Avant Garde Metal

Howling Sycamore

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"The official debut from Davide Tiso’s next project following the demise of Ephel Duath is something familiar, yet different.

$14.00

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Subterranean Masquerade

Vagabond

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"I stumbled blindly onto Subterranean Masquerade‘s brilliant debut Suspended Animation Dreams eleven years ago. It stuck with me for almost a decade, despite no new material appearing from the band.

$17.00

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"The album opens with the track “Mass”, which immediately prepares you for the introspective and adventurous journey this album will lead you into. The vocals are clean yet energetic and powerful, giving the music the power sought by the enthusiast of heavier music genres.

$16.00

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Persefone

Aathma

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"He who must not be named ere the twilight hour, The Shogun of Sorrow, The Angry Metal Arbiter himself recently bestowed on us brief mortals a missive of momentous proportions.

$17.00

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Pain

Coming Home (Digibook)

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

Limited edition digibook features a 10 track live bonus CD.

$ 14.40

$ 24.00

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Pain

Coming Home

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"Peter Tägtgren has had a long and storied career under the banner of a pile of different musical epithets, so his journey is best thought of as one continuous track, rather than a series of parallel adventures. So, Hypocrisy and PAIN and Lindemann are all part of the same fabric for Tägtgren,

$15.00

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Ephel Duath

Through My Dog's Eyes ($5 Blowout Price!)

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"Ephel Duath are a notable group, in that every one of their full-lengths has had its own distinct sound and style.

$3.00

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Orakle

Eclats

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"The French group's third full-length album, Orakle's “Eclats” doesn't go the traditional route in nearly anything it does.

$ 9.00

$ 15.00

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Arcturus

Arcturian

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

"‘Idiosynchratically beautiful’. These are two words that have stuck with me for nearly 20 years and which I recall almost every time I hear or read the name Arcturus.

$15.00

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Faith No More

Original Album Series (5CD)

Category:: Avant Garde Metal

Slipcased 5CD set includes the following albums:

The Real Thing
Angel Dust
King For A Day Fool For A Lifetime
Album Of The Year
Live At The Brixton Academy

$18.00

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Withem
The Point Of You

Progressive Metal

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

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Phase
Midnight Madness (Limited Edition)

Fusion

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

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Tiles
Pretending 2 Run (2CD)

Progressive Rock

The new Tiles album is a 2CD set in a digipak with a 28 page book.Please note that we will cut off pre-orders for this package on March 31st. Please do not combine any other items with this bundle - they will be removed form your order.After an eight year absence, T I L E S returns with a vengeance by delivering the mesmerizing 2-CD magnum opus “Pretending to Run.” Clocking in at over 96-minutes, “Pretending to Run” is an ambitious and richly crafted song cycle spinning the tale of a man blindsided and disillusioned by betrayal.Once again, T I L E S teamed up with producer Terry Brown – and with mastering by Grammy award winning engineer Peter Moore, “Pretending to Run” boasts a powerful and detailed sonic landscape. Complementing the dramatic and multi-layered storyline is Hugh Syme’s striking and surreal imagery. Featuring a lush 28-page full-color booklet, the design and packaging for “Pretending to Run” is an elaborate and stunning work of art.Lending their talents to “Pretending to Run” is an extraordinary collection of special guest musicians: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Winery Dogs), Adam Holzman (Steven Wilson Band), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree), Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith), Max Portnoy (Next to None), Matthew Parmenter (Discipline), Mark Mikel (Pillbugs), Joe Deninzon, and other notable guests from the Detroit area… Destined to be on the radar of Prog fans everywhere, “Pretending to Run” is a distinctive presentation framed in the grand traditions of progressive rock. Clearly and unmistakably T I L E S, but infused with a more expansive sound as the guest artists propel the band into new directions sure to please fans old and new.Special guest performances by:Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, Winery Dogs)Adam Holzman (Miles Davis, Steven Wilson)Mike Stern (Miles Davis)Kim Mitchell (Max Webster)Colin Edwin (Porcupine Tree)Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith)Max Portnoy (Next To None)Matthew Parmenter (Discipline)Mark Mikel (Pillbugs)Joe Deninzon (Stratospheerius)
$15.00

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Southern Empire
Another World

Progressive Rock

"With the success of Voyager in the 2023 Eurovision Contest, all eyes have gone to the Land Down Under’s progressive music scene. The continent has long been a bedrock for promising prog groups (Alchemist, Caligula’s Horse, Karnivool), yet few have reached the commercial fortunes of their European or American peers. So it is that with the newfound attention, many bands are jumping at the bit to capitalize on the influx of listeners that Voyager has brought in. Enter Southern Empire, who are set to release their third album Another World and their first with former ‘The Voice – Australia’ contestant Shaun Holton.While there were potential signs of concern for Southern Empire given the departure of singer Danny Lopresto early in the year, the band’s third studio effort thankfully proves nothing has been lost. Another World retains the band’s signature melodic fingerprint across all 7 songs, yet it also benefits from new vocalist Shaun Holton’s intensity. He brings an energy and enthusiasm to the project that takes the already sharp material to another level, a fact which is evident from the very first song on the album. “Reaching Out” is a brilliant reintroduction to Southern Empire, concise yet intricate prog-metal which balances its anthemic nature and serpentine rhythms with aplomb. It sets a high bar for the rest of the record, yet thankfully the band keeps the momentum going for the hour-plus runtime.“Face the Dawn” is the first of two mini-epics on Another World, and one which offers a thorough display of Southern Empire’s ensemble skills. The dark chugging guitar riff from Cam Blokland is complimented by band leader Sean Timm’s tasteful synth tones during the song’s iconic opening, while across the 12-minute runtime, various instruments weave in and out of the mix to create a dazzling cinematic atmosphere. Things take a turn on the lighter ballad “Hold On To Me,” which strips things back and puts the focus almost squarely on Cam Blokland, whose more gravelly vocal tone works wonders in contrast to Holton’s powerful tenor. The composition borders on cheesy, yet the sincerity of the lyrics ensures that the song tugs at the heartstrings without any queasiness.Though the middle two tracks on the album, “When You Return” and “Moving Through Tomorrow” suggest a complacency in the group to play things safe, Southern Empire test themselves with the sprawling epic “White Shadows,” Another World’s clear centerpiece. It’s far from the first composition by the band to push past 15 minutes in length, but it nevertheless feels like an accomplishment considering the personnel change the band went through earlier in the year. Everyone delivers their A-game on the track, whether it be Shaun Holton, who adds the right amount of grit to the vocal passages toward the end of the suite’s first part, Cam Blokland delivering a litany of solos throughout which range from technical to modal, Sean Timms working wonders with soundscapes, Brody Green keeping the rhymes locked in throughout, and Jez Martin putting some funk in the jazz-fusion section around 15:30. Together with the additional musicians, they cook up a storm that makes the runtime mostly go by in a flash.“Butterfly” concludes the Australian prog ensemble’s third studio album on a soft note. Much like “Hold On To Me,” the track makes full use of Cam Blokland’s vocals and sees the guitarist deliver one of his most delicate solos put to record. It aches in a way that is honestly jarring for a prog band, yet such intimacy acts as the perfect release to an album focused on the limitations of the human condition and its fleeting nature.Despite the ambitions of Another World – Sean Timms described the record as an encapsulation of “everything the planet has endured over the past 18 months… from wallowing in the depths of despair to overcoming the greatest of obstacles.” – and the hardship of replacing a key member of the band, Southern Empire’s latest LP might just be their most polished and accessible. Whatever difficulties there were during the recording process are nowhere to be found on the album, suggesting that the band has entered a new golden age. With any luck, these guys will gain the larger audience they deserve with subsequent releases." - The Prog Report
$15.00

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Chronicles Of Father Robin
The Songs And Tales Of Airoea - Book 1

Progressive Rock

"The Chronicles of Father Robin is a Norwegian prog-rock supergroup, with members hailing from Norway’s symphonic prog kings Wobbler, the ever non-definable Tusmørke, seasoned post-rockers The Samuel Jackson Five and the elusive prog gem that is Jordsjø. “The Songs & Tales of Airoea”, 30 years in the making, is a cohesive triple concept album with 18 songs set in an alternate archaic world for over a period of three decades. The first album, “Book I”, will be released on September 15th.The Chronicles of Father Robin (TCOFR) emerged from the remains of the band Fangorn back in 1993- 94, mainly inspired by the classic bands and albums of the early 1970s progressive music scene, alongside contemporary bands like Änglagård, Anekdoten, White Willow and Landberk.During the years the boys created the story of the entity Father Robin. The root idea was that this creature embodied all the members of the band into one being. And as the members experienced challenges in life and their development as human beings, this translated itself into the story of Father Robin, sprinkled on top with a fair amount of inspiration from different mythologies and such. Through lengthy jam sessions and then more finely tuned arranging and structuring, the band developed an ongoing system where every song linked itself to the others. Holistic impulsivity and ideas, altruistic friendship, music, fantasies and coherent concept - all melded together in one pot, and everything took place in the archaic world of Airoea."
$14.00

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Townsend, Devin
Devolution Series #2 - Galactic Quarantine (CD/Bluray)

Progressive Metal

“Devolution Series #2 - Galactic Quarantine” was recorded between July and September 2020 in various places around the world. Originally streamed on September 5th, 2020 on StageIt.com as a replacement show for the COVID affected “Empath Vol 2 European Tour” and various cancelled Summer festivals. The show features Devin on vocals and guitars, Samus Paulicelli III on drums, Wes Hauch on guitars and Diego Tejeida on keys.
$15.00

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Dream Theater
A View From The Top Of The World (Digipak)

Progressive Metal

"Two-time GRAMMY-nominated and millions-selling progressive music titans Dream Theater announce the forthcoming worldwide release of their 15th studio album, A View From The Top Of The World on October 22nd. A View From The Top OF The World is Dream Theater at its musical finest expanding on the sound they helped create while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe. The 7-song album also marks the second studio album with InsideOutMusic / Sony Music.The artwork was created by long-time cover collaborator Hugh Syme (Rush, Iron Maiden, Stone Sour). A View From The Top Of The World was produced by John Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James “Jimmy T” Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap.Dream Theater – comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung and Mike Mangini – was in the middle of a sold-out world tour in support of their last release Distance Over Time and the 20th anniversary of Scenes From A Memory when a Global Pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters) —a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via ZOOM on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.“We just love to play our instruments,” observes Petrucci. “That never goes away. I love to be creative, write, and exercise that part of my mind. We’ve been able to do this for a long time, and we don’t take it for granted. Whenever we get together, we know we can’t disappoint ourselves or our fans, so we manage to try even harder.”“We approach every album like it’s our first,” adds LaBrie. “It’s been such a great ride, but we’re not going to stop.”"
$14.50

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Enchant
The Great Divide

Progressive Rock

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

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Pendragon
Love Over Fear (Digipak)

Progressive Rock

Love Over Fear album CD in a digi-sleeve as a glorious textured mini gatefold with lyric bookletTrack listing:1. Everything2. Starfish and the Moon3. Truth and Lies4. 360 Degrees5. Soul and the Sea6. Eternal Light7. Water8. Whirlwind9. Who Really Are We?10. Afraid of Everything
$18.00

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Knight Area
Hyperdrive

Progressive Rock

Hyperdrive marks a new era for Knight Area. The long running Dutch progressive rock band had previously released four studio albums and toured Europe and USA extensively, performing at all major prog rock festivals. 1n 2012 the band welcomed guitarist Mark Bogert as well as legendary bassist Peter Vink (Q65, Finch, Ayreon) into the fold. With these newcomers onboard, Knight Area introduced a heavier element and fuller sound to their repertoire. All the classic symphonic rock traits of their previous albums are still clearly evident but the songs on Hyperdrive are more immediate and concise.The band invited noted prog guitarist Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon, Star One) to participate as a special guest on one track. Joost van den Broek, who is known for his production work with Epica, Mayan, and After Forever, mixed the album. Rounding out the package is startling artwork by Gustavo Sazes.
$6.00

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Southern Empire
Southern Empire (CD/DVD)

Progressive Rock

"Southern Empire were formed by keyboardist Sean Timms following the dissolution of Unitopia.Influenced by the likes of Dream Theater, IQ, Transatlantic, Karnivool and Steven Wilson, Southern Empire bring a harder, more edgy sound to their music whilst displaying a knack for catchy songs and great melodic hooks."Southern Empire is Australia's newest, most exciting progressive rock band: Sean Timms - Keyboards/Vocals/Saxaphone Danny Lopresto - Lead Vocals/Guitar Cam Blokland - Guitar/Vocals Brody Green - Drums/Vocals Jez Martin - Bass/VocalsSean Timms: After a 17 year stint as main song-writer, producer and keyboard player with Unitopia Sean was looking to bring the finest musicians together in one band. He feels he’s achieved that with Southern Empire.Danny Lopresto: A seasoned performer with a huge vocal range, mad guitar skills and many years of live and studio experience, Danny’s work with nationally renowned band Clearway and the highly successful sold out Queen/Zeppelin Show sees him regularly playing to packed houses.Cam Blokland: Lauded nationally as one of Australia’s premiere guitarists, Cam was the face of the 2014 Adelaide International Guitar Festival, sharing the stage with some of the world’s finest guitarists including Guthrie Govan.Brody Green: One of a rare breed of drummers, Brody is not only great at hitting things with sticks, but also a stunning vocalist with a supersonic range, guitarist, keyboardist and song-writer.Jez Martin: A highly in-demand bass player, Jez can be seen and heard with the Bill Parton Trio, Lather (The Frank Zappa Tribute Band), The Dream Theater Tribute Show and many musical theatre performances.
$16.00

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Transatlantic
Final Flight: Live At L'Olympia (3CD/BR)

Progressive Rock

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

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Aurora Clara
Clear Dawn

Fusion

Clear Dawn is the second album from this incendiary fusion ensemble. Aurora Clara is the multi-national band led by guitarist Raul Mannola. Once again the great Jerry Goodman guests on violin on the opening track. If you are a fan of the 70s great fusion bands - Mahavishnu Orchestra, Nova, Return To Forever et al you need to hear this guys. BUY OR DIE!!"CLEAR DAWN is the second album of the Madrid-based international Jazz-Fusionband AURORA CLARA. A work full of colours, fascinating rhythms, vertiginous unison lines, and inspired improvisations in the framework of elaborated and original compositions. The acoustic 12-string guitar mixed with flute, violin, and an electric Funk/Jazz rhythm section creates a very unique soundscape."“It is, however, my great pleasure to report that Aurora Clara’s second album, Clear Dawn, eclipses its first brilliant release, Transformation “ (Walter Kolosky, Music journalist and podcast host specialized in Jazz-Rock)Raul Mannola - guitarsFlamenco guitarist with 30 years of professional experience and over 10 solo albums, with roots in Blues and Jazz. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Finnish parents. One of the most outstanding musicians when it comes to merging Flamenco with Jazz and Rock. The first to play Flamenco on the 12-string guitar.Juan Carlos Aracil - fluteFlutist from Alicante, Spain. Specialist in Flamenco and Flamenco-Jazz with an exceptional talent in improvisation. He has an impeccable sense of rhythm, developed over years of work with the virtuoso Flamenco dancer Juan Ramírez.Denis Bilanin - keyboardsHailing from Rumania, is a keyboardist with a very heavy groove, and a sound reminiscent of the 1980’s, but at the same time very atmospheric. He plays and produces many different styles, like Funk, Afrobeat, R&B, World Music, and Mainstream.Jorge Barrero - bassA Colombian musician, resident in Madrid for the last two years, he specialises in different Latin and African American music styles, such as Andean music, Colombian folk, Rock, Funk, Jazz etc. A brilliant virtuoso player, who encompasses all the modern techniques.Marco Anderson - drumsDrummer and multi-instrumentalist born inYorkshire, England. Musician with more than 40 years of professional career playing almost every musical style imaginable. Was drummer with The Groundhogs, seminal UK progressive blues band, and has featured in live performance and recordings with Steve Vai (Saurang Orchestra) and Carl Orr (Billy Cobham), amongst many others.Boris Momtchilov - drumsBorn in Bulgaria, resident in Spain for four decades, this drummer started to play in rock bands in Madrid, evolving towards alternative and progressive rock styles. He is Influenced by Balcanic folklore and the fusion of cultures.Collaborations:Jerry Goodman – violin (1) Zeke Olmo – congas (4, 7)
$11.00

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Arena
The Unquiet Sky

Progressive Metal

"Clive Nolan and his Neo-hard rocking companions return for the eighth Arena album in twenty years, `The Unquiet Sky', taking inspiration from (without being a direct interpretation of) M.R James' short story `Casting the Runes'. It's easy to see why the ghostly tale of supernatural intrigue and occult mystery from 1911 would appeal to Mr Nolan, and the album reveals plenty of the sleek and heavy symphonic rock with poetic lyrics that the British band is known for. The previous disc `The Seventh Degree of Separation' was a divisive and somewhat controversial release for a new line-up of the group that now included vocalist Paul Manzi, a transitional album that saw them adopting a more streamlined hard rock/metal sound. But long-time fans of the group will be pleased to know that, while there are still similarities to that previous album here and there, the much-loved symphonic atmospheres the band was known for are given more focus again, meaning a better balance of these two qualities together to create a truly sublime Arena work.Some of the twelve tracks on offer still retain a hard-rock flavour, but everything an Arena fan could hope to discover is all present and accounted for here. After a more low-key performance on the previous album, virtuoso keyboardist/composer Clive Nolan is center stage again over the entire disc. Not only are his exquisite synths constant and upfront, but the artist has also implemented plenty of theatrical and orchestral symphonic textures into the group this time around, his recent work with the `Alchemy' musical being obvious right from the start, and these theatrical flourishes are a perfect fit for the group. Vocalist Manzi made a promising and reliable debut as singer for the group on `...Separation', but here he lifts his game considerably and offers endless more vocal variety. Better worked into the group, he is equally at home with heartfelt ballads, theatre flair and chest-beating rockers, and he has really become a perfect frontman for the band. Kylan Amos from Nolan's own `Alchemy' production replaces bass player and IQ member John Jowitt and makes an impressive debut here, ex-Marillion drummer perfectly drives the music forwards and It Bites/Kino/Lonely Robot guitarist John Mitchell delivers his usual tasteful and commanding guitar flair.Of several of the highlights, listen out for the gleefully wicked and wondrous orchestral pomp that opens the album that could easily be an outtake from Mr Nolan's `Alchemy' show, the infernal and overwhelming church organ intimidation of `The Demon Strikes' and especially the shimmering dark reggae (yes, really!) chimes and sleek electronics of the thrashing `No Chance Encounter', where Kylan's bass really glides. `The Bishop of Lufford' perfectly mixes ghostly gothic mystery with soaring symphonic prog and muscular hard rock (and wait for that hair-tearing heavy finale!). `Oblivious to the Night' is a fragile little piano interlude with whimsical synths and a thoughtful vocal, `Markings on a Parchment' is an eerie dream-like introspective instrumental, and Mitchell's extended guitar solo in the classy title track even brings to mind Nolan's other band Pendragon.Cascading classical piano spirals with snarling brooding guitars in `What Happened Before', and Clive delivers an overload of delirious synth soloing goodness on both `Time is Running Out' and `Returning the Curse' in the best Nolan tradition that his fans always love to hear! `Unexpected Dawn' is a strong ballad with warm Hammond organ and soothing acoustic guitar, and the ambitious seven minute closer `Traveller Beware' finds time for plenty of ghostly gothic tension, punchy plodding heavy riffs, creeping piano and a stirring repeated chorus with a dark lyric.But special mention has to go to glorious power balled entitled `How Did It Come To This?'. It's a glorious emotional tune with a sombre piano melody, delicate orchestration and dreamy lyrics, carried by a perfectly controlled yet soaring vocal from Manzi. A restrained unfolding guitar solo from Mitchell in the middle ensures it may be one of the truly most heartfelt pieces ever to appear on an Arena album, and it's certainly one of their most purely romantic musical statements to date.Along with typically fascinating and surreal proggy cover artwork and a lavish CD booklet (but what a shame there doesn't seem to be a vinyl version in the works so far), `The Unquiet Sky' is one of the most lavish, sophisticated and varied Arena albums to date, and certainly one of their most endlessly melodic. It's a fine return to form for the Neo prog institution, and it really shows what this latest line-up is capable of, so hopefully even more impressive music is to come from the mighty Arena!" - ProgArchives
$17.00

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