Members of the world-class record studio, Rocking Horse Studio, have formed a band of session musicians called the Rocking Horse Music Club and recently released a tribute to original Genesis guitarist Anthony Phillips. The group have been performing Phillips music live for over a decade and have worked on this tribute album titled "Which Way The Wind Blows" since February 2019. The new nine-song release also includes some special guests, like guitarist Steve Hackett (who replaced Phillips in Genesis), along with members of Supertramp and Dream Academy.
All of the songs featured on this release have been taken from Phillips' solo albums, like "Paperchase" (from "Wise After The Event") and "Something Blue (from "Invisible Men"). The seven-minute, Genesis-sounding "Which Way The Wind Blows" showcases some of Hackett's best guitar work, while "Pulling Faces" is an amazing progressive rock masterpiece as Steve Anderson (Room) lends a hand on lead guitar. The album closes with the beauty of "Sleepfall: The Geese Fly West," as the work of John Hackett on flute and Kate St. John on oboe give the song a soaring above the clouds feeling, before reaching the nearly nine-minute pinnacle piece "Nightmare" that stretches out Phillips original prog-rock vibe. To find out more about Rocking Horse Music Club and their latest release "Which Way The Wind Blows," please visit rockinghorsemusicclub.com.
Speaking of Anthony Phillips, he recently released his new studio album "Strings Of Light," back on October 25 through Estoeric Recordings. It is his first album of new material in over seven years and was released as a 2CD/DVD set, which includes a 5.1 Surround Sound mix of the album. The set is broken-up into two twelve song sets, as disc one begins with the gentle mandolin strumming of "Jour De Fete" and the beautiful, lush arrangement of "Diamond Meadows." This disc also features the quietness of "Caprice In Three" and the bright finger-picking of "Winter Lights." You can feel the emotions that Phillips pours into the heart of "Song For Andy," while "Mouse Trip" is a great experimental piece that works wonderfully next to the flowing acoustics of "Restless Heart" and "Still Rain."
Disc two begins with the darkness of "Into The Void," which leads to an exploration from the "Andean Explorer." The strumming of "Shoreline" seems to come at you in waves, while "Fleur-de-lys" feels seductive with it ever climbing sound. Anthony Phillips closes his new album with the short rising mandolin of "Home Road," before embarking on the ten-minute adventure of "Life Story." To find out more about Anthony Phillips and his latest release "Strings Of Light," please visit anthonyphillips.co.uk.
Speaking of long waits, U.K. progressive rock band Nektar are preparing to release their first new album in the U.S. since 1977, over 40 years. While the band are putting their finishing touches on their new album titled "The Other Side," Nektar have released a three-song single for the song "Skywriter." Original member Derek "Mo" Moore wrote the lyrics to a song titled "Sky Pilot" back in 1978, but the song was set aside, until being discovered and rearranged for this new album. The song carries the band's classic, but aggressive prog-rock sound, while "Devil's Dance" allows the band to showcase their amazing talents on this eight-minute epic, which was originally written back in 1974. The third song that appears on this new release is a radio edit of "Skywriter," which displays a more intense sound to the song. To find out more about Nektar and their latest release, please visit nektarsmusic.com.
Swedish death metal band, Tribulation are on the verge of releasing their first live album titled "Alive & Dead at Sodra Teatern" on November 15th through Metal Blade Records. The theater is one of the oldest venues in Stockholm and felt like the perfect setting for Tribulation to record this career-spanning set. One of the differences that may, or may not, come across on the recording is that they performed to a seated audience, which allowed them to concentrate more on the delivery of their music.
They begin the show by performing their latest studio album "Down Below" in its entirety from front to back. With the high energy songs like "Lady Death" and "Lacrimosa," it must have been hard for the audience to contain themselves in their seats, as these songs demand you to just let go and head-bang. Tribulation display their more progressive metal side during the quiet flow of "Purgatorio" and the high-powered, ten-minute epic "Here Be Dragons." The second half of the shows finds the band concentrating on their early songs like the intensity or "Randa" and the electrifying guitar work of "Ultra Silvam," before closing with the dark growls of "Strains Of Horror." To find out more about Tribulation and their new live album "Alive & Dead at Sodra Teatern," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/Tribulationofficial.
The progressive rock Chicago quintet, District 97 recently released their new studio album "Screens." They are celebrating with a CD release show on November 11th at Martyrs' in Chicago. The band's new nine song release kicks off with the high-energy intensity of "Forest Fire," as the vocals and music blend together perfectly. They let the music simply flow along and finds it own way through the nearly seven-minutes of "Sheep," while "Sea/Provide" is a quick, hard rock attack that showcases the band's more aggressive side. District 97 experiment more with their sound on "Shapeshifter," as they switch between a mellow jazz sound and chugging heavy metal riffs. They wrap up their new album with the growing eleven-minute epic "Ghost Girl" that continues to deliver more excitement at every step along the way. To find out more about District 97 and their latest release "Screens," please visit district97.net.
Arriving November 22nd is the highly anticipated sophomore effort from death metal band, Blood Incantation. Their new album titled "Hidden History Of The Human Race" features only four tracks, but has the band stretching out their sound on this new release. Blood Incantation kick things off with the aggressive attack of "Slave Species Of The Gods," as what may sound like chaos is filled with intensity and emotion. They mix up the tempos of "The Giza Power Plant" with stellar musicianship, before closing out their new album with the eighteen-minute epic, progressive death metal piece "Awakening From The Dream (Mirror Of The Soul)." To find out more about Blood Incantation and their latest release "Hidden History Of The Human Race," please visit the band's Facebook page at facebook.com/astralnecrosis.
Also arriving on November 22nd, is the new self-released album from the doom metal band, Canyon Of The Skull. Their new release titled "Sins Of The Past" features only two tracks, beginning with the chugging rhythm of the nearly 26-minute instrumental "The Ghost Dance." This opening epic number is only topped by the album's closing track, all 34-minutes of "The Sun Dance." As the music continues to build on this track, Canyon Of The Skull keep the intensity of the song flowing throughout the whole composition. To find out more about Canyon Of The Skull and their latest release "Sins Of The Past," please visit the band's Facebook page at facebook.com/canyonoftheskull.
The following week on November 29th is the arrival of the self-titled debut album from the hardcore metal band, Bull Elephant. Their new album revolves around the story of a slain African elephant that was attempted to be brought back to life for the purpose of battles. The band's aggressive sound comes out blasting with the rhythmic changes of "Construct Of Chaos" and the nearly seven-minute progressive metal appeal of "Communion." Bull Elephant lay it all out on the aggressive take-over of "Corrupted Truth," while "Reflections" showcases another side of the band's songwriting that is more mainstream and accessible. Bull Elephant close out their new release with the growling vocals of "Winterfist" and the speed of "Dread Reactor," as the band continue to display a progressive side to their music. To find out more about Bull Elephant and their new self-titled album, please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/bullelephant.
Then as the calendar turns to December, we get the latest full-length effort from the U.K. doom metal band, The River. Their new album titled "Vessels Into White Tides" features only five tracks, but the first two songs are epic numbers that take their time, as the music simply bleeds from your speakers with a slow, steady climb of buzzing guitars. The River showcase their softer side with the acoustic strumming of "Open," before finishing off their new album with the dark, clashing sound of "Passing" and melodic closing tones of "Tides." To find out more about The River and their latest release "Vessels Into White Tides," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/riverbanduk.
On October 25th, heavy metal rockers Bad Wolves released their sophomore effort "N.A.T.I.O.N." It features a dozen tracks that continue the band's growth as a powerhouse juggernaut, as they find themselves touring alongside Five Finger Death Punch and Three Days Grace this November, along with Megadeth in 2020. Bad Wolves come blasting out of the gate with the chugging rhythm of "I'll Be There," followed by the intense pounding and stellar singing/screaming vocals of "No Messiah." The energy keeps on flowing through the aggressive appeal of "Learn To Walk Again" and "Killing Me Slowly," before letting up on gas pedal for the mainstream power ballads "Better Off This Way" and "Sober." Bad Wolves wrap up their new album with the hardcore metal attack of "The Consumerist," as they flex their metal muscle, before closing with the emotionally addictive sound of "Crying Game" and the final energetic blast of "LA Song." For more information on Bad Wolves and their latest release "N.A.T.I.O.N.," please visit badwolvesnation.com.
Arriving this Friday, November 8th is the latest release from Closed Casket Activities' artist Criminal Instinct. Their new album titled "Terrible Things" features fourteen quick hitting tracks, as the band enforce their hardcore metal sound on you. They begin with the swift pace of "NFMP," "Tears Won't Fall" and "The Virus," as your head spins before you know what hit you. There is no filler on this album, as Criminal Instinct deliver just what is necessary on tracks like "Been Down That Road" and "Grave Chaser," which don't even reach the one minute mark. They just continue their onslaught with the heavy pounding of "Don't Wanna Know You" and "Yours Truly," before finishing with furry of "Acid Rain" and an extra hidden track. To find out more about Criminal Instinct and their latest release "Terrible Things," please visit criminalinstinct.bandcamp.com.
A week later on November 15th, arrives the new five-song EP "We Are The Dead" from the Southern California hardcore metal band, Fake Figures. They kick things off with the intensity of the shout-out-loud vocals of "Hole In The Sky" and the steady pounding rhythm of "You're Distant." After the more aggressive, sonic blast of "Bury The Hatchet," Fake Figures wrap up their new album with singer/songwriter Jonah Matranga (onelinedrawing) appearing on the title-track "We Are The Dead," which has the most mainstream, epic sound on this new release. To find out more about Fake Figures and their latest release "We Are The Dead," please visit the band's Facebook page at facebook.com/fakefigures.
On November 11th (Veterans Day), BMG will be releasing the full-length concert film "John Fogerty - 50 Year Trip: Live at Red Rocks." The show was recorded this past June at the iconic venue, to celebrate Fogerty's fifty year career, both as a solo artists and as a founding member of the band, Creedence Clearwater Revival. Arriving three days earlier on November 8th, BMG will have the soundtrack to that like concert available digitally and as a 2-CD set.
The 19-song setlist covers all of the CCR hits, as Fogerty sounds empowered to be able to sing these classics with energy and vigor. His band fully supports Fogerty on the extended jams of "Green River," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" and "Keep On Chooglin'." John Fogerty still delivers the swagger of "Suzie Q," even more than fifty years later, before reaching "Rock And Roll Girls," the first of only three solo tracks that he performed that show. You can still hear the passion that Fogerty has for performing live, as he belts out the lyrics to "As Long As I Can See The Light" and "Have You Ever Seen The Rain." The show closes with a hyper-drive version of "Fortune Son," as Fogerty and the band just blast through this political anthem, along with "Bad Moon Rising" and the final sing-along of "Proud Mary." For a list of John Fogerty's upcoming live shows, plus the cinemas showing the concert film on November 11th and to find out more about the live concert release of "John Fogerty - 50 Year Trip: Live At Red Rocks," please visit johnfogerty.com.
