2024 Work in Progress..ive

[nicola]

Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive




The best tracks of 2024 as new albums come out

one track per band or artist...

which can change over the course of 12 months and which can also

be replaced by better tracks from other artists


at the end of the year it will be easier to create

favorite playlist of 2024

[nicola]

ELLESMERE






ABOUT

ELLESMERE

...ELLESMERE
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website


Ellesmere biography
Founded in Rome, Italy in 2014

The band is the project of Roberto VITELLI, bass and guitar player of TAPROBAN.
The album "Les Châteaux de la Loire" was made with special guest John Hackett on flute, Daniel Pomo (RANEST RANE)on drums and percussion, and Anthony Philipps as The Narrator. Vitelli on guitars and Pomo (drums) are joined by Massimo GRECO (guitars), Paolo CARNELLI (keyboards) and Alex MEVI (flute). The music is in the style of early GENESIS and ANTHONY PHILIPPS with the use of classic,acoustic guitar with strings and flute melodies. And not to mention the sound of vintage mellotron can be heard to provide the sound of the 70's.

Bio by rdtprog
















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies


























Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE
https://ellesmere-ams.bandcamp.com/track/stranger-skies





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

SONIQ THEATER







ABOUT

SONIQ THEATER

...SONIQ THEATER
From Official website




Soniq Theater is a one-man project, presenting a blend of progressive styles, mainly symphonic progressive rock with
elements of metal, ambient, electronic music, classical music and fusion.
The music is composed, performed, recorded and mixed by Alfred Mueller. As it is a one-man-project, the music is not planned to be played live.
Nevertheless Soniq Theater is heard already by many people in about 80 radios,
on the Soniq Theater website, in Youtube and many other music portals.
Soniq Theater is recommended to all open-minded progressive rock-fans and is appreciated
as well by “normal people” with some musical education.

Influences:
- prog-bands of the 70’s: Yes, Genesis, Kansas, ELP, King Crimson, UK, Camel, Happy The Man,
Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd, Manfred Mann’s Earth Band, Supertramp
- progressive rock of the 80s: Saga, Marillion, IQ, Rush, It Bites
- german progressive rock: Anyone’s Daughter, Ines, Eloy, Eela Craig (Austrian)
- progmetal bands: Dream Theater, Enchant, Symphony X, Royal Hunt
- progbands of the 90s: Magellan, Cairo, Everon, Spock’s Beard, Porcupine Tree, Glass Hammer
- progbands of the new millenium: Unitopia, Brother Ape, Moth Vellum
- electronic music of Tangerine Dream, Christopher Franke, Michael Hoenig, Vangelis, Jean Michel Jarre,
Rainbow Serpent, Davol
- fusion of Bruford, Colosseum II, Jean-Luc Ponty, Dixie Dregs, Pierre Moerlen's Gong,
Dave Grusin, Spyro Gyra, Pat Metheny Group, The Rippingtons
- prog-related artists: Rick Wakeman, Kit Watkins, Mike Oldfield, Alan Parsons Project,
Karl Jenkins (of Soft Machine and Adiemus), Rupert Hine, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs),
- other artists: Yanni, David Arkenstone, Rondo Veneziano (Gian Piero Reverberi), Gandalf, Liz Story
- classical music: symphonies and baroque music

Studio-Equipment:
Alfred uses a midi-system, consisting of: Ensoniq TS10 as a masterkeyboard, Ensoniq EPS sampler, Yamaha SY85 Synthesizer,
Roland JV1080 soundmodule, Korg TR-Rack, E-MU Vintage Keys, E-MU B-3 Hammond Organ module
E-MU Orbit soundmodule, Alesis DM5 drummodule.
Effectprocessors: Digitec Studioquad Multieffectprocessor, Alesis Microverb III,
Ibanez SDR1000 Digital Reverb.
Tascam 788 8-track harddisc recorder
Mixing console: Behringer Eurorack MX2802
Sony DAT-Recorder

Biography of Alfred:
Born in 1962
Taking organ lessons since the age of 12
First synthesizer when he was 17
At the age of 18 he had his first band
Played in bands of different styles (see below history of bands and projects)
In 1992 he won the rock-contest HEADLINER in Germany with his band Rachel’s Birthday
In 1996 Rachel’s Birthday’s CD “an invitation to” was released
In 1998 he received the Award First Class from the Preston University for his compositions
1999 start of Soniq Theater


part of the band's history and Projects:
1999 – now: SONIQ THEATER
1995 TIMELESS ( funk, soul jazz band)
1991 – 1997 RACHEL’S BIRTHDAY (progressive rock band)
1992 Joerg Weigand (he accompanied the folk guitarist Joerg Weigand in his ensemble)
1990 – 1991 FISCHER X ( rock-cover-band)
1987 – 1989 EMERALD (artrock band, pre-Rachel’s Birthday)
1986 – 1998 RED ELF (projectname for all solo-productions during that time)
1984 – 1986 QUENYA (artrock band)
1984 BAUMSTUMPF (band with different styles)
1983 – 1985 UTOPIA (later ON FUNCTION) (artrock-band)
1981 – 1983 SUNSET (jazzfusion-band)
1980 – 1982 DECAY OF INNOCENCE (rock’n roll and artrock band)

Alfred’s 10 favourite albums:
KANSAS – Leftoverture
GENESIS - Selling England by the Pound
YES - Relayer
DREAM THEATER – Images and Words
ENCHANT – A Blueprint of the World
BRUFORD – One of a Kind
TANGERINE DREAM - Optical Race
MICHAEL HOENIG - Xcept One
INES – Hunting the Fox
UK – Danger Money
MAGELLAN - Impending Ascension














Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds






















Quasar-SONIQ THEATER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Brjvl1wZkHc





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

HUGO TORO







ABOUT

HUGO TORO


At the moment I haven't been able to find a photo or any news about him, maybe I'll write to him and see if I can get something, at least I have a contact.
the only information is that he is a Spanish multi-instrumentalist,
he composed all the tracks on the album,
all the instruments are played by him
Production, mastering and art cover always all handled by Him
















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey
























The End-HUGO TORO
https://hugotoro.bandcamp.com/track/the-end





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

KARFAGEN









ABOUT

KARFAGEN

...KARFAGEN
From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website


Karfagen biography
Founded in Ukraine in 1997

KARFAGEN (meaning Carthago) is a symbol of glory and wisdom, a never-ending journey into the world of the forgotten past and unpredictable future.

KARFAGEN is the brainchild of multi-talented musician and composer, Antony Kalugin. The name was first used in 1997, when Antony formed a band at school. While he was studying at the architectural university a year later, he began to record the first Karfagen compositions in one of the local studios, and a few tracks from this period can be found on the `Key to Perception' compilation from 2009.

In 2005 Antony Kalugin with his assembled musicians went into the studio to record `Continium', the first Karfagen album, which led the band to sign with Unicorn Digital (Canada) the following year. It was highly acclaimed by listeners, which inspired Antony to continue his work and release a second album `The Space Between Us' in early 2007. Later that year he signed with Caerllysi Music (UK).

In order to expand the boundaries of the musical landscape, Antony often collaborated with many different unique musicians. Therefore, in 2011 on the `Lost Symphony' album, Roberto Diaz (Cuba) from ANIMA MUNDI took part as an additional guitarist; in 2013 on `Aleatorica', Tomek Mucha provided electric violin and Sergey Klevenskiy added clarinet, whistles and flutes. In 2014 Mathieu Spaeter appeared as a main guitarist on `Magicians Theatre' as well as Pascal Gutman playing some stick-bass on the `Yuletide' track.

Karfagen is mainly an instrumental band that shows imaginative use of keyboards and guitars, classical and ethnic instruments. Their style can be described as symphonic art-rock with a hint of new-age, folk, jazz-rock and neo-prog in places. Their influences are CAMEL, FOCUS, HAPPY THE MAN, GREENSLADE, THE FLOWER KINGS, UK and KAYAK.

Also inspired by the composers Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Sergei Prokofiev, Edward Grig and Pyotr Chaikovskiy, Antony's compositions are always well-constructed and thoughtful. The sound is enhanced by such instruments as oboe, bassoon, accordion, violin, cello, flutes, saxophone and pipes.

In addition to imaginative music, every Karfagen album cover is picturesque and charismatic in the tradition of the classic progressive rock era.

Antony doesn't stand still. On one hand, the sound of Karfagen is unique and recognisable, but on the other hand, with each consecutive album Antony brings something new and special, and always fresh and innovative. You never know what to expect from the next chapter of Karfagen's symphonic rock poem. So, welcome to the show and to Antony's Magician Theatre!

Antony: `With every album and every track I try to bring the warmth and atmosphere of the Seventies. It doesn't mean that I'm blindly copying it, just that I'm in a constant flow of searching and experimenting. I'm not a fan of the frequent aggression of modern albums, the artificial complicity in much of it or technique and virtuosity over songcraft. For me, melody and the ability to write proper compositions are first. That is something that still makes us excited about the sounds of the `Golden Era' of Prog of the Seventies. I produce music that I would want to hear as listener, who seeks those natural emotions and charm in a boundless sea of sound...'

Biography updated by Michael Hodgson (Aussie-Byrd-Brother)




















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature




























Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lo3Z2eitRg





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

SCOTT HENDERSON










ABOUT

SCOTT HENDERSON

...SCOTT HENDERSON
From Official website



Born in 1954, Scott Henderson emerged in the 1980s with his legendary band Tribal Tech, and has since become one of the top guitarists/ composers in jazz fusion. Scott grew up in South Florida where he played blues-rock and funk, and was influenced by Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, and his favorite blues guitarist Albert King.
Even though Henderson began his career as a blues-rock player, it was the influence of jazz that led him to the style of playing and composing that he's now famous for. Besides being a world class player and premier composer, Scott's trademark is his beautiful tone and striking ability to blend jazz with blues, rock and funk, creating a soulful and unique voice on the guitar.

Scott studied arranging and composition at Florida Atlantic University, then moved to Los Angeles in 1980. He toured and recorded with Chick Corea's Elektric Band, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty, and was pleased to get the opportunity to work for four years with one of his favorite musicians, Weather Report's Joe Zawinul. He recorded three albums with the Zawinul Syndicate, then left his career as a sideman to form Tribal Tech, one of the most popular fusion groups of the 80s and 90s, recording ten critically acclaimed albums. In 1992, he was named #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar Player's Annual Reader's Poll, and in 1991, #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar World magazine.

After Tribal Tech, Scott became a solo artist in a guitar trio format, and has been touring extensively since 1997 in over 70 countries. In 2019, he won both Best Guitarist and Best Jazz-Rock/Contemporary Group in Jazz Times Reader’s Poll. “People Mover”, featuring Romain Labaye on bass and Archibald Ligonniere on drums, was voted best fusion album of 2019 by Jazz Times magazine. His first solo album "Dog Party", a welcome retreat to his musical roots, won Best Blues Album of 1994 in Guitar Player Magazine. His next albums "Tore Down House" and "Well to the Bone" paired Henderson with legendary vocalist Thelma Houston. "Vibe Station", released in 2015, was listed by many music critics as one of the top 10 instrumental albums of the year.

Scott has also released two albums with "Vital Tech Tones", a trio collaboration with bassist Victor Wooten and former Journey drummer Steve Smith. In 2009 he began touring worldwide with the HBC Trio, featuring bassist Jeff Berlin and drummer Dennis Chambers, recording their album "HBC" in 2012.

Also very well known as a clinician, Scott is on the faculty at Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, and has written columns for Guitar Player Magazine and many other guitar publications. His instructional books and videos for top publishers such as Hal Leonard Publishing, Alfred Music, and My Music Masterclass, are highly popular with guitarists studying jazz and fusion.



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!






























Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhIR0_QqAD0





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

STEVE HACKETT










ABOUT

STEVE HACKETT

...STEVE HACKETT
From Progarchives.com



Steve Hackett biography
Stephen Richard Hackett - Born February 12th 1950 (Pimlico, London, UK)

GUITAR BASED MUSIC WITH VARIOUS STYLES
(Blues, Classical, Folk, Jazz, New Age and Progressive Rock)


Steve HACKETT needs no introduction. He is definitely one of the major guitarists of this century. Ex-GENESIS, he is now a major force in the domain of music composed for guitar, rock as well as classical. Steve is a complex musician, drawing influence from a wide variety of styles and melding them into super compositions. His music has evolved over the years, and while some of it was not up to the standards that he set with other albums. They are still excellent.

HACKETT joined GENESIS as guitarist in early 1971 and featured across ten albums of their history. He replaced Anthony PHILLIPS, and stayed with the band during their successful mid-70s progressive rock period. I remember once reading that, if GENESIS lost their "brains" when Peter GABRIEL left, then they surely lost their "heart" when Steve left. In a way, it is easy to see how HACKETT was "crowded out" of Genesis in 1977. From "Nursery Crime" in 1971 to the double-live "Seconds Out" in 1977, he created in his solo albums his own style, dominated by his guitars, sometimes very classical or at times furious. His tracks go from a symphonic Progressive style to a more energetic rock.

From the first album "Voyage Of The Acolyte" while he was still with GENESIS to his most recent ones, all are MUSTS. For the most part, all of the compositions on HACKETT's first five solo albums are well-thought-out and impeccably well crafted. I would highly recommend "Voyage of the Acolyte" (missing GENESIS album), "Please Don't Touch" (powerful), his TRADEMARK "Spectral Mornings" (pure magic), "Defector" (another amazing album by Steve), and "Cured" (pop-oriented). This, along with "Time Lapse", "The Unauthorised Biography", "Guitar Noir", "Darktown" and "To Watch The Storms", are the best for people curious about the HACKETT "feel". However I believe these are his bests - it could rightly be called "THE HISTORY OF MUSIC ACCORDING TO STEVE HACKETT." Get them ALL...and HAPPY LISTENING!!!


















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE



























Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYwwEfDv4yk





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

DRIFTING SUN











ABOUT

DRIFTING SUN

...DRIFTING SUN
From Progarchives.com


Drifting Sun biography
Founded in Chesham, UK circa 1994 - Hiatus between 1999-2013 - Reformed in 2014

DRIFTING SUN were formed sometime during early-90's (originally named Drama), after French natives Pat Sanders (keyboards) and Manu Sibona (bass) left their homecountry and landed in the UK. There they met American singer Rafe Pomeroy and four pieces were recorded in a London-based studio, then sent to Musea for evaluation. The French label decided to sign the band on their branch-label Brennus and in 1996 the self-titled debut of the band sees the light with Karl Groom participating on one track.

Drifting Sun decided to move on as an independent group, the line-up was expanded with the addition of Tobin Bryant and Bryant's friend, guitarist John Spearman, while Pomerey was replaced by another American vocalist, Chris Martini.By the end of the year 1998 the band had launched the sophomore effort "On the Rebound".

What followed was a very long break, but recently Sanders gave his band another chance, gathering a new line-up with singer Peter Falconer, drummer Will Jones and bassist/guitarist Dan Storey. The third work of DRIFTING SUN "Trip the Life Fantastic" was released in early 2015, a digital album, available via several online digital stores.

















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil


























Frailty-DRIFTING SUN
https://driftingsun.bandcamp.com/track/frailty



GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

HEAD SPIN










ABOUT

HEAD SPIN

...HEAD SPIN
From Progarchives.com


Head Spin biography
Nottingham, UK musician Andy SCOFFIN is single handedly writing, playing, programming and producing his instrumental psychedelic/space rock project HEAD SPIN which formed in 2020.

The lefthanded guitarist started playing at age 13, inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Steve Hillage, Andy Garcia and Frank Zappa among others. Over the next 10 years he played in a number of short lived bands before joining the Grateful Dead tribute band, the Grateful Dudes in 2015, remaining there until today. HEAD SPIN's debut, the 2021 ep "Digitalis" was followed by the single "Wax Donor" and the lp "Escape Velocity" the year after. 2023 saw the release of a single with a re-imagined version of "Moai", a track off the debut ep.

The music bears clear affinities with Ozric Tentacles - and Ed Wynne's solo material - as well as You-era Gong and the solo work of Steve Hillage.



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

























Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN
https://headspin.bandcamp.com/track/half-remembered



GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

BIG BIG TRAIN













ABOUT

BIG BIG TRAIN

...BIG BIG TRAIN
From Official Website


Big Big Train – 2023 Biography

‘Big Big Train have revisited the sound world of early Genesis and Yes and have managed to create music with great emotional clout‘

THE TIMES

‘Big Big Train channel the ambitions of 50 years ago but mix in enough of themselves to create work that sounds vivid and fresh. Melancholy has rarely sounded so seductive’ MOJO

‘They make beautiful, pastoral quintessentially English music’

BOB HARRIS, BBC RADIO 2

Big Big Train was founded by songwriter Gregory Spawton in 1990 and went through several line-up changes during the course of five albums. In 2009, with the recruitment of a new lead vocalist, David Longdon, and drummer, Nick D’Virgilio, the band embarked on a fresh start. Since then, Big Big Train have earned significant critical acclaim in both the mainstream and music press, won numerous Progressive Music Awards, played sold out shows and seen their albums reach number 1 in the Official UK rock charts and break into the top 40 in the Official UK album charts.

After a lengthy period as a studio band, Big Big Train returned to live performances in 2015. Following successful mini-residencies in London in 2015 and 2017, the band headlined the Night Of The Prog festival in Germany in summer 2018. They toured the UK for the first time in 2019, culminating in a sold out show at London’s Hackney Empire, subsequently released as the critically acclaimed Blu-ray Empire. The band also released two studio albums in 2021 and 2022, Common Ground and Welcome To The Planet.

Tragedy struck Big Big Train in November 2021 with the death of David Longdon. After careful consideration, and with the full support of David’s partner, in spring 2022 the band decided to continue and brought Italian vocalist Alberto Bravin on board.

Big Big Train played their first live shows in almost three years in September 2022 in the UK and the Netherlands. Joining Spawton, longstanding American drummer Nick D’Virgilio (Genesis, Spock’s Beard, Tears For Fears), Swedish guitarist/keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom (Beardfish, Gungfly) and the Big Big Train brass ensemble, these shows marked the live debuts of Alberto Bravin (PFM), Norwegian keyboardist Oskar Holldorff (Dim Gray) and British violinist Clare Lindley (Stackridge) and guitarist Dave Foster (The Steve Rothery Band, Mr So & So).

For their shows in August & September 2023, Italian guitarist Maria Barbieri is deputising for Dave Foster, who has prior commitments with the Steve Rothery Band.

In August and September 2023 the band played 17 shows in nine countries over the course of 21 days, with Maria Barbieri deputising for Dave Foster. The band will release their first album featuring Alberto Bravin as lead vocalist on 1st March 2024. This will be the band’s recording debut for the InsideOut/Sony label. The album will be issued as a limited edition media book, featuring Dolby Atmos and 5.1 mixes by The Pineapple Thief’s Bruce Soord as well as the regular stereo mixes by Rob Aubrey and Alberto Bravin, as well as a standard CD and in four different vinyl formats (black, tangerine orange, olive green and sky blue), as a Bandcamp hi res download and via all major streaming platforms. The band has announced a number of live shows for 2024 including four shows in the United States, co-headlining Cruise To The Edge in March and Night Of The Prog in July and performing at Cropredy in August



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN-The Likes Of Us




























Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFXIp3-ygGY



GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

SAQQARAH











ABOUT

SAQQARAH

...SAQQARAH
From Official Website


Saqqarah biography
Overlooked French group from Vannes, formed in 1992 by Patrice Mauvieux on guitars, Lou Van Der Cruyssen on vocals, Dominique Renault on drums, Christophe Bastien on keyboards and Herve Juguet on bass. Two years later they recorded a 3-track mini CD (''Peti eref tra su''), but the following year Bastien quit with Mauvieux playing also the keyboards. In 1996 a very good debut is released under the title ''Genese'', but another departure put the group on ice for four years, this time it was Lou Van Der Cruyssen who moved permanently to Egypt in 1998. In 2002 Saqqarah returned with new singer Jack Feys and released another album, ''Awakening'' in 2005. The same year Christophe Bastien rejoined forces with Saqqarah and stayed with the band for another four years, before parting ways again due to many constraints. Since 2009 Saqqarah continued as a quartet, but any further album activity has yet to see the light.


















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN-The Likes Of Us

The Watcher-SAQQARAH-THE RUNAWAY






























The Watcher-SAQQARAH
https://saqqarah.bandcamp.com/track/the-watcher



GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

LEVIATHAN









ABOUT

LEVIATHAN

...LEVIATHAN
From progarchives.com


Leviathan biography
It's very common to find Italian Symphonic bands, but no so much when we are talking about Italian Neo Prog bands. So when I knew I had to write again the LEVIATHAN bio, I placed special interest in them, to see how they blended their traditional and peculiar melodic sense with the strength and modernity of Neo Prog.

LEVIATHAN was formed in 1985 by three very young Italian musicians, Alex Brunori (vocals and lyrics), Franco Pezzella (keyboards) and Andrea Moneta, drums. Immediately the band started to work at their first demo "The 7% Solution EP" which saw the light in the same year. This demo has two long tracks, but sadly and because it was a tape and the distribution was limited, there are almost no copies of it today. But the point was made and they caught the attention of the critics due to their particular sound.

In 1987 LEVIATHAN recruits Sandro Wlderk (bass) and Rocco Paterna (guitar) and their definitive lineup was complete, with Wlderk credited for all the compositions and Brunori for all the lyrics and the conceptual art direction. Just before recording their first album, Rocco Paterna leaves the band, replaced by Giorgio Carana (recently deceased in 2016). They produced and released their official debut called "Heartquake", which for many is the first Neo Prog Italian release, in 1500 copies, 300 of which in red vinyl limited edition. The band starts a long and successful Italian tour in 1988 to support the album.

"Heartquake" presents clear influences of GENESIS, MARILLION and PENDRAGON, but with a clear respect to the lyrical and melodic roots of Italian Symphonic bands like PFM or BANCO DEL MUTUO SOCCORSO.

In 1989 Pezzella leaves the band and is replaced by the classically trained keyboardist Andrea Amici and they start the recording sessions of their second album, "Bee Yourself", which was again released independently in 1500 copies, 300 of which in yellow vinyl limited edition. The album was later reprinted on CD by Contempo and on vinyl by the Korean label Jigu Records (in 1991).

The album was a great success among critics and fans. It presented a 25 minutes suite, "Bee Yourself", that gave them the chance to perform not only in Italy, but also in France as well as in an epic presentation at the Teatro Olimpico in Roma.

In this occasion the Neo Prog tendencies blend with an exquisite Jazzy vibe which makes of "Bee Yourself" a rich and versatile album.

In 1993, Musea Records gets interested in the band and releases a CD version of "Heartquake" with a previously unreleased bonus track, but it was the beginning of the end. Giorgio Carana first and Sandro Wlderk later left the band with internal problems culminating with Alex Brunori, singer and lyricist, leaving the band as well. LEVIATHAN remained almost in a sabbatical until 1998, when they released their third album "Volume", which was the first to be sung exclusively in Italian by the new singer, Paolo Antinori (while the previous ones where sung in English).

Sadly, according to their fans, "Volume" is also the weakest of the trilogy, but still you can find many wonderful sounds, arrangements and solid guitar performances that make it worth getting.

In 2003 the Finnish Prog Conceptual Epic Opera "Kalevala" was released, and LEVIATHAN was invited to contribute to the project, adding the 10 minutes track "Filo di Lama" (Edge of the Blade). The success was so strong that they were invited to participate in a similar project called "Colossus of Rodhes" in 2004, where they contributed with a 26 minutes suite called "Un Pensero e Sempre Libero", which symbolizes their long and solid 24 year career.

Still it's not too late to see more from them.


Iván Melgar Morey

Thanks to Ghost Rider for the translations of the Italian material and to Alex Brunori for the latest (2016) updates.



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN-The Likes Of Us

The Watcher-SAQQARAH-THE RUNAWAY

Hellishade of Heavenue-LEVIATHAN-Heartquake_Redux






























Hellishade of Heavenue-LEVIATHAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSCEULVS3rcr




Heartquake-LEVIATHAN
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaaB...msHJlc&index=6





GOOD LISTENING

[nicola]

MONKEY3











ABOUT

MONKEY3

...MONKEY3
From progarchives.com and official website


Monkey3 biography
Founded in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2001

MONKEY3 are an instrumental psychedelic rock band from Lausanne/Switzerland showing Picasso (bass), Walter (drums), Boris (guitar) and keyboarder Mister M aboard. The music units elements of stoner, post and space rock, all this presented with a rather hypnotic fundament, a repetitive nature. Their self-released debut came out in March 2003.

One year later Belgium label Buzzville re-issued this album including a differing artwork. Afterwards they extensively toured Europe alongside bands like Alabama Thunderpussy, Mono, Dozer and Hypnos 69. April 2006 they went to the studio again in order to work on the follower album. February 2007 saw the release of '39 Laps' then.

MONKEY3 are currrently preparing for the next album, entitled 'Beyond The Black Sky'. Bands similar in style are The :Egocentrics, 35007, Serpentina Satellite, Los Natas.

Following their latest, much-acclaimed album, Sphere(2019), instrumental psych rock frontrunners MONKEY3 will herald 2024 with a true album highlight of the new year: The Lausanne-based four-piece has announced a brand new, cosmic studio offering, entitled Welcome To The Machine, set for release on February 23, 2024 via Napalm Records!

Once again, MONKEY3envelops listeners in their unique, cosmic auditory haze. Welcome To The Machine not only marks their seventh and most epic, dark and captivating record to date, but will also clearly prove why they are one of the most exciting instrumental rock bands in the modern stoner and psychedelic rock scene.

Welcome To The Machine’s musical themes are inspired by movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, Sunshine, Solaris and1984, while unveiling an intense mankind vs. machines story that instantly launches the listener into deep space. Right from its first tones, the album immediately emerges as a perfect soundtrack to a journey into the unknown. Tracks such as "Rackman"perfectly showcase how MONKEY3, who formed in 2001, are one of only a few instrumental bands that know how to tell an enthralling story. Welcome To The Machineexplores as much as it poses questions. It is dark and menacing; evoking melancholic destruction while somehow bursting with hope at the same time, moving between haunting passages and progressive breaks, mesmerizing grooves and colossal riffs.



















Hi friends

2024 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2024


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

Stranger Skies-ELLESMERE-Stranger Skies

Quasar-SONIQ THEATER-Solar Winds

The End-HUGO TORO-The Journey

Searching For Mr. Kite (Expanded Version)-KARFAGEN-Messages From Afar: Second Nature

Sky Coaster-SCOTT HENDERSON-KARNEVEL!

Ghost Moon and Living Love-STEVE HACKETT-THE CIRCUS AND THE NIGHTWHALE

Frailty-DRIFTING SUN-Veil

Half Remembered-HEAD SPIN-Refractor

Beneath the Masts-BIG BIG TRAIN-The Likes Of Us

The Watcher-SAQQARAH-THE RUNAWAY

Hellishade of Heavenue-LEVIATHAN-Heartquake_Redux

Ignition-MONKEY3- Welcome To The Machine






























Ignition-MONKEY3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN4o2C6Fd3Q





GOOD LISTENING