by Blake | Jan 7, 2018 | DJs
Zap Niles (a nom de plume) is not only a former professional musician, songwriter, and recording artist, having spent more than twenty-five years in the music business with five recording contracts under his belt, but is also an avid music collector. Indeed, since purchasing his first LP way back in the early ’70s, he has accumulated more than 7,000 albums. And although he enjoys quite a number of musical styles, mostly in the “Rock” genre, his all-time favorite style is Progressive Rock in all its various forms (Neo-Prog, Prog-Metal, Heavy Prog, Symphonic Prog, Eclectic-Prog, Canterbury Prog, etc.).
Zap is also a multiple award-winning author of both novels and short stories, and currently works as an editor in the publishing industry and as a freelance writer. Several years ago, deciding to combine his love of music with his writing skills, he began his “Zap Niles – Musical Musings & Album Reviews” website, where he posts his hundreds upon hundreds of album reviews and other music-related articles, as well as keeps a discography of every single album within his vast collection, along with his ratings for each of them.
As the name implies, his show, “Prog-Scure: Obscure Bands on the Prog-Rock Scene (Past & Present),” focuses on artists that either time has forgotten or current artists who still remain shamefully undiscovered or ignored by the masses. Additionally, he may also play lesser-known tracks—”B” sides, rarities, bonus songs—from popular bands on the Prog-Rock scene, or Prog-Rock music released by artists not even normally associated with the genre itself.
You can find Zap by visiting his website (http://zapniles.com) or Facebook profile (https://www.facebook.com/zapniles).
by Blake | May 1, 2017 | Prog Report
Concert: The Dear Hunter w/ Pathos, Pathos
Venue: The Social in Orlando, FL
Date: 4-29-17
The Dear Hunter have been on a national tour as the opening act for Coheed and Cambria over the last few weeks. On a few off nights, the group have scheduled a handful of headlining shows where, thankfully, they get to perform more than the standard 45 minute opening set. This night in Orlando was one of this joyous evenings. The Social in Orlando is a small club but with a perfect layout. The stage is laid out on one side of the club parallel to the bar on the other side with the rest of the open area allowing for a perfect viewing spot regardless of where you stand. Local act Pathos, Pathos gave an entertaining opening set, their music a mix of Death Cab for Cutie and Violent Femmes. At just around 9pm Casey Crescenzo and the band took to the stage.
For bands that are so impressive sonically on their studio recordings, it is often difficult to recreate the magic on stage, especially when the band is trying to do this in a club and not with a multi-million dollar PA system as you might find in an arena. That immediately is the first thing that is impressive with The Dear Hunter. Opening with the first 2 songs from their latest release, ACT V, “Regress” and “The Moon/Awake”, the band sound tremendous. All the orchestration and overlayed vocal harmonies are in place and the energy is palpable. Casey’s ability to hit each high note with ease and equal emotion, places him as one of the top voices in rock today. Each of the 6 members on stage handles his tasks brilliantly as they run through the first 9 songs, all from their last two albums, Acts IV & V.
Many fan favorites were played including tracks like “The Bitter Suite parts IV and V”, “Waves” and “The Revival” which invite the audience of nearby college goers and older fans to sing along, at times overpowering the music coming from the stage. It is not a requirement to be one of the indoctrinated to enjoy a Dear Hunter show, but it certainly is more fun. There are certain known points that fans sing or add yells and cheers, as if they know the secrets to these songs. Witnessing a young crowd enjoying such brilliance is also something that provides hope for live music. For a band that dips its toes into the Prog waters, this was certainly not a typical Prog audience of 40-60 year old males.
The band closed out the remaining 30 minutes by featuring songs from ‘The Color Spectrum’ for 4 out of the remaining 6 songs. They finished with the rockous track “This Body”, but not before segueing into the ending of “She’s So Heavy” from The Beatles. Casey Crescenzo is an amazing talent, able to write some of the most adventurous music out there today, but do not be fooled into thinking this band might not be as good in concert, because nothing could be further from the truth. Run, don’t walk to a show by The Dear Hunter and get indoctrinated as soon as possible.
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-dear-hunter/2017/the-social-orlando-fl-63e6662b.html
The post Concert Review: The Dear Hunter, Orlando, FL 4-29-17 appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | May 1, 2017 | Prog Report
In a statement on Facebook over the weekend, now former guitarist for Pain of Salvation, Ragnar Zolberg, announced he was no longer in Pain of Salvation. In the lengthy statement, which can be found in full on the guitarist and vocalist’s Facebook page, he talks about what led him to first join the band and why he was asked to leave.
“Although PoS have now been doing quite good business wise, being in this band has been bad business from the beginning and has cost way more than what I’ve had in return, both mentally and economically. Minimum wage is not to be expected when you play to sold out shows and full venues at our standards. Neither is pessimism and criticism after almost every gig.
I have spoken my mind about all of this while still doing what I could to keep a professional relation towards everything, after all it is also my music that we have been playing and I have wanted everything to go as smoothly as possible despite the unjust treatment I have faced. Instead of making amends, offering better salary or even giving credit where it’s due I was instead asked by Daniel to leave the band yesterday.
I am happy for everything I have learned in the recent years and the people I have gotten to know through this adventure and I am also very happy to be moving on. One thing that I have learned and think should be kept in mind is: Never take credit for others peoples work, that’s just not nice and extremely disrespectful.
Thank you!”
Daniel and the band posted a message earlier today, here is part of that statement:
“After a few years of working together with Ragnar, I feel that we have come to a point where it is necessary to part ways. It feels very sad, because we are losing a great vocalist and stage personality in Ragnar. It felt great writing the new album together with him, and I am very thankful for that time. We all are. But with time it has become clear that his true place is not in this band. Musically, it has worked very well, but there are so many other variables that need to click in order to make a band strong and stable.
We are not going into a period of uncertainty, but one of deliberate change and strength. We have a great record label and a great management/booking company that have both told us that they understand our decision, and that they back us up and support us fully through this. All scheduled shows will happen as planned. How? Well, we are happy to announce that, starting today, Johan Hallgren will be returning to the band as a full member again, and we will go full throttle ahead through this. We are very happy about seeing him back onboard, and we are sure you will accept him back with open arms, as will we.”
Peace,
Daniel & Pain of Salvation
Johan Hallgren:
“Already when I quit the band, I felt that I really wanted to come back. This feels fun as hell, and I will go into this with full force – hook, line and sinker. I have promised myself to supersede everyone’s expectations of my return. This is something I know well, and I am damn good at it. And more than that, I have really missed them all – it’s a wonderful gang!”
The post Pain of Salvation guitarist Ragnar announces departure from band; replaced by former member Johan Hallgren appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 26, 2017 | Prog Report
by Joel Barrios
The 1980s were a special decade for metal, where the genre was specially more open-minded and inventive. Acts such as Queensrÿche and Crimson Glory took metal to realms it was completely new to, and their sound was very influential for many modern musicians. As a logical consequence of that evolution, other bands seized the roots of that metal-esque songwriting and delved further into what their forefathers did, adding some uniqueness and searching deeper for a less accessible sound. That was the dawn of the sub-genre we all know now as progressive-metal.
Thirty years ago, one album saw the light of day: “Awaken the Guardian”. It showed a band not only creating their own sound, but stepping outside the boundaries of their time. A monumental execution of a brilliant musical idea crafted in an outlandish way, it became not only a milestone in the band’s career, but also a good definition of “unique”. Its main goal was to be different, which it was successful in doing and, despite being overshadowed at the time of its release by the unveiling of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, Slayer’s “Reign in Blood”, Megadeth’s “Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?” and Iron Maiden’s “Somewhere in Time” to name a few, it continues to be exceptionally appreciated as a complex, esoteric, and I’d dare to say arcane masterpiece.
On April 28th, 2017, Fates Warning will officially release “Awaken the Guardian Live”, a celebration of that legendary album which ironically holds the honor as the band’s very first release to debut on the Billboard chart and at the same time marked the end of the Arch’s era. Fates Warning’s mastermind and main songwriter Jim Mattheos reassembled the “Awaken The Guardian” era lineup with John Arch at the mic, bassist Joe DiBiase, drummer Steve Zimmerman, and guitarist Frank Aresti for two special festival appearances last year: Keep It True XIX in Lauda-Konigshofen, Germany and ProgPower USA XVII in Atlanta, Georgia. At both shows Fates Warning performed the “Awaken the Guardian” in its entirety. The German show, directed and edited by Oliver “Bomber” Barth, also included “The Apparition”, “Damnation”, “Night On Brocken”, and “Epitaph” as bonuses, meanwhile at ProgPower USA, “Damnation”, “The Apparition”, “Kyrie Eleison” and “Epitaph” were added to the performance of their milestone album. The sound recording and video editing of the US show were in the capable hands of Kent Smith. Both shows were mixed and mastered by Bill Metoyer.
After three decades, the most impending question for many fans was whether the band could do justice to such unwavering and demanding set of songs. I was fortunate enough to be amongst the ones in attendance at ProgPower USA XVII last September, and all I can remember is myself asking “How the heck are they pulling this off?”. I have now seen the Germany show as well, and I can assure you are in for a treat. Hearing the album in its original form is a true marvelous experience, but watching it live adds an additional taste that’s just as wonderfully pleasant as one could ever hope for. The band is firing on all cylinders, blasting energy and rapture in all directions. The haunting, yet melodious acoustic intros, the unconventional riffs, the very strange time signatures, the thrashy sections, the choruses… these veterans outdo themselves in front of two packed-to-the-roof venues, filled with euphoric and captivated spectators. I wasn’t really expecting this synergy, considering how many years had passed since they performed together for the last time, but the majesty of such a decisive record is highly palpable; topped off by Arch’s mind-blowing and masterful vocal melodies. How he can hit the same intricate high notes in passages like “I’m a fire without a flame, helpless child without a name with broken wings”, while keeping his truly charismatic tone throughout the entire set is, and probably will ever, be a mystery.
The camera work and video editing is outstanding for both sets, being the ProgPower USA show slightly more enjoyable in my opinion: the band showcases a higher-degree of confidence on-stage and the sound packs an overall punchier, heavier tone. But fear not, both presentations have their own distinct flavor and freshness, turning the whole set into a visual experience of tremendous caliber. “Awaken the Guardian Live” also features art direction, design, and artwork by famed Greek-born artist Ioannis (www.dangerousage.com) who also created the original album cover.
Even when Fates Warning would become a fully progressive-metal band with their next album “No Exit”, “Awaken the Guardian” was the watershed release for them, that killer album any metalhead can turn to for an unrelenting display of guitar prowess. The feeling it evokes, the mystical, otherworldly hum that seems to rise-up from its music, is astoundingly brought back to life and documented like never-before in this fantastic live release, which we recommend as a great testimony of the evolution of the genre.
The set is available at http://metalblade.com/fateswarning
Released on April 28th, 2017
Live at Keep It True XIX
01. The Sorceress
02. Valley of the Dolls
03. Fata Morgana
04. Guardian
05. Prelude to Ruin
06. Giant’s Lore (Heart of Winter)
07. Time Long Past
08. Exodus
09. The Apparition
10. Damnation
11. Night on Brocken
12. Epitaph
Live at ProgPower XVII
01. The Sorceress
02. Valley of the Dolls
03. Fata Morgana
04. Guardian
05. Prelude to Ruin
06. Giant’s Lore (Heart of Winter)
07. Time Long Past
08. Exodus
09. Damnation
10. The Apparition
11. Kyrie Eleison
12. Epitaph
The post Fates Warning – Awaken the Guardian Live (Review) appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 26, 2017 | Prog Report
Nad Sylvan, vocalist with Steve Hackett and Agents Of Mercy, has announced the release of his new solo album ‘The Bride Said No’ for May 26th, 2017. The album sees Nad joined by a myriad of guests including Roine Stolt, Steve Hackett, Guthrie Govan, Tony Levin, Jonas Reingold, Nick D’Virgilio, Doane Perry & more.
You can now watch the official video for his latest single ‘The Quartermaster’ here:
Nad comments: “Let me introduce the Vampirate’s drinking buddy!
But is it wine or blood they’re having? Who cares.
The roaring sea takes us to an undiscovered desert island where the next chapter begins…”
The album is available on special edition CD digipak, gatefold 2LP vinyl + CD & digital download. Pre-order digitally at iTunes & Amazon MP3 from tomorrow and receive ‘The Quartermaster’ immediately.
The full track-listing for the album is as follows:
1. Bridesmaids
2. The Quartermaster
3. When The Music Dies
4. The White Crown
5. What Have You Done
6. Crime Of Passion
7. A French Kiss In An Italian Café
8. The Bride Said No
In 2015, Nad Sylan impressed everyone with his fine conceptual solo album ‘Courting The Widow’. A vampiric tale wrapped in a 17th century atmosphere, this definitively marked out the talented Swede as a surging star in the progressive rock world.
Now, Sylvan is back with ‘The Bride Said No’, an album that continues the fascinating plot, albeit with a far more extravagant musical palette. “I didn’t originally have the idea of going on with this story on the new album. But what happened was that I revisited a song called ‘The Bride Said No’, which I began to write in 1989. I kept a few of the early ideas I had for the verses and also that title, but the rest of the song is brand new. However, the title itself got me thinking that it made sense if this were used in relation to the vampirate character from ‘Courting The Widow’. And the whole thing developed from there.”
On the creative side, what the new album does is to expand Sylvan’s horizons, as he explains. “Musically, the previous record was very much located in the 1970s, and you can still hear a little of that here. But this one is a lot more modern sounding and diverse. In fact, I would say it’s closer to musical theatre than anything else.”
‘The Bride Said No’ takes what Sylvan has done before and elevates it with a new creative sensibility. He has plans for a final chronicle of this ‘vampirate’ trilogy. But that’s for the future. Right now, we can all revel in the delights of this eight track masterpiece.
“I set out to take things even further than before. I believe I have succeeded.”
Nad has most recently been seen performing alongside the legendary Steve Hackett as part of his Genesis Revisited with Classic Hackett tour, which continues across the world during 2017.
The post Nad Sylvan – “The Quartermaster” (Official Video) appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
