Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has revealed to goldminemag.com the top-list of the albums that changed is life :
EMERSON LAKE AND PALMER - "Tarkus"
GENESIS - "Trick Of The Tail"
GENTLE GIANT - "Free Hand" YES - "Close To The Edge"
TANGERINE DREAM - "Phaedra"
RICK WAKEMAN - "Six Wives Of Henry The VIII"
KING CRIMSON - "Court Of The Crimson King"
JIMI HENDRIX - "Electric Ladyland"
PINK FLOYD - "Dark Side Of The Moon"
APHEX TWIN - "Come to Daddy"
British hard rock legends IRON MAIDEN have posted a new graphic on their official website of Eddie holding the Earth in his hands, with the geographical area focusing on the North Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean, fueling rumors that that band will be announcing live dates in that area early next year – either before or after their headline/Soundwave Festival run in Australia in February. The official announcement will be made on Tuesday, November 2nd at 6PM GMT. Iron Maiden - tour announcement?
Two shows have already been rumored for February: Bali, Indonesia and Jakarta, India.
Officially confirmed dates for Maiden’s Final Frontier World Tour 2011 on the band's Web site: www.ironmaiden.com
In the wake of Mike Portnoy’s announcement that he is leaving Dream Theater, the remaining members of the band have issued the following statement about the matter:
“To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness -- regret -- we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band.
While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity -- and in the same musical tradition -- that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds and Silver Linings. As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "The Spirit Carries On."
All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed.” – Dream Theater
Drummer Mike Portnoy of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has released the following statement:
"I am about to write something I never imagined I'd ever write.
"After 25 years, I have decided to leave DREAM THEATER... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century.
"To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so....
"After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER.
"Please don't misinterpret me, I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break.
"DREAM THEATER was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from DREAM THEATER's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band.
"But I've come to the conclusion that the DREAM THEATER machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my DREAM THEATER spirit hungry and inspired.
"We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'...
"Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be...
"While it truly hurts for me to even think of a DREAM THEATER without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes.
"Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of DREAM THEATER and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with DREAM THEATER...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed.
"I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played....
"I'm sorry to all the disappointed DREAM THEATER fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within.
"You DREAM THEATER fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me.... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)"
Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie will release a new solo album entitled "Static Impulse" on September 28 via InsideOut Music . This new record features songwriter/keyboardist Matt Guillory , drummer/voaclist Peter Wildoer (Darkane) , guitarist Marco Sfogli and bassist Ray Riendeau (Halford) .
Commented James LaBrie : "The release of 'Static Impulse' is one that the whole band is psyched about.
This is modern metal and as heavy and relevant as any other band out there going in a similar musical direction. There are riffs that will blow your head off and melodies both musically and vocally that are hypnotic.
Get in the driver's seat and let the ears bleed.
Enjoy and see you out there with a tour to follow up and support this release ."
Added Matt Guillory : "I'm really pleased with the way this record came out. James sounds fantastic, as well as the rest of the guys. Without a doubt, it's our heaviest record thus far yet at the same time, it's also our most melodic. I can't wait for everyone to hear it ."
The new video Of Iron Maiden , "The Final Frontier" is now available and can be viewed below . This is the title-track of the band's new album , to be released on August 17 in US (one day earlier internationally) via Universal Music Enterprises .
Fan-filmed video footage of Iron Maiden in Dallas , Texas on Wednesday , June 9 can be viewed below . This show was the first one of "The Final Frontier World Tour" . The set list was as follows :
01. The Wicker Man
02. The Ghost Of The Navigator
03. Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
04. El Dorado
05. Paschendale
06. The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
07. These Colours Don't Run
08. Blood Brothers
09. Wildest Dreams
10. No More Lies
11. Brave New World
12. Fear Of The Dark
13. Iron Maiden
Encore:
14. The Number Of the Beast
15. Hallowed Be Thy Name
16. Running Free
The band's new album "The Final Frontier" will be available on August 17 in North America via Universal Music Enterprises . The tracklisting for the CD :
01. Satellite 15....The Final Frontier (8:40)
02. El Dorado (6:49)
03. Mother Of Mercy (5:20)
04. Coming Home (5:52)
05. The Alchemist (4:29)
06. Isle Of Avalon (9:06)
07. Starblind (7:48)
08. The Talisman (9:03)
09. The Man Who Would Be King (8:28)
10. When The Wild Wind Blows (10:59)
Steve Vai , Iron Maiden's McBrain , Bernie Marsden (ex-Whitesnake) and Toto's Steve Lukather are confirmed for the Guitar Nation Festival 2010 , to take place at the Olympia Conference Center in London , on May 8-9 , 2010 .
Sophie K of Total Rock Radio conducted an interview with Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie when the band played in London last October .
Watch the chat below .
A new five-minute trailer for the upcoming documentary on British Metal pioneers Saxon titled: "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie", has been posted online.
The film, which is expected to be released in December, celebrates the group's 30th anniversary. The movie features guest appearances by: Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee (Motorhead); Harvey Goldsmith, Danko Jones, Doro Pesch and more...
Progressive metallers "Twin Spirit" has announced the first leg of "Italy in Progress Tour 2009", which will kick off in December, bringing the band into some of the best live rock clubs around Italy:
"Italy In Progress Tour 2009"
YtseJam Kr + Twinspirits + guest
03/12/2009 "MILANO in progress 2009" Zoe Club - Milano
04/12/2009 "BOLOGNA in progress 2009" Ke Me Meo - Argelato (BO)
05/12/2009 "PADOVA in progress 2009" Country Star - Albignasego (PD)
10/12/2009 "PERUGIA in progress 2009" Urban Club - Perugia
11/12/2009 "CASERTA in progress 2009" Oddly Shed - Casagiove (CE)
13/12/2009 "ROMA in progress 2009" Locanda Blues - Roma
In these shows Twinspirits will play songs from their new album "The Forbidden City", released in September on Lion Music. Every show will be co-headlined by Ytsejam Kr, an impressive combo that held the "Official Dream Theater Tribute Band" title from November 25th 2006 until December 31st 2007.
Just to mention some: for all the guitar freaks out there, Daniele Gottardo (Guitar Idol UK finalist 2008/2009, Steve Vai Guitar Idol Award winner 2009) will be the ice-breaker in both Milan and Padova, unveiling some fine tunes from his forthcoming solo release "Frenzy of Ecstasy" (soon to be released by Favored Nations).
Chapter Zero will warm up the crowd in Bologna (Ke Me Meo club) with their complex-yet-melodic style.
Album releases
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Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted a video "musical message" for his "friends in Japan" following the earthquake and the tsunami.
Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has revealed to goldminemag.com the top-list of the albums that changed is life :
Metal-Rules.com posted the following news piece:
Dream Theater vocalist James LaBrie will release a new solo album entitled "Static Impulse" on September 28 via InsideOut Music . This new record features songwriter/keyboardist Matt Guillory , drummer/voaclist Peter Wildoer (Darkane) , guitarist Marco Sfogli and bassist Ray Riendeau (Halford) .
Steve Vai , Iron Maiden's McBrain , Bernie Marsden (ex-Whitesnake) and Toto's Steve Lukather are confirmed for the Guitar Nation Festival 2010 , to take place at the Olympia Conference Center in London , on May 8-9 , 2010 .
A new five-minute trailer for the upcoming documentary on British Metal pioneers Saxon titled: "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie", has been posted online.
Progressive metallers "Twin Spirit" has announced the first leg of "Italy in Progress Tour 2009", which will kick off in December, bringing the band into some of the best live rock clubs around Italy:
Did you know ?
