by Blake | Apr 21, 2017 | Prog Report
Big Big Train are set to release their latest album, Grimspound, on April 28th. The album is a full collection of 8 tracks, originally intended as a companion album to Folklore, but instead evolved into its own full album. Here the band present a new video for one of the longer tracks on the album “Experimental Gentlemen”, however, this is just the middle section of the song, which is actually 10 minutes in length. The video is 6 minutes.
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Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 19, 2017 | Prog Report
Ayreon mastermind, Arjen Lucassen, talks about his new concept album The Source, how it came together, all the guest stars, why he writes such epic albums and more. The Source comes out April 28th, 2017.
For the full audio interview click the link below or download the podcast on iTunes.
The post Arjen Lucassen Interview (Ayreon-The Source) appeared first on The Prog Report.
Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 18, 2017 | Prog Report
Avant-garde prog, rock, pop group, announce their new album ‘Land Animal’ their first for InsideOutMusic/Sony, released on June 23, 2017. It offers a suite of songs full of addictive hooks, lush melodies and enthralling twists and turns that capture the reality of life in the 21st Century-a reality of people and nations in the midst of tumultuous change. It also communicates a ray of hope and desire for listeners to embrace the fact that they’re not alone in their struggles.
Watch the beautiful, provocative video for “Land Animal” directed by Greg Bowan, here:
Bent Knee formed in 2009 as a democratic collective determined to push the boundaries of pop and rock. Lead singer and keyboardist Courtney Swain’s soaring vocals are instantly arresting. Guitarist Ben Levin is one of the most dynamic and versatile guitarists around, shifting between the raging and raucous to the sublime and meditative. Bassist Jessica Kion and drummer Gavin Wallace-Ailsworth combine into an enthralling rhythm section that’s equal parts powerhouse and nuance. Violinist Chris Baum’s kinetic violin work provides drama, grace and intrigue. World-class producer and live sound designer Vince Welch weaves it all together with a captivating, expert touch.
The band has gone from strength to strength in recent years. Its last two albums, 2016’s Say Soand 2014’s Shiny Eyed Babies, were hailed as significant art-rock achievements. The group has performed hundreds of shows across the world to date. During the fall of 2016, the band played for ecstatic audiences as an opener for the U.S. leg of The Dillinger Escape Plan’s farewell tour ahead of signing with InsideOutMusic/Sony.
“We’re very excited to be working with InsideOutMusic/Sony,” said Swain. “It’s wonderful to have our music reach a lot of new ears across the globe through them. It’s an honor to join their roster of prestigious artists and we look forward to a long relationship with the label.”
The band is now on tour in America. During April and May, it opens for the expansive rock act Thank You Scientist, known for its combination of progressive and jazz influences. Bent Knee then continues in June with a headlining tour. See full routing below, and PRESS HERE for more information.
Bent Knee Tour Dates:
*supporting Thank You Scientist
^with Great Caesar
4/18 Detroit, MI @ The Shelter*
4/19 Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar*
4/20 Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall*
4/21 Dekalb, IL @ The House*
4/22 Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose Taphouse*
4/23 Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck*
4/27 Boston, MA @ Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum*
5/6 Buffalo, NY @ Waiting Room*
5/7 Ithaca, NY @ The Haunt*
5/9 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar*
5/10 Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club*
5/11 Richmond, VA @ Canal Club *
5/12 Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall*
5/19 Victoriaville, Canada @ Festival International Musique Actuelle, Colisee B
6/1 Brooklyn, NY @ Rough Trade NYC^
6/3 New Haven, CT @ Café Nine^
6/5 Boston, MA @ Great Scott
6/6 Philadelphia, PA @ Kung-Fu Necktie
6/7 Pittsburgh, PA @ The Fun House/Mr. Smalls
6/8 Washington DC @ Black Cat
6/9 Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall
6/11 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern
6/12 Chicago, IL @ Schubas
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Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 18, 2017 | Prog Report
Anathema, who recently revealed the new song “Sprinfield”, from the band’s forthcoming album, The Optimist (June 9, Kscope), are now thrilled to announce their first North American dates since 2014.
The nine dates, which kick off on Aug. 16 in Baltimore, include stops in New York, Chicago and a trio of Canadian dates.
“Touring the U.S. and Canada is always a fantastic privilege,” said guitar player Daniel Cavanagh. “These countries have been the birthplace of some of the most revered recording artists of all time. We are delighted to visit the east coast and we promise to visit the west coast, following up soon. Our new album, The Optimist, is set in America. It will be a blast! ”
Tour dates:
August 16 Baltimore, MD Soundstage
August 17 New York, NY Gramercy Theater
August 18 Boston, MA Brighton Music Hall
August 19 Quebec, QC Saile Multi
August 20 Montreal, QC Astral
August 21 Toronto, ON Opera House
August 23 Chicago, IL Bottom Lounge
August 24 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
August 25 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of Living Arts
Tickets are available this Friday, April 21, for more details please visit facebook.com/anathemamusic.
Anathema, led by brothers Daniel and Vincent Cavanagh, along with drummer John Douglas, singer Lee Douglas, bassist Jamie Cavanagh and drummer/keyboardist Daniel Cardoso began recording The Optimist in the winter of 2016 at Attica Audio in Donegal, Ireland and then finished at Castle Of Doom studios in Glasgow with producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian, Super Furry Animals) at the helm and was mastered at the legendary Abbey Road Studios.
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Source:: Prog Report
by Blake | Apr 16, 2017 | Prog Report
After much deliberating, arranging, revising, arguing, adding and subtracting, and more revising, we finally present our list of the Top 50 Modern Prog Songs comprised of songs from 1990-2015. The list looks at the modern Prog landscape from a larger scale point of view, recognizing those bands that have had the largest influence on the genre over the last few decades, and the most celebrated songs from those bands. There are some tracks from a few of the classic Prog bands who had a worthy release in the 90s, but mostly, this list is made up of the newer bands who often get overlooked in favor of the hugely successful classic artists on broader Prog lists. Here you will find bands like Spock’s Beard, Riverside, Anathema, The Dear Hunter, and many of the now well-known bands like Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, and Opeth, with high profile icons like Mike Portnoy, Steven Wilson, and Neal Morse leading the charge with their enormous output of music over the last 25 years.
While this list is certain to generate some disagreements and discussion, it was meant more as a chance to recognize the great songs that have kept Prog relevant and exciting in a new era. There are thousands more that are certainly worthy, but these are the ones that percolated to the top as contenders for the best of the best.
The list is based on a few parameters:
1-The band and song had to be noteworthy, not someone’s favorite song from an unknown band that had one album in 1997
2-The songs had to be released between 1990-2015 (2016-present was too new)
3-Lastly, only one song per album and no entire album songs.
And that’s it. Enjoy, and let the debate begin! We have no doubt it will be heated!
Spotify playlist with most of the songs available here:
https://open.spotify.com/user/progreport/playlist/6dkBTR6Wovn86LEDAmIKdV
50. “Cicatriz ESP” (12:29)
The Mars Volta – De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
The long, diverse, and experimental track from the eclectic group’s debut album. The band incorporate elements of Santana, Led Zeppelin and early era Pink Floyd for something unique.
Listen on Spotify
49. “Kingdom” (5:29)
Devin Townsend Project – Epicloud (2012)
After more than 20 years and more than a dozen albums, Devin Townsend made perhaps his best album with 2012’s Epicloud. “Kingdom” is as representative of Devin’s massive wall of sound as there is and is his closing number for every show.
Listen on Spotify
48. “Simple Boy” (5:47)
Karnivool – Sound Awake (2009)
The second album by the Australian Proggers would build on their successful debut album with stellar tracks like the rhythmic opener “Simple Boy” which, although not being a single from the album, remains one of their most popular and memorable songs.
Listen on Spotify
47. “Selkies: the Endless Obsession” (7:23)
Between the Buried and Me – Alaska (2005)
The breakthrough track from the progressive metal outfit remains the perfect showcase for their ability to blend pure, aggressive metal with sophisticated, melodic moments. It was surely a sign for the direction the band would take years later.
Listen on Spotify
46. “Below Zero” (6:07)
Enchant – Wounded (1996)
Back when Prog was struggling for relevance, Enchant were releasing brilliant tracks like “Below Zero”. The guitar riff alone is tremendous but mixed with Ted Leonard’s soaring vocals and the time change towards the end, the song elevates to another level.
Listen on Spotify
45. “Anybody Listening?” (7:58)
Queensryche – Empire (1990)
The last great Prog album and song from one of the pioneering groups from the 80s. Geoff Tate never sounded better than on this track from their multiplatinum selling album. The band would fail to reach the same heights of commercial success but have since regrouped with their new lineup.
Listen on Spotify
44. “A Simple Mistake” (8:18)
Anathema – We’re Here Because We’re Here (2010)
Anathema have the ability to turn the simplest of songs into massive powerful statements. This track builds from ballad to heavy Prog epic in only the way this band can, making for one of their best tracks.
Listen on Spotify
43. “Beyond the Pale” (10:02)
Pain of Salvation – Remedy Lane (2002)
From their celebrated album Remedy Lane, this album closing epic finds the Swedish band presenting everything that is inspiring about their music; the power, the emotion, the intensity, plus outstanding writing.
Listen on Spotify
42. “Escalator Shrine” (12:41)
Riverside – Shrine of New Generation Slaves (2013)
Riverside keep reinventing themselves with each album. SoNGS was another step in the maturation process of Mariusz Duda and this slow, brooding epic is another example of this band’s brilliance.
Listen on Spotify
41. “Monument” (6:35)
Fates Warning – InsideOut (1994)
Few bands paved the way for progressive metal like Fates Warning. This track from the 1994 album remains one of their signature songs and is a lesson in how to write a technically impressive, yet melodic Prog hit.
Listen on Spotify
Next Page>>>
>#50-41
>#40-31
>#30-21
>#20-11
>#10-1
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by Blake | Apr 16, 2017 | Prog Report
The music world lost another great today when it was announced that Allan Holdsworth, the guitar legend, had passed away unexpectedly at age 70. He was now known to have been ill.
Holdsworth, best known as a jazz fusion guitarist, was strongly regarded as one of the pioneers of the electric guitar, known for his flawless technique and groundbreaking experimentation revered by the likes of Eddie Van Halen Joe Satriani and John Mclaughlin, among many others. He was an original member of the prog band U.K. the late John Wetton, Bill and Eddie Jobson, but left following their 1978 debut album, and released a number of solo albums.
His daughters posted this message online earlier today:
“It is with heavy hearts that we notify everyone of the passing of our beloved father. We would appreciate privacy and time while we grieve the loss of our dad, grandad, friend and musical genius. We will update close friends and family when service arrangements have been made and will notify the public of an open memorial service, which all would be welcome. We are undeniably still in shock with his unexpected death and cannot begin to put into words the overwhelming sadness we are experiencing. He is missed tremendously.” Louise, Sam, Emily & Rori
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Source:: Prog Report
