates are: Friday 2nd September - The Cathouse, Glasgow Sunday 4th September - The Cluny, Newcastle Thursday 8th September - The Tunnels, Bristol Friday 9th September - Fibbers, York Saturday 10th September - Wesley Centre, Rotherham Sunday 11th September - Ruby Lounge, Manchester Thursday 15th September - Mr Kyps, Poole Friday 16th September - 12 Bar, Swindon Saturday 17th September - The Half Moon, Bishop's Stortford Sunday 18th September - The Borderline, London Thursday 22nd September - The Globe, Cardiff Friday 23rd September - The Stables, Wavenden Friday 30th September - The Citadel, St Helens Saturday 1st October - Monroes Bar, Workington Sunday 2nd October - The Caves, Edinburgh Friday 7th October - The Musician, Leicester Saturday 8th October - Asylum, Birmingham Sunday 9th October - The Corporation, Sheffield Friday 4th November - The Garage, Swansea Saturday 5th November - The Apex, Bury St Edmunds Saturday 3rd December - tbc Sunday 4th December - Robin 2, Bilston
Bass player Andy Nixon-Corfield has left female-fronted power metal-proggers Pythia to embark on a plumbing apprenticeship. His placed in the band, fronted by new-mum Emily Alice Ovenden (above. Centre. In red. With sword.), has been filled by the less poshly named Mark Harrington, who is also a member of female-fronted power metal-proggers To-Mera.
To celebrate, the band are playing the following shows: Thursday 6th October - Face Bar, Reading Friday 7th October - Scream Lounge, Croydon Sunday 9th October - Asylum, Birmingham
The bands debut album, Beneath The Veiled Embrace which was rereleased by Japanese label Spinning, is available from their website at www.pythiamusic.com, in a variety of formats, including an extra-special Fan Box Set, which contains a shed load of stuff for £60!
The band also hope to release their second album, The Serpents Curse this Autumn.
The Reasoning work on new EP / live album and announce some gigs
Welsh proggers The Reasoning are working on their fourth album, which is due out next year. As they currently have over 5 (five) hours of material, they have decided to release some of it in the form of a download-only EP called And Another Thing.... The EP, which will be released in December, will feature a song written by each member of the band (which was about five at the last count) with lyrics and vocal melodies written by Rachel Cohen.
Before the EP come out, the band will be releasing a live album, Live In The USA: The Bottle Of Gettysburg recorded at this years ROSFest. The track listing for this release is:
Intro
Diamonds & Leather
Fallen Angels
The Nobody Effect
Shadows Of The Mind
The Thirteenth Hour
How Far To Fall?
Chasing Rainbows
14
Dark Angel
Aching Hunger
The band are also playing a few more gigs before the end of the year. They are: Friday 2nd September- The Black Flag, Wakefield Saturday 3rd September - The Cluny, Newcastle Saturday 17th September - Y Theatre, Leicester Saturday 8th October - The Duchess, York Saturday 12th November - The Borderline, London Sunday 13th November - The Robin 2, Bilston Friday 9th December - The Globe, Cardiff
For more information on The Reasoning, see their website at www.thereasoning.com
Sky Arts to broadcast highlights of this years High Voltage Festival
Sky Arts is pleased to announce the television transmission of this year’s High Voltage Festival on Saturday 20th August at 10pm. Filmed in Hi-Definition, the 90-minute TV special includes performances from Black Country Communion, Slash, Judas Priest, Dream Theater, Rival Sons, Thin Lizzy, Thunder, Saint Jude, Michael Monroe, and Queensryche.
“This year’s High Voltage line-up was amazing,” says Black Country Communion’s front man, Glenn Hughes. “It was an honour and a privilege to play the festival.”
Voted Planet Rock’s Festival of the Year, High Voltage 2011 features the crème de la crème of classic, progressive and heavy metal rock music from London’s Victoria Park. Filmed by Blink Television for Sky Arts, the 90-minute special also includes exclusive band interviews, festival highlights and comments from the fans.
High Voltage 2011 will be broadcast Saturday 20th August at 10pm on Sky Arts 1 HD (Channel 243), and Sky Arts 1 (Channel 244).
For further information, visit the official Sky Arts web page announcement.
Personally, I think it's sickening that the BBC wastes endless amounts of our TV License money televising so called "rock" festivals such as the middle class Glastonbury and Reading / Leeds and totally ignores proper festivals such as High Voltage, Download, Sonisphere and Summer's End. So well done to Sky Arts for being there. Even if they weren't at the prog stage.
Frequency Drift sign to ProgRock Records and release new album Ghosts
Ghosts is the anxiously awaited third studio album German progressive band, Frequency Drift. While the story of their previous 2 album series Personal Effects was set in a dark urban and futuristic setting, the new songs are connected by a different theme. They are about things that haunt us, things that cannot fully be grasped, things we carry with us, emotions that echo from former times. The band conveys this with a slight change in their music and in the atmosphere that is created. Although the cinematic approach is still there, the music is enhanced by the increased use of guitar. Furthermore there is now an even larger variety of stylistic influences such as jazz or even heavy metal. Another highlight are the new hauntingly beautiful yet adventurous violin solos, 70s style flute parts and intriguing electric harp sections. The band had this to say: "We are very excited about being signed to Progrock Records. We are sure that with the help of a strong partner and our best album yet we can bring our band to the next level."
"I really enjoyed the first two albums from the band, so I was very happy to be able to work with them on this new release, they’ve really done a fantastic job with it.", said Shawn Gordon, President of ProgRock Records.
"Ghosts" is the first release from Frequency Drift on ProgRock Records. Audio samples, information and ordering can be found at www.progrockrecords.com.
KScope presents 'A Night at the Union Chapel' with Anathema, Pineapple Thief
Post prog specialist label KScope have arranged showcase concert at London's atmospheric Union Chapel. The concert, on Friday 30th September, features the labels bands Anathema, The Pineapple Thief, Engineers and nosoundM.
Kscope launched in April 2008 and has quickly established itself as a home for forward thinking post-progressive and art-rock, releasing critically acclaimed albums by Porcupine Tree, Anathema, Blackfield, Engineers, Steven Wilson, North Atlantic Oscillation, The Pineapple Thief, Lunatic Soul, Ulver, No-Man, Richard Barbieri, Nosound and more.
On Friday 30th September the label will be hosting a one-off night at the Union Chapel in London, with a number of acts from the roster performing special stripped back sets in this breathtaking venue.
Anathema will headline the show, performing a special acoustic show comprising of members Vincent, Danny and Lee. They will be joined by Engineers, Bruce Soord from The Pineapple Thief and Nosound (solo set).
Anathema’s 2010 studio album We're Here Because We're Here was awarded Classic Rock’s Prog Album of the Year as well as a host of other accolades. Formed in Liverpool in 1990, the band’s sound and musical vision has continually evolved while always remaining true to the band’s original goal of creating forward-thinking, meaningful, passionate, and honest music. With each release they moved beyond the boundaries of limited scenes and pigeon holes, creating a complex and emotive atmospheric sound. The producer of WHBWH, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as “definitely among the best albums I’ve ever had the pleasure to work on.”
They return in September with Falling Deeper, a new release which features acoustic reinterpretations of tracks from throughout their back catalogue. This gig at Union Chapel will allow fans the chance to hear some of these tracks and more.
2010 was a landmark year for The Pineapple Thief. The band released their latest album, Someone Here Is Missing (‘extremely classy and frequently mesmerising’ Classic Rock), along with the Show A Little Love EP (‘it is here that the real magic of a band like TPT shines through’ Classic Rock Prog) and followed a string of festival performances with a European tour. Their recent successful dates with Blackfield, Riverside and Amplifier, suggest that 2011 is already looking pretty good too. For the Kscope night, frontman Bruce Soord will be performing a solo acoustic set.
Engineers recently released the To An Evergreen EP which has received support from Lauren Laverne and Guy Garvey on BBC6 Music. In addition to the title track, the EP featured remixes of tracks taken from last year's In Praise Of More album, which Clash stated 'should be given to most UK bands around at the moment to use as an example in making an album that is a joy to behold.'
Giancarlo Erra's Nosound create a seductive and original fusion of elements of progressive, ambient and post rock. Regarded by critics and fans alike as one of the most interesting up and coming alt/art rock bands in Europe, the band have released three critically acclaimed albums on Kscope. At the Union Chapel, Erra will be playing a solo set, similar to that which is featured on the forthcoming The Northern Religion Of Things release.
Tickets, for what promises to be a very special night, are available from the Union Chapel costing £18 (plus booking fee). Get in quick.
North Atlantic Oscillation re-release debut album and tour
Scottish post-proggers North Atlantic Oscillation have had their debut album "Grappling Hooks" re-released by KScope in an expanded format. The album now comes with an extra disc containing re-mixes, b-sides and BBC Session tracks. The 2CD version of the album can be ordered from the Burning Shed store for £9.99.
The band rthemselves are taking to the road to promote the album, and are playing the following dates: Tuesday 20th September - King Tut's, Glasgow Wednesday 21st September - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh Monday 26th SeptemberThe Well, Leeds Tuesday 27th September - Cargo, London Wednesday 28th September The Hope, Brighton
Fabio Zuffanti to bring Coleridge's 'The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner' to life
Fabio Zuffanti is working on a new Hostsonaten project based on the famous poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner.
Fabio Zuffanti thought about working on a musical version of the poem in 1995. The first two parts are in the first two Hostsonaten albums ('Hostsonaten', 1996 and 'Mirrorgames', 1998) but the realization of these never fully satisfied the composer who decided to suspend the project.
In 2011, at the end of the successfull tetralogy Seasoncycle Suite, Fabio decided to take up work on 'The Rime ...' and bring it to a conclusion.
The project will be divided into two CDs: The first, to be released in 2012, will feature the prologue and the first four parts of the poem, the second in 2013 with the remaining three parts and the epilogue.
The two parts that have already been published will be completely re-recorded. The vocals of the first four parts will be assigned to four different singers who will try to explore, interpret and return to the listeners the emotions of the dark and dreamy Coleridge's poem.
The recordings will begin in November 2011 and the release of the first cd is scheduled for spring 2012. The musicians who will join Fabio will be Maurizio Di Tollo (drums), Luca Scherani (keyboards) and Matteo Nahum (guitars). In addition to these a long series of guests will embellish the sound with their instruments.
You can find all the updates on Zuffanti's Facebook and on Hostsonaten's Facebook.
See proggers Coralspin and Red Bazar in Nottingham for only £3.00
Nottingham based female fronted proggers Coralspin are back out on the live scene in September, when the band will be playing at the Horse and Jockey in Arnold, Nottingham on Friday the 9th, supporting fellow Nottingham proggers Red Bazar. Also on the bill that night are local rockers .
YouTube of the Week - Galahad "Battle Scars" excerpt
Heavy Coastproggers Galahad have set themselves up with a YouTube Channel where you can currently hear a teaser for their forthcoming album Battle Scars. The clips plays excerpts of the tracks Suspended Animation, Singularity and Beyond the Barbed Wire
The album will be released later on this year, and sounds like it'll be another killer
Reading/London experimental dance proggers Pure Reason Revolution, the future of Prog ((c) Silhobbit) have decided that the time is right to bow out of the game. An announcement on the bands website says that their "individual changing circumstances necessitate its time to finish".
The band have pulled out of three European dates, in Ukraine and the Netherlands, but will be playing 6 UK shows as a farewell. The dates are: Wednesday 23rd November - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham Thursday 24th November - Thekla, Bristol Saturday 26th November - Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich Sunday 27th November - Picturedrome, Holmfirth Monday 28th November - King Tut's, Glasgow Wednesday 30th November - Heaven, London
According to the band, the London date will be a two hour spectacular, where they'll be playing their The Dark Third album in its completity as well as the best bits from Amor Vincit Omnia and Hammer & Anvil
Hot News
"I Thought The World Was Listening 1997-2011" will be released on CD and as digital download.
