| ......................................THE BAND AND RECORD OF THE MONTH |
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| . | DECEMBER 2011 |
| "Comments:
Certainly this year we closed 2011 with a collection of great new bands and amazing projects. As some of the best bands chosen by me, The Anabasis, of course, for the month of December, close my preference. This epic project, known as The Anabasis, was conceived by USA multi- instrumentalist and composer, Barry Thompson, with lyrics by George Andrade, who is also the executive producer. Barry and George, with the union of several talented musicians, together they created another masterpiece into the rock scene, blending three traditional styles of music, Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal and Heavy Metal, of course, the result was a rock opera with epic arrangements. The three musical styles developed in the arrangements, are strongly influenced by top musicians and some of the guests, the most important was to create a perfect combination of epic metal with progressive rock elements. The music on this album flows beautifully, it contains a collection of dynamically balanced songs, the main tracks are divided in parts, however, all having a very well defined sequence, meaning that the album is enjoyed best as a whole. The musicians use an endless range of sounds on the album, ranging from Progressive Metal to the traditional Heavy Metal, however, some arrangements, many vocals, keyboards and guitars remain completely in the progressive rock spheres. "Back From Being Gone", is divided into six tracks, with 74 min of a pure musical delight, from the beginning of the first track until the last one, we can hear epic compositions and many symphonic arrangements, powered by strong vocals, vibrant drums, incredible symphonic keyboards, everything well supported by a set of incredible guitar solos. Of the six tracks on this album, my favorite tracks are divided into three tracks, they are "Rome", "Vikings" and "Egypt", all them are developed in the style epic/symphonic, with touchs of heavy metal and progressive metal, finally, "Fly", "Carpe Diem" and "Epiphany" complement my preferences. This album is overflowing with memorable songs, featuring a high degree of musical talent, full of musicianship, perfect instrumental performance. Congratulations on this wonderful project, I'm sure all the musicians who have participated in this album, contributed with full knowledge of their musical abilities, where only professionals with high degree of talent are able to convey through their music and their instruments. The music written and played by all musicians on this project, is very similar, and highly influenced by bands such as "K2", "The Flower Kings", "Iron Maiden", "Dream Theater", "Hourglass", "Galahad", "Threshold", "Judas Priest", "Spock�s Beard", "Black Sabbath", "Kansas", "Cryptic Vision", "Knight Area", "Black Bonzo", "Shadow Gallery", "Images of Eden" and many others in the same line. Fans of Progressive Rock, Progressive Metal and Heavy Metal music, naturally, will find on this album a wonderful collection of amazing songs. Brilliant, fantastic, and an amazing album and project, highly recommendable... The
line-up on The Anabasis album are:
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THE
ANABASIS
The Anabasis is a progressive rock collaboration project, conceived by Norton, MA USA multi-instrumentalist and composer, Barry Thompson with lyrics by noted professional author, George Andrade, who is also Executive Producer. Barry recruited a group of extraordinarily talented musicians from all over the world to take part in the project. The premise was to provide a basic framework for the songs and then to allow the musicians to play their parts with their own style and sound.
No two musicians on the album ever stood in the same room playing with each other. Everything has been done over the Internet. As you can probably imagine, without careful planning and execution this kind of arrangement could easily turn into a disaster, but thanks to guidance from Lee Abraham, Josh Sager and several other musicians involved in the project, the results are a collection of 6 tracks -3 of which are epics- that we think will surprise many fans of the progressive rock genre.
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New
Release
"Back From Being Gone" 01)
Rome
The album is a fine production released by 10trecords in 2011. The amazing album was mixed and co-produced by Lee Abraham - Lee Abraham Band. It comes with a sixteen pages booklet with all lyrics and informations.
To get in contact or, If you would like any other information about the band, you must visit The Anabasis at Facebook Page. |
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For
more information and every thing about the musicians and band, please visit
THE
ANABASIS HOME PAGEN
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for use with Internet Explorer, FireFox and Netscape. For best view please use 800x600 HiColor |
Please send e-mail to: Progressive Rock & Progressive Metal |
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Barry
Thompson - (Guitars/ Bass/ Keyboards/ Producer) - Barry Thompson is
a multi instrumentalist who focuses on guitar and bass these days, but
has also been known to dabble in some keyboards, drums and saxaphone.
He began playing music at the age of 10 when he took clarinet lessons in
grammar school to escape the horrors of glee club and discovered that like
his father before him, he had an aptitude for music. Barry was a co-producer
of the noted charity music project "The Tsunami Projekt"
and whas also appeared on Lee Abraham's excellent second album,
"View From The Bridge" which also featured such notable UK
prog musicians such as Karl Groom (Threshold) and Martin Orford
(ex IQ). Barry's musical insfluences range from bands such as "Dream
Theater", "Spock's Beard", "The Flower Kings", and "Kansas"
to "Iron Maiden", "Opeth", "Judas Priest" and "Black
Sabbath". He lives in Norton, MA with his wife Sandie, his two dogs,
Daisy and Dino and his pain in the ass Congo African Grey Parrot, Oscar.
George
Andrade - (Lyrics/ Arrangements/ Executive Producer) - George is a
professional writer who is currently working on his latest novel "AIRS."
He is also writing lyrics to the album "AIRS" (based upon
the novel ideas and concepts) with music by writer, producer and multi-instrumental
musician Steve Brockmann of Germany. George's interests include his family
and friends, reading and writing fiction, writing lyrics, writing screenplays
and studying film structure and grammar. He also enjoys the architecture
of Antonio Gaudi, the sculpture of Rodin, the poetry of Rilke and the paintings
of Cezanne ... right now. And the only two sports that matter: hockey and
football. George's favorite music is Progressive Rock! George has
researched and written the mojority of the lyrics for "Back From
Being Gone" and he also assisted greatly with the arrangements
of the monster epic "Egypt".
Ryo
Okumoto - (Keyboards/Arrangements) - Ryo Okumoto was born in
Osaka, Japan. He began playing classical music on the piano at the age
of 3 and continued through 13. He became a professional musician at the
age of 15 performing at the Live House in Osaka for a year. Because of
his great desire to learn more about different styles of music and his
strong independence, he moved to Tokyo at the age of16. Ryo performed
in nightclubs and discos for the next 5 years. Ryo's first real
break started in 1978 when he was 19. He toured with a well-known group
called "Creation" and recorded on their album "Best of Creation".
The next year Ryo toured with the legendary, "Kitaro" and
recorded on Kitaro's album, "Live in Parco". In February
1980, Ryo's first solo album, "Solid Gold" with Canyon
Records was released. He recorded this album at Air Studio in London with
well-known musicians: Richard Baily (drummer for Jeff Beck), Kuma
Takeda (bass), Katsutoshi Morizono (guitar) and Delandro Winston (guitarist
for Elton John). Two month later in April, Ryo released his
second solo album, "Makin' Rock" with Canyon Records. This
record was recorded at Sound Labs Studios in Hollywood. He once again had
the best musicians recording behind him: David Foster (keyboard), Jay Graydon
(guitar), Steve Lukather (guitar), Jeff Porcaro (drums) and Neil Stubenhaus
(bass). Ryo's third album was released in June that same year with
Canyon Records. This was called "Synthesizer" and recorded
at Sound Design Studio in Tokyo.The next year, Ryo decided to move
to Los Angeles in March. Tokyo seemed stagnate to him now and he yearned
to learn more about the different styles of music that LA had to offer.
Ryo
studied at Dick Grove School of Music for the next 4 years. Upon graduation
his talent and creativity were welcomed by the American music scene, and
he has been involved in a numerous projects worldwide ever since. The artists
he has performed with include "Phil Collins", "Eric Clapton",
"Aretha Franklin", "Barry White", "Eric Burdon", "Peabo
Bryson", "Natalie Cole"
and "Roberta Flack". He also has been part of countless world tours.
His professional credits are listed below. It was 1987 when Ryo
became part of progressive rock group "Spock's Beard". Their 10th
album "X" was released last year, and their Europe tour was
a great success. Ryo's talent is internationally recognized now
and he is reaching audiences all over the world. He has been featured on
many magazines worldwide. Dutch rock magazine "iOPages" is one of them.
Ryo's
talent has no limitations. Ryo's undying passion for music, will
always keep him visible, whether it be rock, jazz, R&B or a broadway
production. He will always be in the public's eye. Performed and/or Recorded
with: "Phil Collins", "David Foster", "Debbie Gibson",
"Al Green", "Eric Clapton", "Steve Lukather", "Lamont
Dozier", "Nichele Nichol", "Natalie Cole", "Jeff Porcaro",
"Richard Elliot", "Roslyn Kind", "Barry White", "Simon
Phillips", "Jennifer Holliday", "Louis St. Louis", "Kitaro",
"Jay Graydon", "Sue Raney", "James Ingram", "Peabo
Bryson", "Original 5th Dimension", "Aretha Franklin",
"Dionne Warwick", "Aaron Neville", "Marilyn McCoo",
"Melissa Manchester", "Johnny Gill", "Eric Burdon of the
Animals", "Roberta Flack", "Pointer Sisters", "Brenda
Russell", "Glenn Hughes", "Patti Austin", "Smokey
Robinson & the Miracles", "Bobby Kimball", "Sheena Easton",
"Eric Carmen", "Teena Marie", "Robbie Robertson",
"Chris Squire".
Per
Fredrik "PelleK" Åsly - (Lead Vocals) - PelleK is a Norwegian
metal vocalist. Having recorded for bands from Sweden, Norway, The U.K,
Greece, Italy, France and more he makes his living singing for different
metal bands and projects from all around the world. he has just recently
returned from touring around the U.K with the british symphonic metal band
"Damnation Angels", where he's the lead vocalist. With more than
8,500 subscribers on YouTube and over 1,000 members on his personal fan-forum,
it's also safe to say that his solo-career is starting to take shape. PelleK
has sung different metal songs on national television for millions of people
and received great feedback from the creators of the songs he's covered,
such as Luca Turilli's feedback on his TV performance of "The Ancient
Forest of Elves". PelleK spends his free time making youtube videos,
covering his favorite metal bands, or playing in his local progressive
metal band "Reaching Horizons". He's influenced mostly by singers
from his own country, like Roy Khan (Kamelot), Jørn Lande
(Jorn,
Masterplan), and Nils K. Rue (Pagans Mind)
and some of his favorite bands are "Masterplan", "Vagabond",
"Kamelot", "Helloween", "Blind Guardian", "Shaman",
"Angra" and more. He has also just released an EP on iTunes, entitled
"My Demons" that features guest vocals by Tommy Karevik (Seventh
Wonder) among others.
Gerald
"Mully" Mulligan - Drums - Gerald, who is from Alresford which is near
the historic city of Winchester in the county of Hampshire which is in
the south of England, has been playing drums since he was a kid and is
currently the full time drummer for "The Lee Abraham Band" as well
as several other various side projects. Mully plays a variety of
music including progressive rock, progressive metal and just straight up
rock and roll. After hearing his performances on Lee Abraham's albums,
"View From The Bridge" and "Black & White"
it became immediately apparent that he was "the drummer" for The Anabasis.
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Gordon
Tittsworth - (Lead and Backing Vocals) - Gordon is the founder of the
Baltimore,MD/ York, PA-USA based Progressive Metal band, "Images of
Eden" as well as the vocalist for the Guatemala-based Power Metal/Hardcore
band, "Dread The Forsaken", and the Houston, TX-based Progressive
Metal band, "All Too Human". Gordon has been into music all of his
life...even before becoming a musician. By age 5, he was already listening
to "Led Zeppelin", "Black Sabbath", "Kiss" and many
other classic rock bands regularly. He picked up his first guitar at age
13 and practiced for no less than 3 hours a night. In college he decided
to take formal vocal lessons because he didn't want to restrict himself
to being just a guitarist. This diversity prompted him to learn how to
play the other instruments that comprised a rock band (drums, bass guitar,
keyboards). Little did he know that this would later come in handy! Gordon
had been in and out of bands over the years but never really found anyone
who was at the same level of experience or shared my same musical dream
and direction. He always had his own distinct vision with plans on one
day bringing it to life but he always seemed to run into obstacles along
the way... He had dealt with non-motivated band members and/or "dictators",
inexperienced musicians, and conflicts with the other writers in various
bands. Finally, after negatively parting ways in 1998 with a band called
"Out Of Nowhere", Gordon was at his limit with dealing with incompetence
so he decided that it was time to bring his vision to life without having
it diluted or compromised. In September 1999, he went into the studio with
a session drummer to record the debut "Images of Eden" CD (Chapter
I). His goal was to fully produce a CD with his own original material
playing all of the instruments himself (except drums) as well as design
the artwork. The final product would then be used to carefully select musicians
to complete the full-time lineup. This was the birth of his band "Images
of Eden" and only the beginning... Now "Images of Eden" are
about to release their 3rd CD, "Rebuilding The Ruins". For
more info, as well as clips from their 2nd CD "Sunlight of the Spirit"
(available on Nightmare Records), check out their "Images of Eden"
Lee
Abraham - (Bass Guitar/Mixing & Producer) - Lee Abraham is a musician
from the south of England. He is also the owner and operator of Dockside
Studio, also in the south of England. He started playing guitar and bass
guitar at the age of 15 after listening to "Iron Maiden", "Queensryche"
and "Metallica" records and thinking �I can do that!�
Lee played in a succession of local pub/club band throughout his teenage
years into his 20�s and always dabbled in writing his own songs. In the
end frustration with the small local scene Lee turned his attention to
just writing music and entered the world of music recording and production.
1997 was an �awakening� year for Lee as he listened to modern progressive
bands such as "Dream Theater" and "Spock�s Beard" for the
first time and dived headlong into writing his own complex and epic music.
Now with his own recording studio Lee has lent his services to a small
but select range of other musicians looking to record similar music in
a creative atmosphere. He is always looking for projects to record and
mix�