Saga

Sun
14
Jan

Johan Kihlberg's IMPERA Launch 'Age Of Discovery' Feb 23

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After three albums with his band IMPERA, founding drummer Johan Kihlberg decided it was time to spread his wings, and the Swede came up with the idea to record his first solo effort, Johan Kihlberg’s Impera “Age Of Discovery”.  “I felt this would give me the opportunity to spread my wings a bit and work with some other people," Johan said. "I grew up with bands like KISS, QUEEN, ABBA and THE BEATLES, who were not afraid to have a wide range of styles on their albums. I’m obviously a hard rock fan at heart, but I’m also influenced by bands like SIMPLE MINDS, KRAFTWERK, MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND, HUMAN LEAGUE and many others. I’m also a huge fan of movies and movie soundtracks."
 
The first person Johan approached was LION’S SHARE guitarist Lars Chriss, who is also a renowned producer and mixer.  “Johan and I got together and started writing songs," Chriss said. "He usually had an idea of the direction and we took it from there. We also had a couple of friends coming up with basic ideas for about half of the album. We had the luxury to cherry-pick the songs we thought would add to what we already had going. For lyrics and melodies we worked closely with singer Mick Devine of the band SEVEN, whom I’ve done a couple albums with the last couple of years. My old friend and LION’S SHARE keyboardist Kay Backlund stepped up to the plate and worked with us on a couple of tracks as well."
 
Kihlberg and Chriss decided to work with several different singers on the project, while enlisting Kihlberg’s longtime friend and IMPERA bandmate Mats Vassfjord to lay down the bass tracks. "As soon as we had the songs written, we started thinking about what voice and singer that would fit each individual track the best," Kihlberg said. "Fortunately, they all agreed and did an amazing job on the album. I even managed to get one of my all-time favorite singers, Michael Sadler from SAGA, to sing a song."
 
Johan Kihlberg’s Impera “Age Of Discovery” features a wide range of musical influences while remaining a very strong, melodic and powerful album. It boasts great production work by Chriss and a stunning artwork by Carl-André Beckston.

Line-up: Johan Kihlberg - Drums/Keyboards; Lars Chriss (Lion’s Share)- Guitars; Mats Vassfjord (220 Volt) Bass; Michael Sadler (Saga) - Lead & Backing Vocalss on 8; Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) - Lead & Backing Vocals on 6; Mick Devine (Seven) - Lead Vocals on 3, 5, 9 - Backing Vocals on 3, 7, 9, bonus track; Nigel Bailey (Bailey) - Lead Vocals on 7, 10, bonus track - Backing Vocals on 5, 10 ; Nils Patrik Johansson (Lion’s Share, Astral Doors) - Lead & Backing Vocals on 2, 3; Michael J. Scott - Lead & Backing Vocals on 4; Mattias IA Eklundh (Freak Kitchen) - solo on 9; Kay Backlund (Lion’s Share) - Keyboards on 1, 3, 6; Anders Rybank (Coastland Ride) - Keyboards on 8
 
Produced by: Johan Kihlberg & Lars Chriss
Mixed by: Lars Chriss for www.noterious.eu
Mastered by: Mike Lind
Artwork by: Carl André Beckston
 
Thu
26
Jun

SAGA TO RELEASE NEW STUDIO ALBUM SAGACITY IN NORTH AMERICA ON JULY 22

Artist: 
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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TO RELEASE THEIR BRAND NEW STUDIO ALBUM SAGACITY IN NORTH AMERICA ON JULY 22, 2014 ON earMUSIC / EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT
 
 
 
New York, NY (June 25, 2014) –SAGA’s new album Sagacity will be released as a 2CD set and on digital formats on July 22, 2014 in North America, via earMusic / Eagle Rock Entertainment. The Canadian progressive rockers manage to keep their characteristic sound alive while adding a modern touch to their music.
 
Or as Michael Sadler puts it:
"For me this album marks a return to many of the signature elements that put Saga on the map at the onset of the band’s career, while maintaining a firm grip on the here and now. The balance between past, present and future is the key and I think that’s what we’ve managed to achieve. Quite simply, this is SAGA…2014!"
 
He certainly got it right. Sagacity has the striking guitar riffs, which go hand-in-hand with the extensive keyboard arrangement, along with Michael Sadler’s characteristic voice. SAGA welcomes you with an enjoyable familiarity and an album full of 12 progressive rock anthems.
 
Sagacity – the English expression which stands for wisdom and cleverness – pun intended – has always been a huge part of the band’s philosophy. SAGA has gotten wiser over the years, which shows in their thoughtful, multileveled lyrics, and their creative, inventive musical arrangements. Their richness of ideas reflects on the typical but always fresh keyboard sounds as well as their melodies. To top it off, there is Michael Sadler’s distinctive voice, which molds the sound of SAGA.
 
Sagacity has it all – and more.
 
The 2CD includes a bonus CD, Saga Hits, including nine live recordings from an energetic performance at the SWR1 Rockarena festival in 2013. Ranging from one classic like “The Cross” to “On The Loose, the bonus CD surely captures the incredible live atmosphere of that night.
 
Coinciding with the album release, SAGA will tour all over Europe on a double headliner tour with Magnum.
There is just one thing left to say: welcome to SAGA 2014!
 
For a sneak peak at SAGA’S Sagacity, click here to check out a band interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwOl1RNi5Y4
 
Click here to listen to “Let It Slide” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxCitUgzn9Y
 
 
SAGA is:
Michael Sadler – vocals
Ian Crichton – lead guitar
Jim Crichton – bass, keyboards
Jim Gilmour – keyboards, vocals, clarinet
Mike Thorne – drums, vocals
 
For more information on Saga, please visit: www.sagaontour.ca 
 
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TRACK LISTING
CD1:
•   Let It Slide
•   Vital Signs
•   It Doesn’t Matter (Who You Are)
•   Go With The Flow
•   Press 9
•   Wake Up
•   Don’t Forget To Breathe
•   The Further You Go
•   On My Way
•    No Two Sides
•    Luck
•    I’ll Be
 
CD2:
•   Careful Where You Sleep
•   Mouse In A Maze
•   You’re Not Alone
•   The Cross
•   Scratching The Surface
•   Humble Stance
•   On The Loose
•   Wind Him Up
•   Don’t Be Late

 

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