Hear it – Enjoy it – Tell it
Following on last year’s stellar album “RISING”, by US/UK rockers Legion, “REDEMPTION” takes things a step further into melodic metal. Release date is March 18. Enjoy first track Run:
And just released is the new album The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from Russian project Sunrise Auranaut. Lovers of (instrumental) progressive rock will enjoy Huck’s Happiness (theme #2):
Info on the releases at Rock Company, or check their bandcamp page.
On January 7 the world lost another iconic musician: Neil Peart, drummer and lyricist for Canadian legends Rush.
I fell in love with Rush through their 2112 album and from there on worked my way back into their back catalogue as well as buying every single album that they released afterwards. And truth be told; Alex Lifeson is the reason I play PRS guitars nowadays. So yeah, I consider Rush a big part of my teenage days as well as part of my whole life.
Despite Rush not touring all that much in Europe, I still managed to go see them a couple of times. On stage 3 musicians that love what they do, obviously enjoying each others company as well as the audience reactions. And behind the mighty drum kit; the professor. The incredible rhythm- and wordsmith to many songs that, at least in my mind, are legendary.
The last couple of days were spent playing lots and lots of Rush albums, singing along to the words, trying to get back into the swing of life. Because life will go on, and the music of Rush will continue to inspire.
Rest in peace, the bell tolls for thee…
Guitarist Matheus Manente releases “Kinetic Disturbances” live music video.
Act celebrates the 5th anniversary of the album “Illusions Dimension”
Multi-instrumentalist Matheus Manente has just released a new live video of the song “Kinetic Disturbances”, recorded in São Paulo – Brazil. This release marks the fifth anniversary of his album “Illusions Dimension”, inspired by the power of music to make people think, question the world and evolve.
Originally released in 2014, the song’s concept deals with philosophical struggles. Despite having several layers of instruments in its studio version, it was reduced to its essence and performed in a power-trio format, with Leandro Fonseca on bass and Leo Miyata on drums. Thus, the musicians seek to explore new tones, refusing the over-processed sound that became part of modern music.
Matheus Manente already has vast experience in experimental music, recording for worldwide musicians and accumulating 10+ years of music production. “Kinetic Disturbances” is an ode to the 70s progressive rock classics dressed as modern metal.
Here a track that many mums and dads will be able to relate to. Or just another chance to get to know Chinawhite‘s latest album that is way too good to be ignored 🙂
Different was released in 2018 and the CD is available from the label and all formats are available in all good stores and platforms.
Enjoy!
As many of you already know, Tony Mills was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April 2019, so a huge fundraising effort is underway to collect as much money as possible for cancer research in Italy.
Black Swan Productions is very honoured to present the Tony Mills Festival Crowdfunding effort. There are many ways you can donate. All money will go to Tony Mills for his therapies or to the Fondazione Piemontese per la Ricerca sul Cancro, according to the information on the website. Please support Tony Mills and cancer research by donating and be generous! We need you.
The Tony Mills Festival is a celebration of Tony Mills life and music, organized by Black Swan Productions, that will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Luppolo Saloon in Roletto (TO), Italy, from 3:15 to 11:30PM, in the context of a larger 3-day biker fest.
There will be six bands, selected by a team of Italian record labels, playing a selection of their original material and Tony Mills songs from his different projects. The festival will close with a rare headlining performance by Docker’s Guild, who will present a special show made exclusively of material featuring the voice of Tony Mills (Docker’s Guild, Shy, TNT and solo works).
Apologies for the lack of updates the last weeks / months. A combination of things (health, heat, my own music and lack of work to name a few) led to a situation where writing became bottom of the list on things to spend my time on. Not sure if anybody cares, but I do hope you all know this is a labour of love, nobody is paying me for my time spent on this. Should you care and want to help, the support is very welcome! (see top right)
On the upside, I am trying to get back to listening and writing as I do not want to let all the musicians down that are waiting for a review.
So back soon I hope!
First arrival from the coming new Forest Field album Seasons is a single edit of Change The World. Since it is a song with a message of hope, a lyric video seemed the way to go:
Free download:
Claudio Delgift, also known as “C,” is a singer and guitarist from Buenos Aires, Argentina. So far he has released 7 solo albums, two singles, and an EP, as well as participated in many more musical ventures. His large following on social media is due to his frequent postings of his amazing work. Often live! Since so far none of his releases had been available on CD, Rock Company contacted Claudio to see if a cooperation would work out. And it did! So here we proudly present a remastered version of 12 tracks from his 7 albums so far. We think it is a stunning testament of a truly gifted musician.
CD pre-order available on bandcamp and Rock Company and album release is December 28.
Slug Comparison is the solo project of Fen vocalist/guitarist Doug Harrison. Known for blending darkness and light, acoustic and electric, Harrison first deepened his exploration of these elements with a 2014 solo album that felt like a Part II to Fen’s acclaimed album Trails Out Of Gloom.
In 2017, Harrison started recording and releasing EP’s. After four of them—IIa, b, c and d—Rock Company got in touch and convinced him to bundle these EP’s, add a few extra tracks and release them as the successor to his solo debut.
So here is Slug Comparison’s second album: When You Were Living Here. Album release is January 16-2019 and pre order starts January 1 on iTunes, Bandcamp and Rock Company.
Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist Phil Vincent, AOR God Paul Sabu, D’Ercole drummer B.F. D’Ercole, together form CRANSTON. Their new album “II” defies any easy pigeonhole. By turns, they perform melodic rock to accompany a throbbing backline as in “What’s it Gonna Take” and “Always on the Run”, singing about life, love, and everything surrounding it. Then suddenly dropping a pop song worthy of massive attention in the form of “Wish I Had More Time”. Then changing course to insight the metal fury of “Throwin’ Down”, “Dead & Gone” and “Tables Turning”. CRANSTON “II” checks all the boxes. They top it all off with a massive production on par with the most successful albums of our time– This, all skilfully blended into a seamless flow. Watch What’s It Gonna Take:
Legendary Dutch punkrock / psychedelic / classic rock band Cellar Dwellers are back, and they are stronger than ever! Since their establishment in 1990 things might have been turbulent at times, but now they are more determined than ever to amaze their audience with their energy and enthusiasm.
The current line up consists of:
Besides playing live on a regular base, they set out to record and release 4 EP’s. Parts 1 and 2 were released independently earlier. Rock Company is proud to help the band with the distribution of these EP’s and also arranged a digital release.
Part 3 was released early 2018 and after the current release of Part 4, these 2 will storm the digital platforms as well. And with part 4 the picture and the Chronicles are complete! 6 tracks this time.
Listen to Song About Nothing:
Sky Empire are a UK based progressive metal band with a distinctive sound, redefining the entire genre.
Let yourself be guided by the music as Sky Empire take their listeners on a journey, interweaving emotive storytelling through the fabric of powerful and evocative music.
Effortlessly and effectively blending the likes of Iron Maiden, Deep Purple, Dream Theater and Symphony X, Sky Empire are preparing to take 2018 by storm in the launch their new album, The Dark Tower.
There are no new acts coming through in the progressive metal scene doing what Sky Empire do, marrying artfully and thoughtfully the band’s propensity for daring musicianship with grandiose compositions set within the soundscape of modern metal music.
Listen to samples of the album:
Finally famed Dutch hard rock band Chinawhite return with a new album. And it was worth the wait! Just check Kiss Of Fire below and you will know what is coming for you…
The album Different arrives June 14 2018 and a pre order is running now at https://rockcompany.nl/shop/chinawhite-different/
Chinawhite 2018 are:
Phil Vincent: all vocals (CranstoN, D’Ercole, Tragik)
Peter Cox: orchestrations, keyboards and all guitars (Forest Field)
Sander Stappers: bass (Souls Of Deaf)
Hans in ‘t Zandt: drums (Praying Mantis)