Tool, the band that always seems to be working on a follow up album that never happens, have finally given more concrete info on an upcoming new album. Posted on the band’s Facebook page, the band themselves have revealed that the new album is in fact written and they are heading into the studio to record. Whether or not an album will be released at some point is still unknown, but this is as close as the band seem to have come to making new music in a long time. The message on the band’s page read as follows:
“Who’s ready for some major breaking news? Brace yourself; get ready… okay, here we go. We are very excited to announce what is sure to be welcome news for both fans of TOOL and prog-metal enthusiasts in general. After all the years of writing and arranging (and re-arranging) at the band’s loft, I can at this time officially report that the guys have moved into a major studio where the recording process for the next album is about to begin in earnest. For the past few days the band members have been getting sonically adjusted to their new surroundings – dialing in the equipment settings and restaurant catering choices – in preparation for Danny to begin his tracking any time now – perhaps by the time that you read this!
I am also excited to announce that ‘evil’ JOE BARRESI will once again have his capable fingers at the engineering controls for what will certainly be another masterful TOOL offering by the talented team. Pinch yourself if you want, but I have been told that all systems are GO at this point for the upcoming sessions.
I will be posting periodic bits and pieces on the progress of the tracking once the guys get deeper into the recording process, and hope that all of you will keep checking back to the official website for these updates. In the meantime, be sure to also visit the individual band members’ sites and socials (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) for more inside glimpses as TOOL prepares for the next stage in their musical odyssey.”
We have asked a number of prog artists to put together shows for Prog Report Radio where they pick any 5 songs they choose. The first installment of this show, My Prog Five, is led by Ross Jennings, lead vocalist for the group Haken. Over 30 minutes you will get to know what kind of music Jennings listens to and recommends, as well as hear his brilliant DJ hosting skills. All shows will first air on Prog Report Radio so listen to check them out. More shows to come.
For the full audio interview click the link below or download the podcast on iTunes.
With the release of Automata (Part 1), Between the Buried and Me have provided the next stage of their musical maturity; a concept album which is being revealed in two parts (the second part to be released in June). Tommy Rogers’ dark lyrics centered on the main character’s struggle with depression and the media exploitation of it. These five musicians successfully deliver a great journey with their signature power, precision, and sound longtime fans have adapted to hearing.
The opening track, “Condemned to the Gallows” sets the dark mood with a great and haunting acoustic guitar intro as so many classic metal albums have done. They capture the listener’s attention and set the expectation of the heaviness which is about to arrive. The perfect blend of rhythm and melody allows the band to quickly flex their metal muscle as growling vocals and melodic singing are equally represented while following the flow of the music. “House Organ” slaps one in the face with an onslaught of distortion guitars and a tight groove between Richardson and Briggs. Rogers signature growls is so well complimented by the more subdued breakdown which he then shows off his melodic singing. BTBAM show in their musical growth they are able to establish and ride a great groove rather than changing drastically every 16 bars. With their familiar sound established, now comes the meat of the album.
“Yellow Eyes” provides a satisfying 8-plus minute of BTBAM at their prog metal best. As fans will be able to appreciate and understand how all of the best past efforts are well balanced and combined to provide musical satisfaction for all to hear. Waggoner and Warring get to showcase their tight dueling harmonies as well as putting down some cool grooves complimented by Briggs’ low end foundation. In typical fashion, the halfway point introduces a cool groove giving the listener a break from the complex riffing and Briggs’ jedi bass playing is easily heard. Richardson’s relentless playing gets rewarded with a short snare solo complimented by Rogers’ keyboard. Paul Waggoner’s solo brings the song to a great conclusion which leads us to “Millions”.
The fourth album track establishes a clean easy groove then jolts into the chorus. Once again, the contrasting vocal styles are balanced and deliver the story well. “Gold Distance” is a brief transition of keys and some delicate bass lines surrounded by special effects leading to the ten minute album climax, “Blot”. This song brings all the elements which one would expect—it doesn’t disappoint. Interestingly, the opening keyboard and guitar line could be something out of Haken or Nova Collective—clearly, Briggs’ interactions with Haken’s Henshall have rubbed off a bit. Even at the 6 minute mark, there is a vocal melody line you could hear Haken influence as well. Overall, this track shines as it has everything BTBAM has to offer at the highest level of musical performance. The ending chorus is epic; but, just when you think a conclusion is due, the abrupt ending reminds us the second part is just a few months away…
A long time show business mantra is to always leave the audience wanting for more. Between the Buried and Me have done exactly this, now June cannot get here soon enough.
Released on March 9th, 2018 on Sumerian Records Key Tracks: Condemned to the Gallows, Blot
Tracks: 1-Condemned to the Gallows 2-House Organ 3-Yellow Eyes 4-Millions 5-Gold Distance 6-Blot
Between the Buried and Me are have just released their new album Automata Pt.1, the first in a two-part release. They are also currently on tour with Leprous and The Dear Hunter. Here we catch up with BTBAM singer Tommy Rogers on the new album and tour. For more info on the tour visit: http://www.betweentheburiedandme.com/
Where did the idea for this album to be split into two parts stem from?
Tommy: Well, we originally wrote it as one piece, as one album, and you know we wrote and recorded it as such. After it was all mixed, there was this part in the album that felt like great intermission and it just felt right. You know, it was something we were like let’s try it, let’s see. You know, let’s give people some incentive to check out the second half a little bit more. I think music comes and goes so quickly now and this way people don’t get everything they want at the moment they want and there’s some beauty in that. I personally love that we did that and I feel good about it. There’s quite a few reasons why we split it in two, but I guess those are the main ones and, as a fan, I mean you’re getting two different moments to get new music by us. Hopefully, it will kind of make the album stand out from their every day album that’s coming out week after week.
What can we expect from Part Two?
Tommy: Part two is very different, kind of takes a different turn, a little more theatrical, possibly more experimental. But it’s all very cohesive with part one. We wrote it all as one album and it all feels really great together and I think some of the best music is on part two. I’m really excited for people to start hearing that as well.
The band really went a different direction on Coma Ecliptic. Do you see this material as a continuation of that, or a bit of recapturing some of the more metal moments of earlier work.
Tommy: I think all our music is a continuation of what was before it. We’re in a place where we know we’ve been a band so long and we’re constantly writing every few years and because of that we’re growing up in different ways, as musicians, you know we’re writing differently, the way we write in terms changes . We’re not the kind of band that sits down and discusses what an album is going to sound like. We just kind of all start writing on our own and then once things start to take shape we start getting an idea of where the album is going. With this album there were some moments that were a little heavier but I wouldn’t say we were trying to recapture anything it’s just part of us you know. I think it was very natural coming out of Coma to write this stuff so you know we never know what the next one will sound like and so on and so on.
Where does the idea sound like Millions come from?
Tommy: It honestly was a very natural thing. And the moment we wrote it it was a great moment in the record for kind of a little downtime and it was based off a few riffs. I think Dan put the song together and yeah I think it’s cool to have songs like that on the album that creates dynamics and I think we’ve always been a band that had very drastic dynamics and I really enjoy that song.
How much has the songwriting process changed in the band since you formed?
Tommy: It’s very different since we formed, I mean in the old days it was mainly Paul and I just playing guitar and writing some songs. With this new lineup I think each album we kind of individually change how we write. I think we each probably have a different idea of how things have changed because we all are consciously kind of evolving how we write. Hopefully, I think we’re getting better and better writing songs. I think now more than in the past we care more about the song and the album as a whole rather than trying to prove something or create these songs where we’re trying to be groundbreaking or anything. For us now we’re just trying to write songs and we’ve always had that mindset but I feel like now we don’t put as much pressure on ourselves and we’re not trying to prove anything at all we’re just trying to be the best band we can be at this moment.
Band members often talk about how they don’t even listen to Metal outside the band. Is that still the case or if so what do you listen to?
Tommy: I listen to a lot of music. I still love metal and I listen to a lot of black metal. That’s always been kind of my vice. I don’t listen to much brutal death metal anymore like I used to. But I still don’t know. I still love metal, I love still of all the old Testament, Slayer, and all that shit. I go through my phases and yes sometimes I wanna listen to metal a lot, sometimes I don’t. It’s just kind of what you’re feeling at that moment and it’s like that with writing, sometimes I really want to write a lot of metal and sometimes I don’t at all.
How was the 10th anniversary tour for Colors? Was it what you expected?
Tommy: It was amazing. I had no expectations. I kind of always knew that people celebrated that album a lot and kind of held it is one of our pinnacle albums. But you know, you never know if people like it hopefully people will care, it was phenomenal night after night. The energy was so great. It was cool to have that much support from something we did so long ago. We are in a very lucky place to even have an opportunity to do something like that. So yeah I was very happy and the fans seemed to enjoy the tour.
The current tour is really diverse with the different. It just kicked off. How is it this far and how did that lineup come together? Have you been fans of these bands prior to the tour?
Tommy: Yeah it’s going great. It’s such a good lineup. I mean, it’s phenomenal bands. I’ve personally been fans of Dear Hunter for years. Leprous I honestly didn’t really hear much by them till we toured with them and Devin Townsend in Europe last year and they blew me away every night. I’m a huge fan, huge huge fan. And I just love what they do. It’s nice to have a package like this with different bands, really good bands and we like to mix it up. I think as fans of music it’s a cool tour. You know you’re not walking in every night and seeing a bunch of bands that sound the same. So I think it’s a good experience for everyone involved.
Very recently we posted a ranking of Neal Morse’s prog albums and we were happy to see the great response. Of course, there were a lot of disagreements and various opinions on the list. We decided to bring that debate to the podcast. Joining Prog Report editor Roie Avin are two notable Neal Morse experts, who also happen to be frequent contributors to the website. “Prog Nick” Matzukis and Geoff Bailie bring their views on the top 5 Morse albums. We also highlight a few great tracks from the albums.
For the full audio click the link below or download the podcast on iTunes.
Each show Woody & Suzi Harris will take you on a whirlwind tour of progressive rock from the hidden gems that you have yet to discover to the greatest prog of all time. You will[...]
Internet radio show and podcast featuring epic progressive rock tracks from past and present. Listen live or via your fav podcatcher. http://www.musicinwidescreen.com/
An Epic and an Interview is just what it sounds like. Mark will play one epic, conduct an interview with the band who’s featured on the epic, and fill in the rest of the hour[...]
