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Withem is an up and coming Norwegian progressive metal band, inspired by the likes of Symphony X, Pagan’s Mind, Dream Theater and Circus Maximus.The band started to take shape in 2011 when Øyvind Voldmo Larsen (guitars) and Ketil Ronold (keyboards) met the gifted drummer Frank Nordeng Røe. Soon they were joined by the vocal talents of Ole Aleksander Wagenius and bass duties were taken care of by the special guest Andreas Blomqvist from Seventh Wonder.Withem’s debut offers varied sonic landscapes for the listener to explore, ranging from guilty-pleasure choruses permeated with memorable vocal hooks, to symphonic epic themes. The unique vocal range of Ole Aleksander Wagenius gives the band a distinctive touch to tackle the overcrowded progressive metal scene.The passion and dedication put into the album is emphasized by the countless hours spent in studio perfecting each individual performance and making sure that the end result is a world class blend of progressive, symphonic and power metal.The Point Of You was mastered by Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, Saga, Spock's Beard)$6.00 -
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.$27.00 -
Leprous are an exciting young band from Norway. They made a great album for our label in Tall Poppy Syndrome and have now found a new home at Inside Out. Bilateral is the band's third album. It continues their tradition of mixing progressive rock and metal in equal doses. They serve it up in a way that continually leaves the listener off kilter. This time Einar Solberg sings almost (but not totally) with clean vocals. There is still quite a bit of heaviness. The music constantly challenges you and at times isn't all that pleasant to listen to...but you can't stop. If Van Der Graaf Generator recorded a metal album it might sound something like this. Album of the year candidate...you must own this!$15.00 -
After a 10 year absence Enchant are back. The band started in 1993 making them one of the earliest prog metal band. Actually they are sort of an interesting band in that they seem to exist in both the prog rock and prog metal realms. Some metal fans think of them as a bit lightweight and some prog rock fans think they are too heavy! One thing is for sure they are wildly successful. This is definitely prog but it never loses sight of the melody. Fronted by the great Ted Leonard (who is now doing double duty with Spock's Beard) this one is a no-brainer - whether you are metal or prog head. "irst impressions are the similarities to Spock’s Beard. Hardly surprising since Ted Leonard has been singing with them since 2011. He’s been with Enchant longer; their first CD came out in 1993. And familiarity doesn’t breed contempt here, fortunately.Bay area progressive rockers, they steer a straight course composing guitar-structured songs that they extemporise over. Guitarist Douglas A Ott is also the band’s main producer, with The Great Divide having been recorded at his own studio, but if in the past the band’s followed his direction they’re now more involved after a ten year gap working on other projects. Also, while integral, Ott doesn’t dominate Enchant’s sound but flows in and out adding a hard rock bias to their generic musical flavouring. Drummer/percussionist Sean Flanegan and bassist Ed Platt have the solidity of early Kansas and musically there are some pretty snazzy and often too brief keyboard solos from Bill Jenkins.A rolling cyclical bass line forms the basis of opening number ‘Circles’ with Leonard pondering life going round well, like a circle – while the lyrics aren’t profound they feel right and though this isn’t a concept album, despite the band stating otherwise, there are common themes concerning the human condition in a loosely existential manner. Mainly straight verse and choruses ‘Circles’ breaks out into more complicated time signatures before an acoustic comes to the fore, vocals return, an electric guitar take over and it concludes with a nicely warm keyboard solo. ‘Within An Inch’ follows with a steady rock backbeat over which Ott’s playing echoes Camel’s Andy Latimer interrupted briefly by some John Ellis punk-styled sirening. ‘The Great Divide’ follows suit in a more epic manner, the arrangement akin to Genesis in their golden period.Enchant don’t play with the fairies, despite what their name suggests. If anything they’re two steps removed from an AOR sound leaning in towards early Asia with some latter day Beatles thrown in, and a less grandiose take on Spock’s Beard. One might refer to them as technically proficient rather than emotionally overwrought, meaning there is a heartfelt flavour to their songs, and they tend to grow on you.The subdued opening to ‘Life In A Shadow’ throws a brief curveball echoing the Canterbury sound of Hatfield & The North before a heavy chorded chorus takes this into a rocking tune with soulful harmonies. ‘Deserve To Feel’ pours on the technical drumming and dribbling triplet bass figures with some flashy pyrotechnics predominantly on guitar but with keen keyboard flourishes, moving into a more intricate musical score as Jenkins and Ott trade inspired lines towards its conclusion. Likewise, ‘Here And Now’ builds reflectively moving towards emotional drama.Finely composed, played well, Enchant’s The Great Divide might not have you falling under its spell, but you may well be surprised how you find yourself being drawn to playing it." - The Midland Rocks$13.00 -
"Sons Of Apollo are one of the biggest success stories of the past two years. The combination of vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboard player Derek Sherinian and drummer Mike Portnoy proved to be irresistible on their debut album 'Psychotic Symphony', released in 2017. Now, they are putting out a special live release. This was filmed at the spectacular Roman Amphitheatre in Plovdiv, Bulgaria on September 22 last year. The band's performance was divided into two sets, the second of which saw them joined by a full orchestra and choir. There are a number of cover songs performed in both sets. And it was down to Portnoy to choose which tracks were done with the orchestra and choir: “[…]I have to say that all of the covers you'll get to see us do in the second part of the performance were only done that night and no other on the tour, which helps to make this unique.”Titled 'Live With The Plovdiv Psychotic Symphony', this is to be available on CD, DVD and Blu-ray. But there are differences between the audio and visual formats. “The CD has the entire gig. But we had problems getting clearance on three of the cover tracks for the Blu-ray and DVD. Sadly, these will not have 'Comfortably Numb' from Pink Floyd, 'Dream On' (Aerosmith) plus 'And The Cradle Will Rock' (Van Halen). The good thing is that you can hear all of these on the CD, so they're not forgotten.“The DVD and Blu-ray also have a behind the scenes documentary on the whole experience in Plovdiv, which includes interviews. In addition, there's also a behind the scenes documentary on the making of our debut album. So, what fans will get is a brilliant summary of the first year in the history of this band.”Portnoy is delighted with the final product, believing it to be a triumph that encapsulates just how tremendous this band are.“This is a very special release. It magnificently captures what happened on the night and the atmosphere that surrounded the occasion.”"$48.00 -
Ultimately, progress will not be stopped. Pain of Salvation have been firmly at the forefront of the progressive rock and metal scenes for nearly three decades now. Led by mercurial multi-instrumentalist Daniel Gildenlöw, the Swedish band have consistently demonstrated a sincere passion for moving their own extraordinary music forward, while always remaining lyrically enlightened and ferociously intelligent. As a result, the band’s return in 2020 could hardly be better timed.Since selecting the Pain of Salvation banner back in 1991, Gildenlöw’s crew have arguably been the definitive prog band of the modern era. From elaborate and pointedly metallic early classics like The Perfect Element, Part I (2000) and Remedy Lane (2002) to the obtuse wizardry of Be (2004) and the genre-blurring mischief of Scarsick (2006), Pain of Salvation’s all-encompassing musical vision has delivered some of contemporary prog’s most brave, bold and startling moments. Perennially restless, the band switched to a more retrogressive style for Road Salt One (2010) and Road Salt Two (2011), conjuring a precocious blend of ‘70s blues rock and proto-metal with Gildenlöw’s unerringly inventive instincts.Also one of modern rock’s most revered and acclaimed live acts, Pain of Salvation reached a new peak of efficacy on 2017’s In The Passing Light Of Day, an intricate but soulful concept piece that focused on notions of mortality and joy. Both a technically dazzling metal band and a freewheeling prog ensemble, Pain of Salvation have earned their formidable reputation by simply being their brilliant, creatively fearless selves.Fast forward to 2020 and the world is in a state of disarray. But music’s power to uplift and unite has never been in doubt, and the new Pain of Salvation album PANTHER is guaranteed to provide prog fans with a much-needed dose of sumptuous musical substance. Since the release of In The Passing Light Of Day, the band have deftly weathered the departure of guitarist Ragnar Zolberg, discovering a newfound enthusiasm for what happens next in the process.“We did In The Passing Light Of Day and that ended with the departure of Ragnar from the band,” Gildenlöw recalls. “In the past, 10 or 20 years ago, that would probably have made me doubt the future of the band and all of that. I went through that a lot in the past with members leaving or things not turning out in a good way! It’s always difficult and it’s always something that makes you sad, when your little band family is disrupted, but I never came to the point where I doubted where to go or what to do. The other band members were pushing us on to continue, so I just kept writing music.”The result of that sustained surge of creativity is PANTHER, the eleventh Pain of Salvation album and a very obvious landmark release in a career full of them. PANTHER is a concept piece that delves into the conflicts and contradictions between so-called normal people and those who are wired entirely differently.“I guess a lot of the songs that came out dealt with not being part of the norm of society,” Gildenlöw says. “Because we live in a time where we’re more aware of people not fitting the norm and we’re doing everything we can as a society to acknowledge all of these individuals, but at the same time, they’re more disowned than ever, more medicated than ever. The album is painting pictures of a world, I guess. If this was a movie it would be scenes from a city. It’s set in one city, and it’s populated by dogs and the panthers, the so-called normal people and the spectrum people. That’s the setting for the entire album.”As with all Pain of Salvation records, PANTHER will demand multiple listens before it reveals all of its secrets, both musical and narrative. But one things is certain: Gildenlöw’s ability to create a unique and fascinating musical and lyrical world has only grown in recent times. Both traditional and radical, PANTHER is the epitome of a modern prog concept album.With such a deep and varied catalogue, Pain of Salvation – completed by guitarist Johan Hallgren, keyboardist Daniel ‘D2’ Karlsson, bassist Gustaf Hielm and drummer Léo Margarit - have taught their fans to expect the unexpected at all times. Although instantly recognisable as music from the wild mind of Daniel Gildenlöw, PANTHER once again refines and redefines the Swedes’ sound, with echoes of the past vastly outnumbered by vivid, new textures, tones and sonic sleight-of-hand.“For this album, I started off looking for sounds. I always feel I need to move and change and find new ground for myself. Maybe it’s not intentional, but looking back I see that I chose a different starting point every time, or a different methodology, which makes everything else unfold in a different way. It’s a way of making sure that I’m not repeating myself.”Meticulously pieced together by Gildenlöw in Eskilstuna and The Cabin, and mixed together with Daniel Bergstrand (Meshuggah, In Flames, Devin Townsend) at Studio 33 in Stockholm as well as mastered by Thor Legvold / Sonovo (Tambours de Bronx, Purified in Blood, Susanne Sundfør, Gazpacho) in Los Angeles, PANTHER ended up becoming a very intense and personal labour of love for Pain of Salvation’s leader.“It’s been somewhat of a lonely process, but I was finding sounds that I felt were communicating something, and then built something around that,” says Gildenlöw. “It started off a chain of events that led to PANTHER. Just like we did with the last album, you have a song and you find a new sound that you like, and then you start pulling the other songs into that world, step by step. So there’s a lot of odd sounds and a lot of trying to think anew, particularly from my point of view. I don’t have to try to make it sound like Pain of Salvation – the sound is basically what I do when I write music.”Old school PoS fans need not panic, however. Panther still features plenty of guitars and recognisable prog rock and metal tropes: It’s just that Daniel Gildenlöw can’t help but do things differently, every time he hits the studio.Yet another groundbreaking monolith to progress, passion and the joy of music itself, and with artwork consisting of fantastic illustrations made by André Meister, PANTHER is destined to be one of 2020’s most significant releases. Sprung from the maverick mind of prog’s most ingenious contributor, it’s a triumph for artistic imagination and an exhilarating new chapter in the life of a truly great band.“I don’t think that an album can change the world in any way, but I think that every small drop in the ocean can make a difference,” Gildenlöw concludes. “Hopefully people will look around at life as it surrounds us and they’ll realise that this is something we choose. We don’t have to have things as we have them right now. Then I hope, as always when it comes to our albums, people will take time to absorb it all. Our albums work best when they have a little time to sink under the skin. Hopefully with our track record, people know what’s coming!”"$19.00 -
WE ARE NOW TAKING PREORDERS FOR THE RE-PRESS OF THE CAMEL "AIRBORN" 27 CD/5 BLU RAY BOX SET. STREET DATE IS MAY 3, 2024. PLEASE DO NOT COMBINE YOUR PREORDER WITH YOUR REGULAR STOCK ORDER. WE DO NOT SPLIT SHIPMENTS OR RESERVE STOCK ITEMS. AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT - PLACE YOUR PREORDER SEPARATELY.In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the release of their self-titled debut album, this 32-disc super deluxe boxed set is the definitive tribute to the legendary band Camel. The boxed features newly remastered versions of every Camel album and single issued between 1973 and 1984, but also includes new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound versions of the albums “Camel”, “Mirage”, “Music Inspired by The Snow Goose”, “Moonmadness” and “Nude”, as well as new mixes of three concerts; The Marquee Club, London 1974, Hammersmith Odeon 1976 and Hammersmith Odeon 1977 The set also features previously unreleased out-takes from album recording sessions and BBC Radio “In Concert” appearances from 1974, 1975, 1977 and 1981. Additionally included is a Blu ray video disc of promotional videos and BBC TV appearances on “The Old Grey Whistle Test” and “Sight and Sound In Concert” and a Blu ray video disc of the 1984 concert film “Pressure Points”The boxed set includes a lavishly illustrated book with essay and a poster.CD ONE “Camel” – Remastered (Released as MCA Records MUPS 473 in 1973)Slow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaSarah (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackNever Let Go (single version) - Bonus trackHomage to the God of Light (live) (from "Greasy Truckers - Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall") - Bonus trackCD TWO “Mirage” – Remastered (Released as Deram SML 1107 in 1974)FreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyEarthrise (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))The Traveller (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))Supertwister (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))The White Rider (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))Lady Fantasy (Bonus tracks: Demo session - Decca Studios 15th July 1973 (Previously unreleased))CD THREE “Mirage” sessionsLady Fantasy (Basing Street studios original mix)Autumn (previously unreleased)Nimrodel / The Procession / The White Rider (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackLigging at Louis' (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackLady Fantasy (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackArubaluba (BBC Radio One "In Concert" - 6th June 1974) - Bonus trackCD FOUR Live at The Marquee Club - 30th June 1974 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)IntroductionEarthriseNimrodelSix AteSupertwisterMystic QueenArubalubaCD FIVE Live at The Marquee Club - 30th June 1974 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)Rhayader Goes to TownThe Snow Goose / FreefallLady FantasyHomage to the God of LightCD SIX “Music Inspired by The Snow Goose” – Remastered (Released as Decca SKL-R 5207 in May 1975)The Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshFlight of the Snow Goose (single version) - Bonus trackRhayder (single version) - Bonus trackCD SEVEN “Snow Goose” sessions - Recorded and mixed at Decca Studios, Broadhurst Gardens 7th June 1974RivermanRhayder Goes to Town (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Sanctuary (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)The Snow Goose (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Migration (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Rhayder Alone (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Flight of the Snow Goose (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Preparation (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Dunkirk (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Epitaph (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)La Princesse Perdue (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)The Great Marsh (BBC Radio One “In Concert” – 22nd April 1975)Selections from "The Snow Goose" (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975) a. The Snow Goose / b. Friendship / c. Rhayader Goes to TownCD EIGHT “Live at The Royal Albert Hall - 17th October 1975” – Remastered & mixed with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by David BedfordIntroduction by Peter BardensThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshEncore: Lady Fantasy (previously unreleased)CD NINE “Moonmadness” – Remastered (Released as Decca TXS-R 115 in 1976)AristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaSprit of the Water (demo) - Bonus trackChord Change (demo) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackLunar Sea (demo) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackAnother Night (single version) - Bonus trackCD TEN Live at Hammersmith Odeon - 14th April 1976 – (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)AristillusSong Within a SongThe Great MarshRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownAir BornChord ChangeThe White RiderCD ELEVEN Live at Hammersmith Odeon - 14th April 1976 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)Lunar SeaPreparationDunkirkAnother NightLady FantasyCD TWELVE “Rain Dances” (Released as Decca TXS-R 124 in 1977)First LightMetrognomeTell MeHighways of the SunUnevensongOne of These Days I'll Get An Early NightElkeSkylinesRain DancesHighways of the Sun (single version) - Bonus trackFirst Light (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackMetrognome (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackUnevensong (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackSkylines (live at Leeds University 3rd October 1977) - Bonus trackLunar Sea (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackRaindances (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977) - Bonus trackCD THIRTEEN: “Raindances live”Never Let Go (live at the Colston Hall, Bristol 2nd October 1977)First Light (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Metrognome (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Unevensong (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Rhayader / Rhayader Goes to Town (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Skylines (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Highways of the Sun (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Lunar Sea (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Rain Dances (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)Never Let Go (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)One of These Days I'll Get an Early Night (BBC In Concert - Golders Green Hippodrome - 29th September 1977)CD FOURTEEN: Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 30th September / 1st October 1977 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. Tayler)First LightMetrognomeUnevensongRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownPreparationDunkirkSanctuaryThe Snow GooseCD FIFTEEN: Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 30th September / 1st October 1977 (Newly mixed in full by Stephen W. TaylerTell MeSong Within a SongSkylinesHighway to the SunLunar SeaRain DancesOne of These Days I'll Get an Early NightCD SIXTEEN: “Breathless” (Released as Decca TXS-R 132 in 1978)BreathlessEchoesWing and a PrayerDown on the FarmStarlight RideSummer LightningYou Make Me SmileThe SleeperRainbow's EndRainbow's End (single version) - Bonus trackCD SEVENTEEN “I Can See Your House from Here” (Released as Decca TXS-R 137 in 1979)WaitYour Love is Stranger Than MineEye of the StormWho We AreSurvivalHymn to HerNeon MagicRemote RomanceIceRemote Romance (single version) - Bonus trackCD EIGHTEEN “Nude” – Released as Decca SKL 5323 in 1981City LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)Captured (first version) (previously unreleased) - Bonus trackCD NINETEEN BBC Radio One In Concert - Hammersmith Odeon 27th February 1981 First broadcast 2nd May 1981Never Let GoSong Within a SongLunar SeaSummer LightningIceCity LifeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesReflectionsCapturedThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)CD TWENTY “The Single Factor” – (Released as Decca SKL 5328 in 1982)No Easy AnswerYou Are the OneHeroesSelvaLullabyeSasquatchManicCamelogueToday's GoodbyeA Heart's DesireEnd PieceYou Are the One (promotional 12-inch single version) - Bonus trackCD TWENTY-ONE “Stationary Traveller” – (Released as Decca SKL 5334 in 1984)Pressure PointsRefugeeVoposCloak and Dagger ManStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsMissingAfter WordsLong GoodbyesIn the Arms of Waltzing Fraulines - Bonus trackPressure Points (12-inch single extended version) - Bonus trackCD TWENTY-TWO “Pressure Points” Live at Hammersmith Odeon 11 May 1984Pressure PointsDraftedCapturedLiesRefugeeVoposStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsCD TWENTY-THREE “Pressure Points” Live at Hammersmith Odeon 11 May 1984SasquatchWaitCloak and Dagger ManLong GoodbyesRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownLady FantasyCD TWENTY-FOUR “Camel” and "Mirage" New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerSlow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaFreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyCD TWENTY-FIVE “Music inspired by The Snow Goose” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshCD TWENTY-SIX “Moonmadness” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerAristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaCD TWENTY-SEVEN “Nude” New Stereo Mix by Stephen W TaylerCity LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)DISC TWENTY-EIGHT (Blu-ray) “Camel” & "Mirage" High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixSlow Yourself DownMystic QueenSix AteSeperationNever Let GoCuriosityArubalubaFreefallSupertwisterNimrodel / The Procession / The White RiderEarthriseLady FantasyAutumn - Bonus trackDISC TWENTY-NINE (Blu-ray): “Music inspired by The Snow Goose” & “Moonmadness” High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixThe Great MarshRhayderRhayder Goes to TownSanctuaryFrithaThe Snow GooseFriendshipMigrationRhayder AloneFlight of the Snow GoosePreparationDunkirkEpitaphFritha AloneLa Princesse PerdueThe Great MarshRiverman - Bonus trackAristillusSong Within a SongChord ChangeSpirit of the WaterAnother NightAir BornLunar SeaDISC THIRTY (Blu-ray): “Nude” High Resolution 5.1 Surround Sound & Stereo Mixes by Stephen W Tayler / High resolution original stereo mixCity LifeNudeDraftedDocksBeachedLandscapesChanging PlacesPomp and CircumstancePlease Come HomeReflectionsCapturedThe HomecomingLiesThe Birthday Cake (The Last Farewell)Nude's Return (The Last Farewell)DISC THIRTY-ONE (Blu-ray): “The Video Vaults”Never Let GoArubalubaSelections from "The Snow Goose" a. The Snow Goose / b. Friendship / c. Rhayader Goes to Town (Guildford Civic Hall 1973 – MCA Promo film shown on “The Old Grey Whistle Test”)The White Rider (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Lunar Sea (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Preparation (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Dunkirk (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Another Night (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)Lady Fantasy (BBC TV – The Old Grey Whistle Test – 21st June 1975)First Light (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Metrognome (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Unevensong (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Rhayader / Rhayader Goes to Town (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Skylines (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Highways of the Sun (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Lunar Sea (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Rain Dances (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)Never Let Go (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)One of These Days I'll Get an Early Night (Live at Hammersmith Odeon – 14th April 1976)City Life (BBC TV – “Sight & Sound in Concert – 29th September 1977”)Lies (BBC TV – “Sight & Sound in Concert – 29th September 1977”)DISC THIRTY-TWO “Pressure Points”In the Arms of Waltzing FraulinesPressure PointsRefugeeVoposStationary TravellerWest BerlinFingertipsSasquatchWaitCloak and Dagger ManLong GoodbyesRhayaderRhayader Goes to TownLady FantasyIn the Arms of Waltzing Fraulines$225.00 -
Its been seven years since Phideaux Xavier's last album. Everyone has been chomping at the bit for this album and I can honestly say he delivers the goods. If you are unfamiliar with his work you should expect contemporary progressive rock with lots of references to the 70s giants. A perfect blending of old and new sounds. (I'm a sucker for the Mellotron sounding bits). While he originally started out as pretty much a one man show, Phideaux has morphed into a band with 10 musicians contributing, including Discipline's Matthew Kennedy who holds down the bass notes. There is a lot of music here and its new so its going to take some time to digest. This will easily sit high on year end top 10 lists. Buckle yourself in and dig deep into this one. Well worth the effort.BUY OR DIE!"Arguably no other progressive rock creation in recent years has been shrouded in as much mystery and expectation as Infernal, the latest studio effort from Phideaux. After all, it follows what many fans (myself included) consider to be three of the best genre albums of all time: 2007’s Doomsday Afternoon, 2009’s Number Seven, and 2011’s Snowtorch. (Of course, the prior collections were great as well and paved the way for such distinction.) As such, devotees have spent the last seven years—if not eleven since Infernal concludes the Great Leap/Doomsday Afternoon set—speculating and anticipating how exceptionally it’ll tie into the trilogy, maintain the idiosyncratic brilliance of its predecessors, and rank as one of the top works of its release year.So, was it worth the wait?Well, that depends on what you expect. Upon initial listens, those hoping for a consistent continuation of the aforementioned trio’s robust eccentric intricacy may find it a bit wanting; sure, that side of Phideaux certainly crops up from time to time within its ninety-minute duration (especially during the second half), but Infernal is deceptively unvaried and reductive at first glance since it appears to prioritize straightforward songwriting and lush yet modest arrangements. However, a deeper analysis and appreciation reveals how resourcefully Infernal actually does two things at once: touch upon the styles and stories of its two narrative precursors while also establishing an almost brand-new approach entirely. Thus, the double LP is markedly different from—yet equivalent to—the extraordinary achievements that came before it.Just as The Great Leap and Doomsday Afternoon were different kinds of albums, so too is Infernal (despite featuring the complete Doomsday Afternoon line-up). In fact, during our last correspondence, Phideaux confirmed my conclusion that the first and second discs are meant to channel the first and second entries in the trilogy, respectively, as it simultaneously feels more theatrical (“like a play”) than either of them. Perhaps, then, it’s best to think of Infernal as the BE (Pain of Salvation) or The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis) of the band’s discography, as it extends out of its predecessors in the midst of existing as a singular experiment unlike anything else in their catalog.Although the first half of the undertaking captures the more accessible rock nature of The Great Leap overall, it’s still filled with multilayered splendor and a fair amount of complexity. Opener “Cast Out and Cold,” for instance, is a tour-de-force that builds ominously (with effects and harmonies) before instantly evoking the classic Phideaux charm with its blend of male/female lamentations and pastoral instrumentation. In doing so, it sets a great stage on which to introduce the more multifaceted, urgent, and dynamic “The Error Lives On”. Later, “We Only Have Eyes for You” is relatively bouncy and playful (despite being foreboding beneath the surface), whereas “C99” is a venture into sinister surrealism and “Tumbleweed” uses the trademark piano ballad as a poignant cliffhanger. Again, these songs in particular may seem too similar to each other originally, but they eventually become truly essential components in making the record flow like a unified performance filled with captivating melodies, lively textures, poetic lyricism, and entrancing structures.The concluding portion of Infernal absolutely channels Doomsday Afternoon in its heighted emphasis on flamboyant intricacy. This is clear from the start, with “The Order of Protection (One)” contrasting its introductory choral serenity with a latter helping of dissonant tones over mesmerizingly mischievous piano motifs (that—no surprise—are reimagined brilliantly in “The Order of Protection (Two)”). Elsewhere, “In Dissonance We Play” finds a strong balance between solid songwriting and musical showmanship, “The Sleepers Wake” is tenderly enchanting, and “Endgame – An End” wraps things up in a mildly foreseeable yet entirely fitting and satisfying way. Without question, though, the standout track of the whole journey is “From Hydrogen to Love,” a fourteen-minute masterpiece that serves as the “Microdeath Softstar” of Infernal (in more ways than one and I’ll leave it at that).At the risk of spoiling any more of the LP’s magic (hence why the breakdowns of each disc barely scratched their surfaces), suffice it to say that arguably the chief feats of Infernal are its abundant allusions to past sequences and its refreshing theatricality. Not only does it offer plenty of links—both subtle and overt—to itself, Doomsday Afternoon, and The Great Leap as it develops, but it even throws a nod or two at another full-length triumph (whose identity is then made obvious via a clever anagram). Every one of these connections will delight devotees, as will the brief scattered respites that basically act like soliloquys/monologues/intermissions. Together, these elements make the album feel at once laudably unique and endearingly familiar while also revealing (and justifying) why it took so long for such a passion project to be completed.Ingeniously, Infernal simultaneously pays tribute to the Phideaux legacy and etches itself as a wildly ambitious, enthralling, and fresh entry into it. Although it can be a bit incongruent and underwhelming at first, those who fully internalize all that it offers—and appreciate what it’s doing both expectedly and differently—will find it to be another benchmark creation in the catalog of one of the most distinctive and essential artists in modern progressive rock. Taking that into consideration, a new question must be asked: Is it Phideaux’s greatest achievement to date?Well, it could be." - The Prog Report$16.00 -
Ten years since the band first formed, 2017 will see Haken’s first two albums, ‘Aquarius’ & ‘Visions’, reissued through InsideOutMusic after being unavailable for a lengthy period of time. Remastered by the renowned Jens Bogren (Devin Townsend Project, Between The Buried & Me), who worked with the band on their last two studio albums ‘Affinity’ & ‘The Mountain’, this reissue sees the albums brought up to the sonic quality of their most recent output.Originally released back in 2010, the band’s debut album ‘Aquarius’ capitalised on 3 years of work from the band which saw them staking their claim as one of the most exciting new progressive metal bands, playing with the likes of King’s X, Riverside & Bigelf. A 72-minute concept record that touched on themes of global warming, this album has long held a place in their fans’ hearts & the lengthy 17-minute closing track ‘Celestial Elixir’ remains in their set lists now.Arriving just a year on from their debut, ‘Visions’ cemented the bands reputation as one of the most solid progressive metal bands of recent years, bringing them to the US on tour for the very first time in 2011. Another detailed concept album conjured in part from a dream that vocalist Ross Jennings experienced, ‘Visions’ captured the imaginations of both fans and critics alike. Haken have also announced that they will be revisiting the album in full, live at Prog Power USA in September 2017.$14.00 -
Following the release of 2021’s ambitious studio album ‘The Absolute Universe’, progressive-rock supergroup Transatlantic present ‘The Final Flight: Live At L'Olympia’. A document of the bands triumphant show in Paris, the last night of their tour in support of their most recent studio album, it sees Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas (along with Ted Leonard) performing the entirety of „The Absolute Universe (The Ultimate Version)”, before returning to the stage to perform some of their extensive back catalogue. A night as special as they come, this audio/visual document presents the band at their most majestic.$27.00 -
My Soliloquy is a British band formed in 2002 by multi-instrumentalist Pete Morten. Since then the band has released a number of demos, gaining traction in the metal underground. The band had a number of notable support shows with Pagans Mind, Power Quest, Oliver and Rick Wakeman, and Threshold, as well as a second-to-headline set at Bloodstock 05 and a showcase at 2007’s ProgPower UK II.Since 2007, Morten has been an active member of British prog metal legends Threshold. His membership has raised awareness (and created anticipation) for My Soliloquy’s long awaited debut.The essence of My Soliloquy is pure forward thinking metal – symphonic keyboards, shredding guitar leads, soaring vocals – all finely woven together with a blend of intricacy and melody. The Interpreter was mixed and mastered by Rob Aubrey who has been a mainstay of Marillion’s camp for many years.$5.00 -
"TRANSATLANTIC — the multinational progressive rock supergroup featuring vocalist/keyboardist Neal Morse (SPOCK'S BEARD, THE NEAL MORSE BAND), drummer Mike Portnoy (SONS OF APOLLO, DREAM THEATER), bassist Pete Trewavas(MARILLION) and guitarist Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS) — will release its fifth studio album, "The Absolute Universe", on February 5, 2021 via InsideOut Music. Representing the band's first new music since 2014's "Kaleidoscope", with "The Absolute Universe" the band has done something unique and created two versions of the record: "The Absolute Universe: The Breath Of Life (Abridged Version)" and "The Absolute Universe: Forevermore (Extended Version)".As Portnoy explains: "We've got two versions of this album. There is a two-CD presentation, which is 90 minutes long, and a single one — that's 60 minutes. However, the single CD is NOT merely an edited version of the double CD. They each contain alternate versions and even in some cases, new recordings. We wrote fresh lyrics and have different people singing on the single CD version tracks as compared to those on the double CD. Some of the songtitles have also been changed, while others might remain the same, but compositionally, what you'll hear has been altered."You must appreciate that what we have done is unique. We revamped the songs to make the two versions different."Trewavas adds: "We did write some new music for the single CD. What's more, there are also differences in the instruments used on some of the tracks across the two records."Each album will be available on CD, LP and digitally. But there will also be what has been called "The Absolute Universe: The Ultimate Edition", which collects both versions together in one lavish package that includes 5LPs, 3CDs and a Blu-ray that contains a 5.1 Surround Sound mix with visuals and a behind-the-scenes documentary. All editions have unique artwork created by Thomas Ewerhard.Initial tracking began in September 2019 when the band met up in Sweden to write and arrange the new material. As Portnoy explains: "Over a period of 10-14 days, we mapped out the songs. Then we all went back to our home studios and did the recording. That's the way we always do it. At one point, though, it was suggested that instead of doing what was by that time going to be a double album, we should just be content to do a single CD.""What happened was that everything kept expanding and expanding," recalls Stolt. "Therefore we decided it made sense to make it a double album. It was Pete and Neal who then came out and said they felt this would be too long, and we should reduce it to one…But we were already recording, and it didn't seem feasible to cut it back. There were so many pieces that each of us loved in what we were planning and didn't want to lose. That's when we ended up in discussions over the best way forward."This album also marks a return to the concept album for TRANSATLANTIC."Well, the idea of TRANSATLANTIC deciding to do a concept record this time around won't shock anyone, right?" laughs Portnoy. "What we have is essentially one giant composition, split into chapters. The storyline is about the struggles facing everyone in society today.""We didn't start out with the idea of this being conceptual," admits Stolt. "The way things work with us is that we have a load of ideas, and these are developed spontaneously when we meet up. Everything happens in the moment."So, how does this new groundbreaking album compare to TRANSATLANTIC's previous four albums?"I always try not to compare albums as much as possible," insists Morse. "It's very difficult when you're trying to be creative, because your natural instinct is to constantly compare. But in order to create you have to kind of step away from that. Having said that, I would say this would have more in common with 'The Whirlwind' album [the band's third, from 2009] than others that we've created."For Trewavas, "The Absolute Universe" is a momentous project. "I think it is right up there with the very finest albums we've done," he says. "As the others have said, it compares very well to 'The Whirlwind', which I believe represents TRANSATLANTIC at our best. As on that album, we took our time to write and arrange everything, and that shines through. I am very excited for people to hear it."TRANSATLANTIC formed in 1999 and released its debut album, "SMPT:e", the following year. Sophomore effort "Bridge Across Forever" followed in 2001, but the group went on an extended hiatus after Morse left SPOCK'S BEARD in 2002 to focus on his newly launched career in the Christian music industry.The group reunited in 2009 and released third album "The Whirlwind", which consisted of a single 77-minute track, that same year. A fourth album, "Kaleidoscope", was recorded in 2013 and released the following year, when it debuted at No. 6 on the German top album charts. The band has also released several live albums and live videos, most recently 2014's "KaLIVEoscope".Portnoy and Morse are frequent musical collaborators, having recorded more than a dozen albums together outside of TRANSATLANTIC, including three FLYING COLORS releases, three by THE NEAL MORSE BAND and seven Morse solo albums."$10.00 -
"“Eye Of The Soundscape” features 13 experimental and highly atmospheric compositions, previously used as bonus material for the “Shrine Of New Generation Slaves” (2103) and “Love, Fear and the Time Machine" (2015) albums, alongside rare cuts (e.g. a new mix of “Rapid Eye Movement” and the single “Rainbow Trip”, so far only released in Poland) as well as 4 new songs (“Where The River Flows”, “Shine”, “Sleepwalkers” and “Eye Of The Soundscape”) into a massive +100 minutes 2CD/3LP package, which showcases RIVERSIDE’s ambient electronic side.RIVERSIDE’s Mariusz Duda explained and introduced this rather unorthodox and experimental release as follows:“I had a feeling that the sixth RIVERSIDE album might be the last chapter of a story. That the future releases might have a different sound, a different character... Unofficially, I called our latest three albums "the crowd trilogy". Each subsequent title was longer by one word – four, five, six. Six words were long enough as a title and I thought that was the one to finish it off with...Before we started a new chapter, perhaps a "new trilogy", I had an idea to release a complementary album. An album in between. An album we had always wanted to record. It wouldn't be just new music but in our case and in such configuration it would definitely be a new quality because we hadn't released such an album before.For years, we have accumulated a lot of material, a part of which was released on bonus discs. I know that some of our listeners still haven't heard those pieces and do not realise that Riverside, basically right from the start, have been experimenting with ambient and progressive electronic music. And that's always been a part of our music DNA.So I presented the idea to the rest of the band and the decision was unanimous. We decided to make a compilation of all our instrumental and ambient pieces, and release it this year as an independent album. Some of the songs would be re-mixed to make them sound better, but most of all, we'd add new compositions.At the beginning of the year, we locked ourselves in the studio and we started to compose. We even published a picture on our facebook page, in which Grudzien is holding a small keyboard as a joke. That was that recording session. We were working with smiles on our faces, genuinely excited, knowing that this time it wasn't just a bonus disc or an addition to something "bigger" but a fully fledged, independent release with that kind of music, full of space, trance, melodies and electronics. The day before I got a text message from Grudzien, "I really can't wait for this release, I have always had a dream for RIVERSIDE to release such an album."The release of “Eye Of The Soundscape” therefor also honours late RIVERSIDE guitarist Piotr Grudzinski, who tragically passed away of natural causes on February 21st, 2016.“Eye Of The Soundscape” is composed of material created between 2007-2016 and concieved in 2015/2016 at Serakos studio in Warsaw with Magda Srzednicka, Robert Srzednicki as well Mariusz Duda as producers, and the release comes packaged in artwork by RIVERSIDE’s longterm design partner Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Nevermore, etc.)."$11.00 -
Mixing rock, hard rock and progressive rock with heavy metal and power metal influences, Brazil's Daydream XI is a band with no self-imposed boundaries.Formed in 2008 the group have played with bands like Angra, Symphony X and the former Iron Maiden vocalist, Paul Di'Anno. In 2014 Daydream XI was invited by legendary drummer Mike Portnoy to perform on the 1st edition of Progressive Nation at Sea with bands like Transatlantic, Devin Townsend, Pain Of Salvation, Animals As Leaders, Anathema, Jon Anderson, King's X and many other leading names in progressive music.The band's debut album was produced by Jens Bogren, head of the world-class Fascination Street studio, in Orëbro, Sweden, released on September 27th, 2014, via POWER PROG. It has received many great reviews all over the globe, placing the band as one of the most promising names in Progressive Metal in South America.In their sophomore release, The Circus Of The Tattered And Torn, the band embraces the progressive side of their music in a dark concept album. The concept is a metaphor to express that we are drawn to each other more by our weaknesses and our flaws than our strengths and virtues. It’s portrayed through a journey, where Phillip, the Circus master, takes his new apprentice, Circe, across the various acts of this Circus. Each song represents a feeling or aspect of human life, channeled by the storyline of each character.On September 8th, 2017, Daydream XI will be opening the third night of ProgPower USA in Atlanta.$6.00
