News Archives - Page 39 of 54

Steven Wilson announces 2018 North American tour dates

by progrock.com | Sep 18, 2017 | News, Prog Report

Steven Wilson has announced a series of dates for his upcoming North American tour. The tour which will highlight his recent album To The Bone, kicks off April 20th in Quebec and concludes May 14th in Phoenix. Steven made a comment about the tour on Facebook.

“I’m happy to announce a return to the USA & Canada in April and May of next year with my band, and with a new show based on the current album To The Bone. As well as featuring songs from that album there will be favourites from previous tours, as well as some of my older songs that haven’t been played by the solo band before. The visual aspects of the show are planned to be on an even higher level than previous tours, and as always the sound will be in quadrophonic.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday (22nd September), don’t miss out!

Mark’s Quick Review: Von Hertzen Brothers – Love Remains the Same

by Mark Monforti | Sep 14, 2017 | News, Reviews

This 2008 release shows the steady improvement of this band. The opening track shows a new maturity to their song writing and was the highlight for me at RosFest show.

As I like to say when reviewing their albums I do like the way siblings can harmonize. The siblings have a bit of a “sonic” quality when doing so.

The album Highlights make this album a buy recomendation

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Bring out the Sun (So Alive), Somewhere in the Middle, I Came for You

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(3.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(3.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(3.5 / 5)

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Europica’s – EUROPICA- part one

by Mark Monforti | Sep 12, 2017 | News, Reviews

A new album from Hungary EUROPICA- part one with guest singers Blaze Bayley (Iron Maiden, Wolfsbane),Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest, Yngwie Malmsteen Band, Iced Earth), Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, Kamelot, Angra), Ralf Scheepers (Gamma Ray, Primal Fear), Tomek Horytnica ( Horytnica).

The album consists of 10 songs, which were recorded for nine months in eleven different studios. The cd cover is the artwork of the famous graphic designer Gyula Havancsák, who has already worked for bands Accept, Stratovarius, Destruction, Kreator, Grave Digger.

This album is just a fun romp for fans of albums like Operation Mindcrime or Iron Maiden. No song is longer than 4:07 but when listened to in its entirety you can tell it basically on long song.

For what ever reason I thought it was fun and accessible but not a lot of drama despite the subject matter and the crunchy guitars and great vocals.

Its an album to enjoy for sure but I don’t know if I could ever be passionate about this album. Looking forward to part II though.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(3.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(4.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(2.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(2.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(3.0 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Musique Noise’s – Dans le Temps qui setire

by Mark Monforti | Sep 11, 2017 | News, Reviews

So this album hit my desk last month, and we want to thank them for send it to us.

This release, Dans Le Temps Qui S’Etire, is a bit more avant guard than I usually like but it still struck me on first listen that this is a quality album. The boot leg live track was probably not really good enough quality to add to this release in my opinion.

I think this is a good album for more adventurous prog listeners

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(1.5 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(2.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(3.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(2.5 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Galahad’s – Sleepless in Phoenixville.

by Mark Monforti | Sep 10, 2017 | News, Reviews

So I am letting the PC pick older albums at random so we don’t end up with a bunch of 5 star albums in the collection of reviews.

But the computer is on a little streak of picking some great releases.

This one has a special place for me. I had never heard of Galahad before this introduction by Joel Craig at RosFest. Stu and company just blew us away. I have been a fan ever since. This live album is maybe a good place to start for you too if you never heard of the band.

This live album was in support of the wonderful empires never last album which is another great gateway album for progressive rock.

This band does have an open invitation to get an all expense paid trip to Chicago because of albums like this one.

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(4.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(3.5 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
ARTWORK & PACKAGING:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(4.0 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(4.5 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Mark’s Quick Review: Euphoria Station’s – One Heart

by Mark Monforti | Sep 10, 2017 | News, Reviews

This is a pass for me. I really like their mission statement (below) but I just can’t find any highlights for you here. I am sorry to say. I do hear some interesting guitar in this. It might be that Saskia is way too high in the mix.

Euphoria Station was formed by vocalist/ lyricist Saskia Binder and guitarist/songwriter Hoyt Binder who share a passion for progressive music with commercial hooks. Saskia brings a powerhouse voice that recalls a time when radio was king while still sounding fresh. Hoyt equally brings a hard rock edge that nods to progressive guitar heroes of yesteryear while maintaining a modern feel.

To some it up. I quote the album “ewwwwwww not today”

PREVIOUS BAND RATING:	(0.0 / 5)
ACCESSIBILITY:	(2.0 / 5)
HEAVINESS:	(2.0 / 5)
MELODIC:	(3.0 / 5)
DRAMA:	(1.5 / 5)
OVERALL RATING:	(1.0 / 5)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS: Request Here

Click Below to purchase at Amazon US or Amazon UK and we’ll get a little referral bonus on your whole order. Even if you don’t order this album

Key:
These ratings are just attributes and may not have correlation to the most important: OVERALL RATING

PREVIOUS BAND RATING
0: Never heard of them or debut album.
1: Someone recommended. I give them another shot.
2: Some good moments in the past but never put together an album I really liked.
3: Some 4 or 5 star songs but albums can be hit or miss for me.
4: I like 80% of their songs and probably went to see them live.
5: I would, and probably have gone on a plane to see them live.

ACCESSIBILITY EXAMPLES
1: Weather Report
2: Zappa
3: Genesis – Selling England by the Pound,
4: Marillion – F.E.A.R
5: Kino – Picture

HEAVINESS EXAMPLES
1: IQ – Seventh House
2: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
5: Opeth – Black Water Park

MELODIC EXAMPLES:
1: Opeth – Black Water Park
2: Vanden Plas – Chirst 0, Dream Theater – Scenes From a Memory
3: Porcupine Tree – In Abstentia, Shadow Gallery – Tyranny
4: Discipline – Unfold Like a Staircase
5: IQ – Seventh House

OVERALL RATING:
1: Will Never listen to again and deleted under no circumstances should you buy this
2: Not my thing maybe one redeeming song.
3: I like parts of this and I would check them out if they were near me.
4: I would get in the car and road trip to see this album live
5: I would get on a plane to see this performed live

See if our likes are similar See my Last.fm Page

https://www.last.fm/user/mon40/library/artists

Steven Wilson announces 2018 North American tour dates

Mark’s Quick Review: Von Hertzen Brothers – Love Remains the Same

Mark’s Quick Review: Europica’s – EUROPICA- part one

Mark’s Quick Review: Musique Noise’s – Dans le Temps qui setire

Mark’s Quick Review: Galahad’s – Sleepless in Phoenixville.

Mark’s Quick Review: Euphoria Station’s – One Heart

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