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News of Prog

February 2012 | January | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |

26.II+ Queen
26.II+ Touchstone
26.II+ Mekong Delta
26.II+ Black Sabbath
26.II+ Ancient Future
26.II+ Metal Mind Records
26.II+ Esoteric Recordings
26.II+ Cuneiform Records
26.II+ Parma Recordings
26.II+ Muffin Records


BANDS & PERFORMERS:

Queen
(UK) / February 26, 2011

Latest news:

Latest News:

Queen’s Brian May and Roger Taylor have confirmed that the band will headline the second day of UK's Sonisphere, appearing on the Apollo stage on Saturday, July 7. Knebworth was the setting for the band’s final concert with Freddie Mercury, in August 1986. May and Taylor also confirmed that for this very special event they will be joined by US singer-songwriter, and "American Idol" finalist, Adam Lambert. The potent chemistry between Queen and Lambert broke the surface when at the invitation of Brian May and Roger Taylor, Lambert joined them for the closing showcase at the recent MTV Europe Music Awards where Queen were present to collect their "Global Icon" award.

Related Links:
Queen

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Touchstone
(UK) / February 26, 2011

Latest News:

The British progressive/melodic rock quintet Touchstone is set to release their back catalogue on March 26 (Europe) & March 23 (GSA) through SPV/Steamhammer. The reissues, which include the enhanced edition of the band's first EP “Mad Hatters” (2006), as well as debut full-length album “Discordant Dreams” (2007) and “Wintercoast” (2009), will contain rare and previously unreleased live bonus tracks recorded at 2010's High Voltage Festival in London's Victoria Park, as well as additional never-seen-before artwork by guitarist Adam Hodgson. Touchstone released new studio album “The City Sleeps” on SPV/Steamhammer in October 2011 to critical acclaim. The album went straight into the UK Top 40 Official Rock Charts at No. 36 and featured in the top 20 of Classic Rock Magazine and Classic Rock Presents Prog’s Best Albums of 2011 Critics Choice.

Related Links:
Touchstone

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Black Sabbath
(UK) / February 26, 2011

Latest News:

The original lineup of Black Sabbath — who late last year confirmed the recording of their first new album with Ozzy in more than 33 years and a worldwide headlining tour — have had to put some plans on hold due to guitarist Tony Iommi's cancer treatment and drummer Bill Ward's contract dispute. At this time, Black Sabbath will perform only two shows of this year's previously scheduled tour. The band’s first concert will take place Sunday, June 10 at the UK's Download festival. As for the second one, here is what Sharon Osbourne (Ozzy’s wife and manager) says: “They're gonna be doing one show in America this summer, but I can't say yet because we can't announce it, the promoters have to, but they are doing one show in August here together.” Tony Iommi continues to make excellent progress and is looking forward to getting back out on the road. Meanwhile, Black Sabbath continues to write and record music in the UK for their upcoming album, hoping that Bill Ward will join them soon.

Related Links:
Black Sabbath

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Mekong Delta
(Germany) / February 26, 2011

Forthcoming release:

"Intersections", a collection of re-recorded classics by the legendary German progressive metal outfit Mekong Delta, will be released in Germany on April 20, in the rest of Europe on April 23 and in the U.S./Canada in early May via SPV/Steamhammer. Mekong Delta — founded in the '80s by producer and bass player Ralf Hubert — plays unconventional progressive metal.

"Intersections" track listing:

1.  Prophecy
2.  The Cure
3.  Memories of Tomorrow
4.  Heroes Grief
5.  Shades of Doom
6.  The Healer
7.  Transgressor
8.  Sphere Eclipse
9.  Heartbeat
10. Innocent

Lineup:

Ralf Hubert – bass 
Erik Grosch – guitar 
Martin LeMar – vocals 
Benedikt Zimniak – guitar 
Alex Landenburg – drums  

Related Links:
Mekong Delta

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Ancient Future
(USA) / February 26, 2011

Latest news:

Ancient Future’s classic 1990 release “World without Walls”, featuring special guest Zakir Hussain, was nominated by broadcasters worldwide as ZoneMusicReporter's Best World Album of 2011. The record debuted at #39 on the October 2011 ZoneMusicReporter Airplay Chart, which covers many different radio genres, from Ambient to Folk, Jazz, and World, and followed that up with a debut at #34 on the CMJ New World Chart in November 2011. Radio broadcasters who report to the ZoneMusicReporter charts are eligible to vote. Final award winners will be announced on March 11th, 2012.

On June 7, 2011, the exact lineup of Ancient Future that performed on the band's influential “World without Walls” recording reunited to perform for the first time in over 15 years at Yoshi's San Francisco and other venues. To celebrate the reunion, Capitol/EMI Records has released the first ever digital version of Ancient Future's classic 1990 “World without Walls” recording. It is available now for download purchase at all major digital retailers. For those who prefer CDs, a limited number of rare collectible original 1990 edition copies signed by Ancient Future leader Matthew Montfort are on sale exclusively at Ancient-Future.Com.

As its name suggests, “World without Walls” by Ancient Future depicts a musical world without borders. This classic 1990 recording features Ancient Future members Matthew Montfort (guitars), Jim Hurley (violin), Doug McKeehan (keys), and Ian Dogole (percussion), plus special guest performances by world music legend and tabla master Zakir Hussain. The inviting melodies and ingenious use of ethnic textures make “World without Walls” one of Ancient Future's most accessible and broadly appealing releases ever.

Related Links:
Ancient Future

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RECORDING COMPANIES:

Metal Mind Records
(Poland) / February 26, 2011

Related Links:
Metal Mind Records

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Esoteric Recordings
(UK) / February 26, 2011

New releases (remastered reissues):

  • Matching Mole – “Matching Mole” (heavily expanded)
  • Matching Mole – “Little Red Record” (=)
  • Lindisfarne – “Back and Forth”
  • Lindisfarne – “Magic in the Air”
  • Colosseum-II – “Strange New Flesh”
  • Bill Nelson – “Luminous”
  • Omnia Opera – “Omnia Opera/Red Shift”
  • Tangerine Dream – “Live Miles”

    Related Links:
    Esoteric Recordings

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    Cuneiform Records
    (USA) / February 26, 2011

  • Forgas Band Phenomena – “Acte V” (Jazz-Fusion)
  • Thinking Plague – “Decline and Fall” (RIO)

    Forgas Band Phenomena – “Acte V”:
    Composer/drummer Patrick Forgas has been hailed as “the French answer to the Canterbury scene” ever since his debut 1977 release “Cocktail” (recorded with members of Magma and Zao). Since the late 1990s, as leader of the Forgas Band Phenomena, he has helped ignite interest in Canterbury-infused jazz-rock among a new generation of young French musicians and fans. Besides Forgas, most of the musicians in the Forgas Band Phenomena are in their 20s or 30s, and they enliven his compositions with an energy and verve that make the music sound fresh. For “Acte V”, his 5th Forgas Band Phenomena release (and his 3rd release on the American label Cuneiform), Forgas leads a 7-piece instrumental ensemble (sax, trumpet, violin, guitar, keyboards, bass and drums) through complex, melodic and epic compositions that mix ambitious progressive rock structures and intense jazz soloing. Fusing new jazz directions with the most adventurous rock of the 70s, the music should appeal to fans of Frank Zappa’s instrumental works and such British Canterbury bands as Soft Machine and National Health. A double disc set released by Cuneiform in early 2012, “Acte V” contains the band’s new studio CD and a 75-minute live DVD of its 2010 NEARfest performance, and showcases the formidable Forgas Band as both a studio and a live phenomenon.

    Thinking Plague – “Decline and Fall”:
    With the release of “Decline and Fall” the seminal Colorado avant-garde prog rock band Thinking Plague captures the tenor of the times with a caustic look at our troubled state of affairs in the 21st century. Inspired by RIO bands like Arts Bears and Henry Cow, as well as by contemporary classical composers, Thinking Plague has earned an avid international following by forging a singular synthesis of prog-rock with 20th century classical, folk, and jazz. Rigorously constructed and passionately played, the music makes a compelling case for rock’s relevance as a forum for creative composition. A new album by Thinking Plague is always an event; working slowly and unwaveringly, the group has released a handful of brilliant, art-rock classics. “Decline and Fall” is the latest dispatch from sonic explorers who aren’t afraid of the beasts they find at the edge of the musical map. Tough and sinewy, the album marks something of a return to the band’s roots, with a stripped down sound that reveals TP’s well-honed cohesion.

    Related Links:
    Cuneiform Records

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    Parma Recordings
    (USA) / February 26, 2011

  • Method Music – “Method Music”
  • Alan Schmitz – “Nineties Timeflow”
  • Jonathan Little – “Polyhymnia”

    Parma Recordings are proud to announce the official release of Method Music’s self-titled debut. This is a double album of algorithmic compositions that serve as both the outgrowth and the foundation of Pete Townshend's legendary "Lifehouse" project. “Method Music” was produced by Townshend & Bob Lord and is available worldwide today.

    "What music encapsulates the 90s?" This question is usually answered with grunge, alt-rock, manufactured pop, hip-hop, or any combination thereof. With “Nineties Timeflow”, composer Alan Schmitz steers us in another direction with a collection of contemporary classical works that represents the overarching themes of his work throughout the decade. The melodic, evocative, and accessible works on this release cap off a revolutionary century of classical composition with the perfect balance of influence and ingenuity. From traditional string trios to violin and marimba duos, Schmitz's works span a diverse set of configurations that perfectly compliment his style as a composer. The 18 performers on this release match the diversity of Schmitz's composition and play each piece with a deep understanding of his artistic vision.

    With works described as "an inspired creation" (Music & Vision), "original and quite brilliant" (Fanfare), and "one of the most imaginative, melodious and expressive pieces of serious contemporary music that can ever have been written and recorded" (Tempo), Jonathan Little has planted himself as a luminary contemporary composer. On ”Polyhymnia”, Little is able to transform traditional influences into rich, intense, and finely structured music that lives up to his reputation. “Polyhymnia” features Polyhymnia and Terpsichore, two orchestral pieces from Little's Nine Muses series, along with the powerful Fanfare, the atmospheric string quintet Sacred Prelude, and the intricate polychoral Kyrie.

    Related Links:
    Parma Recordings

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    Muffin Records
    (USA) / February 26, 2011

  • Equinox – “Renaissance”

    Equinox is a new jazz-fusion band featuring the Mahavishnu Orchestra violinist Jerry Goodman. “Renaissance”, its first release, is a state-of-the-art album using many elements from Jazz, Rock, Fusion and Classical Music, implying renewal, invention and rejuvenation of both music and instruments.

    Related Links:
    Muffin Records

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