Prog Music Artist Leon Alvarado Releases New Short Film and Soundtrack As An Addendum to His Latest Album "Charging The Electric Dream"
by Unqualified-Kritic | Jan 26, 2023 | News
Starting February 15, you'll be able to watch the short film "Outside the Dream" online via YouTube or Vimeo and purchase a CD of the soundtrack which is available through Melodic Revolution Records. The instrumental musical short film is ten and a half minutes of thought-provoking eye candy while the 10-minute "Epic Edition" of "Outside The Dream" goes far beyond the original version. The music takes you deeper on a voyage with newly added arrangements and instrumentation. The film and soundtrack make up the perfect companions to "Charging The Electric Dream," the ultimate acoustical trip.
This EP contains 16 minutes of content consisting of music that was recorded during the last quarter of 2022 with some additional material recorded in January of 2023. "Outside the Dream, Epic Edition" is an expansion and rearrangement of the piece by the same name from the "Charging The Electric Dream" album. The second song on the CD is "Alternate Frequencies" which is found as is in the album "Charging The Electric Dream". Both songs in this EP were composed and recorded during sessions between October and November of 2022. Although the music directly relates to the "Charging The Electric Dream" album, the artwork for the CD follows its own path resembling the style of illustrated artwork found in science-fiction posters from the '70s. Being heavily influenced by the music from those days, Leon thought a touch of nostalgia depicting a "future that might have been," would be appropriate for this particular project.
OUTSIDE THE DREAM (SOUNDTRACK)
1. Outside The Dream – Epic Edition 10:02
2. Alternate Frequencies – Single Version 5:52
Leon Alvarado, all instruments
Engineered by Leon Alvarado
Mastering by Maor Appelbaum
Label: Melodic Revolution Records
©2023 Leon Alvarado. All rights reserved
https://leonalvarado.bandcamp.com/album/outside-the-dream
https://leonalvarado.bandcamp.com/album/chasing-the-electric-dream
Leon Alvarado Online:
MRR Profile Page: https://mrrmusic.com/project/leon-alvarado/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leonplays/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leonalvarado80/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/leonalvarado
Melodic Revolution Records Online:
Website: https://mrrmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelodicRevolutionRecords/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MelodicRevolutionRecordsMusic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodicrevolutionrecords/
Bandcamp: https://myrevolution.bandcamp.com/
BIG BIG TRAIN TO RELEASE INGENIOUS DEVICES ON 30TH JUNE 2023
Ingenious Devices features new versions of a trilogy of revered Big Big Train epic tracks – East Coast Racer, Brooklands and Voyager.
These tracks prominently feature an elite 17-piece string section recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. Apart from the late David Longdon's lead vocals, which have been compiled from the original album sessions, East Coast Racer is a completely new studio version recorded by the line-up of the band as it was in 2019. Brooklands features newly recorded drums, bass, and bass pedals, while Voyager includes additional guitar and violin. All three songs have been re-mixed for this release.
East Coast Racer
The Book of Ingenious Devices
Atlantic Cable (recorded live in September 2022)
CD, DOUBLE LP, and HI-RES 24/96 DOWNLOAD
released 30th June 2023
STANDARD DOWNLOADS and STREAMING available 28th July 2023
Gregory Spawton explains: "I was always happy with the original recorded version of East Coast Racer, but adding the strings at Abbey Road gave the song a further lift and the new recording also features Dave Gregory's guitar solo on the closing section, a solo which has only previously featured on live performances of the song. I am pleased we now have the definitive studio version of Ingenious Devices. By contrast, I was never entirely satisfied with Brooklands and felt it got a bit overlooked on the Folklore album, which is perhaps why we've not played the song live yet. The Abbey Road strings have significantly enhanced the song and I'm delighted with the outcome. The changes to Voyager are more subtle but still elevate the song beyond the version on our Grand Tour album."
Additionally, Ingenious Devices includes a previously unreleased orchestral piece called The Book of Ingenious Devices, which links East Coast Racer and Brooklands, as well as a live version of Atlantic Cable, which was recorded on the band's tour in September 2022.
Alberto Bravin comments: "Atlantic Cable was recorded at our second show of the tour last year. It's not an easy song to play at all and we were both amazed and relieved that we pulled it off so well. I experienced a real baptism of fire playing that show in front of over 1,000 passionate BBT fans, but their response to the song and the rest of our live set that night was truly motivating."
Nick D'Virgilio says: "Ingenious Devices is a great way of uniting four of Big Big Train's epic songs about technology. The album also celebrates the wonderful vocals of our late, great friend David Longdon on East Coast Racer, Brooklands, and Voyager and looks forward to the future with Alberto putting in such a great performance on Atlantic Cable."
U.K. and Europe
Pre order on Bandcamp
BIG BIG TRAIN online:
www.bigbigtrain.com
https://www.facebook.com/bigbigtrain/
https://twitter.com/bigbigtrain
Van Der Graaf Generator "The Bath Forum Concert" 2CD, Blu Ray & DVD Box Set (4 Disc) Released March 10, 2023
• A CLAMSHELL BOXED SET OF THE VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR CONCERT IN BATH FORUM ON 1st MARCH 2022.
• FEATURING TWO CDs AND ONE BLU-RAY HD VIDEO DISC (REGION FREE) AND ONE DVD VIDEO (NTSC / REGION FREE).
• INCLUDING AN ILLUSTRATED BOOKLET.
In February 2022 Van der Graaf Generator embarked on a UK tour which had been rescheduled several times due to the Covid pandemic. The final show on these dates took place at The Forum in Bath on March 1st and the event was captured by a film and recording crew.
"The Bath Forum Concert" is the first live CD and film fully controlled by the band and it captures Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton and Guy Evans at their finest performing vintage tracks such as "Masks", "Childlike Faith In Childhood's End", "La Rossa", "Man Erg" and "House With No Door" along with newer pieces such as "Interference Patterns", "Every Bloody Emperor", "Go", "Alfa Berlina" and "Room 1210".
This release features the entire concert, mixed by Stephen W Tayler, and includes two CDs and a region free High-Definition Blu Ray video with 5.1 Surround Sound and an NTSC / Region Free DVD of this stunning concert film.
DISC ONE – CD
1 Interference Patterns
2 Every Bloody Emperor
3 A Louse is Not a Home
4 Masks
5 Childlike Faith in Childhood's End
DISC TWO – CD
1 La Rossa
2 Alfa Berlina
3 Over the Hill
4 Room 1210
5 Man Erg
6 House With No Door
DISC THREE – BLU RAY
10 Room 1210
11 Man Erg
12 House With No Door
DISC FOUR
To purchase: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/van-der-graaf-generator-the-bath-forum-concert-2cd-blu-ray-dvd-box-set-4-disc/
RIVERSIDE – Release new single/video "Friend or Foe? (Single Edit)" off upcoming album "ID.Entity" Announce first leg of European Tour!
Poland's pioneering and leading Progressive Rock band RIVERSIDE are soon to release their new studio album "ID.Entity" via InsideOutMusic on January 20th, 2023. Therefore, RIVERSIDE are pleased to reveal a next new single and video in promotion of the upcoming album today.
Check out the album's opening track "Friend or Foe?" in its 'Single Edit' and with a video clip animated and directed by Thomas Hicks (http://www.thomashicks.co.uk) here:
RIVERSIDE's Mariusz Duda checked in with the following comment about the new single:
"'Friend or Foe?' is one of the key songs on the new RIVERSIDE album. Not only is it the opening track but, musically, it is possibly also the most courageous and intriguing one.
One of its strong points is the lyrics which talk about how we're perceived by others, especially these days, when pretending to be someone you're not on social media has become the norm. Can we still be ourselves or do we have to keep adapting to the requirements of new algorithms? Perhaps we've already lost our identities and we're only waiting for instructions from a Siri or Alexa?
"Who do you pretend to be?" are the first words of the song and the listener has already started searching for that 80s band it reminds them of. Is this a mere inspiration or is it provocation? Is the writer of the song pretending to be someone else or is this who he really is? Who is behind it all? The artist himself or a producer churning out music for many other artists? Is what I'm writing now a reflection of what I'm feeling or am I writing it because I want to put the song on a higher recommended playlist? And if we apply it to politics, who are the candidates? Are they credible? Trustworthy? Will they keep their promises? And finally, will we be able to trust each other one day, hear each other out and understand, or will we still keep our distance and suspicions?
Perhaps there is a chance to build a better world, but how to recognise who is a friend and who is a foe?"
"ID.Entity", the group's 8th studio album was recorded and mixed in two studios – The Boogie Town Studio in Otwock with Paweł Marciniak and in Serakos studio in Warsaw with Magda and Robert Srzedniccy -, mastered by Robert Szydło and produced by RIVERSIDE's Mariusz Duda himself. The "ID.Entity" artwork was created by Polish artist Jarek Kubicki.
Previously released singles/videos off "ID.Entity" can still be checked out here:
"I'm Done With You": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3q6XJfKxKb4
"Self-Aware (Single Edit)": https://youtu.be/Weuo4hgVHyY
RIVERSIDE also launched a "Riverside Heavy" playlist featuring "I'm Done With You" as well as many other heavier tracks from the band's comprehensive catalogue, which you can check out here:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5NUCNsJRdLrWmKGW2W8pIt
Here is the standard track-listing for the album:
RIVERSIDE – "ID.Entity" (53:11)
1. Friend or Foe? (07:29)
2. Landmine Blast (04:50)
3. Big Tech Brother (07:24)
4. Post-Truth (05:37)
5. The Place Where I Belong (13:16)
6. I'm Done With You (05:52)
7. Self-Aware (8:43)
The bonus material appearing on "ID.Entity" includes the instrumental tracks "Age of Anger" (11:56) and "Together Again" (06:29) as well as "Friend or Foe? (Single Edit)" (05:59) and "Self-Aware (Single Edit)" (05:29).
The album will be available in the following formats:
•Ltd. Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook
(Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks, Blu-ray: All main 9 album tracks in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and 24bit HighRes Audio mix versions)
•Ltd. 2CD Mediabook (Disc 1: Album, Disc 2: All 4 bonus tracks)
•CD Jewelcase
•Deluxe Digital Album (Including all 4 bonus tracks)
•Digital album
The album's vinyl version comes as Gatefold 2LP (With the bonus tracks "Age of Anger" and "Together Again" on Side D) in the following variants:
– Black vinyl: All outlets
– Orange vinyl: All outlets
– White vinyl: 500x copies via JPC & Burning Shed
– Yellow vinyl: 500x copies via EMP & Just For Kicks
– Sky Blue vinyl: 600x copies via Laser's Edge & CM Distro/Webshop Europe
The pre-order for "ID.Entity" in its various formats is available here:
https://riverside.lnk.to/IDEntity
"ID.Entity", an album that extends and expands RIVERSIDE's characteristic sound, but all in a revamped and more dynamic formula, follows 2018's widely acclaimed 'Wasteland' album, which entered the charts in Germany at # 13, The Netherlands at # 28, Switzerland at # 23, Austria at # 39, UK at # 83, Finland at # 30, France at # 97, Czech Republic at # 59 and Poland at # 1.
Next to their return to North America in February/March, RIVERSIDE have recently also announced their "Spring Edition" European Tour, a first of three European touring legs across this year. Check out the band's upcoming confirmed live-dates here:
RIVERSIDE – Live 2023:
North American Tour:
February 17, 2023 Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
February 18, 2023 Orlando, FL – The Abbey
February 19, 2023 Atlanta, GA – Hell At The Masquerade
February 21, 2023 Dallas, TX – Amplified Live
February 22, 2023 Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live
February 24, 2023 Mesa, AZ – The Nile Theater
February 25, 2023 Pomona, CA – The Glass House
February 26, 2023 Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone
February 28, 2023 Vancouver, BC – The Rickshaw Theatre
March 1, 2023 Seattle, WA – Neumos
March 3, 2023 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
March 4, 2023 Boulder, CO – Fox Theatre
March 7, 2023 St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar And Hall
March 8, 2023 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
March 10, 2023 Toronto, ON – Lee's Palace
March 11, 2023 Montreal, QC – Corona Theatre
March 12, 2023 Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
March 14, 2023 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
March 16, 2023 New York, NY – Sony Hall
March 17, 2023 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
March 18, 2023 Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird Music Hall
March 19, 2023 Washington, DC – Black Cat
March 21, 2023 Carrboro, NC – Cat's Cradle
European Tour – Spring Edition:
16.04.2023 Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Effenaar / Prognosis Festival
18.04.2023 Dublin (Ireland) – Button Factory
20.04.2023 Glasgow (UK) – Garage
21.04.2023 Birmingham (UK) – O2 Institute 2
22.04.2023 Manchester (UK) – Academy 2
23.04.2023 London (UK) – Indigo O2 / Prognosis Festival
25.04.2023 Copenhagen (Denmark) – Amager Bio
26.04.2023 Gothenburg (Sweden) – Pustervik
27.04.2023 Oslo (Norway) – Cosmopolite
28.04.2023 Stockholm (Sweden) – Lilla Cirkus
30.04.2023 Tampere (Finland) – Olympia
01.05.2023 Helsinki (Finland) – Tavastia
Ticket info: https://riversideband.pl/en/gigs
RIVERSIDE line-up:
Mariusz Duda – vocal, bass
Maciej Meller – guitar
Michał Łapaj – keyboards and Hammond Organ
Piotr Kozieradzki – drums
RIVERSIDE online:
http://www.riversideband.pl
http://www.facebook.com/Riversidepl
https://www.instagram.com/riversideband.pl
INSIDEOUT MUSIC online:
www.insideoutmusic.com
www.youtube.com/InsideOutMusicTV
www.facebook.com/InsideOutMusic
www.twitter.com/InsideOutUSA
www.insideoutmusicshop.com
Spotify Prog Rock Playlist
Spotify Prog Metal Playlist
Transatlantic – "The Final Flight: Live At L'Olympia" Inside Out Music
TRANSATLANTIC – the Prog Supergroup of Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy, Roine Stolt & Pete Trewavas – recently announced the release of a new concert set entitled 'The Final Flight: Live At L'Olympia' for the 17th February 2023. It was recorded and filmed in France on the last stop of a tour to promote the band's fifth and most audacious album to date, 'The Absolute Universe'. This was the multinational group's first outing in eight years.
Released in February 2021 to unanimous praise, 'The Absolute Universe' came in two alternate formats; an abridged 64-minute record known as 'The Breath Of Life', and a companion piece entitled 'Forevermore' that added a further four songs, clocking in at an hour and a half. Though the foundations of both were shared, each format featured lyrics and music independent of the other.
However, when Transatlantic finally hit the road they opted to perform a third format of the album, a full-bells-and-whistles, 96-minute Blu-ray culmination of both takes known as 'The Ultimate Edition' that had been released in 5.1 surround sound. Following that segment of the show Transatlantic took a short intermission and returned to the stage for a rollercoaster trawl through the remainder of their lavish catalogue. From the first note of 'Overture (The Absolute Universe)' through to the medley based around the first two Transatlantic albums that closes the evening, the performance comprised 3 hours of music in total.
"Ever since the start of this band we have played for three hours, so that's something we're all used to," states drummer Mike Portnoy, who grins whilst describing his own experience as "butt-numbing". However, Roine Stolt is ready to admit that this time felt very slightly different.
"It was a great tour," acknowledges the guitarist and multi-musician, "but when you include our spot at Morsefest [where besides performing 'The Absolute Universe' the band also revisited their 2009 album 'The Whirlwind' and revised a cover of Procol Harum's 'In Held ('Twas) In I' that had featured on their debut from 2000, 'SMPTe'] I felt the challenge of learning, or re-learning, three-and-a-half hours of music before leaving Sweden. Now that I am getting slightly older, I was a little worried about playing for that long – it requires a lot of concentration: 'Is this one in 7/8 or 9/8? Maybe we'll play it in 13/8 and in a different key?' But of course, once we got out there onto the stage, those thoughts went straight out of the window."
With a chuckle, vocalist and keyboard wizard Neal Morse reveals that as the tour found its feet Transatlantic threw an additional curveball. "We started playing songs slightly differently to the way you've heard them on 'The Ultimate Edition", he grins. "So what you get with this live album is similar, but essentially it's a fourth version [of the record]. When you play live, from night to night it helps to keep things fresh by jamming a bit and changing things up as you go. There are a few examples of that, for instance, the beginning of the last section that starts with 'Belong' is quite different than the record – partly because we couldn't remember it! So we made up a new structure."
"We're always as well prepared as we can be but in a way Transatlantic is kind of a show band" points out bassist Pete Trewavas. "Playing alongside Mike who is a powerhouse on the drums, there is this raw power. If he wants to raise the energy that's what we do. We're all taking solos here and there, though we get the songs across we're all showing off as much as we can".
Filmed by Paul Green (who also shot their 'Whirld Tour 2010: Live in London release), and mixed by longtime collaborator Rich Mouser, this set will be available as a Special Edition 3CD+Blu-ray Digipak (incl. 5.1 surround sound) & as a Gatefold 180g 4LP release. Both feature artwork by Thomas Ewerhard & photos by Nidhal Marzouk.
1. The Absolute Universe Intro
2. Overture
3. Reaching For The Sky
4. Higher Than The Morning
5. The Darkness In The Light
6. Take Now My Soul
7. Bully
8. Rainbow Sky
9. Looking For The Light
10. The World We Used To Know
11. MP Intro
12. The Sun Comes Up Today
13. Love Made A Way (Prelude)
14. Owl Howl
15. Solitude
16. Belong
17. Lonesome Rebel
18. Can You Feel It
19. Looking For The Light (Reprise)
20. The Greatest Story Never Ends
21. Love Made A Way
22. The Whirlwind Suite
23. NM & RS Intro
24. We All Need Some Light
25. The Final Medley
Line-Up (on this recording):
Neal Morse – Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar & Vocals
Mike Portnoy – Drums & Vocals
Roine Stolt – Guitar & Vocals
Pete Trewavas – Bass & Vocals
Ted Leonard – Guitar, Keyboards, Percussion & Vocals
Pre-order now here: https://Transatlantic.lnk.to/TheFinalFlight-LiveAtLOlympia
ASIA Announce 'FANTASIA LIVE IN TOKYO 2007' 3 LP SET – Out 24th February
12th January 2023: Multi-platinum-selling English supergroup ASIA announce they are to release for the first time ever on vinyl ASIA 'FANTASIA, LIVE IN TOKYO 2007' as a 3LP set. Recorded on Asia's 25th anniversary 2007 world tour, and featuring the reformed original line-up, FANTASIA, LIVE IN TOKYO 2007 is to be issued on vinyl as a 3LP set with booklet, including band photos, and sleeve notes through BMG Records on 24th February 2023.
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of ASIA's formation, this exciting 18-track live show from their 2007 world tour features the reformed original line-up pooling the talents of lead vocalist/bassist John Wetton (King Crimson), Steve Howe (guitars, Yes), Geoff Downes (keyboards, Yes and Buggles) and drummer Carl Palmer from Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
The setlist focuses on their globally successful 1982 debut album Asia and features key tracks Only Time Will Tell, Sole Survivor and their worldwide anthem Heat Of The Moment along with select tracks from their second LP Alpha and one song each from the band members' previous bands – Video Killed The Radio Star, Roundabout, Fanfare For The Common Man and The Court Of The Crimson King.
The album artwork is by legendary designer Roger Dean, who produced all the ASIA original album covers.
By simultaneously celebrating their debut album alongside the legacy of their foundational bands, the four band members crafted a standing testament to their collective impact on the world of music. Fantasia is a clear reminder of the majestic legacy of this incredible band and the artistic pedigree of the four original members of ASIA.
For ASIA fans, this exciting live show is an indispensable set.
1.Time Again
2. Wildest Dreams
3. One Step Closer
1. Roundabout
1. Cutting It Fine
2. Intersection Blues
3. Fanfare For The Common Man
1. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes
2. Don't Cry
3. In The Court Of The Crimson King
4. Here Comes The Feeling
Side E
1. Video Killed The Radio Star
2. The Heat Goes On
3. Only Time Will Tell
Side F
1. Sole Survivor
2. Ride Easy
3. Heat Of The Moment
Pre-order it here: https://asiaband.lnk.to/fantasia3LPPR
About ASIA
Pooling the talents of bassist/vocalist John Wetton, drummer Carl Palmer, keyboardist Geoff Downes, and guitarist Steve Howe, ASIA immediately became the epitome of a supergroup of rock aristocracy and the natural heir to its members' legendary bands of the 70s – King Crimson, Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Buggles and Yes.
Leaving behind their progressive roots, ASIA embraced the commercial FM rock sound that dominated US airwaves and took that, and the new MTV video channel, by storm. The single Heat Of The Moment was a worldwide monster smash and their eponymous 1982 debut album spent an incredible 9 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard chart as Asia became the biggest-selling album of the year and world tour dates sold out.
A second album, Alpha, was released in 1983. The four original members reconvened in 2006 for a world tour, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that incredible success, and the album Phoenix followed.
While the members were still heavily involved in other projects, they came together again to record Omega in 2010 and XXX in 2012, both albums were acclaimed by their faithful fans and supported by more world tours.
Steve Howe stepped back from ASIA to concentrate on his work with YES and was absent for 2014's Gravitas. Following this tour came the news of John Wetton's treatment for cancer, a fight he sadly lost in 2017.
ASIA – FANTASIA LIVE IN TOKYO 2007 – 3 LP SET – out 24th February 2023
Website: https://originalasia.com/
Facebook – Original Asia
Twitter – @OriginalAsia
Instagram – asiatheband