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KING-CRIMSON

[Album Review] TesseracT ‘Altered State’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on May 06, 2013 @ 10:00am
Category: Music / Reviews

When it was announced that TesseracT’s second full-length, Altered State, was going to be another “one track broken into several tracks” situation (exactly like their 2010 Concealing Fate EP), I was both extremely excited and full of uncertainty and hesitancy. After all, the band had struck gold with Concealing Fate. Could lightning strike twice? It was a question that stuck with me until I received a copy of their latest album. And now, having listened to the album more than once (read: a veritable sh*t ton of times), I can give my answer. Head on below for my thoughts. READ MORE

[Album Review] Purson ‘The Circle And The Blue Door’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on May 01, 2013 @ 10:00am
Category: Music / Reviews

Hailing from London, Purson is a five-piece band that seems very displaced, sounding like an amalgamation of 60’s folk and 70’s heavy metal with pinches of classic prog influences. Self described as “vaudeville carny psych”, the band has jut released their debut album The Circle And The Blue Door via Metal Blade Records, a somewhat interesting choice yet oddly fitting. But does the group pull off this style or does it fall short as something campy and trite? Find out below! READ MORE

Nine Inch Nails/Ex-Jane’s Addiction Member Eric Avery Releases Free EP

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 10, 2013 @ 3:43pm
Category: Music / News

Recently, Trent Reznor announced that Nine Inch Nails was back and that the band would be touring heavily through 2013 and 2014. He will be joined by Adrian Belew (King Crimson), Josh Eustis (Telefon Tel Aviv), Alessandro Cortini, Ilan Rubin, and Eric Avery (ex-Jane’s Addiction).

Avery has now made an EP entitled Life.Time. available for free download. Head on below to snag your copy. READ MORE

Nine Inch Nails Are Back: Band Will Tour Extensively In 2013 And 2014

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 25, 2013 @ 9:59am
Category: Music / News

Pitchfork is reporting that Nine Inch Nails is officially back and plans on touring extensively beginning this summer and extending well into 2014. This announcement comes just as Reznor And Co. are releasing How To Destroy Angels‘ first full-length album Welcome Oblivion, which comes out next Tuesday (pre-order here).

Perhaps even more exciting is that Reznor, in an official statement, hinted that new music might be on the way. Reznor states that he was working on some musical ideas with Adrian Belew (of King Crimson). Reznor also states that, “…the band is reinventing itself from scratch…” and that the touring line up will consist of himself, Belew, Eric Avery (Jane’s Addiction), Josh Eustis (Telefon Tel Aviv), Alessandro Cortini, and Ilan Rubin.

Head on below for the full statement. READ MORE

Ex-The Haunted Guitarist Anders Björler Renames Solo Project

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 14, 2013 @ 8:15am
Category: Music / News

Guitarist Anders Björler (ex-The Haunted, At The Gates) has updated the cover page to his upcoming solo project, which he says is, “…100% instrumental, and kind of resembles film soundtrack music in the structure.” In doing so, he has also shown that the name of the project has been changed from The Antikythera Mechanism to simply Antikythera. The full banner can be seen below along with studio footage of drums being recorded.

In a very brief chat with Björler, he told me that currently the drums are being recorded while bass and additional guitars will be laid out in March. The album will then be mixed in April at which point it will be shopped to record labels.

Said to be inspired by Italian composers such as Goblin and Fabbio Frizzi as well as UK artists King Crimson and Brian Eno, the project will be released sometime in 2013. READ MORE

[Album Review] Tomahawk ‘Oddfellows’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 27, 2013 @ 3:30pm
Category: Music / Reviews

I got the opportunity to see Tomahawk open up for Tool in 2002 at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH. To say that I hated the performance is an understatement. I was covering my ears half the time while rolling my eyes the other half. It simply wasn’t music that I wanted to hear, especially considering who would be playing in an hour. I had much the same reaction the first time I saw Meshuggah open up for Tool in 2001.

However, now Meshuggah is one of my favorite metal bands. I simply did not understand what they were doing at the time because I didn’t take the time to really listen and appreciate what exactly they were offering.

And so I entered Tomahawk’s latest release Oddfellows with this type of openness. After all, I have been wrong before. Could I be wrong again? READ MORE

Interview

At The Gates Guitarist Anders Björler Discusses The Haunted, Solo Project, And More

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on November 12, 2012 @ 5:00pm
Category: Music / Interviews

In an interview with MetalSucks, At The Gates and ex-The Haunted guitarist Anders Björler discussed the split between The Haunted and Peter Dolving as well as his own departure from the band as well as an upcoming solo project that, from his description, sounds pretty incredible.

In regards to the harsh words from Peter Dolving, Björler says, “I was pretty sad he had to blame me and Jonas for everything. There’s no need going into details or to throw shit at Peter. I am just not that kind of person. I just hope people are smart enough to make up their own minds and think for themselves. There’s not just one side to this story. There are five.”

Talking about his upcoming solo album: “I am completing my first solo album which will be released soon. I finally decided to do something that I wanted to do for years. It’s 100% instrumental, and kind of resembles film soundtrack music in the structure. The album will reflect my love for Italian soundtrack music like Goblin, Bruno Nicolai, Fabio Frizzi, Walter Rizzati, etc., mixed with influences from progressive UK bands (King Crimson, Camel, UK, Alan Holdsworth), Post Rock (Explosions In The Sky, MONO), ambient (Harold Budd, Brian Eno) and Jazz/Swedish Folk Music (Jan Johansson, Esbjorn Svenssons Trio, Lars Gullin, etc.). That’s maybe a lot of different influences you might say, but I hope this will help explain the style somehow.”

That description makes me super excited to hear his album. King Crimson with Goblin and sprinkle in a dash of Explosions In The Sky? Yeah, I’m all for it. Make sure to click the link above to read the entire interview. READ MORE

Porcupine Tree Release Live Video For ‘I Drive The Hearse’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on November 05, 2012 @ 5:20pm
Category: Music / Videos

British progressive rock band Porcupine Tree have released a live video for “I Drive The Hearse”. The video comes from the 3-disc edition of their upcoming live album Octane Twisted, which comes out Nov. 20th in N. America (pre-order here). You can watch the video below.

I remember my first time seeing Porcupine Tree back in 2003 at St. Andrews Hall in Detroit, MI when they opened up for Opeth (who were touring Damnation). While the crowd was more interested in Opeth, I was blown away by PT. I bought I think three albums and a t-shirt from the merch table and I’ve seen Porcupine Tree each time they’ve come through Detroit since then. I actually flew out to San Francisco to seem them at the Fillmore when Robert Fripp (King Crimson) did a solo opener doing his Soundscapes. Easily one of my favorite bands ever. READ MORE

Steven Wilson Drops Very Cool Bit Of News Regarding Upcoming Solo Album

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 23, 2012 @ 5:15pm
Category: Music / Images

Porcupine Tree main man Steven Wilson posted a quick blurb on his official Facebook page in which he states that he went to the home of Robert Fripp (King Crimson) to record his MK2 mellotron for Wilson’s upcoming solo album. This album will be the follow-up to 2011′s Grace For Drowning.

“Today I was at Robert [Fripp]‘s place recording the mellotron parts for my new album on his original sixties MK2 mellotron, famously the one used on the debut King Crimson album. Playing a real mellotron is quite an exhausting physical experience, but it sounds amazing….”

Head on below for a picture of Wilson rocking on the mellotron. For more information on the solo album, head here. READ MORE

[Album Review] Rhys Marsh And The Autumn Ghost ‘The Blue Hour’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 17, 2012 @ 12:15pm
Category: Music / Reviews

I am a huge fan of 60′s and 70′s progressive rock and I also have a special place in my heart for experimental folk. Something about these styles of music captures my imagination and interest. Perhaps it’s the sense of total and utter creative freedom that these artists seem to exude. Perhaps it’s the wealth of instruments and tones used. In the end, however, it doesn’t really matter as I can just sit back and truly enjoy this music.

So imagine my utter delight upon sitting back with Rhys Marsh And The Autumn Ghost‘s The Blue Hour and realizing that I was entering an album that sounded like it was directly transported from 1970′s UK. With elements of King Crimson‘s In The Court Of The Crimson King and Red as well as Pink Floyd, this album seemed poised to play directly to my tastes. But did that delight linger on throughout or fade as one track ended and the next began? Read on to find out. READ MORE

King Crimson’s Robert Fripp Quits The Music Business: Tears Pour Down My Face

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 08, 2012 @ 2:00pm
Category: Music / News

Robert Fripp, the only original member of prog-rock band King Crimson, recently granted a rare interview with UK Financial Times in which he stated, “…I made the choice to give up my career as a musician in the frontline to deal with the business.” He continues, saying, “My life as a professional musician is a joyless exercise in futility.” The full interview can be read here.

Part of this stems from Kanye West‘s sampling of “21st Century Schizoid Man” in his song “Power”, which was done without Fripp’s approval. As a matter of fact, the song had racked up over 1 million views before he was even approached regarding its use. This is one of many grievances that Fripp has with the music industry and with Universal Music Group, the largest record label in the world, whom Fripp has been embroiled in a dispute with for over five years.

I’ve been a huge fan of King Crimson for many years, have seen them live, and even flew out to San Francisco to see Robert Fripp do his Soundscapes as an opening for Porcupine Tree. So, as you can probably imagine, this is a pretty big blow for me. I know that original Fripp releases were becoming increasingly rarer and rarer but there was always hope in my heart that new music would come out. Below are some of my favorite Crimson songs that I’ll be listening to throughout the day. READ MORE

Mike Patton Resurrects Tomahawk!

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 28, 2012 @ 4:15pm
Category: Music / News

Tomahawk, the undefinable band featuring Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mondo Cane), Duane Denison (The Jesus Lizard), Trevor Dunn (Fantomas, Melvins Lite), and John Stanier (Helmet), is back after five years. The group is planning on releasing a new album entitled Oddfellows in January and will be doing their first live performance in nine years at the New Orlean’s Voodoo Music and Arts Experience in October. The group plans on announcing more tour dates in the near future.

Regarding Oddfellows, Denison says, “It’s dark and claustrophobic here, light and spacious there. Live in the studio, all together in one room. Oddfellows indeed.”

You can watch an album teaser below. Personally, I heard the music and immediately thought it sounded like King Crimson. Any one else get that vibe? READ MORE

[Review] Opeth ‘Heritage’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 13, 2011 @ 6:46pm
Category: Music / News

A new Opeth album is always a mini holiday for me. When Ghost Reveries came out, I was at the store when they opened, put the CD in my car and I only stopped listening to it when I had to move it from my car stereo to my computer, whereupon I continued to blast it for the rest of the day. Honestly, I don’t think there is a Opeth song that I haven’t heard at least ten times. So hopefully by now you can understand my excitement and, also, my apprehension upon listening to Heritage. After all, it’s not that I built myself up specifically for this album. Rather, I have built myself up to the idea of Opeth for years, since I first started listening to them. So how does Heritage measure up to my expectations? Find out after the jump.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 23, 2011 @ 6:52pm
Category: Music / News

One of the hardest working men in the music industry, Steven Wilson rarely, if ever, gives himself any free time. Remastering King Crimson albums, producing Opeth records, and more and more. Well, he has a new solo album coming out called Grace For Drowning. After the jump you can watch a video for the track Index, which features Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson) on drums as well as the London Session Orchestra directed by Dave Stewart.

Don’t forget, Grace For Drowning will be the first ever rock album to be released on sexy Blu-Ray video disc on September 27th.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 02, 2011 @ 8:13pm
Category: Music / News

Leprous is a band that you probably haven’t heard of, which is a damn shame. These guys were the backing band for Ihsahn (Emperor) for 2009 and the first half of 2010, if that gives you any clue as to how talented they are. Around since 2001 with an EP, a demo and one full-length album, the band is back with their newest release, Bilateral. Laced with heavy doses of 70’s prog rock but with a thoroughly modern twist, this album rolls up and down like a roller coaster. But is it the awesome speedy ride you crave or the disappointing kiddy ride that you have to ride with your wee young’un? Check after the jump for the answer.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 18, 2011 @ 9:12pm
Category: Music / News

When I was sent a copy of Memories of Machines ‘Warm Winter’, I was a bit skeptical until I read the guest spots: Steven Wilson, Colin Edwin, Robert Fripp, Jim Matheos, Peter Hammill, and more. Holy prog-rock boner inducing list! Seriously, though, can you think of a guest list that gets your rocks off more than that? So, with a list like that, you can easily understand why I had quite high expectations. But were those expectations met?

Album Review: Memories Of Machines Warm Winter

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 01, 2011 @ 3:07am
Category: Music / News

Join me Bloody-Disgusting reader as we travel back to the year 1969. I am willing to guarantee that this was before the majority of you were born (it was WELL before I was even a thought), so let’s take a look at some of the major events of that year: Ohio State won the Rose Bowl. Nixon succeeded as President of the United States of America. The Beatles performed their last public concert. The Boeing 747 makes its first flight. Monty Python’s Flying Circus airs its first episode on BBC. And King Crimson releases their first album, ‘In The Court Of The Crimson King’, beginning a musical career that is still going on today.

Retro Review: King Crimson In the Court Of The Crimson King

Music
Posted by SuperRadMike on February 06, 2010 @ 1:33am
Category: Music / News

About a month ago Tool guitarist Adam Jones met up with King Crimson guitarist/founder Robert Fripp to discuss possibly rehashing the collaborative album they had started working on a few years back. Fripp recently posted about this on his online journal and had this to say…

“A fabbo lunch with Adam covering a wide range of common interests & experiencing, among which: the possibilities of continuing our album, begun in Los Angeles some 5-6 years ago; and go out speaking together.”

Of course a project like this asks questions concerning what is going on with Tool considering there has been no info regarding a follow up to their last album “10,000 Days” as well as Maynard James Keenan setting out on his first full tour with Puscifer.

When Maynard was asked recently about all this he had this to say,”I can’t sit still, so when those guys hesitate, it takes us so long to do stuff, and it’s like a snake eating its own tail situation, ’cause then I get distracted and I go off and do a thing, and then I get blamed for not being around to do the (Tool) thing,” he said. “But nothing was getting done when I was standing there, so I got bored and left. It’s just an endless cycle.” READ MORE