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Sunday, March 31, 2013

Flaud Logic "Flaud Logic"


Country: USA
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Label: Self-released
Release dateMarch 31, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Secret Engine 8:17
  2. Say Goodbye 9:44
  3. Shanna 4:27
  4. One Year: I. Prologue 2:49
  5. One Year: II. A Meeting 2:03
  6. One Year: III. I Got Her 6:13
  7. One Year: IV. Stronger Than Words 5:02
  8. One Year: V. Arrival 0:50
  9. One Year: VI. Truth of Heart 2:53
10. One Year: VII. Reflections/Grande Finale 3:55

Line-up
Michael Kaplan - Composition, Vocals, Keyboards
Joe Bergamini (Happy the Man, 4Front) - Drums
Rich Haddad - Bass
Jimmy Wilgus (4Front) - Production, Engineering, Backing vocals, Tambourine
Scott Thomas Ferreira - Guitars
Yuri Nikolaev - Guitars
Kurt Goedel - Guitars
Joe Morrison - Guitars
Steven Kaplan - Piano, Rhodes in "One Year"
Frank Wyatt (Oblivion Sun) - Saxophone
Amy Ward - Female Lead Vocals
Dionne Thornton / Ty Blue - Female Backing Vocals
Dave Waxman - Growls
Benny Lackner - Rhodes Solo in "Say Goodbye"
Eric Kvortek - Engineer/Percussion
      Special Guest
Michael Romeo (Symphony X) - Guitars

Description/Reviews
Flaud Logic is the new solo project from Michael Kaplan. The album spans a range of styles and moods—from elation to sorrow—painted by careful instrumentation and vivid lyrics. Moments of bone-crushing metal, the clockwork intricacy of mathcore, and retro Beatles-era rock, meet soaring and uplifting passages and catchy hooks.
Media/Samples 
Progstreaming

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Ampacity "Encounter One"


Country: Poland
Sub GenreSpace Rock, Psychedelic
LabelNasiono Records
Release dateMarch 31, 2013
Tracklist
1. Ultima Hombre (13:08)
2. Asimov's Sideburns (9:49)
3. Masters Of Earth (19:04)

Line-up
Jan Galbas - voice, guitar
Marek Kostecki - electric piano, organ, synthesizer
Wojciech Lacki - bass guitar
Piotr Paciorkowski - guitar
Sebastian Sawicz - drums

Description/Reviews
The project was formed as a one-time act, supposed to perform songs from the golden age of space rock, on Spacefest festival. However, this formula was quickly abandoned, and Ampacity started to operate as a regular band. Intensive work on their own material resulted in compositions, which rediscover sounds from early Hawkwind or Pink Floyd albums,  mixing them with post and stoner rock influences. Shorter, song-like arrangements give way to monumental, rich forms, which do not lack space for free improvisation. 

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Ramage Inc. "Feel The Waves"


Country: UK
Sub GenreAtmospheric, Progressive Metal
Release date: March 31, 2013
Tracklist
01. By the Way Side (06:42)
02. Scape (06:09)
03. Gave Up My World (04:51)
04. As the Wind Blows (04:59)
05. So Far Away (07:18)
06. Feel the Waves (05:34)
07. Horizon (05:57)
08. Sin (04:15)
09. Ups & Downs (03:08)
10. Dreamer (04:52)
11. Don't Bring Me Down (04:24)
12. Majestica (07:27)
13. Weakness (05:45)
14. Starfield (03:14)

Line-up
Hammy - Drums
Allan "Hef" Forsyth - Guitars
Ramage - Vocals, Guitars
Marcin - Bass

Description/Reviews
...When the boss-man fired off ‘Feel the Waves’ to me, he described it as having a ‘Devy vibe with a hint of Muse’. ‘Gave Up My World’ is the first track that displays the mixture and it works incredibly well.  I can imagine this track going down a storm live.  I want to flash the horns as I type.  The drumming is particularly impressive here with Hammy putting in a sterling show!
The opening riff to ‘So Far Away’ introduces another element.  There is a hint of older ‘Opeth’ in there, alongside the ever-present Devin influence.  As the song unfolds, the song begins to grow into a wee bit of an epic.  It is a great track the scores on many levels, probably the best on the album...
Read the full review at rocknreelreviews.com

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Saturday, March 30, 2013

Echotime "Genuine"


Country: Italy
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
Labellogic(il)logic Records
Release dateMarch 30, 2013
Tracklist
SCENE 1: "THE KEY"
| - In the cage
II - The Choice
III - Running to Lead-town
IV - G - Advertisement
V - Show your faces on TV

SCENE 2: "THE CHAOS"
I - A road to Rule square
II - The March
III - Chant of Abbey district
IV - Breaking the prayers

SCENE 3: "THE RISING"
I - Frames inside the Lab.
II - Echoes
III -Genuine 10:10 (A new Cure)
IV - The chemical dawn
V - In rebels' hand

SCENE 4: "THE LAST BREATH"
I - Clash at Velasco district
II - Fragile Pantomime
III - An Epic tragedy
IV - the Question

Line-up
Andrea "BANA" Anastasi - Guitars
Filippo "PHIL" Martignano - Keyboards and guitars
Alessandro "ALEX" Cangini - Vocals
Federico "FACE" Fazi - Drums
Stefano "EGO" Antonelli - Bass

Description/Reviews
Just as I was about to write-off the entire progressive metal genre for lack of originality along comes something like this, giving me hope that a new symphonic metal band actually can emerge from under the shadow of Dream Theater and find a unique voice all their own... "Genuine" is a four act metal opera with industrial Steampunk overtones, relating the tale of a Daniel Anthony, chemistry researcher who stumbles upon a new molecule called 'Genuine' which if used properly can help the entire planet. But someone in a position of power wants to suppress Anthony's discovery and does so by imprisoning him to keep his discovery secret. But one night a mysterious stranger materializes in the cell and helps Daniel to escape through time and space. And upon his return uncovers secrets about Leadtown and it's sordid past.
Read the full review by  Joseph Shingler at prognaut.com

Media/Samples
Trailer

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Jesus Cures The Blind Man "What Would You Be"


Country: Italy
Sub GenrePsychedelic
Release date: March 2013
Tracklist
  1. Aquarium
  2. The Trail
  3. Thinking Around
  4. Willskeptical
  5. The Wormhole
  6. Coleridge Plea
  7. Eagle Shield or Snake
  8. What Would You Be
  9. Vampiri
Line-up
Stefano Tirabasso - Voice
Giovanni Toscano - Guitar
Giorgio Amendolara - Keyboards
Francesco Lionetti - Bass
Riccardo Spilli - Drums

Description/Reviews
The album, even more than the first EP, manages to seamlessly mix even more genres adding dance rhythms and others that are pure pop rock until reaching dark and psychadelic sounds.

Media/Samples 
Progify

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Vibravoid "Delirio Dei Sensi"


Country: Germany
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Space Rock
LabelGo Down Records/Stoned Karma Records
Release date: March 30, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Poupee De Cire
  2. Listen Can´t You Hear
  3. Magic Mirror
  4. The Empty Sky
  5. Colour Your Mind
  6. The Golden Escalator
  7. All Stars Have Gone To Sleep - CD bonus track
  8. Optical Sounds  - CD bonus track
  9. Nearby Shiras - CD bonus track
  10. La Poupee Qui Fait Non  - CD bonus track
  11. Black And White (Live)  - CD bonus track
Line-up
TBA

Description/Reviews
Vibravoid are rightly regarded as inherritants of the classic Psychedelic and Acid Rock as it is difficult to find comparisons with other temporary bands. It does not surprise that the group recorded quickly their 7th studio album “Delirio Dei Sensi“ (Delirium Of Senses) during their last tour of Italy – in only 2 days!
Campaigned with milestones of the 1960s Vibravoid also present brand new and self penned compositions, that rival the great era of Pop music! Loaded with Underground Hits like “Colour Your Mind“ by Australian Neo-Psychedelic heroes Tyrnaround from 1986 the Vibravoid even enter new territories – for the first the time Vibravoid play a song from the age of the “Neon-Tube”! Especially this shows the group´s musical understanding; this song could have been a big hit in 1967… easily.
Vibravoid do not even fear the French Chanson and present a fuzzed up version of „Poupée De Cire“ – now we know why Napoleon visionary chose Dusseldorf as residency! Deeply rooted in the typical sound of Psychedelic Rock and their Hometown “Delirio Dei Sensi“ sounds so refreshing that it easily explains how Psychedelic Rock should sound like.
One can hear that Vibravoid like Syd´s Pink Floyd, MC5, The Seeds, NEU! and Kraftwerk but the typical and individual sound of Vibravoid is always on top. Psychedelic blueprints like „The Empty Sky“ and „The Golden Esacalator“ have never been presented like this since the 1960s – while “Listen Can´t You Hear?“ could easily be confused with a great lost track of the early Doors.
Media/Samples 
Poupee De Cire

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Mike Kershaw "This Long Night"


Country: UK
Sub GenreSymphonic
Label: self-released
Release dateMarch 30, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Miracles 02:56
  2. Into the Sun 06:16
  3. A Kind of Hell 12:37
  4. This Long Night 01:34
  5. Causes 04:08
  6. Words of Love 06:44
  7. Spectres 06:10
  8. The Fire 07:45
  9. Our Journeys Done 04:00
Line-up
Mike Kershaw - all instruments and vocals

Description/Reviews
This album is pretty much the one that goes along the Symphonic Prog path. Besides having a few more influences I would say that this is the general sound of the album.
This Long Night (2013) begins with the track ‘Miracles’ and I really thought that Mike Kershaw's music would be the classic ‘one man band instrumental poor playing’ case. But that’s not the case really.
The second track ‘Into The Sun’ takes my first impression off the album as this track has vocals and guess what… very good vocals. Including melodic backing vocals all around.
 Read the full review by Diego Camargo at progshine.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Persefone "Spiritual Migration"


Country: Andorra
Sub GenreTech/Extreme Progressive Metal
LabelVicisolum Productions
Release dateMarch 29, 2013
Tracklist
1. Flying Sea Dragons (1:48)
2. Mind as Universe (4:41)
3. The Great Reality (6:27)
4. Zazen Meditation (3:53)
5. The Majestic of Gaia (8:38)
6. Consciousness Pt.1: Sitting in Silence (3:21)
7. Consciousness Pt. 2: A Path to Enlightenment (5:43)
8. Inner Fullness (7:32)
9. Metta Meditation (3:48)
10. Upward Explosion (2:55)
11. Spiritual Migration (8:47)
12. Returning to the Source (9:06)
13. Outro (3:55)

Line-up
Marc Martins - vocals
Carlos Lozano  - guitar
Jordi Gorgues  - guitar
Miguel Espinosa  keyboards, vocals.
Toni Mestre - bass
Marc Mas - drums

Description/Reviews
Persefone combine aspects of symphonic, progressive and death metal to create their diverse style, and it totally works for them. They play complicated riffs fast enough to give Lamb of God a run for their money, meaty math-core breakdowns that one might associate with Ion Dissonance, but far more diversified in sound than either of those bands. Think Dream Theater around their Octavarium era (I’m particularly thinking ‘Panic Attack’) but somewhat heavier and using death-metal style vocals alongside clean.
The songs segue really well into each other, so the experience of listening to the album never feels disjointed; the music takes you on a journey through turbulence, into melody and harmonies without skipping a beat [Please, pardon the awful pun]. There’s a definite strength in this unity, as there’s clearly been a lot of effort put into these links – the album completely feels like it was meant to fit together, so listening to it as a whole is a rewarding experience. The ‘Outro’ track ties everything off nicely; it’s a very calm track, dissipating the energy of the preceding songs, and bringing the album to a close.
Read the full review by Matthew Brady at metalmouth.net

Media/Samples 
Spiritual Migration

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Kokomo "Kokomo"


Country: Germany
Sub Genre instrumental, Post Rock
Release dateMarch 29, 2013
Tracklist
1. Kaputt Finker (7:47)
2. They Seem To Be Dead Set (9:45)
3. Tauben Im Gras (8:22)
4. Ein Dachs Hat Zweifel (14:28)
5. Deconstructure (6:17)
6. Le Trieste (5:13)

Line-up
Rene Schwenk - guitars
Oliver Ludley - guitars
Tobias Stieler - bass
Benjamin Hellig - drums

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Gandalf "Dreamweaver"


Country: Austria
Sub GenreNew Age
Label: Real Music
Release date: March, 2013
Tracklist
01. Into The Rising Sun - Part 1 (3:13)
02. Into The Rising Sun - Part 2 (7:47)
03. Reaching For The Sky (8:56)
04. Between Ebb And Flow (7:13)
05. Dreamweaver (6:23)
06. Shining Like A Jewel (6:24)
07. Life's Blossoms (5:45)
08. Written In The Stars - Part 1 (5:36)
09. Written In The Stars - Part 2 (8:19)

Line-up
TBA

Friday, March 29, 2013

Isatys "Le Cri du Foetus"


Country: France
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
Release date: March, 2013
Tracklist
  1.     Le cri du fœtus 6.13
  2.     Janeiro Beach 4.11
  3.     Il paraît qu’île 4.12
  4.     La marelle 3.34
  5.     Barbarie sur Mer 5.32
  6.     Inca parmi tant d’autres 5.55
  7.     Casus Belli 4.18
  8.     Ruée vers Laure 3.24
  9.     Filer à l’anglaise 5.34
  10.     Délires & fantasmes 6.44
Line-up
Patrick Lauprete - vocals, electric guitar
Michel Charpentier - keyboards, electric and acoustic guitar 
Alain Tilges - bass
Tony Bonnefond - drums, percussion

Pawel Penska "Pandemonium" (EP)


Country: Poland
Sub GenreSymphonic
Release date: March 29, 2013
Tracklist
1.Pandemonium (feat. Kuba Szostak,Błażej Grygiel) - 5:47
2.The Valley of Forgotten Dreams - 4:18
3.Runaway (feat. Kuba Szostak) - 7:00
4.Grey Haven - 7:08
5.T.B.C. (feat. Robert Kazanowski) - 6:22

Line-up
Pawel Penska – keyboards, programming
Kuba Szostak – guitars
Robert Kazanowski – guitars
Blazej Grygiel – voice

Description/Reviews
Pandemonium is a swift 30-minutes showcasing lots of interesting keyboard work and well-crafted compositions. Each of these five tunes displays multiple melody lines allowing for the instruments to shift from one melodic line to the other. And while the compositions are not overly long, four to seven-minutes there is a lot going on within each one. The balance between keyboards and guitars is really good but as you might expect it’s the keyboards that win out and get most of the lead lines here. Sometimes that’s a synth and sometimes it’s piano or even a combination of both like on the soft and pastoral “The Valley of Forgotten Dreams”.  The arrangements provide for many intense solo lines backed up with some grand symphonic flourishes as in “Runaway” a tune that features the most musical contrast of the bunch. It’s also the longest.    
Read the full review by Jerry Lucky

Media/Samples 
Entire album online

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Avantasia "The Mystery Of Time"


Country: Germany
Sub GenrePower Metal, Progressive Metal, Rock opera
LabelNuclear Blast
Release date: March 29, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Spectres - 6:09
  2. The Watchmakers' Dream - 4:14
  3. Black Orchid - 6:52
  4. Where Clock Hands Freeze - 4:35
  5. Sleepwalking - 3:52
  6. Savior in the Clockwork - 10:40
  7. Invoke the Machine - 5:30
  8. What's Left Of Me - 5:07
  9. Dweller in a Dream - 4:45
  10. The Great Mystery - 10:03
Line-up
Tobias Sammet - lead vocals, bass guitar
Sascha Paeth - guitars
Miro – keyboards
Russell Gilbrook - drums
   With
Bruce Kulick: guitars on tracks 3, 6, 10
Oliver Hartmann: guitars on tracks 4, 7, 9
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon): guitars on track 2
Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Rainbow, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen): vocals on tracks 1, 2, 6, 10
Michael Kiske (ex-Helloween, Place Vendome, Unisonic): vocals on tracks 4, 6, 9
Biff Byford (Saxon) : vocals on tracks 3, 6, 10
Ronnie Atkins (Pretty Maids): vocals on track 7
Eric Martin (Mr. Big): vocals on track 8
Bob Catley (Magnum): vocals on track 10
Cloudy Yang: vocals on track 5

Description/Reviews
The album booklet describes the story "So take the time to follow me into a small old English town during the Victorian era and join a young agnostic scientist by the name Aaron Blackwell as he is forced to explore the coherencies of time, God and science; torn between belief in his professional conviction, his spiritual intuition, love and a lodge of scientific occultists."
Also read the review by Robert Garland at sputnikmusic.com

Media/Samples 
Entire album online
Invoke The Machine

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In Zaire "White Sun Black Sun"


Country: Italy
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Ethnic
LabelTannen Records, Sound Of Cobra Records, Offset Records
Release date: March 29, 2013 (vinyl)
Tracklist
1. Sun (5:07)
2. Moon (7:28)
3. Mars (5:59)
4. Mercury (4:35)
5. Jupiter (4:52)
6. Venus (6:23)
7. Saturn (6:01)

Line-up
Claudio Rocchetti - electronics, turntable
Stefano Pilia - guitars
Alessandro De Zan - bass, voices, percussion
Riccardo Biondetti - drums, electronics

Description/Reviews
At first it may seem like a sonic foray into well known territory: a guitar, drums and bass driven ride into psychedelic landscapes – colorful and mind-expanding. And if you’re looking for some lysergic adventures this is your ticket! But even though “White Sun Black Sun” is obviously and deeply rooted in the ongoing history of electrified rock-n-roll-to-blow-your-head-off (i.e. from Ash Ra Temple and Hawkwind to Up-Tight) In Zaire reach way beyond this admirable approach and successfully aim for more. The music’s taking cues from electric Blues, the aforementioned LSD-drenched Psychedelia, high-octane Japrock and edgy Post-Punk – there’s even some Funk thrown in for good measurement. So, turn it on and tune in and find yourself immersed in a universe of sound that consists of bizarre tones and beautiful noises circling around like planets – each one unique, different and magnificer

Media/Samples 
Entire album online

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Remi Charmasson Quintet "The Wind Cries Jimi"


Country: France
Sub GenreJazz-Rock, Fusion
LabelAJMI Records
Release date: March, 2013
Tracklist
01. Little Wing - 06:11
02. One Rainy Wish - 06:03
03. Burning Of The Midnight Lamp - 07:21
04. Voodoo Chile - 05:47
05. Wait Until Tomorrow - 03:29
06. Them Changes - 06:19
07. The Wind Cries Mary - 06:22
08. People Get Ready - 04:52

Line-up
Laure Donnat - Vocals
Remi Charmasson - Guitars
Bernard Santacruz - Bass
Perrine Mansuy - Piano, Organ, Synthesizers
Bruno Bertrand - Drums
   With
Julien Gaillard - Guitar Solo on 8

Media/Samples 
3 tracks online

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Dice "Para-Dice"


Country: Germany
Sub GenreSpace Rock
LabelScene Records
Release date: March 28, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Flowing River Rain 20:30
  2. Cosmic Sensation 11:25
  3. Planet Paradise  12:17
  4. Modern Times  11:25
  5. Para-Dice (Dreamscene 16) 4:06
Line-up

Christian Nóvé - Vocals, Bass, Rhythm-Guitar, Keyboards
Peter Viertel - Lead and Rhythm-Guitar
Jens Lübeck - Saxophon, flute
Thomas Hanke - Harp
Ramona Nóvé - Background Vocals
Tom Tomson - Drums


Description/Reviews
Dice has further refined the trademarks sounds by which they become known as an interesting band in the sophisticated, melodic prog scene: Extremely complex metric again meets perfectly harmonious arrangements! Dice fans can look forward to new long tracks. It is now almost normal for Dice, that they have compositions reaching beyond the 10-minute limit. 
Media/Samples 
3 tracks online

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Rick Miller "Immortal Remains"


Country: Canada
Sub GenreSymphonic
LabelMALS
Release date: March 28, 2013 (digital), May, 2013 (CD)
Tracklist
1.Rats In My Darkness 03:02
2.Ode To An Angel 09:20
3.Like A Drug 05:05
4.The Hands Of Time 10:20
5.The Oasis 02:42
6.Sanctity 04:50
7.Providence 05:18
8.My Atom Heart 02:21

Line-up
Rick Miller - all instruments and vocals
With
Kane Miller: Acoustic guitar and violin
Sarah Young: Flute
Mateusz Swoboda: Cello
Barry Haggarty: Stratocaster guitar
Ruth Archer: The spoken word on Ode To An Angel and Sanctity

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Jack Dupon "Jesus L'aventurier"


Country: France
Sub GenreAvant Prog, Experimental
Label: Musea
Release dateMarch 28, 2013.
Tracklist
  1. Margaretha
  2. Ulysse
  3. Brynhild
  4. Raymond
  5. Grigori
  6. Butch
  7. Alexandra
  8. Modestine
  9. Laîka
  10. Jack
Line-up
Arnaud M'Doihoma - bass, vocals
Philippe Prebet - guitars, vocals
Gregory Pozzoli - guitars, vocals
Thomas Larsen - drums, percussion, vocals

Description/Reviews
A 10-track concept-album telling the story of some "monsters" or "adventurers" like Butch Cassidy, Ulysse, Matahari ( alias Margaretha ) and many others...
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp
Ulysse

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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Of Sound Mind "Force Majeure"


Country: Canada
Sub Genre: Instrumental Eclectic Progressive Rock
Release dateMarch 27, 2013
Tracklist
  1. From the Get-go - 6:44
  2. Playing with Fire - 4:56
  3. In the Long Run - 4:59
  4. Poetry in Motion - 6:55
  5. Ozzy's Comet - 4:02
  6. Melancholia - 5:39
  7. Kill or Be Killed - 5:04
  8. Truth or Dare - 5:39
  9. T -10 and Counting - 4:59
  10. For the Greater Good - 6:34
Line-up
Chuck Ho and Doug Baldwin

Description/Reviews
Incorporating progressive, rock, metal, and fusion, the band tries to go wherever the music dictates. Often starting from jams, elements are fleshed out over time. Combining old and new styles, and leveraging technology, they are able to realize these sonic paintings. 
Media/Samples 
Bandcamp (name your price)

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E-Musikgruppe Lux Ohr "Kometenbahn"


Country: Finland
Sub GenreElectronica, Space Rock
LabelSvart Records
Release dateMarch 27, 2013
Tracklist
1.Prolog im Himmel 02:25
2.Durch den kosmischen Dunst 11:26
3.Nachtgeist 06:25
4.Sonnenwind 08:45
5.Sonnenaufgang 09:05
6.Mythos 03:05

Line-up
Pertti Grönholm - synthesizers, samplers, sequencers and rhythm machines
Kimi Kärki - guitars and effects
Jaakko Penttinen - synthesizers and sequencers
Ismo Virta - Memotron, guitars and effects

Description/Reviews
Their music revives the sounds and visions of the golden era of 1970s German electronic and experimental music. Still, the band is not only into one or two bands and styles, but creates a sound of its own, inspired by various genres of electronic music such as Berlin school, ambient, space music, progressive rock etc.  Read the full review by at

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Plastic Noose "Fractured Despondency"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProgressive Metal/Rock
Release dateMarch 27, 2013
Tracklist
01. Going Down (4:43)
02. Doomladen (5:35)
03. Strontian (1:06)
04. Let All Mankind Burn (4:35)
05. For Me (6:30)
06. Sorrow (2:35)
07. Suicidal Crisis (16:29)

Line-up
Snow King (aka Alan Emslie) – Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Percussion, Keyboards & Programming
John Irvine – Guitar, Keyboards & Programming
Mark Geelen – Trumpet (3)

Description/Reviews
Thankfully despite my early misgivings Fractured Despondency turned out to be a more varied and interesting album than anticipated and as the saying goes – the best is saved until the end. So in for a penny…
Album opener features a programmed synth line and down-tuned guitars which modulate between the driving riff hungry verses, complete with sampled male voices, through more floating chorus sections. Doomladen, as the title might suggest, is a powerhouse metallic onslaught with growling vocals. The drumming is the key here and rather than resorting to any sort of manic double bass drum workout – it remains ultra tight and drives the track. Love the outro section which again drives, but this time with a strong melodic guitar hook. Respite comes in the form of Strontian, a brief dark and ambient piece with Mark Geelen’s trumpet sitting hauntingly in the mix.
 Read the full review by Bob Mulvey at theprogressiveaspect.net

Media/Samples 
Going Down
Suicidal Crisis

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Odd Dimension "The Last Embrace to Humanity"


Country: Italy
Sub Genre: Progressive Metal
Label: Scarlet Records
Release date: March 26, 2013
Tracklist
1. The Unknown King
2. Under My Creed
3. Dissolving Into The Void
4. It's So Late
5. Another Time
6. Fortune And Pain
7. The New Line Of Time
8. Far From Desire


Line-up
Gianmaria Saddi - Guitar
Manuel Candiotto - Vocals
Gigi Andreone - Bass
Federico Pennazzato - Drums
Max Capra - Keyboards

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Randy Brecker "The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion"


Country: USA
Sub Genre: Instrumental Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Release dateMarch 26, 2013
Tracklist
CD: Studio CD
  1. First Tune Of The Set
  2. Stellina
  3. The Dipshit
  4. Merry Go Town
  5. The Slag
  6. Really In For It
  7. Elegy For Mike
  8. On The Rise
  9. Adina
  10. R N Bee
  11. Musician’s Ol’ Lady Dues Blues
 DVD: Live at the blue Note
  1. First Tune Of The Set
  2. The Slag
  3. Adina
  4. Really In For It
  5. Straphangin’
  6. Stellina
  7. Merry Go Town
  8. Inside Out
  9. Some Skunk Funk
Line-up
Randy Brecker - trumpet
David Sanborn - sax
Mike Stern - guitar
Will Lee - bass
Dave Weckl - drums
George Whitty - keys
Ada Rovatti - sax

DGM "Momentum"


Country: Italy
Sub GenreProgressive Metal
LabelScarlet Records
Release dateMarch 26, 2013
Tracklist
1. Reason
2. Trust
3. Universe
4. Numb
5. Pages
6. Repay
7. Chaos
8. Remembrance
9. Overload
10. Void
11. Blame

Line-up
 Mark Basile - Vocals
 Simone Mularoni - Guitars
 Andrea Arcangeli - Bass
 Fabio Costantino - Drums
 Emanuele Casali - Keyboards
     guests:
Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob) - Vocals on ‘Reason’
Jorn Viggo Lofstad (Pagan’s Mind) - Guitar on ‘Chaos’
Description/Reviews
‘Momentum’ represents the full stylistic maturity of a band now on top of its game, collecting 11 new songs made of beautiful melodies, classy arrangements and top notch musicianship. To add an extra value to an already astonishing album, DGM have tapped legendary singer Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob) to guest on the opening track ‘Reason’, and Norwegian guitar virtuoso Jorn Viggo Lofstad (Pagan’s Mind) to contribute with a solo on the track ‘Chaos’.
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Little Women "Lung"


Country: USA
Sub GenreAvant Prog, Jazz
LabelAUM Fidelity
Release dateMarch 26, 2013
Tracklist
1. Lung (42:13)

Line-up
Travis Laplante - tenor sax
Darius Jones - alto sax
Andrew Smiley - guitar
Jason Nazary - drums

Description/Reviews
Lung – the new album-length composition from Brooklyn’s genre-defying Little Women – is sonic cinema without precedent. Collectively composed and refined over the course of 2011/12, the piece is a collaborative work at the purest level, and is by far their most dynamic to date. Tone poem evocation, pop group melodicism, all-four-vocal-chords-as-one intonation, and unparalleled shrapnel-sharp/laser-beam-focused shredding are some of the sonic vistas moved through during this astonishing creation. The aim of their music continues to be transcendence, be it via brutally precise sonic assault, indelibly ascendant melodies or a quiet imbued with the globally resonant sound of the circulatory system.
Where their previous acclaimed suite Throat grabbed listeners by the neck from its first seconds, Lung arises slowly from silence. The visceral qualities of their previous work maintained, the band is now also comfortable in places of deep subtlety – the long inhale, and magical moment of pause before the exhale – thereby diving deeper into the inner planes of emotion and spirit. The highly charged emotional center of Lung becomes fully evident only when listened to in its entirety.

Media/Samples 
Excerpts

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Sanguine Hum "The Weight of the World"


Country: UK
Sub GenrePost Rock, Modern Prog
LabelEsoteric Antenna
Release date: March 26, 2013
Tracklist
1. From the Ground Up
2. System For Solution
3. In Code
4. Cognoscenti
5. Day of Release
6. Phosphor
7. The Weight of the World (Parts 1 to 3)

Line-up
Matt Baber: Keyboards
Joff Winks: Guitar and Vocals
Brad Waissman: Bass
Andrew Booker: Drums

Description/Reviews
“The Weight of the World” sees Sanguine Hum expand their musical horizons on all fronts with a seven-track collection of diverse compositions - technically challenging and exciting yet always melodic and direct. Songs such as “From the Ground Up” and “System for Solution” pursue the Porcupine Tree meets Radiohead approach of the debut record “Diving Bell” with powerful yet intricate riffs propelling the songwriting that continues to make ever more inventive use of surprising twists and turns in the arrangement. Surprises are to be found as well in the instrumentation as the band open up the sound and more explicitly reference a love of electronica and the music of artists such as Boards of Canada and Aphex Twin, best heard in the song “Day of Release” as synthetic percussion and rumbling synths give way to chiming acoustic guitar and a soaring vocal melody. Perhaps even more exciting for a band that perhaps held some of their Prog influences in check on their debut album, is the 15-minute title track that manages the task of combining effective and emotional songwriting with thrilling musical developments that push the band to the limit. “The Weight of the World” breaks new ground for a band at the forefront of truly “progressive” music.
Also read the review by Tonny Larssen at progplanet.com

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Consecration "Cimet"


Country: Serbia
Sub GenrePsychedelic, Post Metal
LabelGeenger Records
Release dateMarch 25, 2013
Tracklist
1.Cimet 07:30
2.Romantična Policija 08:31
3.Ne Dam Ovaj Dan Još Uvek 04:06
4.Barikade 06:07
5.Praskozorje 06:47
6.Povratak Aligatora 01:37
7.Nestajanje 05:15

Line-up
Danilo Nikodinovski
Ivan Aranđelović
Matija Dagović

Description/Reviews
Cimet ... goes to different mood in every song, it rather feels like a sort of compilation while one can easily realize that this is one Consecration album knowing all the sensibilities that go through this troop. First two tracks ... could be labelled as very atmospheric post doomy (such a shitty tag!) with gorgeous guitar melodies, I actually could not believe that the album was recorded the way I described since the sound is so full of details. Romanticna Policija features serbian pop icon Bajaga's cameo at the very beginning which is a nice tribute to the actual theme of the track. Next up is Ne Dam Ovaj Dan Jos Uvek, acoustic guitar instrumental which is totally intimate and joyous in the same time and it comes off like Danilo is playing in your actual room on a sad sunny day. That mood is swiftly broken with Barikade that sees Consecration venturing into much heavier territory from grungy beginning to full on hard hitting sludgy attack at the very end. Praskozorje is maybe my personal fav of Cimet – wonderful light song filled to the brim with love emotions that sounds like it came straight from those later Anathema albums. Povratak Aligatora is sort of a inside joke as it is a gang of band's buddies singing a capella riffs of Aligator, opening track of .avi. And finally the closer Nestajanje finished Cimet in symbolic note connecting the band with their metal roots since it is by far heaviest stoner song on entire release.
Read the full review by Slobodan Trifunovic at metal-sound.net

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Monday, March 25, 2013

Millenium "Ego"


Country: Poland
Sub GenreNeo-Prog
LabelLynx Music
Release date: March 25, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Ego 10:35
  2. Born in 67 9:01
  3. Dark secrets 6:45
  4. When I fall 5:23
  5. Lonely man 10:37
  6. Goodbay my earth 10:01
Line-up
Łukasz Gall - vocal
Piotr Płonka - guitars
Krzysztof Wyrwa - bass, Warr guitar
Tomasz Paśko - drums
Ryszard Kramarski - keybords
   with
Dariusz Rybka - saxophone
Michał Bylica - trumpet
Karolina Leszko - backing vocals

Description/Reviews
A new studio album of Millenium called "ego" are six extended art rock compositions depicting the band and its music in a new light without losing the typical Millenium style.  The album
lyrically refers to the topics related to human life in the modern world and the longing for what has already passed.
Media/Samples
Trailer
Lonely man

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Wire "Change Becomes Us"


Country: UK
Sub GenreArt Rock, Prog-pop
Release dateMarch 25, 2013
Tracklist
01 Doubles & Trebles
02 Keep Exhaling
03 Adore Your Island
04 Re-invent Your Second Wheel
05 Stealth Of A Stork
06 B/W Silence
07 Time Lock Fog
08 Magic Bullet
09 Eels Sang
10 Love Bends
11 As We Go
12 & Much Besides
13 Attractive Space

Line-up
Colin Newman - vocals, rhythm guitar
Graham Lewis - bass
Robert Grey - drums

Description/Reviews
"Change Becomes Us" began as an exploration of unrecorded material originally written in 1979–80. Some of this material had only ever existed as quickly prepared sketches for one-off performance; however, subjected to the rigour of a Wire working process of both touring and studio, it evolved organically into what the band thinks is a fascinating hybrid. Liberated from its historic roots, it simply took off! "Really fresh!" is the common quote of the few who've heard it.
Media/Samples 
Doubles & Trebles

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Taurus "Opus 3: Research"


Country: Chile
Sub Genre: Instrumental Symphonic
LabelMylodon Records
Release dateMarch 25, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Research, Op.3: I. Tranquility  4:21
  2. Research, Op.3: II. Pacific 13:09
  3. Research, Op.3: III. Nord   4:35
  4. Research, Op.3: IV. Mediterranean  5:11
  5. Research, Op.3: V. Tuamotu  5:20
  6. Research, Op.3: VI. Empedocles  7:09
  7. Research, Op.3: VII. Tyrrhenian   4:55
  8. Research, Op.3: VIII. Serenitatis   6:02
  9. Research, Op.3: IX. Kermadec  3:43

Line-up
Claudio Momberg (SETI, Subterra, Caamora) - all instruments

Stone Angel "Between the Water and the Sky"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProg Folk
Release date: March, 2013
Tracklist
1 Maiden in the Moor (3.490
2 British Man O’ War (6.20)
3 Bold Carter (4.21)
4 Daphne & Phoebus/Bobbing Joe (4.16)
5 Saucy Ward (4.38)
6 Silver (5.09)
7 Fisherman’s Wife (2.32)
8 Dogger Bank (4.24)
9 The Ballad of Hilda Blake    (6.16)
10 The Wind Blows Cold (6.58)
11 Ordinary Man (6.05)
12 Between the Water and the Sky (3.01)
13 Isle of Reeds (1.44)

Line-up
Dave Felmingham - keyboards, vocals
Geoff Hurrell - bass guitar, fretless bass, percussion programming, alto recorder, vocals
Joan Saul - vocals, flute, accordion, sopranino, soprano and alto recorders, crumhorn, additional percussion
Ken Saul - vocals, acoustic guitars, cittern, dulcimer, tenor recorder, bansitar, additional percussion
Andrew Smith - electric guitars, vocals
    With
Jonny Cole: additional percussion on British Man O’ War, Bobbing Joe and Dogger Bank
Sarah Doig: treble, tenor and bass viols on Ordinary Man
Pete Fraser: drums and percussion
Carl Harrison: trombones on Saucy Ward
Neil McEwan: trumpets on Saucy Ward
Adam Daniel King: additional backing vocals on Dogger Bank

Media/Samples 

The Cosmic Dead "Inner Sanctum"


Country: UK
Sub GenrePsychedelic,  Krautrock
LabelEvil Hoodoo (Vinyl, Cassette)
FormatVinyl, Cassette, digital
Release dateMarch 25, 2013
Tracklist
  1. Gustav Björnstrand 13:17
  2. The Mass of Betelgeuse 21:28
  3. Inner Sanctum 20:02
  4. Hello, Satan 18:40
Line-up
Omar Aborida - Bass
Lewish Cook - Synths (Overdubs)
Julian Dicken - Drums & Samples
James T Mckay - Guitar

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Soft Machine Legacy "Burden of Proof"


Country: UK
Sub GenreJazz Rock/Fusion, Canterbury
LabelMoonjune Records (North America), Esoteric Antenna (rest of the world)
Release dateJanuary 13, 2013 (digital), March 25, 2013 (CD)
Tracklist
1. Burden of Proof
2. Voyage Beyond Seven
3. Kitto
4. Pie Chart
5. JSP
6. Kings and Queens
7. Fallout
8. Going Somewhere Canorous?
9. Black and Crimson
10. The Brief
11. Pump Room
12. Green Cubes
13. They Landed on a Hill

Line-up
John Etheridge (Electric Guitar)
Theo Travis (Tenor Sax, Flute, Fender Rhodes)
Roy Babbington (Bass Guitar)
John Marshall (Drums and Percussion)

Description/Reviews
Following in the fine tradition of Soft Machine “Burden of Proof” is arguably Soft Machine Legacy’s finest album to date, featuring a host of outstanding new compositions, along with a new recording and arrangement of Hugh Hopper’s “Kings and Queens” (originally featured on Soft Machine Fourth). 
Media/Samples:
Bandcamp

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Haze "The Last Battle"


Country: UK
Sub GenreProgressive Rock
LabelGabadon Records & Cyclops Records
Release dateMarch 25, 2013
Tracklist
1. The Last Battle (7:15)
2. Grey To Blue (4:25)
3. Over The River (5:54)
4. For Real (3:04)
5. Dragon Fly (5:32)
6. Classic Rock Bar (5:06)
7. Long, Long Gone (4:04)
8. The Barrister And The Bargast (5:41)
9. Train (4:10)
10. Silent Water (1:42)
11. The Edge Of Heaven (5:36)
12. Is That It? (7:37)
13. Balder And The Mistletoe (5:21)
14. The Red Room (6:43)

Line-up
Paul Chisnell - percussion & vocals
Paul McMahon - guitar & vocals
Chris McMahon - bass, keyboards & vocals
    with
Ceri Ashton - whistle, flute, clarinet, viola & cello
Catrin Ashton - fiddle & flute

Description/Reviews
The first CD of new studio recordings from Haze for over 20 years
Media/Samples 
Silent Water
The Last Battle (edit)
Samples at bandcamp

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