Prog Metal news & releases(Ministry Of Lost Souls)

 

 

Hello folks, and sorry for the long silence from us.  It's been a very busy summer for us away from Redemption, particularly for Ray who as most of you surely know did a reunion tour with the Parallels lineup of Fates Warning to commemorate the 20th anniversary of that fantastic release.

I (Nick) remain in complete remission with no trace of the disease that I announced publicly about a year ago.  I remain on three powerful medications to ensure that the cancer does not return.  Of the five original active lesions in my bones, none are active for cancer and one of them has resolved (i.e. been completely repaired with new bone).  The other four are in the process of being repaired and that is the next big milestone.  Patience is required but I believe they will get there.  If that happens, it is a good sign that I am well down the road to being cured (according to the very aggressive doctor to whom I entrust my care).  However I must remain on these medicines for two more years.  They have many unpleasant side effects but I am resolved to stick with the program and beat "incurable" blood cancer.  Thank you all very much for your prayers, positive vibes and words of support -- they mean a lot.

And so life continues, and with it, a new Redemption CD in the works!  We are in the early pre-production stages at this point, still composing and arranging.  It's too early to say too much, but I can share that the arrangements vary from short (for us!) hard-hitting songs to at least one and possibly two more sprawling ideas, and that a few of the working titles at this point are Noonday Devil, Dreams from the Pit and Rain in my Soul.

We'll have more to post in the coming weeks and months, and hopefully some great new music for you in 2011!

As always, thank you for your support and interest!

Best,

Nick

 

Here is the track "Second Time"

 

 

 

 

 

Edit: Now available at Vics Records store: http://www.vicrecords.com/shop.php?product=41

 

 

Back in 1999, Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based Utopian Vision Music released a three-song self-titled EP by ODYSSEY, a band featuring Swedish multi-instrumentalist/producer Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH), Rick Gustafson (ex-MEMORY GARDEN), and Kenth Philipsson (DARK FUNERAL, THE PROJECT HATE). The EP has long been out of print and is a much-sought-after collector's item.

Later this year, Vic Records, which acquired the rights to the EP in 2007, will re-release this slab of epic progressive metal. The EP was remastered by Swanö and will feature no less than six brand new cover versions:

* In The Heat Of The Night (SANDRA) feat. Marcus Vanhala on lead guitar
* Eyes Of The World (RAINBOW) feat. Tino Kallioniemi on lead guitar
* Shake The Disease (DEPECHE MODE)
* At The Gallows End (CANDLEMASS)
* Gypsy (URIAH HEEP) feat. Dag Swanö on lead guitar
* Lost Horizons (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) featuring lead guitars from Vanhala and Morgan Pettersson

Commented Swanö: "Most of these songs were up for 'covering' at some earlier point in my career. The SANDRA song was destined for the cancelled ROUTE NINE full-length album. 'Eyes Of The World' was demoed once before for a cancelled NIGHTINGALE EP where we all recorded one song each and played all instruments too. 'At the Gallows End' and 'Lost Horizons' were both candidates for the cover of choice for 'Until Eternity Ends' until I accidentally stumbled on 'Invisible Sun' and felt a 'black album' treatment of that would be a far more original choice ('Lost Horizons' was also covered by MEMENTO MORI at the same time... same label)."

The cover artwork the ODYSSEY EP reissue, now titled "Reinventing The Past", was created by Ivan at Bragin Design and can be viewed below.

 

Yeah the album details has been posted and I am also very lucky to have been given the promo!!

 

Very much in the vein of the debut, so if anyone liked that then definitiely pre-order the sophomore.

 

 

A track has been released on MySpace.

 

Release details have been added to the calendar.

 

 

 

 

What is this group like? Album cover looks...umm scary

Progressive instrumental metal outfit, ANIMALS AS LEADERS, have launched a brief teaser for their upcoming music video for the track, “CAFO.” The video was directed by Scott Hansen, who’s previously done videos for Willie Nelson, The Devil Wears Prada, A Day To Remember, amongst others, and features animation and visual effects by AFTER, who have collaborated with the band on past art and graphic design. Check it out now!

ANIMALS AS LEADERS will be hitting the road next week for a trek supporting Circa Survive. The band took part in this year’s “Summer Slaughter” and have toured with Between the Buried and Me, Periphery, Veil Of Maya and The Dillinger Escape Plan in the past year. Their upcoming dates are:

10/15 Hartford, CT – The Webster #

10/16 Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony #

10/17 Towson, MD – The Recher Theatre #

10/19 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle #

10/20 Charleston, SC – The Music Farm #

10/21 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade #

10/22 Lake Buena Vista, FL – House Of Blues #

10/23 Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution #

10/26 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues #

10/27 Houston, TX – House Of Blues #

10/29 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit #

10/30 San Antonio, TX – White Rabbit #

10/31 Dallas, TX – House Of Blues #

11/04 Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues #

11/05 San Diego, CA – House Of Blues #

11/06 Hollywood, CA – Avalon #

11/07 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom #

11/09 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom #

11/10 Seattle, WA – El Corazon #

11/12 Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex #

11/13 Denver, CO – The Summit Music Hall #

11/14 Kansas City, MO – The Beaumont Club #

11/17 Minneapolis, MN – Cabooze On The West Bank #

11/18 Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Club #

11/19 Chicago, IL – House Of Blues #

11/20 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall #

11/21 Cleveland, OH – House Of Blues #

11/23 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance #

11/24 Boston, MA – House Of Blues #

11/26 Philadelphia, PA – Theatre Of Living Arts #

11/27 New York, NY – Irving Plaza #

11/28 New York, NY – Irving Plaza #

# w/ Circa Survive, Codeseven, Dredg 

ANIMALS AS LEADERS’ self-titled debut was released in 2009 to waves of critical acclaim. MetalSucks called it “intricate instru-metal of the highest caliber,” and the album also received a 10/10 from PerfectProg.com and a 9.7/10 from Ultimate-Guitar.com. This past summer, the band released an Itunes exclusive digital single called “Wave of Babies.” Download it here!

Legendary guitarist Steve Vai recently commented on Abasi and ANIMALS AS LEADERS:

“When I first heard Animals As Leaders, I felt as though at last, I was hearing the future of creative, heavy virtuoso guitar playing. It’s quite amazing.”

 

 

North America's progressive metal masters SYMPHONY X are pleased to
announce their upcoming April 25th, 2011 show at the Metropolis in
Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Also on the SYMPHONY X 2011 touring calendar are performances at the Best
Buy Theater (formerly The Nokia) in New York on Friday, April 22nd and at
the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, May 10th.

V.I.P. tickets are available for all three shows and will include early
entry, a Meet & Greet, and a free t-shirt.  Purchase V.I.P. packages
exclusively at EnterTheVault.com.

Lead vocalist Russell Allen checks in about the new release and the
upcoming shows: “I just want to say how excited I am about the new album.
It's gonna kill!  The songs rock and the performances by my fellow band
mates are simply amazing.  We can't wait to see the fans!  You guys know
how much we enjoy performing live.  So get ready, SYMPHONY X has returned.”

SYMPHONY X are currently recording their Nuclear Blast debut and follow-up
to 2007’s Paradise Lost, which has sold over 60,000 copies in North
America.  Allen has finished recording his vocal tracks and the band is
moving on to record keyboards, bass, and guitar solos.  Guitarist Michael
Romeo offers the following update: "We love the fans, and we know we
haven't been as on top of things with the updates this year as we should
have, but when it's down to the wire and we're going 24/7 trying to wrap
things up, then that's what we're focused on. We really think the fans will
like this album; it has been, by far, more work (and harder work) than any
other album, period."

The SYMPHONY X camp adds:  “We're pleased to announce that both drummer
Jason Rullo and lead vocalist Russell Allen recently became fathers for the
second time.  Jason is now the proud father of a beautiful baby girl and
Russell and his wife now have a beautiful baby boy. Congratulations to them
both!”

In other band news, the SYMPHONY X Fan Club has been shut down and is
currently being revamped.  “We anticipate that it will be ready for new
members around the same time as the new CD is released, if not a bit
sooner.  Existing/previous members should have either already received info
on the change to a permanent membership setup and an invite to the new fan
club mailing list or will be receiving it soon.  If you are an
existing/previous SYMPHONY X Fan Club member and have not received this
notification, please contact Jax ( < = =text/> [email protected] ) for more information.”

Fans are encouraged to submit questions for the band’s soon-to-be-updated
FAQ section of their website.  Send questions in to < = =text/> [email protected] with
“FAQ” in the subject line.

Formed in 1994 in New Jersey, SYMPHONY X has seven studio albums and one
live album to their credit.

Visit SYMPHONY X online at www.SYMPHONYX.com,
www.myspace.com/OFFICIALSYMPHONYX, and www.facebook.com/SYMPHONYX