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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

Arjen Lucassen Begins Work On New Ayreon Album

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on October 17, 2012 @ 12:45pm
Category: Music / Videos

Excuse me for on moment. Ahem…ahem ahem…FREAKIN’ AWESOME!!! I’m a HUGE Ayreon fan. The Human Equation is one of the greatest concept albums ever released and 01011001, while I personally don’t think is as good, is still an incredible album.

So, getting to the news, even though Arjen Lucassen released Lost In The New Real, a solo album, earlier this year, he is already hard at work on the next Ayreon record! No release date has been schedule but it is tentatively scheduled for 2013 (hurry up already!). Below is a lighthearted video of Arjen recording electric and acoustic guitars as well as keys for the release. Check it out below!

Personally, one of the things I always get excited for with a Lucassen release is the game where we have to figure out who the guest singers are going to be. Considering the stellar talent that he gets for each release, from Dream Theater‘s James LaBrie to Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt to ex-The Gathering‘s Anneke van Giersbergen, my expectations are at near fever-pitch. READ MORE

Soilwork Post Studio Footage Of Guitar Recording

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on September 03, 2012 @ 12:00pm
Category: Music / Videos

Soilwork singer Bjorn “Speed” Strid has posted a video of new guitarist David Andersson laying down a guitar track for an as-of-yet untitled song on the upcoming album The Living Infinite. The riffing going on is pretty awesome and encompasses exactly what I’m expecting and hoping for from the release. There’s lots of low-string chugging as well as high-string melodic passages. The video can be seen below.

The Living Infinite, the band’s ninth studio release, will be a double album. Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Bloodbath) has been tapped as producer and the album will also mark the recording debut of long-time touring guitarist David Andersson (Night Flight Orchestra). More information from Strid can be found here.

The album has an undetermined 2013 release date. READ MORE

Soilwork’s New Album ‘The Living Infinite’ Will Be A Double Album

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 30, 2012 @ 1:20pm
Category: Music / Images

Swedish melodic death metal band Soilwork have announced that their next studio album The Living Infinite will feature TWO CDs, not one. Jens Bogren (Opeth, Amon Amarth, Bloodbath) has been tapped as producer. The album will also mark the recording debut of long-time touring guitarist David Andersson (Night Flight Orchestra).

Singer Bjorn “Speed” Strid explains, “So here’s the scoop. Me and the boys have been waiting to share this for quite some time now: The Living Infinite will be a double album! A REAL double album, in the true sense of the word, which means no fillers and no left-overs.

I’ve been wanting to do this for a while and I proposed the idea to the rest of the guys in the band, during our festival tour last summer. Everybody liked the title The Living Infinite and also the idea of working towards the goal of releasing a double album. David Andersson was already playing with us last summer, so he has also been a part of this goal from the start. I feel very excited and proud that we’ve managed to find the inspiration and dedication it takes to create somewhat of a conceptual double album, especially since it’s dealing with a lot of existential questions.

We would also like to reveal a brand new band shot by Hannah Verbeuren Photography [below]. We are currently hard at work in the studio, putting this beast on tape. Things are sounding incredibly good so far. So excited about this and can’t wait to share the awesomeness with you all!”

I was a huge fan of 2010′s The Panic Broadcast so I’m very eager to hear this next album. READ MORE

Top 25 Guitar Riffs That Make You NEED To Headbang: 10-6

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 16, 2012 @ 11:00am
Category: Music / Editorials

Oh snap! We’re officially in the top ten and only one day away from finding out which riff crushes them all! Have you been keeping up with the awesome riffages that I’ve been posting? If not, check out 25-21, 20-16, and 15-11 before you head on down. That way, you’ll give your neck a nice warm up, getting it ready for some more Guitar Riffs That Make You NEED To Headbang! READ MORE

Tune Into The Roadrunner Records Station While Playing ‘Sleeping Dogs’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 14, 2012 @ 7:30pm
Category: Music / News

Following the trend of Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row, the newly released Sleeping Dogs, a sandbox “take down the Triads” game, will feature a radio station that provides you with nothing but metal. However, Sleeping Dogs took it one step further and aligned themselves with Roadrunner Records. That’s right, the whole station is RR heavy rock and metal artists. If you tune in, you’ll be able to hear bands such as Opeth, Trivium, Killswitch Engage, DevilDriver, Black Stone Cherry, and more. Check below for the full list. READ MORE

Trivium’s Matt Heafy Covers Opeth

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 14, 2012 @ 12:00pm
Category: Music / Videos

Trivium guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy was in Florida last night at a benefit for the MOSCOT Mobileyes Foundation, which provides free quality medical eyecare and eyewear for New York City’s “underserved populations” [source]. During the acoustic performance, Heafy did a rendition of Opeth‘s “Harvest”, which comes off their 2001 album Blackwater Park. You can watch the performance below.

Trivium’s latest album is In Waves. The band is currently on the Trespass America tour with Five Finger Death Punch, Killswitch Engage, and more. READ MORE

Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt Talks Next Album, Touring, And Guitar Hero

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on August 13, 2012 @ 10:30am
Category: Music / Interviews

In an interview with PitCam.TV, Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt discussed playing the Wacken festival, recording Storm Corrosion (review) with Steven Wilson, and many other great topics. Among them was the discussion if the next Opeth record would be on Roadrunner Records, since the RR offices in Europe were shutdown. Akerfeldt confirmed that the next record would indeed be on RR but that he was very saddened by the shutdown, stating that many people there were friends and he’s not sure who is dealing with the logistics now.

Towards the end of the interview, Akerfeldt discussed how he and Martin Mendez used to play Guitar Hero while on tour, sometimes even up to the moments before going out on stage. End result? Akerfeldt had to force himself to stop because he was getting nervous on stage without a button guitar. Check out the interview below. READ MORE

[Album Review] Baroness ‘Yellow & Green’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 23, 2012 @ 6:00pm
Category: Music / Reviews

Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, Baroness is a four-piece group that plays a mixture of sludge and melodic metal with traces of prog and a sprinkle of punk. With elements of these genres, you KNOW that I was intrigued to listen to their latest offering. After all, they’ve toured with Metallica, Opeth, Clutch, Mastodon, and many more influential, fantastic artists. Add to this the fact that both Red and Blue are fascinating, incredible albums, and I was all set to sit back and delve into the two-disc set that is Yellow & Green. So, was I satisfied or left wanting? READ MORE

[Album Review] Judgement Day ‘Polar Shift’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 21, 2012 @ 5:30pm
Category: Music / Reviews

Described as “string metal”, Judgement Day are a three-piece outfit that is comprised of a cello, a violin, and drums based out of San Francisco, CA. Brothers Anton and Lewis Patzner began playing string metal on the streets of Berkley, CA. As their popularity grew, so to did their ranks. They welcomed in Jon Bush began to play drums and the band was able to perform amplified shows at various clubs and venues in the area.

With several albums and compilations under their belt, Judgement Day is back with their latest offering, Polar Shift (iTunes pre-order). With 14 tracks and nearly 40 minutes of music, does this string metal offering work or end up sounding dangerously out of tune? Read on for the answer. READ MORE

Orange Amps And Prog Magazine Announce First Annual Progressive Music Awards

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on July 04, 2012 @ 2:00pm
Category: Music / News

As a huge progressive music fan, the following news fills me with untold amounts of joy. Prog Magazine, a publication based in the UK, has teamed up with Orange Amps to bring the first annual Progressive Music Awards. This festival will honor visionaries, new talent, and talented musicians within the progressive rock genre. Now, I’m aware that genre-specific award shows don’t have much of a reach outside the listeners who enjoy said genre, but it’s still nice to see recognition given to a genre that is almost always shunned.

This year Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, Storm Corrosion) leads with five nominations. He is followed by both Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), who each have four nominations, while Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth) and It Bites each have three.

A full list of the nominees can be seen here.

Steven Wilson Releases Cover Art For Upcoming Solo Live Blu-Ray/DVD

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 26, 2012 @ 11:00am
Category: Music / News

Porcupine Tree lead man Steven Wilson has unveiled the cover for his upcoming live Blu-Ray/DVD Get All You Deserve, which will be released Sept. 25th, 2012. Wilson has stated that there will also be an edition that will include the full concert on two audio CDs. While there is no track list for this concert, I’m assuming it will cover both of his solo releases, Grace For Drowning and Insurgentes. You can see the cover below.

Wilson is known for his main band Porcupine Tree but is also a member of Blackfield alongside Israeli musician Aviv Geffen. He also released an album with Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt under the name Storm Corrosion (review).

I’m a big fan of Wilson’s work, so I’ll definitely be picking up a copy of this. Readers, what’s your favorite Steven Wilson-related project?

[Album Review] Petter Carlsen ‘Clocks Don’t Count’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on June 02, 2012 @ 2:00pm
Category: Music / Reviews

For the past few months I’ve been going on daily walks. I go for a minimum of two miles but sometimes I lose track of time, getting lost in listening to music, and end up going for more than that. Once I ended up going on a seven-mile walk, simply because it was a beautiful night and I was enjoying listening to music that I hadn’t heard for a few years.

And so it was that last night I decided to go for one of my walks, despite the cold temperature, the continuous drizzle, and the steady wind. Within a few minutes, a chill had worked its way into my skin, icy fingers gripping my bones. My brisk pace served only to ensure that I didn’t reach a point where my teeth began chattering.

The soundtrack for this journey was Petter Carlsen’s Clocks Don’t Count. Hailing from Norway, Carlsen received wider recognition when he opened up for Anathema on a European tour supporting his debut album You Go Bird. Hailed for his enchanting voice, melancholic melodies, and songwriting skills, fans began itching for a second album. Clocks Don’t Count was their answer. But does this album fare? Read below for my thoughts. READ MORE

I.N.C. ‘Fist Of Fascista’ Music Video Is Awesome

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 24, 2012 @ 4:31pm
Category: Music / Videos

I’m a sucker for animated music videos. There, I said it. Claymation, animation, CGI, etc…, I love ‘em. So when I saw this video for I.N.C.‘s Fist Of Fascista, I just had to share it with you amazing readers. Put together by More Frames (the same lovely folk behind Lamb Of God‘s Ghost Walking video), the video mixes performance footage of the band with fascist imagery and children being taken over by…well, why don’t you just watch the video below!

This track comes off the band’s latest album, Heaven Sent…Hellbound (iTunes), which came out last August via Candlelight Records and was produced by Fredrik Nordström (At The Gates, Opeth, In Flames). READ MORE

MUST SEE Storm Corrosion Video For ‘Rope Drags’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on April 24, 2012 @ 2:06pm
Category: Music / Videos

Storm Corrosion, the collaboration project between Porcupine Tree‘s Steven Wilson and Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt, has released Rope Drags, the first video from their upcoming self-titled debut album. The 9-minute video is stunningly beautiful and I cannot recommend it enough. The video uses traditional puppet theater mixed with Tim Burton-esque visuals to create a heartbreaking story of true love being snatched away and the lengths that one will go through for revenge. Watch it below.

Make sure to check out our review here. READ MORE

[Review] Storm Corrosion ‘Storm Corrosion’

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 27, 2012 @ 6:33pm
Category: Music / News

[Review] Storm Corrosion Storm Corrosion

Mikael Akerfeldt and Steven Wilson are perhaps two of the most hardworking, innovative musicians today. It’s not necessarily that they put out vast amounts of material (although Steven Wilson seems to have his fingers in more pies than a bakery on Thanksgiving), it’s more that the material they release is so dense and intelligent that it requires more effort than usual to absorb. So when the two confirmed that they were collaborating on a project together entitled Storm Corrosion, the prog and metal worlds went into a bustle of brainstorming. “What could this collaboration sound like?” “Who would have the greater hand in the overall sound?” “WHEN WAS IT COMING OUT????“

Well, on May 7th, this self-titled release will hit shelves and I wanted to weigh in with my opinion. Is it a worthwhile journey or did the collaboration of two stellar musicians fail to produce all that was hyped and hoped for?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 22, 2012 @ 9:34pm
Category: Music / News

For those of you who don’t know O.S.I. (shame on you!), they could easily be considered a supergroup of prog metal masters. Featuring Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater) and Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) as the two staple members, their albums have seen appearances from Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Adrenaline Mob), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree), Mikael Akerfeldt (Opeth, Bloodbath), Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), and several more. With credentials like that, this is a band that practically demands notice.

I’ve personally been a fan of this band for several years. That’s why I was so excited when I heard that a new album, Fire Make Thunder, was set for release. Now that I have it, does it live up to my expectations?

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on March 19, 2012 @ 5:57pm
Category: Music / News

Stills From Storm Corrosion Drag Ropes Video Are Delightfully Creepy!

Click on images for larger size

Storm Corrosion, the long-awaited collaboration project between Porcupine Tree‘s Steven Wilson and Opeth‘s Mikael Akerfeldt will be coming out April 23rd and an official website has just been released. The site features a biography, street team information, pre-orders, and, perhaps most exciting, stills from an upcoming music video for Drag Ropes. The stills show a menacing shadow puppet theater with dark religious overtones. Check out more stills below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 28, 2012 @ 8:23pm
Category: Music / News

[Interview] Jim Matheos Talks OSIs Fire Make Thunder

A band that I’ve been a big fan of for many years is OSI, which features Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) and Kevin Moore (ex-Dream Theater). There is something old-school, yet incredibly futuristic about their approach to prog-metal. I can’t exactly explain it, but listen to their albums and you’ll understand what I mean.

So, with great excitement, I got the opportunity to speak to Jim regarding the upcoming album Fire Make Thunder (out March 27th). We spoke about everything from the title to specific songs to how many of the sounds were created. Check out this exclusive interview below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 23, 2012 @ 7:31pm
Category: Music / News

soenideateacousticscreencap Soen Performs Ideate Acoustically In One Seriously Creepy Room

Update: The video can be watched here.

Soen, the group formed by ex-Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, has released a video of an acoustic performance of their song Ideate, which comes off their debut album Cognitive (review). The song translates beautifully and the dark, creepy atmosphere of the room really helps set the tone and mood. I’d definitely give this a listen if you’ve got a free three minute block. Check it out below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 09, 2012 @ 6:02pm
Category: Music / News

When word came that Martin Lopez quit Swedish prog-metal band Opeth, I was stunned. After all, he brought a certain sound and inventiveness that I had come to appreciate and deeply enjoy. But when I heard of his new project Soen, I immediately had high hopes. The description and influences cited were more than enough to pique my interest. This sounded like a project where Lopez could take his skills and only expand on them. And with their debut release Cognitive, Soen aims to enter the progressive metal genre in a huge way.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on February 02, 2012 @ 4:10pm
Category: Music / News

Ex Opeth Drummers Soen Releases Video For Savia

Soen, the band featuring ex-Opeth drummer Martin Lopez, has released an official video for Savia, which comes off their upcoming debut album Cognitive. Directed by Patric Ullaeus (In Flames, Dimmu Borgir), the song definitely has some Tool-esque vibes while dipping its toes into heavier territory. Another song, Delenda, can be heard on their Facebook page. I’m definitely enjoying the songs and I’m really looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. Check out the video below.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 31, 2012 @ 3:24pm
Category: Music / News

heritagehuntermatteaser Opeth, Mastodon, Ghost Tour Confirmed: Here Are The Tour Dates

Although a Mastodon/Opeth/Ghost tour was confirmed by Mastodon bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders, there weren’t any tour dates or official statements to back up the claim. Well, that has all changed now as the full touring schedule has been released! Dubbed the Heritage Hunter Tour, the trek will see the three bands touring from April 4th until May 12th. I’m personally more excited for this tour than any other one in recent memory. Looks like I’m heading to Grand Rapids!

Opeth vocalist/guitarist Mikael Akerfeldt: “We’re touring North America together with Mastodon soon. Nice! One of the very few metal bands of today that I genuinely like. Good people too! Ghost are coming with us as well, and they are one of the hottest new bands to come out of Sweden in recent years, and I dig them too. I sound like an old fart, don’t I? Well, I am.

“Yet, am I right in thinking that this tour, this line up, is pretty decent? Would you all agree? Not complete s—, is it? Hope to see y’all out there! What are we playing? Not sure yet, but considering the company, maybe we’ll have to pull out the big guns from time to time. In order to keep up, I mean.”

Check below for the full touring schedule.

Music
Posted by JonathanBarkan on January 22, 2012 @ 6:54am
Category: Music / News

In a recent interview with Studio Brussel, bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders of Mastodon confirmed a N. American tour with Swedish prog metal band Opeth and Swedish NWOBHM band Ghost. When asked about the future plans for the band, Sanders replied, “We go to Australia take part in the Soundwave Festival, which is going to be lovely… Take a short break. Do a North American tour with Opeth and Ghost.” As of now, no tour dates have been confirmed. Below are some videos you can check out to see how perfectly everything goes together.

Okay, my mind is blown. This might be one of the best lineups I’ve seen in a LONG time. Each of these bands has incredible music and the thought of getting to check out Ghost on the big stage is unreal. This is one of those shows that I’ll come to early, make sure I get a great view, and then I won’t move for the rest of the show. Beer server! Bring me more ale!

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

Arjen Lucassen Begins Work On New Ayreon Album

Soilwork Post Studio Footage Of Guitar Recording

Soilwork’s New Album ‘The Living Infinite’ Will Be A Double Album

Top 25 Guitar Riffs That Make You NEED To Headbang: 10-6

Tune Into The Roadrunner Records Station While Playing ‘Sleeping Dogs’

Trivium’s Matt Heafy Covers Opeth

Opeth’s Mikael Akerfeldt Talks Next Album, Touring, And Guitar Hero

[Album Review] Baroness ‘Yellow & Green’

[Album Review] Judgement Day ‘Polar Shift’

Orange Amps And Prog Magazine Announce First Annual Progressive Music Awards

Steven Wilson Releases Cover Art For Upcoming Solo Live Blu-Ray/DVD

[Album Review] Petter Carlsen ‘Clocks Don’t Count’

I.N.C. ‘Fist Of Fascista’ Music Video Is Awesome

MUST SEE Storm Corrosion Video For ‘Rope Drags’

[Review] Storm Corrosion ‘Storm Corrosion’

[Review] O.S.I. ‘Fire Make Thunder’

Stills From Storm Corrosion ‘Drag Ropes’ Video Are Delightfully Creepy!

[Interview] Jim Matheos Talks OSI’s ‘Fire Make Thunder’

Soen Performs ‘Ideate’ Acoustically In One Seriously Creepy Room

[Review] Soen ‘Cognitive’

Ex-Opeth Drummer’s Soen Releases Video For ‘Savia’

Opeth, Mastodon, Ghost Tour Confirmed: Here Are The Tour Dates

Mastodon, Opeth, Ghost Teaming Up For N. American Tour

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