Dream Theater

Mon
26
Nov

LAST UNION - "Taken" Feat. James LaBrie (Official Video)

 
Italian progressive metal band, LAST UNION feat. as guest DREAM THEATER vocalist James LaBrie have released a new music video and single for 'Taken'. The track is taken from their debut album 'Twelve', which also features Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) on bass, Uli Kusch (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN) on drums, will be releaed on December 21, 2018 through ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records.
Artist: 
 
Tue
17
Oct

The Prog Report New Book Covering Modern Progressive Rock

Categories: 
News Feed
 
Essential Modern Progressive Rock Albums: Images and Words Behind Prog's Most Celebrated Albums 1990-2016 Available For Pre-order Now
 
Earlier this summer, a new book dedicated to the resurgence of one of music's most enduring and underrated genres was announced from The Prog Report. Essential Modern Progressive Rock Albums: Images and Words Behind Prog's Most Celebrated Albums 1990-2016, authored by Prog Report editor Roie Avin, is the first book to shine a light exclusively on the important albums of the modern progressive rock era. This new book showcases more than 50 albums from the last quarter century of prog, with each chapter dedicated to one album.
Featuring full color images of the artists live, original press photos and brilliant album cover art, this 280+ page, soft cover coffee table book will be one every prog fan will want to display proudly as a badge of their fandom.

The book, out in late November, is now available for preorder only at: http://progreport.com/essential-modern-prog-rock-albums/

Preorders come with a download of a chapter from the book on Transatlantic's The Whirlwind.

Highlighted in the book are prolific and pioneering artists such as Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Spock's Beard, Marillion, The Flower Kings, Enchant, Fates Warning, Queensryche, and Big Big Train, along with more recent bands like Haken, Karnivool, Riverside, Between the Buried and Me, and The Dear Hunter, among the more than 30 bands included. Drawing on original interviews with band members such as Mike Portnoy, Neal Morse, Steven Wilson, John Petrucci, Mikael Ã…kerfeldt, Roine Stolt, Pete Trewavas, Ross Jennings, and dozens more, the book offers an in-depth look at the stories behind the albums that shaped the next wave of progressive rock. This book focuses solely on bands that carried the mantle of the genre's initial '70s explosion, artists that expanded the genre further, incorporating new sounds and elements to reach new audiences worldwide. 

'The last 25+ years have been an incredibly fruitful period for progressive music, as this books indicates. The albums chosen here represent some of the most exciting music created in the modern progressive period, and it's only right that they claim their moment in the spotlight.' - Jerry Ewing, Prog Magazine

'There certainly was a period when the majority of bands of the New Prog generation, whilst more than competent, sounded just a bit too derivative of the their first generation idols. But Roie Avin's book goes some way to establish the credentials of the more recent Neo-Prog bands as having a far more individual and original voice whether it be the virtuosity of Dream Theater, the creativity and appeal of Big Big Train, or the highly impressive path carved out by Steven Wilson firstly with Porcupine Tree and latterly, in his own right.' - Anthony Phillips, Genesis founding member and guitarist

'This looks to be an amazing book and a MUST HAVE for Prog fans!' - Mike Portnoy

Teaser video that was released in July: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuamlgOsIOI

To purchase: http://progreport.com/essential-modern-prog-rock-albums/
 
Wed
02
Aug

SONS OF APOLLO Unites PORTNOY, SHEEHAN, SOTO, SHERINIAN & BUMBLEFOOT

Friday, October 20, 2017
Categories: 
News Feed
Introducing SONS OF APOLLO!
For the past few months, rumours have been circulating about a new secret project including former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian. Now, the time has come to make the grand and highly anticipated introduction to their new band, SONS OF APOLLO.
Reuniting to form SONS OF APOLLO, Portnoy and Sherinian have joined forces with Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (ex-Guns N’ Roses), Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) and Jeff Scott Soto (ex-Journey, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force).
Their debut album, PSYCHOTIC SYMPHONY, will be released 20th October on InsideOutMusic/Sony Music. An album teaser can be seen on InsideOutMusic’s YouTube page here: https://youtu.be/kPN2DttzlZQ
 
 
 
 
SONS OF APOLLO got together very organically, as Portnoy explains: “Derek and I reunited shortly after I left Dream Theater in 2010 and we put together an all-instrumental touring band with he and I, Billy Sheehan, and Tony MacAlpine. That was my first time working with Derek since the ‘90s when he was in Dream Theater and it was just great to be working with him again. Ever since that tour, which was really just a one-off live thing, he has been nudging me to start a real, original, full-time band. The timing just had never been right, because I had too many other things on my plate. Long story short, the time was finally right to take the bait and put together a band.”
 
“Mike and I work at a relentless pace in the studio,” continues Sherinian. “The music is modern, but we have an old school soul. What is unique about SONS OF APOLLO is that we have true rock n’ roll swagger along with the virtuosity-- a lethal combination!”
 
But what to call the next great supergroup? “Derek was mainly the one behind the name,” says Portnoy. “I have a list that I keep on my phone of about a hundred different band names, which I constantly have to refer to every time I have a new band every year (laughs). So, I pulled up the list and Apollo was one of the names on the list. It was a word that both of us really liked. We started fiddling with different variations of the word. One of the original band names we were working with was Apollo Creed, the character from the ‘Rocky’ movies, but after lots of different discussions on different variations, Derek suggested SONS OF APOLLO and it seemed to stick. Apollo is the God of Music so with that in mind it seemed like a fitting name.”
 
Mike Portnoy, Derek Sherinian and Billy Sheehan previously toured together in 2012 and 2013 as PSMS (along with guitarist Tony MacAlpine), playing all instrumental versions from each of their previously recorded music. SONS OF APOLLO is the next logical progression by adding a vocalist and creating all-original material. The band incorporates the progressive style and individual technical prowess that Portnoy & Sherinian shared together in Dream Theater combined with the swagger and groove of Van Halen, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.
 
“I have known Mike and Derek for a long time, so when they came to me with Sons of Apollo, I jumped on this straight away,” says Thomas Waber, Label Manager/A&R International of InsideOutMusic. “However, the album they ended up recording exceeded my already high expectations by a long mile! We couldn’t be happier about it!”
 
SONS OF APOLLO will hit the road in 2018 for their first worldwide tour.
 
“This is a real band,” Portnoy declares. “This is going to pick up for me and Billy where The Winery Dogs left off, in terms of this being the next logical full-time thing for us. I’m not saying The Winery Dogs have broken up, because we haven’t, we’re just on a break. SONS OF APOLLO is absolutely going to be a full-time band and we plan on touring all over the world all throughout 2018 and, honestly, it is the priority for all five of us.”
 
Sherinian agrees, “We will go on a worldwide crusade in 2018 to bring SONS OF APOLLO to as many people as possible. Apollo was the God of Music, and we are his mighty offspring!”
 
 
 
Mon
17
Oct

Rik Emmett & RESolution9 - RES9 (Review)

information persons: 
content: 
55%
Produced By: 
Rik Emmett
Release Date: 
2016
Released: 
Worldwide
Musical Style: 
Blues / Rock
Label: 
Mascot
Score: 
55
Categories: 
Reviews
 
I don’t think I could have put into words the excitement I felt as knowing Canadian legend Rik Emmett was set to deliver a new “rock’ album after several years of more laid back, blues/acoustic styled releases.
His solo debut Absolutely remains one of my favourite melodic rock albums of all time and Triumph is one of the greatest ever Canadian rock bands, and there’s plenty to choose from.
Anyway, Rik’s voice is effortless to listen to and his guitar work quite marvellous.
 
Then the guests were announced – James LaBrie, Alex Liefson and even a track with the Triumph guys!
Expectations were set to overload, which is why I’ve come down to earth with such a thud.
 
Opening with the rocker Stand Still, it sounded like everything I wanted was about to be delivered. The shimmering bluesy rocker has the feel of Absolutely and then the glorious melodic rock of Human Race (feat. Alex Lifeson) was hugely satisfying.
Making it three from three is the big ballad I Sing (feat. James LaBrie), again touching on Rik’s old sound.
But it is here that the album unravelled for me.
 
First, following the ballad just gone was two more ballads – but both slow bluesy number that I’ve simply heard enough of from Rik.
Then a third laid back track (making 4 in a row) is a Santana styled bluesy guitar opus only to be followed by another slow acoustic blues number that frankly has zero interest to me.
So that’s half the album all bundled together that I have no interest in and isn’t anything like the rock album that was promoted.
 
Heads Up gathers a little pace finally and can be called a rock track. It’s ok, nothing like the opening two gems.
Rest of My Life continues the laid back theme, as does End of the Line (feat. Alex Lifeson & James LaBrie). At least this track has guitars turned up. It’s more a bluesy rock jam, with no emphasis on hook or chorus.
 
And then comes the biggest disappointment of all. The Triumph reunion on Grand Parade. It is a slow, acoustic driven blues ballad that just doesn’t go anywhere. I can’t believe it. The guys are just wasted.

Sorry Rik, as much as there is some fine musicianship on this (to be expected), the songwriting remains placid and ultimately unsatisfying. It’s way too laid back and should not be promoted as a rock record, aside from 3, maybe 4 of the tracks.
The guitar work is amazing, but the bluesy direction and the lack of energy makes this one of 2016’s biggest disappointments.

 

 
Mon
01
Aug

RIK EMMETT's RESolution9 Revealed

Artist: 
Categories: 
News Feed
 
 
RES 9 Management along with Mascot Label Group is pleased to announce that Rik Emmett and his new band, RESolution9, have just delivered an album of 11 brand new rockers as part of a multi-album, worldwide deal. The album, entitled RES 9, is tentatively slated to be released through Mascot Label Group in November 2016.
 
The members of RESolution9 are from Rik's touring quartet: Dave Dunlop on guitar, Steve Skingley on bass, and Paul DeLong on drums, with Dave and Steve co-producing the project.
 
Much of the album was recorded and mixed at Mississauga's famed MetalWorks Studios, where Rik enjoyed a profoundly comfortable re-connectivity to his own roots. In fact, the other two founding members of Triumph (Gil Moore and Mike Levine, from the trio that received 18 gold and 9 platinum awards in Canada and the U.S. in the 70's & 80's) reunite with Rik as special guests on "The Grand Parade," a song that conjures 1979's "Suitcase Blues."
 
Additionally, legendary guitarist Alex Lifeson of Rush performs on two stellar tracks, with James LaBrie of Dream Theater contributing extraordinary guest vocals on two cuts as well.
 
Canadian Rock and Juno Hall of Famer Rik Emmett says, "I'm really happy and grateful that Mascot Label Group gave our band complete freedom, and trusted us to do our best. Some might see this as a comeback record, but I’m really proud of the vitality the band generated. For me, it's always about the songwriting - how the melodies and sonic landscapes capture the storytelling."
 
A more detailed press release will be issued by Mascot Label Group once the album secures its formal release date. Fans can visit www.rikemmett.com and www.mascotlabelgroup.com for more information.
 
 
Mon
04
Jul

Exclusive - RIK EMMETT Project Boasts TRIUMPH Reunion & More

Artist: 
Categories: 
News Feed
 
MelodicRock Exclusive:
 
I can exclusively reveal a few details behind Canadian legend RIK EMMETT's new project. The album is due out later this year, but will not be under Rik's name, rather the moniker RES9 (RIK EMMETT RESOLUTION 9) in it's expanded form.
 
Recently Rik and the other members of TRIUMPH posted a picture of the trio working together in the studio on a song for Rik's album.
 
I can now deliver the news that the trio are recording THREE new TRIUMPH songs for the project.
 
But that's not all. There are some other very special guests on the RES9 project - Rush guitarist ALEX LIFESON and Dream Theater vocalist JAMES LABRIE!
 
There is a lot of effort being put into this behind the scenes, stay tuned for more!
 
 
Wed
02
Dec

DREAM THEATER Begin The Unveiling of 'The Astonishing'

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
News Feed
 
Just how long and how much effort have DREAM THEATER put into the story behind their upcoming album? Check out the details as they are slowly released via: http://www.dreamtheater.net/theastonishing
 
ACT I
1. Descent of the NOMACS
2. Dystopian Overture
3. The Gift of Music
4. The Answer
5. A Better Life
6. Lord Nafaryus
7. A Savior in the Square
8. When Your Time Has Come
9. Act of Faythe
10. Three Days
11. The Hovering Sojourn
12. Brother, Can You Hear Me?
13. A Life Left Behind
14. Ravenskill
15. Chosen
16. A Tempting Offer
17. Digital Discord
18. The X Aspect
19. A New Beginning
20. The Road to Revolution

ACT II
1. 2285 Entr'acte
2. Moment of Betrayal
3. Heaven's Cove
4. Begin Again
5. The Path That Divides
6. Machine Chatter
7. The Walking Shadow
8. My Last Farewell
9. Losing Faythe
10. Whispers on the Wind
11. Hymn of a Thousand Voices
12. Our New World
13. Power Down
14. Astonishing
 
Wed
11
Nov

DREAM THEATER Will Debut Their New Album Live In Its Entirety

Artist: 
Release Year: 
2015
DREAM THEATER WILL DEBUT THEIR NEW ALBUM LIVE IN ITS ENTIRETY
Dream Theater has announced new tour dates for a momentous European run that's set to kick off on February 18th at the Palladium in London, England. The tour will see the prog-titans delivering a one-of-a-kind show in which they premier their entire forthcoming album live. The band's unique performance is already set to make stops at prestigious theaters around Europe - including Amsterdam's Carre Theater, Stockholm's Cirkus, Paris' Palais des Congres, Milan's Teatro Degli Arcimboldi, and Zurich's Kongresshaus, with additional dates to be announced soon. A limited number of tickets are available now; see the attached itinerary. For up-to-the-minute news, new tour stops, and for all tickets, please visit www.dreamtheater.net/tour.

 

 
Thu
28
Aug

DREAM THEATER Announce Special Berklee Live DVD/CD Release

Artist: 
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Categories: 
News Feed
GRAMMY-NOMINATED PROGRESSIVE METAL TITANS TO RELEASE LIVE BLU-RAY / DVD,
BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE)

ONE-OF-A-KIND PERFORMANCE CAPTURED IN HD FEATURING 
SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMANCES FROM THE BERKLEE COLLEGE OFMUSIC ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR
“THE LOOKING GLASS” (LIVE) AVAILABLE FOR STREAMING
BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE) ARRIVES SEPTEMBER 30TH, 
PRE-ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW

AUGUST 21, 2014 - DREAM THEATER--Grammy-nominated progressive metal titans--have announced the release of BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE), a live Blu-Ray / DVD set of the band’s one-of-a-kind performance from the Boston Opera House on March 25, 2014. Produced by the band’s own John Petrucci, filmed and directed by Pierre and François Lamoureux, and mixed and mastered by Richard Chycki, BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE) is over 2 hours in length, capturing the special evening, which featured guest performances from The Berklee College of Music Orchestra and Choir. BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE) arrives September 30TH.
The collection will be available in multiple configurations including Blu-Ray, a 2 DVD set, and a webstore deluxe exclusive Blu-Ray/3 CD set with poster, all currently available for pre-order via the Roadrunner Records webstore. Furthermore, Dream Theater have premiered a video of “The Looking Glass” (LIVE) taken from BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL (LIVE FROM THE BOSTON OPERA HOUSE) which can be streamed on the band’s official YouTube Channel. All pre-orders for the webstore exclusive will receive an instant download “The Looking Glass” (LIVE).
 
Dream Theater’s John Petrucci commented on the special event saying, “In many ways, this was a huge homecoming for the band given the history of Dream Theater’s origins and ties with Berklee. With John and I both being alumni and Mike having been a professor at the college for 10 years, we saw the opportunity to perform together with the students of Berklee as a tremendous thrill and honor. We are extremely grateful for everyone's hard work in making this special event a reality and to all who participated.” He continued, “All of the Berklee College instrumentalists and vocalists did an outstanding job that night and it was awesome to have one of its students, Eren Başbuğ orchestrate and conduct them live at the Opera House after having been a part of our latest studio release in the same capacity. Dream Theater has always had a great connection to the city of Boston and we knew that against the backdrop of the beautiful Opera House, this would end up being a historic stop on our 'Along For The Ride' world tour and an evening most definitely worth capturing on video. Beautifully filmed and directed by Pierre Lamoureux and brilliantly mixed and mastered by Richard Chycki, this is in my opinion, a major highlight in our nearly 30 year career as a band. We are eagerly anticipating its release this fall and really hope that everyone enjoys it!”
 
This past year DREAM THEATER earned a second Grammy nomination for “Best Metal Performance” for the single “The Enemy Inside” from their current self-titled worldwide smash album (released September 24, 2013 on Roadrunner Records). “DREAM THEATER” made a spectacular debut this past fall, topping Billboard’s “Hard Rock Albums” chart while simultaneously entering at #7 on the overall Billboard 200. The extraordinary chart position marked the group’s third consecutive top 10 debut, and also saw "DREAM THEATER" making top 5 chart debuts in Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada, Argentina, Switzerland, Holland, and Finland, as well as top 10 debuts in Denmark, Austria, and Norway, with career high debuts in the United Kingdom and Australia. The band recently announced new tour dates which will see them bring their spectacular live show to South America, Asia and Australia later this fall.
 
For up-to-the-minute news, tour dates and ticket information, please visithttp://www.dreamtheater.net/tour.
 
About DREAM THEATER:
With total sales exceeding 10 million albums and DVDs worldwide, Dream Theater have long stood tall within the upper echelons of hard rock. Albums such as 1992’s RIAA gold-certified classic Images & Words (featuring the breakthrough top 10 single, “Pull Me Under”) have earned the band countless accolades for their visionary synthesis of melodic power and virtuosic experimentation, including being named as one of Rolling Stone’s top 10 “Best Prog Rock Bands Of All Time.”
 
For more information on DREAM THEATER, visit:
 
Tue
12
Aug

DREAM THEATER Live In Australia This October

Artist: 
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Categories: 
Tour News
DREAM THEATER ANNOUNCE ‘AN EVENING WITH DREAM THEATER’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2014
 
Tombowler and Metropolis Touring Present:
 
ANNOUNCE ‘AN EVENING WITH DREAM THEATER’ AUSTRALIAN TOUR 2014
 
If there is one name that is synonymous with modern Post Progressive Metal, it would undeniably be Dream Theater.
 
The supreme lords of the genre own their style, best described as mixing the progressive tendencies of bands such as Pink Floyd, Rush and Yes with the metal edge of Metallica and Iron Maiden. With a career spanning close to 30 years, Dream Theater have recorded over 10 million album sales around the world to a fanatical diehard fanbase.
It has been 5 years since Dream Theater’s last visit in 2009 and Australian fans have been chomping at the bit for a return tour from the mesmerising kings of post prog metal.
 
Metropolis Touring and Tombowler are therefore thrilled to announce Dream Theater will be finally returning to Australia for two very special, exclusive and intimate performances in Sydney and Melbourne this October!
 
Expressive, extraordinary and genre-defining, Dream Theater’s music is as timeless as their dozen-album strong discography would suggest, while their latest album, the self-titled Dream Theater sees the band ever advancing toward new horizons.  This latest record is the first featuring the full integration into the band of new drummer Mike Mangini, making their current lineup something to behold. 
 
The mountain of awards and accolades from publications such as Guitar World, Revolver, Metal Hammer, Rolling Stone, Spin, Classic Rock as well as Grammy nominations rightly bestowed upon the band over the course of their storied career shouldn’t overshadow the most important thing Dream Theater has always offered: engaging, deeply resonant and undeniably catchy songs.
 
Pull Me Under, Caught In A Web, Forsaken, Lie, Take The Time, On The Backs Of Angels, Trial Of Tears, As I Am, Burning My Soul and The Enemy Inside are but just a few songs that have left fans in awe as they witness Dream Theater’s fingers fly; stirring up their own weather system of atmospheric and hauntingly hypnotic prog prowess.
Flawless as their albums are, it is the live setting where Dream Theater truly shine - their music comes alive, showcasing a gargantuan sound (and having John Petrucci’s wall of guitar blasting you in the face is something that has to be experienced to be believed!)
 
“Whenever a band of the magnitude of Dream Theater comes to town, the excitement is palpable. Tonight was no different, and the Palais was packed with fans itching to share in an experience that only takes place once every few years”FasterLouder
 
Dream Theater’s proficiency and technical wizardry is at full flight with the near three hour ‘An Evening With Dream Theatre’ performance loaded with nothing but the best from Dream Theater! The tour has been nominated for a ‘best live event’ award at this year’s Progressive Music Awards, demonstrating it is certainly one of the finest Prog shows currently touring the world.  Ensure you are one of the lucky ones along for the ride with Dream Theater on their two exclusive Australian performances in October!
 
An Evening With Dream Theater - Australian Tour 2014
Wednesday October 29 - The Palais, Melbourne
Thursday October 30 - The Big Top, Sydney
 
 
Exclusive Pre-Sale from 9am Monday 18th Aug
 

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