Mastadon announce new album and release new track

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

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Ayreon – “The Day that the World Breaks Down” (Official Video)

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!

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Big Wreck – Grace Street (Album Review)

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

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Prog Report Playlist – Top Blackfield Songs

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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Ayreon releases tracklisting for new album The Source

by progrock.com | Jan 24, 2017 | Prog Report

Fans got another sneak peak into the new Ayreon release, ‘The Source’. The cover was just released and now the tracklisting has been unveiled. More news to come. Guests to be featured are James Labrie, Paul Gilbert, Tommy Rodgers, Guthrie Govan Mark Kelly, Russell Allen, Tommy Karevik, and many more.

More news to come on this highly anticipated release.

CD1:

Chronicle 1: The ‘Frame

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Spock’s Beard release 2nd album Beware of Darkness 21 years ago

by progrock.com | Jan 23, 2017 | Prog Report

After breaking through with their debut album ‘The Light’ in 1995, the band released their strong sophomore album ‘Beware of Darkness’ the following year in January of 1996. Now a full five piece band with Neal Morse, Alan Morse, Nick D’Virgilio, Dave Merso and keyboardist Ryo Okumoto on board, the band would go on to define the Spock’s Beard sound with epics like “Walking on the Wind” and the Gentle Giant inspired “Thoughts”. Other songs like the piano rocker “The Doorway” or the acoustic “Waste Away” showcased the band’s ability to focus on simple melodies and organic instrumentation.

Bassist Dave Meros had this to say about the album: “At the time that I joined the band we were just a four piece. Neal had recorded all the keyboard parts on The Light by himself. But after The Light was recorded we wanted to start doing some gigs and Neal realized he couldn’t cover it all by himself, so Ryo was brought back in. So it really was a complete band then in a physical sense. But beyond that, this was going to be our second album, we had done some live shows as a full band, there was a bit of a buzz going on, we had a new recording contract, and there was definitely a feeling that Beware Of Darkness was our first focused push forward.”

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