by progrock.com | Jan 27, 2017 | Prog Report
After the release of The Whirlwind in 2009, Transatlantic seemed to be on another long hiatus as the members got involved in their other project. But they returned in early 2014 for the release of the album ‘Kaleidoscope’ which was rather than a long concept album, was more in the style of their album ‘Bridge Across Forever’ with 2 long epics and a few shorter songs in between. The album came out just before Mike Portnoy’s Progressive Nation at Sea’ cruise, where the group would headline. They performed the album in its entirety as the ship sailed away from the port of Miami just a few weeks after the album’s release. The band would release the ballad “Shine” as the first single followed by the rocker “Black as the Sky”, however, it is the 2 long 30-minute epics that would make this another great album by these Prog masters.
In an interview prior to the album’s release, Neal Morse had this to say about Kaliedoscope, “When we were trying to come with something to record for a single, the problem is all the best Trransatlantic music is in the 30 minute pieces so trying to make a clip or video that is going to represent the band is really hard. So we chose the song “Shine” but I suppose that represents the band as well as “From the beginning” represents ELP. I think the album came out great. I’m always amazed at how things come together. I think we’ve grown closer as people through the Whirlwind album and the Whirlwind tour. There’s been some growth there and I think it shows up on the album. I think it’s one of our best.”
Mike Portnoy also had this to say about the album, “Kaleidoscope was very much modeled after Bridge in that sense that you know, we want to have maybe two giant epic songs and then a couple of medium sized pieces and then a couple of small pieces so that was the idea. And it was also the first album the first Transatlantic album we made since I had left Dream Theater. So you know there was this new sense of hey Transatlantic could now be more of an active band now with you know with me not in Dream Theater and Neal not in Spock’s Beard.”
The post Transatlantic set sail with ‘Kaleidoscope’ 3 years ago appeared first on The Prog Report.
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by progrock.com | Jan 27, 2017 | Prog Report
Mastadon are back to announce a new album called ‘Emperor of Sand’. The album is due on March 31 via Reprise Records and features 11 crushing new songs including this first track to be released called “Sultan’s Curse” which you can check out here.
You can order the new album here: http://www.mastodonrocks.com/emperorofsand?lf=bfd13388a10fb1bcae21431ff8f51176&referrer=http://www.mastodonrocks.com/news/new-album-emperor-sand-available-march-31-43076
The post Mastadon announce new album and release new track appeared first on The Prog Report.
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by progrock.com | Jan 26, 2017 | Prog Report
As most know by know, Ayreon is releasing another epic concept album, this one called The Source. We have seen the cover art and the tracklisting, as well as the massive stable of guests. Now we have the first video for “The Day that the World Breaks Down” and what a video it is. Complete will all 11 singers and commentary from Arjen himself, make sure to set aside a full 13 minutes because there is not a minute to be missed. Enjoy. The Source will be released worldwide on April 28, 2017.
You can pre-order THE SOURCE! We pulled out all the stops for this album. Here’s a list of all the items:
Earbook – 4CD/DVD (album + instrumental album + DVD)
Digibook – 2CD/DVD (album + DVD)
Black Vinyl – 2LP + download card
Green Vinyl – 2LP + download card – Limited to 300 copies worldwide
Gold Vinyl – 2LP + download card – Limited to 300 copies worldwide
Hoodie – Ayreon logo on the front, The Source artwork printed on the back
T-shirt – The Source artwork printed on the front
The DVD will have music videos, interviews, a making of documentary, and the complete album in glorious 5.1 surround sound!
The post Ayreon – “The Day that the World Breaks Down” (Official Video) appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
by progrock.com | Jan 25, 2017 | Prog Report
One of the best and underrated groups around are Canada’s Big Wreck, who are getting ready to release their 5th studio album and 3rd in the last 5 years since taking disbanding in 2001 and reuniting in 2012. While not necessarily a traditional Progressive rock group, the band was exposed to the genre base when opening for Dream Theater band in 1997. Their recent albums, Albatross (2012) and Ghost (2014) both are lessons in stretching rock’s boundaries with adventurous songwriting and use of instrumentation, making them a favorite of fans of the genre. Frontman and lead songwriter Ian Thornley ‘s tremendous guitar skills and powerful vocals are always on display, showing why he is one of rock’s most under-appreciated talents. On their latest album, ‘Grace Street’, the band present a more organic sounding album while still delivering the punch of their best work. At times channeling Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and other 70’s acts combined with their own unique style, ‘Grace Street’ is an exhilarating and refreshing rock album, one that is already one of the year’s best.
The album opens beautifully with Thornley’s shining voice over delayed guitars on “It Comes As No Surprise”. The counter-play with the barrage of heavy guitars and subdued chorus makes for a powerful album opener and leads in perfectly to the AOR-radio single “One Good Piece of Me”, which is the group’s most commercial sounding track since their debut album. The track actually fits better within the album format than as a single. The earlier part of the album is very rock guitar-oriented, highlighted with the Rolling Stones-influenced “You Don’t Even Know”. The groove here is undeniable and you cannot help but hum this song after it’s done.
The strongest part of the album is the middle stretch of songs from 5-7. “Useless” is a gorgeous acoustic ballad, where Thornley shines on vocals over what sounds like a chorus of guitars. The album’s best track is the almost indescribable 7 and a half minute “A Speedy Recovery”. The drum beat here is killer and the bass line tremendous. The acoustic riff over this rhythm section could go on for days and not get boring while the break in the middle is another genius stroke of writing. Even the guitar solo here is unreasonably smooth. Then there is the mid-tempo psuedo-ballad “Motionless” which might be the album’s second best track. Once again the drums and bass create the backdrop for Thornley to present another great verse and chorus, with an emotive middle section that lifts the entire song. From there the album returns to more rock drive material like the album’s second single “Digging In”, the Zeppelin-esque “The Receiving End”, the uplifting “Floodgates”, and the killer instrumental jam “Skybunk Marche”, another track unlike anything the band have recorded before.
Ian Thornley seems to have really found his voice with Big Wreck many years after its inception. He shows no fear or restriction in his ideas and as a result, every album is a expressive, adventurous, and always exciting to listen to. If the definition of Prog has indeed evolved from long keyboard solos and capes to music that refuses boundaries, than Big Wreck are definitely worthy of recognition from any Prog fan. After all, good music is just good music. Check this album out, you will be glad you did.
Released on Feb 3rd on Rounder Records
Key Tracks, A Speedy Recovery, Motionless, Floodgates, Skybunk Marche
1. “It Comes As No Surprise” 4:17
2. “One Good Piece Of Me” 4:01
3. “Tomorrow Down” 4:37
4. “You Don’t Even Know” 3:52
5. “Useless” 5:17
6. “A Speedy Recovery” 7:38
7. “Motionless” 5:31
8. “Digging In” 5:03
9. “The Receiving End” 3:21
10. “Floodgates” 5:32
11. “The Arborist” 5:46
12. “Skybunk Marché” 7:01
13. “All My Fears On You” 6:14
Ian Thornley – vocals/guitar
Brian Doherty – guitars
Chuck Keeping – drums
Dave McMillan – Bass
The post Big Wreck – Grace Street (Album Review) appeared first on The Prog Report.
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by progrock.com | Jan 24, 2017 | Prog Report
Blackfield are about to release their 5th album, ‘V’ on Feb 10th. The album marks the return of Steven Wilson as a major contributor to the project, originally conceived by him and Israeli star Aviv Geffen. With the album on the horizon, let’s look at the best from this group’s catalog.
You can also catch this playlist on Spotify:
“Blackfield” from the album Blackfield – This self-titled track set the tone for the style of the band and is one perhaps the best song on the debut album. If one thing was lost on the first album, its that some of the songs, like this one could have been a little longer.
“Glow” from the album Blackfield – A fantastic and haunting ballad from the debut. The buildup at the end is trademark Steven Wilson.
“Hello” from the album Blackfield – The group’s first single and a great album closer. The song features beautiful harmonies in the chorus.
“Once” from the album Blackfield II – The second album kicked off with this rocker, really the first time the duo showed their ability to do this kind of song in this setting.
“1000 People” from the album Blackfield II – Building on the groundwork from some of the ballads like “Glow” from the debut album, this draws a little influence from The Cars with that synth sound, but the hook in the chorus is pure Wilson gold.
“Epidemic” from the album Blackfield II – A dark and brooding rock track with some edge, this is an underrated track from this album.
“Rising of the Tide” from the album Welcome to my DNA – The best song from the mostly underwhelming 3rd album. The chorus and orchestration here is still top notch and a worthy addition to this list.
“Sense of Insanity” from the album IV – This song was a change of pace for the group but the lyrics resonate and its uptempo nature is welcome when laid against much of the mellow nature of the album. It is also one of Geffen’s finer moments vocally.
“Family Man” from the album V – The first single from the new album, this rock track sounds like something from the second album and is easily their best song in years.
“How Was Your Ride” from the album V – Another brilliant Steven Wilson ballad, recalling moments from the earlier albums.
“From 44 to 48” from the album V – This song is unreleased at the time of this list, but will absolutely be considered on the groups best songs once it is released.
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