Intelligent Music Project III – TOUCHING THE DIVINE (2015)
feat. John Payne, Simon Phillips, Joseph Williams, Nathan East and Tim Pierce
Music, lyrics and arrangement - Milen Vrabevski, MD
TOUCHING THE DIVINE © 2015 Milen Vrabevski / INTELLIGENT MUSIC
TOUCHING THE DIVINE is the third studio album from Intelligent Music Project and the second all-star line-up, creating a remarkable infusion by its author and producer’s musically erudite and unconventional style, and the full creative input of the legendary musicians. The production features session aces Simon Phillips (drums and percussion), Nathan East (bass) & Tim Pierce (guitars), and the remarkable voices of John Payne (ex-Asia) and Toto`s Joseph Williams, who bring their own flavour to all 14 equally outstanding pieces in the album.
The bands overall musicianship blends impressively with the complexity of musical arrangements, including unforgettable symphonic expansions. Matching the classic rock energy and instrumental charge with his lyrical patterns, rapt and diverse music theme development is the signature style that propels this all-star project of Milen Vrabevski, author and producer of TOUCHING THE DIVINE.
Intelligent Music Project III - featuring:
Simon Phillips - drums and percussion
Nathan East (appears courtesy of Yamaha Entertainment Group) - bass
John Payne - lead & backing vocals
Joseph Williams - lead & backing vocals
Carl Sentance - backing vocals & ad-libs, lead vocal part on track 7.
Tim Pierce - guitars
All: Invaluable full creative input!
Shiraz Lane - Story To Tell // OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Story To Tell - a music video by Shiraz Lane. This is the final track from "Be The Slave Or Be The Change" EP
Billy Sherwood "Citizen" EPK (Official / Studio Album / 2015)
On November 6, 2015, Frontiers Music Srl will release Billy Sherwood's latest, a concept album called CITIZEN.
Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.
The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.
Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in
the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.
Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.
In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.
Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes.
He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”
Billy Sherwood created this concept album based on a lost soul that is reincarnated into various periods of history. "I was inspired by the notion that General Patton believed he was reincarnated on various battlefields through time; I wanted to take that concept even further." As the songwriter/producer, Billy placed the citizen character into significant moments of history.
The lead off track is called “The Citizen" which sets the stage for what's to come on the recording. “The Citizen” features Billy's longtime friends and members of the legendary Progressive Rock band Yes: bassist Chris Squire and former Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye.
Each song places the Citizen into a unique set of circumstances where decisions are made that have serious personal and global consequences. In the song “No Man's Land" (featuring Deep Purple/Dixie Dregs/Kansas guitarist Steve Morse) the Citizen appears as a World War I trench runner who passes the message along to the troops that it's time to attack; the Citizen remains behind and is, ultimately, the only survivor. “Empire" (with lead vocals by Alan Parsons & violin from Jerry Goodman of the Flock, Dixie Dregs, Mahavishnu Orchestra) finds the Citizen as a conscript legionnaire in
the final days of the Roman Empire. “Just Galileo and Me" (sung by Colin Moulding singer/bassist of XTC) shows the Citizen as a protective friend to Galileo, trying to tell the astronomer that he should not tell people that the earth is not flat or he will be labeled as a heretic.
Known as a multi-instrumentalist, Billy performs drums, bass, guitar, keys and sings several of the songs, including “A Theory of its Own” in which the Citizen appears as companion to Charles Darwin on the evolutionist’s maiden voyage. He sings of Native Americans affected by the Indian Removal Act of 1830 in the song, “Trail of Tears,” which features Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Former Genesis guitar player Steve Hackett adds his chops to “Man And The Machine,” which is about an assembly line worker and activist in the late 1890s. "Age Of The Atom” is about the creation of the Atomic Bomb and the questions of morality as a result of it; this features Geoff Downes on keyboards. Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess appears on “Escape Velocity,” a song that speaks to the political implications of the space race in the 1960s.
In “The Great Depression,” Billy's songwriter’s pen draws pain from the heart of a distraught Wall Street investor, who has lost everything in the stock market, and steps out to make a final step off the ledge. Rick Wakeman plays grand piano and other keyboards on this one. Finally, in CITIZEN’s 11th song, “Written In The Centuries,” performed by current Yes singer Jon Davison, Nostradamus is the Citizen busily composing his many predictions.
Billy Sherwood was recently handpicked by Chris Squire to fill in for him on bass and vocals in Yes, before he left for cancer treatment and ultimately, his untimely death. Billy started his career in the band Lodgic and then as a member of World Trade, who have two critically-acclaimed albums. He has produced and engineered for many artists including John Wetton, Motorhead, Queensryche, Paul Rodgers, and Yes.
He joined Yes first as touring member on the “Talk” tour in 1994, and was a full time member from 1997 to 1999. He recorded two albums with Chris Squire as the “Conspiracy” project and released six albums with Circa, the band he formed with Tony Kaye.
CITIZEN is Billy’s eighth album of new material, though he sees this as a group effort, "While I've created a lot of this record myself I couldn't have done it without the amazing talents brought to bear by all the great artists who participated. So I feel it's much more of a collective effort than a solo album. It's my desire to take this production onto the stage and some of these amazing artists can help bring this concept to life.”
MARENNA - Life Goes On - [Official Lyric Video]
New single "Life Goes On" Bonus Track For European Version
EP "My Unconditional Faith"
Line-Up:
Vocals - Rodrigo Marenna
Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards and B. Vocals - Jonas Godoy
Lead Guitars - Rodrigo Campagnolo
Bass - Leandro Moretti
Drums - Guilherme Mello
Vocal Production - Arthur Appel
Produced, mixed and mastered by Jonas Godoy
Recorded in Linha Sonora Studios, Caxias do Sul, RS - Brazil
Internacional Distribution - Imperative Music Agency
Label - Lions Pride Music
Music and lyrics by Rodrigo Marenna
Photography by Gustavo Vara and Andressa Ferreira
Lyric Video by Tiago Medeiros | TM ArtWork
EP "My Unconditional Faith"
Line-Up:
Vocals - Rodrigo Marenna
Rhythm Guitars, Keyboards and B. Vocals - Jonas Godoy
Lead Guitars - Rodrigo Campagnolo
Bass - Leandro Moretti
Drums - Guilherme Mello
Vocal Production - Arthur Appel
Produced, mixed and mastered by Jonas Godoy
Recorded in Linha Sonora Studios, Caxias do Sul, RS - Brazil
Internacional Distribution - Imperative Music Agency
Label - Lions Pride Music
Music and lyrics by Rodrigo Marenna
Photography by Gustavo Vara and Andressa Ferreira
Lyric Video by Tiago Medeiros | TM ArtWork
Vanden Plas "Chronicles of the Immortals: Netherworld II" Trailer
VANDEN PLAS set to release the second chapter of Rock Opera written in collaboration with famed German author Wolfgang Hohlbein. “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II” out on Frontiers in November!
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of the second chapter of VANDEN PLAS' rock opera, “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II” on November 6th.
Approximately one year after the release of the first chapter, Vanden Plas return with their elaborate arrangements, superb piano melodies, and epic instrumental passages, paired with the signature heavy Vanden Plas sound and distinctive vocals of Andy Kuntz. In guitarist Stephan Lill’s words: “This is our 8th studio album, so now we know what works for Vanden Plas and what doesn´t. With every new cd we try to continue to break new ground, while still remaining faithful to our original style. As the songs of “Chronicles of the Immortals - Netherworld Part I & II” are written for a Rock Opera, this time the arrangements of the music are more epic and orchestral than on the previous albums. The engagements for several rock operas in theaters and the work together with big orchestras helped us a lot to improve the way of writing songs or to arrange song parts in a way that makes it special. A band needs this kind of a light progression. And maybe the next cd will sound a bit more reduced again, we will see.”
Fans of the saga of the immortal Andrej Delãny will now be able to enjoy the eagerly awaited continuation with "Chronicle Of The Immortals - Netherworld II." As "Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld, Path I" ended, the perfidious plans of the dark Godmaker threatened to emerge. All seemed lost, yet from within the pervading darkness shone a soft light. Deliverance comes in the second half of the story, where the creative duo of Vanden Plas and Wolfgang Hohlbein has merged again in top form. And of course it will be up to the listener to find out how the story will end!
“Wolfgang Hohlbein was, together with his manager Dieter Winkler and our singer Andy, responsible for the story which was the base for both “Chronicles of the immortals - Netherworld” cd´s. For the theater piece we did here in Germany, he wrote a book especially for this event what was fantastic,” tells Stephan. Vanden Plas has always been open to remarkable and unusual ideas, and the collaboration with the writer Wolfgang Hohlbein found fertile ground there from the beginning. The author who has sold more than 40 million books worldwide was a big fan of the band. "Blutnacht" (Bloodnight), a stage production performed at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, was based on his series "The Chronicle of the Immortals." Hohlbein, his manager Dieter Winkler, and Vanden Plas frontman Andy Kuntz developed the story and Vanden Plas provided the musical realization. The reward was 25 sold-out performances during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and unanimously thrilled audiences.
“We will start the shows in support of the new album during the winter of 2015. For the previous cd, we played 3 to 4 shows in seven countries in Europe. That´s what we plan also for the beginning of 2016. We just have to coordinate the dates of our Vanden Plas concerts with the dates of our theatre shows to take care that there won´t be a crossing over,” concludes Stephan.
For more than 20 years, Vanden Plas has stood for intelligent Progressive Metal. With "Netherworld II," the conclusion of "Chronicles Of The Immortals," the band now opens a new and exciting chapter in its career.
Tracklisting:
VISION 11even * In My Universe
VISION 12elve * Godmaker´S Temptation
VISION 13teen * Stone Roses Edge
VISION 14teen * Blood Of Eden (* All love must die) (* The rite)(* This is the night)
VISION 15teen * Monster
VISION 16teen * Diabolica Comedia
VISION 17teen * Where Have The Children Gone
VISION 18teen * The Last Fight
VISION 19teen * Circle Of The Devil
Line up
Andy Kuntz (Vocals), Stephan Lill (Guitar), Günter Werno (Keyboards), Torsten Reichert (Bass), Andreas Lill (Drums)
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of the second chapter of VANDEN PLAS' rock opera, “Chronicles of the Immortals – Netherworld II” on November 6th.
Approximately one year after the release of the first chapter, Vanden Plas return with their elaborate arrangements, superb piano melodies, and epic instrumental passages, paired with the signature heavy Vanden Plas sound and distinctive vocals of Andy Kuntz. In guitarist Stephan Lill’s words: “This is our 8th studio album, so now we know what works for Vanden Plas and what doesn´t. With every new cd we try to continue to break new ground, while still remaining faithful to our original style. As the songs of “Chronicles of the Immortals - Netherworld Part I & II” are written for a Rock Opera, this time the arrangements of the music are more epic and orchestral than on the previous albums. The engagements for several rock operas in theaters and the work together with big orchestras helped us a lot to improve the way of writing songs or to arrange song parts in a way that makes it special. A band needs this kind of a light progression. And maybe the next cd will sound a bit more reduced again, we will see.”
Fans of the saga of the immortal Andrej Delãny will now be able to enjoy the eagerly awaited continuation with "Chronicle Of The Immortals - Netherworld II." As "Chronicles Of The Immortals - Netherworld, Path I" ended, the perfidious plans of the dark Godmaker threatened to emerge. All seemed lost, yet from within the pervading darkness shone a soft light. Deliverance comes in the second half of the story, where the creative duo of Vanden Plas and Wolfgang Hohlbein has merged again in top form. And of course it will be up to the listener to find out how the story will end!
“Wolfgang Hohlbein was, together with his manager Dieter Winkler and our singer Andy, responsible for the story which was the base for both “Chronicles of the immortals - Netherworld” cd´s. For the theater piece we did here in Germany, he wrote a book especially for this event what was fantastic,” tells Stephan. Vanden Plas has always been open to remarkable and unusual ideas, and the collaboration with the writer Wolfgang Hohlbein found fertile ground there from the beginning. The author who has sold more than 40 million books worldwide was a big fan of the band. "Blutnacht" (Bloodnight), a stage production performed at the Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, was based on his series "The Chronicle of the Immortals." Hohlbein, his manager Dieter Winkler, and Vanden Plas frontman Andy Kuntz developed the story and Vanden Plas provided the musical realization. The reward was 25 sold-out performances during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and unanimously thrilled audiences.
“We will start the shows in support of the new album during the winter of 2015. For the previous cd, we played 3 to 4 shows in seven countries in Europe. That´s what we plan also for the beginning of 2016. We just have to coordinate the dates of our Vanden Plas concerts with the dates of our theatre shows to take care that there won´t be a crossing over,” concludes Stephan.
For more than 20 years, Vanden Plas has stood for intelligent Progressive Metal. With "Netherworld II," the conclusion of "Chronicles Of The Immortals," the band now opens a new and exciting chapter in its career.
Tracklisting:
VISION 11even * In My Universe
VISION 12elve * Godmaker´S Temptation
VISION 13teen * Stone Roses Edge
VISION 14teen * Blood Of Eden (* All love must die) (* The rite)(* This is the night)
VISION 15teen * Monster
VISION 16teen * Diabolica Comedia
VISION 17teen * Where Have The Children Gone
VISION 18teen * The Last Fight
VISION 19teen * Circle Of The Devil
Line up
Andy Kuntz (Vocals), Stephan Lill (Guitar), Günter Werno (Keyboards), Torsten Reichert (Bass), Andreas Lill (Drums)
Magnus Karlsson’s Free Fall "Kingdom of Rock" Trailer
Magnus Karlsson is well known as the mastermind behind several Frontiers Music Srl productions, including the successful initial ALLEN/LANDE trilogy, STARBREAKER, BOB CATLEY, KISKE/SOMERVILLE and many more. In 2008, he joined the German Heavy Metal icons PRIMAL FEAR and with them has toured the world and recorded two successful albums that climbed high on the charts in several countries.
For this new album – aptly titled “Kingdom of Rock” - Magnus enlisted a dream team featuring some of the strongest melodic singers in metal and hard rock! The list includes TONY HARNELL (Skid Row, TNT, Starbreaker), RICK ALTZI (Masterplan, At Vance), DAVID READMAN (Pink Cream 69, Voodoo Circle), JORN LANDE, JAKOB SAMUEL (The Poodles), JOE LYNN TURNER (Rainbow, Malmsteen, Deep Purple), TONY MARTIN (Black Sabbath), HARRY HESS (Harem Scarem) and REBECCA DE LA MOTTE. Rounding out the line-up on the album is Jaime Salazar on drums with production by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Primal Fear, Amaranthe, Pretty Maids and more).
Magnus Karlsson says, “When I made the first Free Fall album I had a wish list of my favorite singers. The list just got longer and longer and I realized that one album just wasn’t enough. I knew that some of the names on the list would be almost impossible to get but hey it’s ok to dream right? I started to work harder than ever before on new songs specially written for each singer. Well sometimes dreams come true and now some of the greatest singers in the world joined the dream team. This is not about having big names on the album, this is simply about making the best music I possibly can for the best singers I know!”
BAND MEMBERS:
Magnus Karlsson - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Jaime Salazar - Drums
GUEST SINGERS: JORN LANDE, JAKOB SAMUEL, JOE LYNN TURNER, TONY MARTIN, DAVID READMAN, TONY HARNELL, RICK ALTZI, REBECCA DE LA MOTTE, HARRY HESS.
For this new album – aptly titled “Kingdom of Rock” - Magnus enlisted a dream team featuring some of the strongest melodic singers in metal and hard rock! The list includes TONY HARNELL (Skid Row, TNT, Starbreaker), RICK ALTZI (Masterplan, At Vance), DAVID READMAN (Pink Cream 69, Voodoo Circle), JORN LANDE, JAKOB SAMUEL (The Poodles), JOE LYNN TURNER (Rainbow, Malmsteen, Deep Purple), TONY MARTIN (Black Sabbath), HARRY HESS (Harem Scarem) and REBECCA DE LA MOTTE. Rounding out the line-up on the album is Jaime Salazar on drums with production by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Primal Fear, Amaranthe, Pretty Maids and more).
Magnus Karlsson says, “When I made the first Free Fall album I had a wish list of my favorite singers. The list just got longer and longer and I realized that one album just wasn’t enough. I knew that some of the names on the list would be almost impossible to get but hey it’s ok to dream right? I started to work harder than ever before on new songs specially written for each singer. Well sometimes dreams come true and now some of the greatest singers in the world joined the dream team. This is not about having big names on the album, this is simply about making the best music I possibly can for the best singers I know!”
BAND MEMBERS:
Magnus Karlsson - Guitars, Bass, Keyboards, Vocals
Jaime Salazar - Drums
GUEST SINGERS: JORN LANDE, JAKOB SAMUEL, JOE LYNN TURNER, TONY MARTIN, DAVID READMAN, TONY HARNELL, RICK ALTZI, REBECCA DE LA MOTTE, HARRY HESS.
Frontiers Music Srl - August 2015 Releases Spot
Featuring Lynch Mob, Praying Mantis, Royal Hunt and The Murder of My Sweet.
Waken Eyes - Exodus [OFFICIAL ALBUM TEASER]
Album teaser for the upcoming Waken Eyes debut album "Exodus".
Waken Eyes is:
Henrik Båth [Darkwater] – Vocals
Mike Lepond [Symphony X] – Bass
Tom Frelek – Guitars/Keyboards/Orchestration
Marco Minnemann [The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani] - Drums
Release date: October 30th
Waken Eyes is:
Henrik Båth [Darkwater] – Vocals
Mike Lepond [Symphony X] – Bass
Tom Frelek – Guitars/Keyboards/Orchestration
Marco Minnemann [The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani] - Drums
Release date: October 30th
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