Numen

Numen is a Spanish progressive rock band from Alicante formed in 1992 by César Alcaraz, Víctor Arques, Gaspar Martínez, Manuel Mas and Antonio Valiente. Their music is essentially melodic with masterful execution of the instruments. They have a complex style based on classical music beautifully blended with electronic instruments and a solid foundation of acoustic instruments, thus creating a unique sound.
Numen has become one of the most known progressive rock in Spain of the 90’s. The band's sound is predominantly neoprogressive.

Their first album "Samsara" (sanscrit word: reincarnations cycle), released in 1998, is a conceptual record in which they try to show all the things that surround the man as an integrating part of Cosmos. This is a must in any prog fan collection.

In 2000 Numen was dissolved as a band. Its members are engaged from that time to their personal projects.
In 2011 the members gathered after several attempts to start a new project.

After almost ten-years separation, their love for music and progressive rock made them gather again. "Numenclature" is the result of three years of passionate work.

Numen

Deep Limbic System

Deep Limbic System hails from Mexico, and they have put together an impressive sound that is deep, complex, eclectic, and absolutely sophisticated. This is not something I would expect from a band's first effort.
This EP, "The Embryo", really is an album all to itself. Far from a collection of songs, this album explores the idea of growing, maturing, and realizing your potential. It's about understanding yourself, learning to better yourself and get over your fears, and it hits on the idea of that inner hope for something beyond this life. This aptly named EP is truly something deep, as is hinted in the fantastic artwork.

The EP starts off with a dirty, dynamic saxophone lead in "Amniotic", and it never pulls back from greatness. Beto Valtierra on saxophone is truly gifted, and his sound is incredibly signature from the first listen. The rest of the band---Sergio Sunga on vocals and guitars, Efraín Fraire on guitars, Carlos Barcenas on keys, Angel Daniel on bass, and Pepe Armengol on drums---have crafted something beautiful that Beto then accents expertly with his peeling sax. The music is hard to nail down in one genre, as on this short EP, the band visits everything from jazz fusion to progressive metal to the classic prog rock sound. Gorgeous walls of piano and keys mix expertly with emotive guitar solos in the vein of Floyd and Riverside to evoke a fullness, a gentleness, and a melodious wonder to my ears. The excellent rhythm section is full of surprises and very organic grooves, too. Lastly, Sergio's voice is rather free of accent, and wonderfully balanced, although this EP is primarily instrumental.

The band is formed in the late 2012, as a mutation of various projects that converged in one belief, which consist in taking music as the main focus and not a particular genre, having in that way the freedom to work with emotion and every color it offers.

So, do yourself a favor and pick this album up at the band's Bandcamp page. Support this band, as I predict amazing things to come.

Deep Limbic System 

Sleeping Pulse

Sleeping Pulse ist der Name der musikalischen Kollaboration von Mick Moss (Antimatter) und dem Portugiesen Luís Fazendeiro (Painted Black).

Während Moss sich hier im Gegensatz zu Antimatter erstmals ausschließlich auf Texte und Gesangslinien konzentriert, entstammt die Musik komplett der Feder von Fazendeiro.

Mit ihrem gemeinsamen Debüt "Under The Same Sky" erschaffen die Musiker ein facettenreiches, modernes Rockalbum, das von einem kernig-progressiven Fundament gekonnt Bögen zu zerbrechlichen Akustikpassagen, elektronischen Elementen und gefühlvollen Streicherarrangements spannt. Verantwortlich für die Abmischung und das Mastering ist Daniel Cardoso (Anathema), der dem Album einen klaren und differenzierten, aber stets kraftvollen Klang verleiht.
Trotz seiner musikalischen Vielfalt wirkt "Under The Same Sky" zu jedem Zeitpunkt homogen, was auch auf die perfekt in Szene gesetzte Stimme von Mick Moss zurückzuführen ist, der hier seine wahrscheinlich bis dato stärkste Gesangsleistung abruft. Auch inhaltlich beschäftigt sich Moss einmal mehr mit den Abgründen der menschlichen Seele und legt den Songtexten ein elaboriertes Konzept über soziopathische Manipulation zugrunde.

Erhältliche Editionen:
- CD
- 2CD-Digipak inkl. Bonus-CD mit 5 Bonusstücken und erweitertem Booklet

Titelliste:
CD1:
1. Parasite
2. Gagging Order
3. Backfire
4. The Puppeteer
5. Foreign Body
6. The Blind Lead The Blind
7. Painted Rust
8. Noose
9. War
10. Under The Same Sky

CD2 (acoustic):
1. The Puppeteer
2. Gagging Order
3. Backfire
4. Foreign Body
5. The Blind Lead The Blind

Sleeping Pulse

Fish On Friday

It’s september 2009 and William Beckers has a music project on his mind. Through 'youth novel writer' and common friend Luc Descamps he is introduced to producer Frank Van Bogaert. William decides to record his first music ideas in Frank’s ACE studio. The music ideas are faint but about the project’s name he is pretty determined,.... Fish On Friday.
It sounds good and nobody opposes. The initial recording sessions are quite disappointing and it’s clear that the project needs a more determined style and sound. On one studio session Frank puts on a second hat: in addition to producing the music, he’s actually starting to compose live in the studio, together with William. It’s only then that magic happens, when two keyboard players have found each other. They inspire each other and, both sharing a love for progressive rock, push each other to write songs true to their Prog-influences while also adding a much more popmusic style of arrangements.

In just a couple of months the duo writes ten gorgeous songs, true to their prog-roots but also very accessible to people not acquainted with progressive rock. Frank even states: ‘I guess we’re trying to give ‘women friendly prog rock’ a new boost,... if this has ever existed anyway’

It’s clear that such music has to be performed by a great band and so that’s where Frank calls in his regular studio band. Great songs and a stunning band, what else does one need ?? Urgh,....maybe a singer ?? No problem, William and Frank have written these songs as a kind of modern Alan Parsons project,...we’ll hire in whoever we feel is fitted to sing the song, simple isn’t it ? So they only need to prepare some pilot vocals to guide the singers so they can rehearse before the actual recording. Frank is appointed this job, he was a singer in a succesful new wave band, 1000 Ohm, some 300 years ago or so (we’re still checking the records about this), so he’ll be doing fine. Said and done. But after several try out sessions with different singers, William is always left with the same feeling, he still prefers Frank’s pilot vocals. So he becomes convinced Frank should sing all vocals, ‘caus it just sounds right’ and his voice is, as he puts it, female friendly. The only problem,... Frank doesn’t feel like he should be a singer again. ‘I’ve been there, done that, seen it before and am happy now.’

Frank is giving William a hard time and is actually refusing to do the final lead vocals. It’s only after a while and mainly out of frustration that no one gets to sing it the way he intended, that Frank accepts his role as lead vocalist. ‘After a while I even started to enjoy singing again and really got into it again.’ Frank admits.

The debut album "Shoot The Moon" is an immediate hit for the more melodic and song oriented prog fan . Fish on Friday plays a few shows in homeland Belgium and the project is starting to feel a bit more like a band.

With the following release "Airborne" FoF reaches an even broader audience and the album enjoys a lot of airplay on mainstream radio as well as on specialized Progressive rock stations.
It"s also on this album , that UK top Bass player Nick Beggs (Kajagoogoo, Steven Wilson, Steve Hackett ) gets involved, appearing on the steaming opening track  "Welcome".

 Nick's and FoF's musical tastes are along the line and so mr. Beggs decides to be part of the band  on the coming third album "Godspeed".

Fish On Friday

Fake?

Fake? is a Japanese alternative rock band formed in 2001 by Ken Lloyd and Inoran.
Their music can be described as alternative rock mixed with electronic sounds.
Lyrics are mainly in English and sometimes in Japanese.

Their lates album The Lost Generation (September 17, 2014) is again a high quality output.

Discography:

Studio albums:

    Breathe In... (July 10, 2002)
    Tomorrow Today (January 22, 2003)
    The Art of Losing Touch (June 23, 2004)
    Made with Air (June 17, 2005)
    Songs from Beelzebub (May 24, 2006)
    Marilyn Is a Bubble (November 22, 2006)
    Switching on X (February 24, 2010)
    The Lost Generation (September 17, 2014)

Mini-albums:

    New Skin (March 17, 2004)
    Nail (November 19, 2012) (limited EP for those who bought it on "FAKE? Showcase III" gig at Daikanyama UNIT)
    Stone (June 23, 2013) (limited EP for those who bought it on "Fallen Angels" gig at Daikanyama UNIT)
    Together (September 29, 2013) (limited EP for those who bought it on "Grind-A-Go-Go" gig at Daikanyama UNIT)

Compilations:

    Fake? Best Album (December 21, 2005)
    Fake? 2002-2012 Decade Selection (August 1, 2012)

Singles:

    "Taste Maximum" (February 27, 2002)
    "Someday" (May 22, 2002)
    "Here We Go" (December 11, 2002)
    "Praise" (April 21, 2004)
    "Just Like Billy" (November 25, 2004)
    "Pulse" (March 16, 2005)
    "Pulse" -English Version- (April 1, 2005)

DVDs:

    Stepping Stone Extra Date (June 3, 2004)
    www.hedfuc.com (November 25, 2004)
    Tour of Losing Touch Shibuya-Ax (December 22, 2004)
    Live Tour ? Final at Shibuya-Ax (December 21, 2005)
    Live From Beelzebub Tour (November 22, 2006)
    Used to Be a Bad Thing's PV (limited DVD for those who attended any gig of "Live with Marilyn" in early 2007)
    FAKE? -Decade Live- (October 02, 2013)

Fake?

Dave Kerzner

Dave Kerzner, former member of the progressive rock band “Sound of Contact”, is gearing up for a late October release of his debut solo concept album, “New World”.

 The first single off the album, “Stranded”, has just been released as a digital download from iTunes®, Amazon®, Google Play® and other on line stores. “Stranded” is a 10 minute “rock opera” comprised of 5 parts. It features Kerzner on vocals and keyboards with special guests Steve Hackett of Genesis, Durga McBroom of Pink Floyd, Nick D’Virgilio of Spocks Beard, Jason Scheff of Chicago and it was mixed by legendary engineer Tom Lord-Alge.

http://www.davekerzner.com

Lillian Axe

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame members, Lillian Axe, have released their thirteenth album, the acoustic live, "One Night In The Temple", produced by Steve Blaze, on May 27, 2014.

Performed acoustically in an intimate setting housed in a Masonic Temple in the Bayou, with their most diehard fans, One Night in the Temple, features all their hits including, True Believer, Show A Little Love, Crucified, Misery Loves Company, Ghost of Winter, The Great Divide, Bow Your Head, Waters Rising and the crowd favorite Nobody Knows.

Lillian Axe founder Steve Blaze reflects; "When I first had the idea of putting this show together, it was originally going to be a private 20 person show with acoustic guitars, vocals and no production, however, it took on a life of its own."

One Night in the Temple; will be released as 3 disc set (2CDs/1DVD and 2CDs/1Blu-Ray), housed in an elaborate digipack. Filmed in high definition, the Blu-Ray and DVD will contain the acoustic performance, fan question and answer session, videos for the songs Caged In and Death Comes Tomorrow, live concert footage from their July 4, 2013 performance at the Paragon Casino and behind the scenes footage.

MRR owner Andrew McNeice: "I'm excited to be involved with the guys on this release. The guys really deliver an "electric" unplugged set of their classic songs and it's an honor to have such a great name in music on the MRR label. It's also our first DigiPack/DVD release on the label, so I'm really keen to see how this release goes. Confidence is high!"

Lillian Axe is:
Brian Jones (lead vocals), Steve Blaze (guitar and vocals), Sam Poitevent (guitar and vocals), Eric Morris (bass guitar) and Ken Koudelka (drums).

Discography:
Lillian Axe / 1988
Love And War / 1989
Into The Darkness Into The Light / 1991
Poetic Justice / 1992
Psychoschizophrenia / 1993
Fields Of Yesterday / 1999
Live 2002 / 2002
Waters Rising / 2007
Sad Day On Planet Earth / 2009
Deep Red Shadows / 2010
XI: The Days Before Tomorrow / 2012
Live & War [digital only release live EP] / 2012
Convergence [13 CD box set] / 2014
One Night In The Temple / 2014

http://www.lillianaxe.com

A Secret River

Out of the fertile musical soil of southern Sweden comes A Secret River, a band intent on exploring and creating innovative sounds, while still keeping the song in focus. From its humble inception as a duo some ten years ago to the four-piece it is today, A Secret River is steadily building a following around the world, with songs that are undoubtedly progressive and intricate, yet remain easily accessible to listeners from all walks of life. Lush vocal harmonies, unusual song structures and multilayered sounds are just a few of the things that make A Secret River stand out from the crowd.

PROG magazine compared the band’s sound to that of artists like Pink Floyd and Peter Gabriel, and a number of radio shows have been giving the bands debut ep steady airplay.

 The band released their first full-length album, entitled “Colours of solitude” on june 25th, 2014.

The band:

Andreas Ålöv - Bass and lead vocals

John Bergstrand - Drums, percussion and vocals

Mikael Grafström - Guitars and vocals

Björn Sandberg - Keyboards and vocals

http://www.asecretriver.com

Proud Peasant

Proud Peasant is an Austin-based progressive rock band led by multi-instrumentalist Xander Rapstine (guitars, mandolin, ukulele, Melodica, glockenspiel, percussion).
Their debut release is Flight, a set of three fairly long instrumentals with multiple movements:
“The Prisoner” (12:28), “Awakenings” (19:34), and “The Precipice” (13:20).
These three pieces are pastoral soundscapes of sublime dreams and wicked nightmares, something that we have not heard the likes of since the 70s with Mike Oldfield, Gryphon, and the Amazing Blondel.
Flight is an ambitious undertaking for a debut album, but Xander is no stranger to music. He performed for eight years with his pop rock band The Evildoers, and then decided to explore a more rewarding style of music. In the fall of 2011 he formed Proud Peasant and began the long process of recording Flight. He made the conscious decision for this initial release to be all instrumental as he felt it necessary to first find his voice (so to speak) in this new genre. The other band members are David Hobizal (drums), Jay Allen (keyboards), and Kyle Robarge (bass). On Flight there are additional musicians playing tuba, clarinet, violin, trumpet, timpani, percussion, flute, French horn, cello, and trombone, as well as a choir singing wordlessly at various points. The music is majestic and cinematic with a definite Mike Oldfield Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn vibe. The addition of the brass imparts a Spanish accent that evokes Ennio Morricone’s spaghetti western soundtracks. Flight is an extraordinary debut release.

http://www.proudpeasant.com

Napier's Bones

Napier's Bones are a UK band that take the Classic Prog-Rock sound as a foundation and build upon it to create their own challenging and extended form of progressive rock music. Their focus is firmly on dramatic storytelling with subject matter capable of resonating with the listener today. Music that references the past but is very much of the here and now. Their primary musical influences include the great bands of some forty years ago but also span more recent trends in rock, electronica and modernist classical music. Every Napier's Bones track will take the listener on an emotional musical and lyrical journey, passing through dark and introspective territory en-route to resolution and deliverance.  

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Currently FREE download at:
http://napiersbones.bandcamp.com/releases

.sPout.

.sPout. war eine österreichische Crossover-Band aus Wolfsberg (Kärnten).

Die Band wurde 1998 vom Sänger und Gitarristen Aaron Schüssler gegründet, als er in seiner Wohnung die ersten Songs mit dem PC aufnahm. Mit den beendeten Aufnahmen konnte er sich auf die Suche nach den Musikern machen. Im Juli 2006 stieg Gitarrist und Songwriter René Juri zugunsten seines Studiums aus der Band aus, nachdem schon DJ Jookie (Mario Frajuk) im März die Band nach fünf Jahren Mitgliedschaft verlassen hatte. Unter anderem spielte die Band im Vorprogramm von Machine Head (Wien), Life of Agony (Wien), Die Happy (Rock am Bach) und den H-Blockx (Donauinselfest). Außerdem gab es bereits eigene Tourneen durch Großbritannien, Deutschland, Österreich und Italien sowie einen Auftritt auf der Popkomm 2003 in Köln und den zweiten Platz beim Yamaha Band Contest in Wien.
Das letzte Album „We’re Going Straight to Hell“ erschien am 20. April 2007 erneut auf dem bandeigenen Label ruff.tunes records (im Vertrieb von edel).
2009 verließ der Bassist Manfred Sattler die Band und wurde nach einigen Monaten durch David Schwarz ersetzt.

Im Jänner 2012 gab die Band bekannt, dass sie sich auflösen wird.

Diskografie:
This is the Answer (1998)
Matter of Fact (1999)
Do You Wanna Dance? (2001)
The Ultimate Love Connection / T.U.L.C. (2002)
SickSong special Single Edition (2003)
We Brake for Nobody (2005)
Drift special Single Edition (2005)
We’re Goin’ Straight To Hell (2007)

Nach ihrer Auflösung hat die Band ihre komplette Diskografie auf ihrer Webseite zum kostenfreien Download freigegeben.

http://www.spout.biz 

Jhimm

Jason Himm is a Connecticut based musician who writes and records in his home studio in northern New Haven county. Jason is a keyboard player and has been experimenting with recording for over 22 years and has worked professionally with many local and national acts. His influences stem from the progressive rock genre and include artists such as Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd and Genesis among others.

Space In Space

Space In Space is a solo project from Croatian musician Nikola Džaja with occasional appearance of guest musicians. It's very melancholic, atmospheric and dark with some heavier parts but mostly mellow and emotional. This is really outstanding music!