Prog Sphere Promotions

The Dry Mouths

The Dry Mouths is a quartet of Alternative Rock coming from Almeria, Spain. Their music is a mixture balanced between the rock of the 90′, stoner and the experimentation, leaving itself to More »

SOT

The band SOT first started back in 1992 when all three of us went to music high-school together. We where friends and enjoyed the same internal humor and decided to start this More »

Originally formed in 1989 as a one-man project by Swedish guitarist and vocalist K.Soren Bengtsson. He was joined by bassist and vocalist Juha Nurmenniemi in the late stages of the first eponymous More »

Instant Drone Factory

The Instant Drone Factory was founded in 2005 on the occasion of that year’s Schiphorst Avantgarde Festival, curated by Faust founding member Jean-Hervé Péron. He had asked the German guitarist Frank Gingeleit More »

Burning Eve

The Story of Burning Eve, With a heavy cerebral sound and its “no rules” manifesto, Burning Eve emerged as one of the most electrifying metal acts out of Chicago, Illinois. Fueled by More »

Stoner Train

Stoner Train was formed in Moscow, Russia in August 2011 by two members: Serj Gdanian and George Palchikov. Soon drummer Vladimir Teterin joined the band. “… We’ve always liked the traditional music of the South, as well More »

The SKYS

Lithuanian rock band The Skys was established on 10th of November, 1995. And since then it is the leading band in Lithuanian prog scene. After frequent changes in line up The Skys are: Jonas Čiurlionis – vocals More »

Mårran

MÅRRAN (pronounced aprox. Moron) is a new Swedish rock band with it’s roots in the 70’s. Singer Göran Edman is well known world wide as the former singer with Yngwie Malmsteen, Vinnie More »

Pulsonica

Pulsonica is a project which combines traditional Afro Latin rhythms with different Progressive Rock styles, always starting from a protagonist percussive work based on the use of polyrhythms, irregular metrics, unisons and More »

We Could Build an Empire

“It was a breath of fresh air listening to We Could Build An Empire… These are definitely a must listen to artist for rock music fans and people who want to experience More »

We Could Build an Empire

May 05, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

“It was a breath of fresh air listening to We Could Build An Empire… These are definitely a must listen to artist for rock music fans and people who want to experience something that strays from the current state of contemporary alternative music” – Independent Music News, UK

Sweden’s We Could Build an Empire released their eponymous debut album in late 2011 and reading reiviews it is obvious that this band has its own expression, hard to compare to any other artist. Two of Sweden’s biggest music magazines had their say early on, Gaffa.se gave it 4 out of 5 stars and Close-Up Magazine wrote:

”Ice… gives a pleasant feeling of both external and internal peace.”Easy” and “Finest Work” also (contains) insanely delicious moments… dynamic and driving… a colorful seance on a mountaintop.”

The album was written, recorded and produced by the band itself and mixing took place in Studio Underground in Vasteras, Sweden (No Fun at All, Wolf, Sherlock Brothers etc).

We Could Build an Empire are:

Marcus Pehrsson; vocals, bass
Pontus Wallin; guitars, backing vocals
Michael Ohlsson; drums

Influences vary from such bands as Alice In Chains, King’s X and King Crimson to artists like Peter Gabriel, Captain Beefheart and PJ Harvey.

Two promo videos have been shot and one of them, “Dogs”, is directed by Per Hillblom who has also worked with Pain of Salvation. A third video, this time for the track ”Ice”, have been shot and will be published later this spring.

Last year the band opened for Danish rockers D-A-D and they have been featured several times on Sweden’s biggest showcase concept held at festivals and venues around the country; NEMIS – New Music In Sweden, most recently in Gotheburg in february with Siena Root among others on the bill.

The band will continue playing live frequently this spring/summer and have already written most of the material for the next album. Recordings will begin later this year.

Discography:

We Could Build an Empire (2011)

Links:

http://www.wcbae.com
http://wecouldbuildanempire.bandcamp.com/

Echo Us

May 02, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

The work of Ethan Matthews and Echo Us tells an intricate story not only about a unique artist, but that of a whole world of evolving creativity ~

Ethan Matthews got his beginnings as the young guitarist & composer with the ambient progressive metal act Greyhaven, who issued one critically acclaimed album in 2000. Many writer’s praised the album- “a debut record this good is issued only once per decade” one journalist wrote for Rock Hard Magazine.

The musical concept project Echo Us is one of music’s most enigmatic and inspirational modern groups. Originally formed by Ethan Matthews and Matthew Cahoon in 2000, Echo Us played a number of live dates in 2001 while releasing two EP’s. The group disbanded in November 2001 over musical conflicts and a two-week stint by Ethan at MGH Boston’s Blake 11 inpatient ward. This two-week period marked the true beginnings of Echo Us as the primary vehicle for Ethan’s music. Life was simply, never really the same after November 2001.

All this happened to an 17-22 year old kid who’s main goal was to “just make music”, and to go through two groups breaking up within one year, Ethan decided it was time to explore music as he did as a kid with a 4 track recorder and one guitar: alone, and in the studio- only out of inspiration.

In 2005, Echo Us’ debut was released, featuring Ethan’s songs from the initial Echo Us incarnation, plus new compositions. This album moved to a much more ambient sound, with Ethan playing every instrument, vocalizing and mixing the entire album. Unlike Greyhaven, this first Echo Us album was very misunderstood- a dark and dreary affair in stark contrast to the inspired works that would follow.

2009’s The Tide Decides represented a huge transition. A nearly 70 minutes long conceptual work issued through Musea Records, the album featured a number of guest musicians and became critically acclaimed over time.

“It has an odd ability to use consonance in a highly creative manner- with intricate arrangements spelling the details” says Ethan. Again Ethan is recognized for creating thrilling, highly unique musical art: a work of dark and light.

The follow-up Tomorrow Will Tell The Story began its genesis through pieces of automatic writing channeled by Matthews. Initially developed alongside The Tide Decides until it’s 2009 release, “Tomorrow” effectively spurred a multi-album conceptual work about rising consciousness. Like The Tide Decides, ‘Tomorrow Will Tell’ also includes a number of guest musicians including UK-born & Grammy-nominated vocalist Henta, as well as the harp playing of Raelyn Olson. A short version of the album and an animated video single of the song The Mirror In The Window was released in late 2010. A remastered CD album with bonus tracks of ‘Tomorrow Will Tell’ was released in March 2012.

Ethan in an interview in 2000 for Rock Hard Magazine, talking about a particular Greyhaven lyric:

“It is an attempt to create a kind of personal rest place, a place to which one can simply withdraw from everything, satisfied with itself, content to be alone. People often react stronger to this one- It obviously opens the eyes of many- And I think people might think it’s this dark, meloncholy thing and they relate to it that way- but really, it’s a satisfaction and contentedness. This is how I often feel, and why I will pull away from the world when I need to”.

Speaking with Sea of Tranquility.org in 2012 about the motivation for Tomorrow Will Tell:

“My only motivation is being completely dissatisfied with a normal life, so it’s all about inspiration, and that requires zero motivation for me.”

Links:

www.echous.net

Traumpfad

May 02, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

Traumpfad is a german-language Prog-Rock-Band from South-Bavaria in Germany. They founded in 1998 and the Line-Up never changed since 2003.

Traumpfad released three Studio-Recordings (Traumpfad – 2004, Die Kreise schließen sich – 2006, Aufbruch – 2011). The last two albums were produced in collaboration with the German Prog-Rock-Band RPWL’s Mastermind Yogi Lang.

Traumpfad is on the way to grow to an integral part of the German Prog-Rock-scene. Critics see the renaissance of the German-language Kraut- and Progrock in the tracks of Novalis, Hoelderlin and Anyone’s Daughter. But somehow all comparisons are just not quite right. The associations with the pioneers of German rock music are more due to feeling than actually coming from a direct comparison of Traumpfad’s actual music. Probably the band has already reached more than many other bands at this point. They are unique in their combination of poetry, stylistics and possess what rarely can be found nowadays: their own style.

Discography:

Traumpfad (2004)
Die Kreise schließen sich (2006)
Aufbruch (2011)

Members:

Andi Brandl: drums
Marko Effenberger: guitars
Jonny Faggetter: bass
Flo Huber: vocals
Matthias Unterhuber: keyboards/ pianos/ synthesizer

Links:

www.traumpfad.info

http://www.myspace.com/traumpfad

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Traumpfad/174808785919306?ref=mf
http://www.youtube.com/user/Traumpfadprog
http://www.amazon.de/Aufbruch-Traumpfad/dp/B004LS1C6I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335024658&sr=8-1
http://itunes.apple.com/de/artist/traumpfad/id418126601

THE MERCURY TREE New Album To Be Released This Summer, New Song Available For Streaming

April 30, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

Since the release of their most recent album, Pterodactyls, last August, The Mercury Tree found itself at a turning point. Pterodactyls was an epic concept album whose songs felt very much of a piece, and upon its successful completion, it seemed time for a fresh approach. New bass player Aaron Clark has brought a spacier mood to the proceedings, using creative techniques such as E-Bowed bass.

On the new album, the band wanted to try to bridge the gap between its highly layered studio sound and its more direct live sound. To that end, many of the new songs are based around live looping. This allows a combination of complex layered guitar parts with the power and energy of organic live drums and bass. “We wanted the new songs to be both more progressive and more melodic,” explains guitarist Ben Spees. “Inflexus is one of the harder-edged examples of this new approach. We are really excited about these new songs and can’t wait to finish recording the new album.”

The new, still untitled album will be released this Summer. Listen to Inflexus below:

<a href="http://themercurytree.bandcamp.com/track/inflexus">Inflexus by The Mercury Tree</a>

Links:

http://mercurytree.net
https://www.facebook.com/mercurytree
http://themercurytree.bandcamp.com

FELIX MARTIN New Solo Album Coming This Summer, European Tour Dates Announced

April 24, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

The 14-string guitar player, Felix Martin, a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, born and raised in Venezuela, is about to launch his sophomore album this summer. The follow-up to 2010′s Bizarre Rejection features Nathan Navarro on bass and Marco Minnemann on drums. The album was previously scheduled for this April, but it’s been delayed for June.

In support of the new album, Felix will be promoting his music on an extensive European tour, kicking off on May 23 in Lisbon, Portugal. The full list of tour dates is as follows:

May 24 – FNAC Vasco da Gama – Lisboa, PORTUGAL
May 24 – Molhobico – Évora, PORTUGAL
May 25 – FNAC Viseu – Viseu, PORTUGAL
May 25 – ACERT – Tondela, PORTUGAL
May 26 – Jazz Ao Norte – Porto, PORTUGAL
May 27 – FNAC Colombo – Lisboa, PORTUGAL
May 31 – Excalibur Metal – Madrid, SPAIN
June 02 – The Lounge Bar – Torrevieja, SPAIN
June 05 – Le Baiser Salé – Paris, FRANCE
June 08 – JO Bar – Bassano Del Grappa, ITALY
June 09 – Terminal – Padova, ITALY
June 10 – Black Mirror Studio – Udine, ITALY
June 13 – Vadvirag – Budapest, HUNGARY
June 15 – Fair Café – Schortens, GERMANY
June 16 – Die Palette – Stuttgart, GERMANY
June 18 – Skuret – Oslo, NORWAY
June 20 – Piec Art – Krakow, POLAND
June 23 – Jazz Time – Prague, CZECH REPUBLIC
June 24 – Immerhin – Wurzburg, GERMANY
June 26 – Gyngen – Arhus, DENMARK
June 28 – Mukkes – Leeuwarden, HOLLAND
June 29 – De Pit – Terneuzen, HOLLAND
July 04 – The Dublin Castle – London, UK
July 06 – Live Music – Faro, PORTUGAL
July 06 – Bafo de Baco – Loule, PORTUGAL
July 07 – FNAC Algarve – Guia, PORTUGAL
July 07 – Assoc. Músicos de Faro – Faro, PORTUGAL

ØRESUND SPACE COLLECTIVE Streaming New Song From “Give Your Brain a Rest from the Matrix” on Bandcamp

April 19, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

After the head start with West, Space and Love LP, Copenhagen based space rockers, Øresund Space Collective are moving forward. The band’s new vinyl release, an album called Phaze Your Fears is coming in two weeks and is available for pre-order on THIS LOCATION.

Additionally, the band will release a new CD for Give Your Brain a Rest from the Matrix album on July 1st. This recording is taken from the 2010′s session with the members of Siena Root, My Brother the Wind, Secret Oyster, First Band from Outer Space and The Univerzals. Artwork was done by David Graham.

Listen to Mainstream is the new Acid, taken from Give Your Brain a Rest from the Matrix below.

<a href="http://oresundspacecollective.bandcamp.com/track/mainstream-is-the-new-acid">Mainstream is the new Acid by Øresund Space Collective</a>

Links:

www.oresundspacecollective.com

http://oresundspacecollective.bandcamp.com

https://www.facebook.com/OresundSpaceCollective

Felix Martin

April 15, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

Felix Martin has become a pioneer of a style of playing for his custom-made instrument called the 14-string guitar. He is known for his abilities to compose innovative, highly complex music and for his personal techniques at playing two-handed tapping on the guitar.

Originally from Venezuela, Felix moved to the United States after graduating from high school to attend the prestigious Berklee College as a scholarship winning performer. During that time, Felix studied music theory, sound engineering, self-produced his first album before turning 20, composed music for video games, transcribed every kind of music he could get his hands on (including speaking human voices), and played a wide range of music including Prog-Rock, Jazz, Latin, Electronica, Pop, World, and much more.

Felix in known for developing a flexible way to play the 14-string guitar, which is the same as playing two 7-string guitars at the same time but having both guitars on one wide neck in standard tuning. He has his own system of chords, including deep sounding 8-finger chords, accompaniment methods, slap-tapping techniques, chord-melody, intervallic soloing, and lead soloing played with both fret boards.

Along with a life of performing, Felix has also gained experience as a teacher and clinician. He teaches several of his own methods for guitar and music theory such as slap method, two-handed tapping techniques, odd meters, polyrhythms, metric modulation, jazz rock improvisation, and more. He has also developed his own written method for each of these subjects.

Felix currently tours with his trio and also other artists of various genres. He is working as a session musician as well as a recording, mixing, and mastering engineer.

Links:

http://www.felixmartin.net

QUANTUM SPHERE “The Space Adventures of Pyjama Boy” Streaming on Progstreaming

April 03, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

Progstreaming.com is now streaming the debut of the London’s sci-fi prog fusion trio Quantum Sphere. The album called “The Space Adventures of Pyjama Boy” heavily relies on progressive metal and djent styles of music, but also on jazz fusion and computer game soundtracks.

Listen “The Space Adventures of Pyjama Boy” on Progstreaming on THIS LOCATION.

The Mercury Tree

April 03, 2012 Prog Sphere No comments

The Mercury Tree is a progressive rock band out of Portland, OR. They released their most recent full-length album “Pterodactyls” in 2011 and are currently working on their follow-up album.

Starting off as Ben’s solo project in 2004, we became a full band in 2006 with the addition of Mike Byrne on drums, James Crutcher on bass, and Avery Cooper on guitar. We played for about two years and released a self-titled album in 2007. Mike and James later moved on to a new project called Moses, Smell The Roses, which released two great albums recorded and produced by Ben. Mike, a prodigiously talented drummer, later went on to play in Portland titans Bearcubbin’ and the reformed Smashing Pumpkins. In the meantime the Eerie EP was released in 2008, featuring a more electronically-influenced set of songs.