Alchemy (2CD)

Their last album for a major label, Azure D'Or finds the band still creating their unique brand of classically influenced progressive rock. Unfortunately, perhaps because of changing tastes, record company pressure, or even their own success...the music is a bit more produced and the songs are more concise. Still a track like The Flood At Lyon captures all their magic. A conditional recommendation.• NEW 3CD CLAMSHELL BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1979 ALBUM BY RENAISSANCE.• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES.• FEATURING NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND STEREO MIXES PLUS PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED SESSION OUT-TAKES MIXED BY STEPHEN W TAYLER.• WITH ADDITIONAL VIDEO CONTENT FILMED AT THE MILL HOUSE AND BRAY STUDIOS IN 1979.• INCLUDES AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET FEATURING AN ESSAY WITH EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS.An expanded edition of the classic Renaissance album ‘Azure D’Or’. Issued in April 1979, the album followed the successful ‘A Song For All Seasons’ and the hit single ‘Northern Lights’ released the previous year. The line-up of highly gifted vocalist Annie Haslam, Michael Dunford (acoustic and electric guitars), John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, acoustic and electric guitars, vocals) and Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) had recorded a series of acclaimed albums that fused classical music influences with progressive rock and had earned a loyal following in Europe and had enjoyed wider success in the United States and Japan.Working once again with David Hentschel (who had also produced the albums ‘A Trick Of The Tail’ and ‘Wind And Wuthering’ for Genesis), the record featured excellent material such as ‘Jekyll And Hyde’, ‘Kalynda’ and ‘The Flood At Lyons’ and would be the last album by the band’s classic line-up and their last to chart in the UK.This expanded edition comprises two CDs and a region-free Blu-ray disc featuring a newly remastered original stereo mix from the original master tapes and also includes stunning 5.1 Surround Sound and stereo mixes by Stephen W Tayler (which add new depth to the recordings) and additional unreleased bonus material from the album sessions. The Blu-ray disc also includes bonus visual content from a promotional film made at The Mill House and Bray Studios in 1979 plus an illustrated booklet with a re-production of the band’s 1979 UK tour programme and new essay with exclusive interviews.Track Listing:DISC ONEAZURE D’OR REMASTERED1 Jekyll And Hyde2 The Winter Tree3 Only Angels Have Wings4 Golden Key5 Forever Changing6 Secret Mission7 Kalynda (A Magical Isle)8 The Discovery9 Friends10 The Flood at LyonsBonus Tracks11 Island of Avalon (B-side of single)12 Jekyll and Hyde (single version) (previously unreleased on CD)DISC TWOAZURE D’ORNEW STEREO MIXES1 Jekyll and Hyde2 The Winter Tree3 Only Angels Have Wings4 Golden Key5 Forever Changing6 Secret Mission7 Kalynda (A Magical Isle)8 The Discovery9 Friends10 The Flood at LyonsBonus Tracks11 Island of Avalon12 Friends (extended version)13 Jekyll and Hyde (single version)14 Kalynda (A Magical Isle) (early version)15 Forever Changing (acoustic demo)DISC THREEAZURE D’ORNEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIXNEW STEREO MIX / ORIGINAL STEREO MIX (96 KHZ / 24- BIT)1 Jekyll and Hyde2 The Winter Tree3 Only Angels Have Wings4 Golden Key5 Forever Changing6 Secret Mission7 Kalynda (A Magical Isle)8 The Discovery9 Friends10 The Flood at LyonsBonus Tracks11 Island of Avalon12 Friends (extended version)13 Jekyll and Hyde (single version)VISUAL CONTENT: THE MILL HOUSE & BRAY STUDIOS PROMOTIONAL FILM 19791 Jekyll and Hyde2 Forever Changing3 The Winter Tree4 Carpet of the Sun5 Secret Mission

Following two highly successful tours with established Progressive metalists PAIN OF SALVATION and two years of exacting work, DARK SUNS have finished their third album "Grave Human Genuine.""Grave Human Genuine" – this unconventional title was chosen with care and purpose, as it represents the three characteristic elements of this work: "Grave" signifies darkness, the sinister force, and the inevitable fate. "Human" is synonymous with the music’s inherent soul-depth, while "Genuine" means "real" or "authentic" and hence refers to DARK SUNS’ uncompromising approach to music.But what about the music? DARK SUNS don’t merely pick up where the successful predecessor "Existence" (2005) left off, they present themselves as many-facetted as never before. A clear nod to Doom, complex polyrhythms, unusual and diverse instruments and, last but not least, drummer NIKO KNAPPE’s characteristic yearning vocals comprise the album’s cornerstones. The variety of sounds stretches from angular Metal riff attacks via atmospheric ambient soundscapes and Techno reminiscences to Avant-garde influences – despite this complexity, an accomplished musical mosaic of enormous expressiveness.Exciting nuances are created by the incomparable bass of Pain Of Salvation’s long-time member KRISTOFFER GILDENLÖW, a friendly turn that resulted from the tours mentioned above, and DISILLUSION’s SCHMIDT’s guest vocals in "Flies In Amber."With "Grave Human Genuine," DARK SUNS have created a haunting album full of autonomy and instrumental class, self-consciously charting new musical territory. In this, the band from Leipzig embodies the essence of every true progressive band: compositional genius coupled with advancement. The dark suns radiate: gloomy, human and egregiously genuine.

"Signing on with Deep Purple/Black Sabbath producer Martin Birch, Blue Öyster Cult made more of a guitar-heavy hard rock album in Cultosaurus Erectus after flirting with pop ever since the success of Agents of Fortune. (They also promoted this album by going out on a co-headlining tour with Sabbath.) Gone are the female backup singers, the pop hooks, the songs based on keyboard structures, and they are replaced by lots of guitar solos and a beefed-up rhythm section. But the band still were not generating strong enough material to compete with their concert repertoire, so they found themselves in the bind of being a strong touring act unable to translate that success into record sales." - All Music Guide

"Never wanting to stand still in his profession, Lion Music founder Lars Eric Mattsson has resurrected his Book of Reflections project. Relentless Fighter is the third album, nearly six years removed from the last.To say that Relentless Fighter is generic melodic progressive power metal or typical of Mattsson is not to be condescending or cliche. It is to say that you know what you're going to get from this prolific composer and fine guitar player. Here are ten well-crafted arrangements emphasizing those skills, especially Mattsson's neo-classical fret work. Vocals are provided by two veterans, Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz and Markku Kuikka. Their styles are nearly similar to be indistinguishable across the album.With these basic things said, it took me more than a spin or two to appreciate Relentless Fighter. The reason was simply that is that this album is exactly as I said earlier: generic to the genre and typical of Mattsson. All this did was beg the question, Haven't I heard this all before? The answer is yes. But in lesser hands, Relentless Fighter would be average material. Second listens arouse interest and bring real entertainment. Is this some of Mattsson's best work. Not necessarily. 2010's Tango was better, and epic stuff. Best cuts here: Without My Angel, Angel Shed a Tear, Keep Us Afloat, and Rise Up." - Dangerdog.com

Phase - Midnight Madness is the third release in our limited edition Modulus series.  Pressed in an edition of 500 copies, it comes housed in a old school style tip-on mini-LP jacket.  A 12 page booklet features detailed liner notes from the members of the band.Phase was a New Jersey based quartet formed in 1978.  It featured Regan Ryzuk (piano, Moog, Celeste), Dave Anderson (electric and Anscor stereo guitar), Carl Scariati (Carl Thompson electric bass), and John Hvasta (drums/tympanis).  All members were young but highly accomplished musicians with a serious interest in jazz, classical composition, and progressive rock.  Their high energy instrumental music clearly demonstrated these influences.  The music of Phase can easily be classified as fusion but there are strong undercurrents of progressive rock that weaves its way through the album - not just in terms of the instrumentation or playing, but the compositions as well.The band signed a deal with QCA/Red Mark Records in Cincinnati.  The band left New Jersey and heading out to Ohio to record Midnight Madness.  The album was recorded and mixed very quickly.  It saw a release in 1979 and unfortunately sank without much of a trace.  Keyboardist Regan Ryzuk reissued the album two years label, rebranding and repackaging the release under the Fusion Quartet moniker.Hearing this music for the first time was quite a revelation.  I was blown away to say the least.  When I'm asked to describe the music I typically reply "Return To Forever meets Emerson Lake & Palmer".  Not only did this quartet have chops from hell but the compositions were challenging as well.  If you are a fan of RTF, Mahavishnu Orchestra or the prog giants ELP, Yes, Zappa, and PFM you will find much to enjoy here.Please keep in mind that when this edition sells out it will be gone forever.   

IQ's 10th studio arrives and again with a slightly reconfigured lineup.  The exceptionally gifted Neil Durant, previously with Sphere3, is now handling keyboards.  Nothing dramatic changed.  If anything keyboards might even be a bit more prominent.  Paul Cook and Tim Esau, the original rhythm section, are now in tow. Peter Nicholls is his sombre self.  Guitars seem to be slightly heavier but all in all this sounds like prime IQ.  This is a band that has weathered personnel changes over the year but like a fine wine they've improved with age.  This is a BUY OR DIE release.  Top 10 for 2014.