Tag Archives: progressive rock

SOT

May 15, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
sotslide

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 band. We never thought much about how this constellation of instruments are odd, it just happened to be the instruments we played.  As we started to write for SOT we realized this was something original and unique. We released a demo and had lots of fun with the music.

When high-school was over we all was busy developing ourselves in different directions musically and geographically but we had the occasionally SOT gig every now and then at obscure clubs and birthdays. Autumn 2009 I had some time off and Lars Andreas, the tuba player was on a solo tour with lots of spare time. We then began to write sketches of new SOT tunes and collaborated trough the internet. The result was so amazing for us that we knew we had to do something with this. Leading to the creation of the “Kind of Saltz” album.

The groundwork on the album was done in three intensive days. Hard work from early morning to long past midnight, then some beers and the same procedure again. Lars Andreas and me then did some recording at home before we returned to the studio for three days of mixing. We are extremely pleased by the end result. I love how every song has its own mood, and the whole colorful, imaginative experience there is listening to the whole album through.

2012 is going to be an exiting year for SOT! We have a distribution deal for our album to all stores in Norway an abroad, we´ll go on a two week tout in Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, we are playing in Krakow, Poland on the Krakow Percussion festival, and we are going to start the recording of our next album in January. All the tunes are ready so I´m very exited to see/Listen? how this turns out!

Discography:

Kind of Saltz (2011)

Links:

http://www.saltoftusj.com
https://www.facebook.com/saltoftusj

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darXtar

May 14, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
darXtar

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 album Darxtar (1991), first released on cassette, later same year on CD.

They recorded another CD as a duo, Darker (1993), before bringing in Patric Danielsson on drums and Fredrik Sundkvist on violin to record the track UFO for the compilation CD Let your Freak Flag Fly (1993). Soon after Soren Martensson joined on hammond and synths, and it was as a five piece band they recorded the die-hard space rock album Daybreak (1994).

All recordings up to now was more or less done at Bengtssons home studio, and Daybreak was even released on Bengtssons own label SBm. Tensions in the band led to the sacking of Nurmenniemi and he was swiftly replaced by Marcus Pehrsson on bass and vocals. On the next album Sju (1996) they musically took a left turn to avoid being stuck in the spacerock idiom forever, momentarily without Sundkvist’s violin. Before it was released they joined Hawkwind’s Nik Turner for a concert in Sweden and by now Bjorn Jacobson had joined on guitar and vocals. However, even before Sju was done, they were working on a mammoth task with the Tombola (2001) album that took 4 years to complete, as well as 2 more years to find a label for.

Bjorn Jacobson later left and Soren Martensson was asked to leave after the album was released. During a few gigs they were joined by Per Hillblom on assorted space sounds and he became a permant member at the end of the recordings for We came too late (2005).

Still alive after 20 years they continue to work on new material and occasionally do a rare live concert, for example in 2010 in Wales where they once again teamed up with Nik Turner for a couple of songs. The latest addition to the vast catalog is the 2012 album Aged to Perfection with 8 new tracks.

Apart from the albums mentioned above, they have appeared on numerous tribute albums and compilations. See discography on www.darxtar.com for further details. Furthermore a few other musicians have joined darXtar on and off through the years, but the ones mentioned above should be regarded as permanent members at some point. Rest assured that all members are doubling on other assorted instruments as well, only their main instruments are listed above and below.

Discography:

darXtar (1991)
Darker (1993)
Let your Freak Flag Fly (1993)
Daybreak (1994)
Sju (1996)
Tombola (2001)
We Came Too Late (2005)
Aged to Perfection (2012)

Links:

http://darxtar.com/

https://www.facebook.com/darxtarmusic

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The SKYS

May 10, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
theskysslider

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 and lead guitar
  • Aleksandr Liutvinskij – rhythm guitar
  • Justinas Tamaševičius – bass
  • Božena Buinicka – keyboards and vocals
  • Ilja Molodcov - drums

There are backing vocals as well as various guest musicians with the band.

The band had many solo gigs and participated in various festivals in Lithuania as well as abroad: Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Germany, USA, Poland, Austria etc.. Some of the bigger events were:

  • “Eurocon” – International Congress of Science Fiction in Vilnius 1996
  • Festival “Pazvelk kitaip“, White House, Vilnius 1996
  • Eesti Noortebandide Festival in Tartu (Estonia) 1996
  • Charity concert “Mes irgi galime myleti“, Vilnius Sport Hall 1997
  • UNESCO World Youth Festival “Dialogue Among Civilizations” 2001
  • Posinger Open Air 2002, Germany
  • The Skys are winners of New York International Music Festival 2004, USA
  • Easter Europe Music Convention, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2005
  • Baltic Prog Fest 2007
  • Bauslande Fest 2007, Latvia
  • Pustye Holmy 2008, Russia (45 000 people)
  • Prog Farm 2008, The Netherlands
  • Crescendo Festival 2010, France
  • 2nd prize award at Rockowe Andrzejki 2011, Poland etc.

During its years of existence the band released four albums: “Civilized” (1997), “Dreams” (1999), “Postmodern Game” (2004) and “Colours of the Desert” (2011). Many of The Skys songs were played on radio and TV. In 1996 song “One Saturday of The Spring” reached radio station “Laisvoji banga” charts where it kept its highest positions for almost two months (No. 1 in April Charts). In 1999 song “Virtual Reality” was filmed on National TV for music telecast “Muzikinis viesbutis”. As guests The Skys performed at “Buk Artistas” TV Show. In 2004 The Skys performed at Lithuanian Top 10 on National TV. “The Ancient Indian song” video was also shown on National TV. The Skys music received radio airplay on 100 radio stations across Europe, USA and Canada with interviews in Netherlands, UK and “album of the week” in Austria, A-listed in Norway.

Many high quality press articles were published about the band in all major Lithuanian newspapers. The Skys album reviews showed up in USA, Canada and Europe receiving very high evaluation.

In 2001 The Skys made a musical theatre performance “Civilized” which was presented in one of the biggest theatres in Vilnius – Jaunimo Teatras.

In 2004 The Skys were signed to Sutaras Record label for album “Postmodern Game“. And digital distribution deal with Cinderella Records (USA) in 2010.

In 2004 The Skys were awarded (out of 300 bands) as “Best International Band” at prestigious New York International Music Festival .

In 2006 The Skys won Makato Artis of the Year Award (2nd place)

In 2011 The Skys got 2nd prize award (out of 100 bands) at Rockowe Andrzejki, Poland.

New album “Colors of The Desert” features:

Dave Kilminster (Roger Waters band) – guitar;
John Young (ex-Scorpions, Bonnie Tyler) – keyboards, bac vocs, producer;
Snake Davis (Eurythmics, P.McCartney, Ray Charles, James Brown, etc.) – sax;
Martin Beedle (Cutting Crew, Sarah Brightman, etc) – drums;
Tony Spada (Holding Pattern) – guitar;
Anne Marie Helder (Mostly Autumn, Panic Room) – bac voc.

The Album recorded in Mamas Studio (Vilnius, Lithuania) and Liscombe Park Studios (London, UK) famous for Uriah Heep and Asia recordings.  Mixed by Steve Rispin (Tina Turner, Elton John, Asia, Tankard, etc).

Discography:

Civilized (1997)
Dreams (1999)
Postmodern Game (2004)
Colours of the Desert (2011)

Links:

http://www.theskys.com

https://www.facebook.com/wwwtheskyscom

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Pulsonica

May 05, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
pulsonicaslide

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 percussion solos.
At the beginning it was a trio, but later became a quartet.

Pulsonica was created by Jorge González, Argentine drummer & percussionist, in 2006, and has been performing at important progressive and percussion festivals until today.

Line-up:

Jorge González: Drumset, timbales, xylophone & glockenspiel.
Carolina Cohen: Congas set & accessories.
Marcelo Tubio: Guitars & programming.
Julián Cusmano: Electric bass.

Discography:

Movimiento Perpetuo (2008)
Tribaloide (2011)

Links:

http://www.pulsonica.com.ar
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PULSONICA/271754738874

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We Could Build an Empire

May 05, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
wcbaeslider

“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/

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Traumpfad

May 02, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
hintergrund

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


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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

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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.


Links:

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Felix Martin

April 15, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments
slide

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

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PROGSTRAVAGANZA X: The Second Teaser Available

March 31, 2012   Prog Sphere   No comments

The tenth part in the Progstravaganza series of compilations are due on April 8th and is comprised of 42 bands in total. This is so far our largest project when it comes to the Progstravaganza compilations and as it turns to be a jubilee edition, we decided to go few steps forward and make it really special.

First of all, this Progstravaganza will be available via ProgSphere’s Bandcamp page, meaning that it will be available as high quality audio. Besides, every of the bands from the sampler will be presented with interviews, reviews, streams or any other special features on specially designed website which will be revealed on Sunday, April 1st.

If you check the video shown below, you might learn which bands are featured and see the part of the art cover, designed by Påhl Sundström (Klotet, Villebråd, Usurpress).

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