ROADRUNNER RECORDS is proud to announce the signing of progressive metal pioneers Dream Theater. A new studio album, Systematic Chaos is due in June. Dream Theater will hit the road in support of the album for a world tour, including major festival appearances in Europe.

Since their first studio release in 1989, this US based five-piece has notched up record and DVD sales in excess of six million and headlined to audiences of 20,000. Having undertaken seven world tours across 42 different countries, Dream Theater has established a live reputation that has swept them to arena-status around the globe. They have appeared alongside acts such as Deep Purple, Iron Maiden and Yes.

Recognized by peers and public alike for their advanced musical expertise, the band (Mike Portnoy, drums; John Petrucci, guitar; John Myung, bass; James LaBrie, vocals; Jordan Rudess, keyboards) has long held the ability to combine complex arrangements with unadulterated songwriting skills, the material often underpinned by riffs as heavy as anything in the Metallica repertoire.

“This album’s got all of the elements we’ve become known for,” reveals Portnoy. “The focus on musicianship, the skull-crushing riffs, the big progressive epics and the heart-wrenching melodies. We’ve got one of the strongest and most devoted fan bases in the world, and they should certainly be happy with the new material. By working closely with the label we hope to turn a great many new heads too.”

“Dream Theater and Roadrunner Records have led parallel careers on the cutting edge of metal for many years,” say A&R men, Derek Oliver & Dante Bonutto, “We’re thrilled to be working with a genuine market-leader, and when you add everything the guys bring to the table to the independent spirit and work ethic of the label, the results can only be exciting in the extreme!”

Prior to teaming up with Roadrunner, Dream Theater was signed to a seven-album deal with Warner Music Group worldwide. The deal commenced with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Images And Words (1992), a Gold-certified US release, and concluded, in equal style, with Octavarium (2005), a Top 40 Billboard outing. In August of last year the band issued Score, a live album/DVD(recorded at Radio City Music Hall in New York), which went straight to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard DVD charts, knocking Pink Floyd from the top!

By the following month, the five were holed up at Avatar Studios in New York, working on the new album with veteran engineer/ mixer Paul Northfield (Rush, Queensryche, Porcupine Tree). As usual, Portnoy and Petrucci chose to co-produce the project, which features seven compositions (one a 25-minute epic), and word on the grapevine is that the Dream Theater/Roadrunner alliance looks all set to kick off with a classic.

Touring plans will be announced shortly.

ProgDay is happy to announce the appearance of Swedish band QOPH at ProgDay 2007. QOPH combines the daring twists of modern prog bands like The Mars Volta and Trans Am with psychedelia, blues and a nod to the music of classic prog bands of the past. QOPH began as an instrumental trio, but eventually developed into a four piece vocal band. After two years of frantic blues jams, endless improvisations and a couple of recording sessions, QOPH released their debut effort, “Kalejdoskopiska Aktiviteter.” Even though the lyrics were in Swedish, the record sold several thousand copies throughout the world. The band’s most recent album, “Pyrola” (sung in English), continues the evolution of their sound and has received rave reviews worldwide. ProgDay has a long history of showcasing bands from Sweden and we continue that tradition with QOPH rockin’ the field on Labor Day weekend.

Threshold’s new album ‘Dead Reckoning’ will be released on 23 March through Nuclear Blast Records (20 March in US).

The band have included a cover version of the Muse hit Supermassive Black Hole as a bonus track on a special digipak version of the album. Band member Richard West commented: “It’s a good Muse song and their recording is very cool, but we’ve made our version heavier and more powerful than the original. It works so well as a Threshold track that it sounds like Muse covered our song!”

The album also includes guest backing vocals on 2 songs by Swedish multi-instrumentalist Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity, Nightingale, Second Sky, Bloodbath). Swanö commented: “My backing growls on the upcoming Threshold album are the most brutal thing you will hear from me in quite some time. Tore my throat apart for these guys!!”

Track list:

1. Slipstream (4.53)
2. This Is Your Life (3.41)
3. Elusive (6.10)
4. Hollow (4.00)
5. Pilot In The Sky Of Dreams (9.44)
6. Fighting For Breath (8.16)
7. Disappear (4.17)
8. Safe To Fly (5.06)
9. One Degree Down (8.33)
10. Supermassive Black Hole * (3.09)

(* bonus track on special digipak release only)

NICK MIDSON TAKES A BREAK FROM THE BAND

Nick Midson is taking a break from Threshold. Guitarist Karl Groom commented: “Nick has been thinking about this for a while. It’s largely driven by wanting a break from touring and promotional activities. I’m still in contact with him regularly and we live 5 minutes from each other. The way is open for Nick to return for future albums and he is considering it”.

Guitarist Pete Morten has been named as Nick’s replacement for the band’s forthcoming live shows. Morten is guitarist and lead vocalist for progressive metal band Soliloquy who have recently been recording at Thin Ice Studios with producer Karl Groom from Threshold.

THRESHOLD FESTIVAL SHOWS
Threshold have announced their first tour dates for 2007 with more to be announced later. The current dates are:
20/07/07 Metalcamp Festival (SI)
21/07/07 Earthshaker Festival (DE)
04/08/07 Subtacto Progfest (NO)
06/10/07 Progpower Festival (US)

Frontiers Records is pleased to announce all details of the release of the forthcoming PINK CREAM 69 European studio album “In10sity” !

For a number of reasons “In10sity” is a special album in the band’s history. On the one hand it marks the band’s debut for their new label, Frontiers Records. On the other it is the band’s tenth regular studio effort and celebrates it’s 20th anniversary.

Three years after their critically acclaimed “Thunderdome” album, 2007 marks the full force return of PINK CREAM 69. Strengthened by second guitarist Uwe Reitenauer - now a regular member - the band delivers another brilliant piece of Melodic Metal!

“In10sity” was recorded from October 2006 to January 2007 at the famous House Of Music studios near Stuttgart/Germany and once again was produced by Dennis Ward. Besides a truly dynamic and explosive production the album blows the listener away with a blistering set of songs. “Crossfire”, “No Way Out”, “A New Religion”, “Stop The Madness” just to name a few, feature all the classic PINK CREAM 69 trademarks: a focused songwriting style, energetic vocals and a tremendous guitar work.

“Thanks to the addition of Uwe Reitenauer as second guitarist, we have the opportunity to realize many ideas on guitars where we previously used keyboards. The new record is much more guitar-driven than our last productions”, drummer Kosta Zafiriou states. And he is right – “In10sity” is a full blast of stadium hard rock power!

The final tracklisting will include the following songs:

Children of the Dawn; No Way Out; Crossfire; I’m Not Afraid; A New Religion; The Hour of Freedom; Stop This Madness; Desert Land; Out of this World; It’s Just a State of Mind; Wanna Hear You Rock; My Darkest Hour (*); Last Train to Nowhere.

(*) Bonus track exclusive to the first pressing in slipcase

“In10sity” will be released in Europe on Frontiers Records on March 23rd 2007.

ICED EARTH (US)
Speaking of long overdue? Iced Earth debuted in 1990, and ever since, guitarist Jon Schaffer has brought the band to greater artistic and commercial triumph with a faithful and yet progressive variety of bona fide heavy metal. Losing popular frontman Matthew Barlow turned out to be another blessing in disguise when former Judas Priest-vocalist Tim Owens joined the fold for possibly the performance of his lifetime on “The Glorious Burden”, released in early 2004. Unfortunately, Jon’s health issues and an unstable line-up prevented Iced Earth from making the most of this release, but now they’re back to make amends. With their SRF-debut, among other things. (We recommend: “Night of the Stormrider”, “Something Wicked This Way Comes”, “The Glorious Burden”.)

NOVEMBER (S)
A classic name in the history of Swedish hard rock! Three-man outfit November from the Stockholm suburb of Vällingby was formed in 1969 - in November, obviously - and became a cult act by performing blues-based heavy rock, typical of their era, but with Swedish lyrics. The band relaesed three albums before they folded in 1972, weary from heavy touring, and th musicians moved onto other things. Through the years, November’s repute has grown, not least because of bands like Abramis Brama who have renewed public interest in traditional hard rock with Swedish lyrics. So undoubtedly several generations of nostalgians will gather around the stage in Norje to bring their praise to this bona fide cult band! (We recommend: “En Ny Tid Är Här”, “2:a November”, “6:e November”.)

NOCTURNAL RITES (S)
Nocturnal Rites from Umeå in Northern Sweden debuted in 1995 and have since grown to become one of the most influential and successful acts on Sweden?s flourishing melodic metal scene. They got their first major break with “Afterlife” (2000), their first album with singer Jonny Lindquist (ex-Mogg) who remains in the band to this day, to the delight of their devoted fanbase. Nocturnal Rites played at SRF for the first time, and to great public acclaim, in 2001. Since then, their popularity has increased even further, thanks to such releases as “New World Messiah” (2004) and particularly “Grand Illusion” (2005) ? the latter was awarded as “Best Swedish album of the year” at the Sweden Rock Kick Off that December. The band are working on their next album as you read these lines, and there can be little doubt that it will both cement and reinforce Nocturnal Rites? stature. As will, most certainly, their appearance at SRF 2007.

AMON AMARTH (S)
Their three latest releases have all brought Amon Amarth further up the proverbial ladder, and the brand new “With Oden On Our Side” in particular have been an unprecedented success for the proud metal vikings from Stockholm. Finally, even their countrymen have realised the greatness of this mighty quintet, so we’re expecting a mighty big crowd to appear for one of Sweden’s finest and currently hottest acts in melodic death metal. (We recommend: “The Crusher”, “Versus the World”, “With Oden On Our Side”.)

TIAMAT (S)
Tiamat rank among the Swedish pioneers on the death metal as well as the gothic metal scene. Centered around frontman Johan Edlund, they have been acknowledged as one of the foremost and most unpredictable acts on the international gothic scene. In recent times, news on the band has been relatively scarce, and more than three years have passed since their latest album “Prey”. But now the time has come for Tiamat to break the silence, and a new album is to be expected in a not too distant future. (We recommend: “Clouds”, “Wildhoney”, “Skeleton Skeletron”.)

VOMITORY (S)
Vomitory, from the county of Värmland, is a phenomenon in Swedish Death Metal history. Formed in the late 80s, during the early and golden age of this genre, but for a variety of reasons their official debut, “Raped in Their Own Blood”, did not see the light of day until 1997. By then it was more melodic influences rather than extreme brutality that was the flavor of the day in DM-circuits. Vomitory, however, remained true to their roots and have consequently earned well-deserved respect and become a true cult band. Their sixth and most recent album is called “Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize”, a title that certainly divulges that Vomitory still refuse to compromise the authenticity of their death metal. (We recommend: “Raped in Their Own Blood”, “Primal Massacre”, “Terrorize Brutalize Sodomize”.)

TRAIL OF TEARS (N)
Goth metal has become something of a Norwegian export product, and among the proudest bands in the ranks are undoubtedly Trail of Tears from Kristiansand. The band have released five albums since 1998, including their current release “Existentia” which also marks a turning point in their history. The recording line-up split up before the album’s release. However, vocalist Ronny Thorsen persistently refused to let the band perish, so it will be a whole new version of Trail of Tears, determined to prove itself, that takes the stage at SRF 2007. (We recommend: “Disclosure in Red”, “A New Dimension of Might”, “Existentia”.

ALL ENDS (S)
In 2003, In Flames-guitarist Jesper Strömblad decided to start yet another new and different project. Teaming up with his In Flames-colleague Björn Gelotte, a number of compositions were written and subsequently bestowed upon a talented batch of musicians, fronted by female vocal-duo Tinna Karlsdotter and Emma Gelotte (Björn’s sister). The result is powerful, dark and melodic metal, focused around the impressive skills of the two vocalists plus a mode of songwriting whose origin is quite recognizable.

CONFIRMED BANDS SO FAR. OUT OF TOTALLY 70!

HEAVEN & HELL (UK)
Ronnie James Dio - Tony Iommi - Geezer Butler - Vinnie Appice

MEATLOAF (US)

BLIND GUARDIAN (D)

MOTÖRHEAD (UK)

ICED EARTH (US)

REO SPEEDWAGON (US)

DIMMU BORGIR (N)

THE AUSTRALIAN PINK FLOYD SHOW (AUS)

NOVEMBER (S)

TROUBLE (US)

KREATOR (D)

UDO (D)

SUZI QUATRO (UK)

GOV’T MULE (US)

ANNIHILATOR (CAN)

NOCTURNAL RITES (S)

POINT BLANK (US)

PRETTY MAIDS (DK)

AMON AMARTH (S)

HARDCORE SUPERSTAR (S)

BLACK OAK ARKANSAS (US)

THUNDER (UK)

THE ANSWER (UK)

AXEL RUDI PELL (D/US)

CIRCUS MAXIMUS (N)

TIAMAT (S)

RANDY PIPER´S ANIMAL (US)

TOKYO DRAGONS (UK)

ELDRITCH (I)

LION’S SHARE (S)

FALCONER (S)

TRAIL OF TEARS (S)

ALL ENDS (S)

MEMFIS (S)

MORE INFO ABOUT THE FESTIVAL AND HOW TO GET TICKETS AT:

www.swedenrock.com

Los Angeles, CA - Videos featuring Think Tank Media symphonic/prog rock couple Erik Norlander and Lana Lane are now featured on the infamous video site YouTube.com at http://www.youtube.com/user/ThinkTankMediaMusic. The popular musicians have compiled full-length videos from the many projects they created over almost 15 years and have posted 13 videos at the Think Tank Music YouTube channel for their fans’ viewing pleasure. Norlander also plans to post videos on a channel for his highly successful project Rocket Scientists in the near future.

“YouTube is an undeniable phenomenon that is changing the way information is transmitted around the world,” Norlander affirms. “Through our MySpace pages, we have met a lot of new friends and reconnected with many older ones. We hope that by sharing some videos of Lana Lane, Erik Norlander and Rocket Scientists from the vaults of the Think Tank Media archives that we will introduce our music to some new fans and also provide some great online content for the old ones. Music is about communication, and I really believe YouTube will be a great channel for the Think Tank Media music … pardon the pun!”

Recent releases by Lane and Norlander “Gemini” and “Hommage Symphonique” are receiving very favorable reviews at a variety of web sites including Progressive World, YtseJam, and Sea of Tranquility; radio airplay around the world; and top charting positions on the New Music Weekly College Radio chart.

Lana Lane’s “Gemini” is an album of classic rock covers from the 60s and 70s featuring the backing musicians Vinny Appice (d), Tony Franklin (b), George Lynch (g), Mark McCrite (g, v) and Erik Norlander (k) along with Kelly Keeling providing additional duet and harmony vocals. Gemini is the astrological symbol for twins, and since this is Lana’s second album of all covers, the album carries the theme of “two” throughout. Lana recorded two songs by each classic rock artist for this release: a pair of songs each originally recorded by Cream, Pink Floyd, The Moody Blues, Heart, Jefferson Airplane and Foreigner. Of particular note is Lana’s “Pink Moon Suite” that combines the song “Johnny Moon” — originally recorded by Heart — with songs from most of “Side One” of Pink Floyd’s landmark “Dark Side of the Moon” album.

Erik Norlander’s “Hommage Symphonique” is an album of progressive rock covers recorded by Erik along with Gregg Bissonette (d), Don Schiff (b), Mark McCrite (g) with Kelly Keeling handling all of the vocal duties. Erik employed a small ensemble of acoustic instruments featuring Jon Pappenbrook (trumpets, flugelhorn), Eric Jorgensen (trombones), Mike Alvarez (cello) and David Schiff (woodwinds). David is the brother of Don Schiff, and in addition to Don’s NS/Stick work on the album, he also fills out the acoustic string ensemble with the new Bowed Guitar instrument. Erik’s choice of covers reflects his own broad musical taste, performing songs originally recorded by ELP, ELO, Yes, Rick Wakeman, King Crimson, Procol Harum and Jethro Tull and Chuck Mangione. The last artist may sound the most surprising, but Erik’s stirring rendition of Mangione’s “Children of Sanchez” brings this jazz - fusion classic more into Erik’s world of symphonic progressive rock supported by his seasoned and highly versatile band.

Lana Lane - Gemini and Erik Norlander - Hommage Symphonique albums follow the already acclaimed 2CD release, Revolution Road, from Erik’s band Rocket Scientists. The Rocket Scientists musicians appear throughout these two new titles continuing the collaboration and bringing it to new heights. Like Rocket Scientists - Revolution Road, these two new CDs are distributed in North America and Europe by ProgRock Records which continues another successful collaboration with Erik and Lana’s Think Tank Media label.

For more information about Erik Norlander, Lana Lane and Rocket Scientists, please visit http://www.thetank.com and http://www.myspace.com/eriknorlanderandlanalane.

Talk about making up for lost time. New York prog musician and composer Jasun Martz, who has released very few records through the years, will have 12 CDs released in one year- one new CD per month. He is known for his associations with Frank Zappa, Michael Jackson, Eddie Jobson, Ruth Underwood, Paul Whitehead, Mark Shreeve, Jean Dubuffet and and his Mellotron work. Many know of his classic (long sought after) THE PILLORY (with 40 musicians) and his newer THE PILLORY/THE BATTLE (with over 100 musicians), which is a blend of dark, symphonic prog, contemporary classical, noise, avant-garde and ambient sounds.

MARILLION will host a special “by invitation only” listening event for their new album Somewhere Else, to be released on April 24th through MVD Audio. The event will take place at Kenny’s Castaways (157 Bleecker St - New York, NY 10012 - (212) 979-9762 - www.kennyscastaways.net) on Saturday, February 24th at 7pm. Those invited will be treated to an advance preview of Somewhere Else followed by either an electric or acoustic performance by band members Steve Rothery and Pete Trewavas.

Marillion are one of the UK music scene’s best kept secrets; purveyors of soulful, powerful, and often deeply-moving music, whose blistering live shows leave their audiences breathless. Somewhere Else is the latest twist in a 23-year-long history of a group who has held on to the conviction that what they’re doing MEANS something real.

Somewhere Else could well be the one that brings the band the widespread global recognition they have long deserved. The privileged few who’ve heard it think it’s the best Marillion album yet AND it’s their 14th – that’s three more albums than U2, two more than The Beatles, and the same number as The Ramones, a feat rare in the annals of rock.

Rarer still that a band should still be bettering itself after nearly a quarter of a century.

In the face of ignorance and apathy, Marillion continue to defy preconceptions and labeling. The band has evolved into a vibrant, musical force, sharing more in common with the likes of experimentalists Radiohead and Muse, and the timeless majesty of The Blue Nile and Talk Talk. They have forged into new musical territories with a succession of inventive, emotional albums, displaying little regard to the vagaries of The Musical Fashion Police, or the bandwagoneering of radio playlists.

And they have done all of these things without major label backing.

To those who already love Marillion, they’re something special. To everyone else they’re a love affair waiting to happen.