The Asgard Saga Website Begins Now!

The world premiere of the fantasy collaboration between MANOWAR and WOLFGANG HOHLBEIN has been announced. THE ASGARD SAGA will begin at MAGIC CIRCLE FESTIVAL III, scheduled to take place at the Loreley on the Rhine River in Germany on July 18, 2009. Headlining the festival, MANOWAR will perform material from the concept album currently in the works. It is based on Hohlbein’s tales of one of the most iconic characters in Norse mythology, Thor, the God of Thunder. Hohlbein will debut the captivating fantasy adventure that is promised to be full of action, drama, romance, passion and conflict. It is a modern spin on the classic tale interpreted via the media of our time: the internet, interactive web communities, books, music, video games and beyond. The first phase of this concept is set to launch worldwide today! www.asgard-saga.com begins NOW!!

“During the creative process, the band and I soon realised the full potential of this enterprise”, Wolfgang Hohlbein said. “It was almost like the characters took over and showed us the way!” he added, “Norse mythology is so rich with characters and stories that we decided to create a whole universe.” Manowar bassist, Joey DeMaio explained, “We felt an online platform would be the perfect tool to complement our works, offering unlimited space to tell further stories. That is where ideas really started to fly! We decided that the fans should become part of the creative team! So we developed an interactive website where they can contribute on many levels. At www.asgard-saga.com anyone can participate in every phase of the project from submitting anything from stories to songs. Fans and artists can create a fantasy adventure like none before!”

The world premiere of THE ASGARD SAGA can only be witnessed at MAGIC CIRCLE FESTIVAL III. A full line up of bands is also scheduled to perform. Multiple activities on the eve of the festival will offer fans the opportunity to learn more about THE ASGARD SAGA - a project of vast dimensions!

Tickets are available at www.magiccirclefestival.com, www.eventim.com, www.nuclearblast.de, www.ticketagenten.de.

Stay tuned for details.

ROBERT WEBB of the Progressive band, ENGLAND will be playing at the
next MelloFest event in London on Saturday 2nd May 2009.

This is a rare chance to see and hear Robert, as well as other
progressive music artists (some from King Crimson alumni) playing and
talking about their music. Tickets are just £7 (in advance). Details
at: http://www.mellofest.com

Robert will be playing THREE-PIECE SUITE (arranged for piano,
Mellotrons and voice) accompanied by Andy Thompson and Maggie
Alexander. Also, there will be a performance of a composition from
the forthcoming ENGLAND album, due for release next Spring.

A special ‘Taster’ CD of 4 tracks from the new ENGLAND album (in
effect ENGLAND’s 3rd studio album) will be on sale ONLY at this event.

Further news will appear in the NEWS and MESSAGE BOARD sections of the
band’s website: http://www.gardenshedmusic.com

Metal Mind Productions will release “The Fifth Season”, a live album by Quidam - definitely one of the most important Polish progressive/art rock bands.

The band was founded in 1991 by Maciek Meller, Radek Scholl and Rafal Jermakow. Soon they were joined by Zbyszek Florek. They played under the name Deep River then and offered a mixture of hard rock and blues. The change of the musical direction was evident when the band was joined by the flautist Ewa Smarzyska. Both the style of their compositions and the sound began to change, evolving into a more refined form of rock. The songs, full of long instrumental parts and musical poetry, were now directed to more sensitive and demanding listeners: to those who love such moods as those once evoked by Camel, King Crimson (in their early phase), Genesis, Pink Floyd, and Renaissance. From the very beginning Quidam members set for themselves a very ambitious task: to reach the broadest audience possible with their difficult music and to win critical acclaim. Numerous awards at several music festivals in Poland and abroad, music polls and invitations to play with renowned artists are an irrefutable proof that their goals have been achieved. Their most recent album “Alone Together” was released in 2007.

“The Fifth Season” features a recording of the band’s marvelous performance at Wyspiański Theatre in Katowice in 2005. The tracklist constitutes a musical journey through the band’s discography, as they played their older well known songs (like “Sanktuarium”, “Credo” or “Jesteś”) as well as songs of their new, at that time, album “SurREvival”. It’s a must have for all fans of progressive rock. “The Fifth Season” will be released in digipak edition on 8th June in Europe and 14th July in USA (via MVD).

Quidam
“The Fifth Season – Live in Concert”

Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MMP CD 0395 DG
Barcode: 5907785034839
Format: CD DG (limited edition)
Genre: progressive/art rock
Release date: 08.06.2009 Europe / 14.07.2009 USA

Tracklist:

1. Hands off
2. Queen of Moulin Rouge
3. SurREvival
4. Sanktuarium
5. Oldies but Goldies
6. The Fifth Season (including excerpts from Genesis’ Los Endos)
7. Everything’s Ended
8. Not So Close (including excerpts from Joe South’s Hush)

THE MARS VOLTA: New album “Octahedron” to be released on 23rd June on Warner Bros Records (NORTH AMERICA) and 22nd June on Mercury Records (REST OF WORLD)
The Mars Volta’s fifth studio album, “Octahedron”, will be released June 23 by Warner Bros. Records in North America and on June 22nd on Mercury Records in the rest of the world. The first single in North America will be “Since We’ve Been Wrong” while overseas it will be “Cotopaxi”.

Octahedron was written and performed by The Mars Volta group: Marcel Rodriguez Lopez, Thomas Pridgen, John Frusciante, Isaiah Ikey Owens, Juan Alderete de la Pena, Cedric Bixler Zavala and Omar Rodriguez Lopez.

DEREK SHERINIAN MOLECULAR HEINOSITY
RECORD RELEASE PARTY!

Thurs, APRIL 30th 7pm PST at:

Musicians Institute
1655 McCadden Place
Hollywood CA 90028

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Derek will be there shaking hands and signing CDs.

There are few international keyboardists/composers who enjoy as brilliant a reputation as Derek Sherinian. He has played with acts such as Kiss, Billy Idol, and Alice Cooper and let’s not forget he was a member of the prog metal powerhouse Dream Theater. His latest solo release – the sixth to date – is called “Molecular Heinosity” in which he presents along with haunting prog metal compositions, another series of illustrious guests, among them Zakk Wylde, Virgil Donati, and Tony Franklin. “Why scratch with the turkeys when you can soar with the Eagles,” Sherinian laughs. “I hand pick the musicians for my albums like a casting agent picks actors for a movie – they are each ideally suited for the role. I write material that is true to my influences and from the perspective of a listener. Once I come up with the structure or vibe of a song, I then try to imagine who the ultimate team of players would be for it. If I know in advance who will be on the track, I always try to compose with them in mind. I put tremendous effort into writing and arranging my music; it deserves only the world’s best musicians to make it come alive.”

Sherinian belongs to that select group of musicians who look way beyond the limitations of their main instrument and cover a wide range in terms of their craft and compositions. As the exceptional guitarist John Petrucci, with whom Sherinian worked during his time with Dream Theater, put it so aptly: “Derek is heavily into guitarists and rock music, his history, and the range of all the great guitarists he’s worked with. He plays with a fire unheard of from most keyboardists.” In line with this statement, “Molecular Heinosity”, on which drummer Brian Tichy took over the position that had been filled by Simon Phillips, sounds even more gritty and metallic than Sherinian’s previous releases. “Unfortunately, I was not able to work with Simon Phillips on “Molecular Heinosity”, sometimes schedules do not permit. The result has less of the jazz fusion influence that Simon brings, and I was forced to lean more towards my metal side. “Molecular Heinosity” is more focused than my past releases. This record is more progressive metal.”

Along with world-class guitarists Rusty Cooley and Brett Garsed and the extraordinarily talented Taka Minamino, Zakk Wylde is the most renowned guest on “Molecular Heinosity”, “Zakk and I have been friends for 20 years now. He has played on my last five solo records. Zakk always brings in the balls to anything he touches,” Sherinian enthuses. “Zakk also contributed lyrically to the song ‘So Far Gone’, he will always have an open invitation to play on my music.” An offer which Wylde is happy to accept: “It’s amazing we even get any work done because we’re in stitches constantly. Derek just says ‘Dude, I want you to play a solo over here.’ He tells me he’s got all these amazing musicians coming in, and tells me to just do my thing. Life is easy – we just play, drink beer and laugh our balls off. I’m usually passed out on the floor or his couch by the end of the sessions

Celebrating his 10th year as a solo artist, Derek Sherinian continues to push the boundaries in heavy instrumental music.

EX DEO, the new Roman themed band featuring Maurizio Iacono of KATAKLYSM, have just announced a complete list of guest appearances on their debut record entitled “Romulus”. Nergal of BEHEMOTH will appear on the song “Storm the Gates of Alesia” singing a very famous quote from Julius Caesar. Karl Sanders (NILE) added a ripping solo on the song “The Final War (The Battle of Actium)” which deals with Antony and Cleopatras defiance of Octivian in Egypt. Finally Obsidian C. of KEEP OF KALESSIN lends a majestic and beautifully melodic solo on the track “Cruor Nostri Abbas”.

Commented vocalist Maurizio Iacono also of KATAKLYSM fame:

“It’s an honor for me that such talented musicians and friends lended their art for a couple songs on this album. I only asked a few select people that had an involvement with history through their music and related to this bands concept. So I salute them for contributing to Rome’s rise and they shall be aptly rewarded for it! Word coming from the province of Serbia is that the video is almost ready to be presented. I had a glimpse of it already and all I can do is smile.”

EX DEO Recording Line-Up:
Maurizio Iacono (KATAKLYSM) - Vocals
Stephane Barbe (KATAKLYSM) - Guitars
J-F Dagenais (KATAKLYSM) - Guitars
Max Duhamel (KATAKLYSM) - Drums
Francois Mongrain (MARTYR) - Bass
Jonathan Leduc (BLACKGUARD) - Keyboards

EX DEO’s debut album “Romulus” will be released by Nuclear Blast Records on June 19thin Europe and June 30th in North America.

For more info and music visit www.myspace.com/exdeo

The upcoming album by the Swedish instrumental quartet Gösta Berlings Saga, titled Detta Har Hänt will be released worldwide on Transubstans Records in May/June. The album was recorded during winter 08/09, partly assisted by Mattias Olsson of Änglagård and represents the evolvement the band has taken since the release of the critically acclaimed debut album Tid är Ljud (2006). Whereas the previous album dealt with the interaction between nature and city, Detta Har Hänt focuses entirely on the latter with eight stories of industrialism and love.
A more exact release date will be set in a few weeks from now together with a couple of sample songs.

Track listing
1. Kontrast
2. Sorterargatan 3
3. Svenska hjärtan
4. Fem trappor
5. Nattskift
6. Bergslagen
7. Innilegur?
8. Västerbron 05:30

Total running time: ~ 53 mins
More information & cover art: www.gostaberlingssaga.se or www.myspace.com/gostaberlingssaga.

The amazing debut album by the quartet from Treviso : an instrumental combination, technological and surprising, featuring the great Derek Sherinian
Young flag-bearers of the progressive-fusion genre, Aphelion debut with “Franticode”

APHELION
&
LIZARD RECORDS

are proud to present:

FRANTICODE

“Instrumental progressive-fusion, intense and breath-taking”: thus Aphelion define their music as we can hear it in Franticode, a brilliant debut album that will enthral a wide range of listeners. A sound that crosses jazz-rock, heavy-rock, tech-progressive and advanced fusion in seven thrilling, dynamic songs. This young quartet from Treviso was born in 2004 and became known by international critics thanks to Demonstructive, a demo-CD that awakened the interest of a range of people supporting the band in working towards an official release.

Unique in their genre in Italy and internationally competitive, Aphelion recorded a high-quality album also thanks to the production by the great Derek Sherinian. The bubbly former keyboardist of Dream Theater, the mind behind Planet X, was fascinated by the maturity of the band and produced the record along with Alex Todorov in Beachwood Manor Studios in Burbank , California . The album is completed by the presence as a special guest of Alex Stornello, one of the technically most experienced rock-fusion guitarists in Italy , and by the artwork by Mattias Norén (ProgArt).

Aphelion are a technically able quartet, versatile and expressive, who are releasing an exciting album with an international depth, full of groove and intensity, that will be appreciated by the fans of Liquid Tension Experiment, Tribal Tech, Dixie dregs, Cynic and King Crimson.

Aphelion:

Alessandro Bertoni: keyboards.

Sebastiano Pozzobon: electric and fretless bass.

Enrico Pintonello: drums.

Matteo Gasparin: guitars.

Alex Stornello: guitar-solo in Clouds Over Tharsis

Aphelion info:
http://www.aphelion.tv

Aphelion on My Space:
http://www.myspace.com/aphelionspace

Lizard Records:
http://www.lizardrecords.it

Agents of Mercy is a new project from The Flower Kings/Transatlantic/Kaipa musoman Roine Stolt and eccentric singer Nad Sylvan (Unifaun)
Their common love of late ’60s and early ’70s prog is all over this album - Bowie - Lennon - Gabriel - Mercury - ELO - Supertramp - Yes.
Their new album took off in a vocally elaborated retro symphonic direction after initially being planned as an acoustic album by Roine Stolt - yes - music seems to find it’s own ways - we can’t wrestle that universe.

Not a concept album really - but it all start off in a hazy dreamland somewhere the twilight zone - the dreamy theme linger on - some
bordering to the nightmares of worried warrior souls while other tell sunny stories of hope, joy and compassion.

A few favourite drummers tracked drums for the 12 tracks, Pat Mastelotto (King Crimson,XTC,Stickmen etc ) Zoltan Csörsz (TFK,Karmakanic) and Jimmy Keegan (Santana,Kenny Loggins,Spocks Beard Live ) the eccentric Biggo Zelfries (Walrus Farm) did most of the piano,violin and analogue keyboards
and TFK bassist Jonas Reingold add some fretless bass spice too.
First edition is a LTD digipac with a full 77 minutes of music and a 20 pages beautiful book.

Sir Silas Toball (www.silastoball.com) of Goblindesign did the mysterious artwork for us and the album is mixed by agent Stolt at Cosmic Lodge as usual.

Tracklist:

1- The Fading Ghosts Of Twilight 7:29
2- The Unwanted Brother 5:45
3- Afternoon Skies 4:01
4- Heroes & Beacons 9:06
5- Jesus On The Barricades 4:02
6- Wait For The Sun 5:17
7- A Different Sun 8:08
8- Ready To Fly 4:53
9- People Like Us 4:54
10- A Soldiers Tale 11:48
11- Bomb Inside Her Heart 4:25
12- Mercy & Mercury 7:56

Aural evidence :
www.myspace.com/agentsofmercy

Starting this fall both Flowerkings alumni will gather a host of musicians in a night of adventurous prog music joining as “AN EVENING WITH KARMAKANIC & AGENTS OF MERCY LIVE.” All members helping out playing both repertoires in a full big-band-of-prog .

more info: www.flowerkings.se