In care se vorbeste (canta) despre o anumita parte a rock-ului

First topic message reminder :

Incep astazi sa trec in revista niste baieti care ma incanta de ceva vreme (ok, s-au strecurat si ceva fete ) prin zgomotele care le produc. Dati-le o sansa, chiar daca initial nu va spun mare lucru.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Mentionez ca ma voi inspira aproape exclusiv de pe site-ul de capatai al progului (desi bineinteles ca puritanii spun ca deja a virat-o spre fateta mai comerciala a abordarii), http://www.progarchives.com/
Aici veti gasi detalii despre trupele prezentate de mine, discografii, componente, exemple de piese sau videoclipuri etc. Feel free to explore !

INDEX

A

AFTER CRYING
AGALLOCH
AKKERMAN, JAN
ALCEST
AMON DÜÜL
AMOS, TORI
ANATHEMA
ANDROMEDA
ANEKDOTEN
ANYONE'S DAUGHTER
APHRODITE'S CHILD
AREA
ARSENAL
ASIA
ATHEIST
AVALON
AYREON

B

BACAMARTE
BARCLAY JAMES HARVEST
BARRETT, SYD
BEATLES, THE
BECK, JEFF
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
BELIEVER
BJÖRK
BLACK SABBATH
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT
BLOTTED SCIENCE
BLUE OYSTER CULT
BLUT AUS NORD
BOWIE, DAVID
BUCIUM
BYRON

C

CAMEL
CAN
CANVAS SOLARIS
CARAVAN
CELELALTE CUVINTE
CHICAGO
CHROMA KEY
CICCADA
COLOSSEUM
CRIMSON GLORY
CULT OF LUNA
CURVED AIR
CYNIC

D

DARKWATER
DAVIS, MILES
DEAD CAN DANCE
DEATH
DEATHSPELL OMEGA
DEEP PURPLE
DEUS
MCLAUGHLIN AND DE LUCIA DI MEOLA
DI MEOLA, AL
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA
DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE
DREAM THEATER

E

ECHO
ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
ELOY
EMERSON LAKE & PALMER
EMERSON, KEITH
ENO, BRIAN

MONO


Post Rock/Math rock • Japan

Mono biography
The Japanese Mogwai? Well, not quite, but one might get the impression
if not paying enough attention to the music. Formed in Tokyo (Japan)
back in 1999, Mono are undoubtedly one of the most popular
representatives of the post-rock genre. However, do not go expecting to
hear anything remotely similar to the more "avant-garde" side of
post-rock (GY!BE, A Silver Mt. Zion etc.) Mono's approach is
considerably more melodic, and the compositions are structurally much
simpler. This guitar-lead ensemble mostly relies on creating very
emotionally charged compositions, occasionally using huge build-ups with
their massive distorted guitar riffs ("wall of noise") in a similar way
to their Scottish counterparts Mogwai. Their approach is hardly the
most original one, but it does sound good, and I guess that's all that
really matters, right? Recommended for fans of the genre.

MOON SAFARI


Symphonic Prog • Sweden

Moon Safari biography
MOON SAFARI started as a figment of our imagination in the late
twentieth century. Realised in 2003, we are now casting our first
progressive pie of epic proportions, "A doorway to summer", into the
face of the enlightened world.

Fifteen minutes of rehearsal on a
dark February night was all it took to make us feel warm and summery
inside. So the following month we entered the local recording facilities
in Skelleftea, a small stretch of shoreline in the north of Sweden, and
begun scribbling down the blueprint for what would later become a
doorway to summer.

The four-track demo recorded that spring was
send to Mr Tomas Bodin of the FLOWER KINGS. Our star-struck attitude
must have been the convincing factor as he happily agreed to make the
long journey north to mix and master the demo in the summer of 2003. The
outcome of the collaboration, resulting in great versions of "Doorway"
and the booming "Lovely rain", pleased both parties and it was decided
then and there that we would record an album, with Tomas himself playing
the role of producer.

Now, circa two years later and tons of
experience richer, after some gruelling months of recording and a whole
lot of fun, we hope you'll join us, in the land of a million bells and
whistles, where under a pebble somewhere, you might just find "A doorway
to summer" .

Pretentious enough for you?

THE MOODY BLUES


Crossover Prog • United Kingdom

The Moody Blues biography
Imitation. Innovation. Sensation. That pretty much sums up the first
phase of THE MOODY BLUES. Their 1965 debut, "The Magnificent Moodies,"
was your standard British Invasion record; R&B covers and originals
from Mike Pinder and Denny Laine that included an earlier #1 hit single,
Go Now. In 1967, Justin Hayward and John Lodge replaced Laine and Rod
Clarke, and what followed was the stunningly original "Days of Future
Passed."

Featuring orchestral arrangements and introducing to
many ears the transcendent tones of the mellotron, that work almost
single-handedly set the stage for the progressive rock movement.
Subsequent albums confirmed the band's status as England's newest
sensation: "On The Threshold of a Dream," "A Question of Balance,"
"Every Good Boy Deserves Favour" and "Seventh Sojourn" all hit #1.
Hibernation of a sort followed in the mid '70s, as each member of the
band released solo albums (Hayward and Lodge had the most success with
their 1975 effort, "BLUE JAYS.")!

The band regrouped in the '80s
and picked up where they left off (commercially anyway) with "Long
Distance Voyager." Though the '90s found the Moodies less of a
commercial force than a cult band, the group still tours and releases
albums on occasion (including 1999's "Strange Times"). Their mix of
sentimentalism and existentialism still resonates with listeners today, a
point perhaps best made when the band was invited to play themselves on
that most trendy of television shows, The Simpsons.

MUSE


Prog Related • United Kingdom

Muse biography
Muse comprise Matthew Bellamy (lead vocalist, lead
guitarist, and pianist), Chris Wolstenholme (bass guitarist) and Dominic
Howard (drummer).

Muse came together at the age of 13, although
the band was then known as Gothic Plague. The name changed to Fixed
Penalty, then Rocket Baby Dolls, and finally to Muse, following a
"battle of the bands" competition which they won despite playing music
that was overtly aggressive and smashing everything on stage.

In
October 1995, Dennis Smith discovered them playing in a Cornish village
and eventually offered them free studio time. IN 1998, Muse released
their self-titled EP, and the single "Uno".

Following the success
of their second single "Cave", they released their first album
"Showbiz" in 1999. Produced by John Leckie, who also produced
Radiohead's "The Bends", Showbiz drew a lot of criticism for its
similarities with Radiohead, but nevertheless was successful - and the
only real similarities lie in Matt Bellamy's vocal style.

The
following album, "Origin of Symmetry" was also produced by Leckie, but
saw Muse becoming more experimental in the ways they created
atmospheres; Wind Chimes, Bones, Llama claws and bubble wrap are all
used to create effects.

A stream of awards and touring followed,
and it wasn't until 2004 that Muse finally released "Absolution". This
time they employed Paul Reeve, John Corfield and Rich Costey to handle
production. The latter will be familiar to The Mars Volta fans, but had
also worked with the likes of Fiona Apple and Philip Glass. Costey's
finicky approach to recording and mixing makes "Absolution" stand out
from the Leckie produced albums, in that the overall sound is "bigger"
and the bombastic nature of the music is underscored heavily.

Following
"Absolution"'s huge success Muse confirmed their status with a storming
set at Glastonbury in 2004, more awards and singles success and a
fourth upcoming album.

MY DYING BRIDE


Tech/Extreme Prog Metal • United Kingdom

mie imi plac, ce sa fac....
My Dying Bride biography
MY DYING BRIDE is a band that never stirs up much
discussion in the progressive rock community. We often make the
assumption that they are the average gothic/doom metal hybrid and
nothing more. But if you were to listen to their music, you would here
the beauty and details that make MY DYING BRIDE much more than that.
Anyone dismissing this band that is even slightly into progressive metal
is making a huge mistake.

The band formed in June, 1990 in
Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. They were formed after guitarist
Andrew Craighan and drummer Rick Miah left their former band ABIOSIS to
join vocalist Aaron Stainthorpe and guitarist Calvin Robertshaw. At this
point MY DYING BRIDE was now formed.

MY DYING BRIDE became a
common name in the metal community with the release of "Turn Loose The
Swans", which released in October of 1993. This album sounded much
different from their debut full-length, mostly because the violin
playing of Martin Powell was fully integrated into their sound. "Turn
Loose The Swans" is a very influential album in the doom/death/gothic
metal world, and is an absolute classic in the genre. The frequent use
of piano and violin, as well as slower tempos should appeal to prog
fans. This is often regarded as one of the most important developments
in the doom metal genre.

MYSTER MOBIUS


Experimental/Post Metal • Multi-National

Myster Mobius biography
Multi-national ensemble MYSTER MOBIUS was formed in early 2004,
consisting of members from Hungary and France. They have been an active
and popular live band from the onset, and have made a name for
themselves also due to the video art of non-musical member Brigitte Kull
whose installations is used as a dominating backdrop in their stage
act.

Myster Mobius was signed to Musea Records in 2010, and their self-titled debut album was released shortly after.


nice

NEGURA BUNGET


Tech/Extreme Prog Metal • Romania

http://www.negurabunget.com/


foarte apreciati peste hotare romanasii nostri.

NIGHTWISH


Progressive Metal • Finland

Nightwish biography
Finland's NIGHTWISH has founded a medium where pure
angelic vocal beauty combines with rugged metal guitars, and where
intricate keyboard arrangements team up with driving rhythms, creating a
soaring stylistic mix. 2003's symphonic metal shining star Century
Child has set the band upon a stunning adventure in crafting a unique
and genre-defining sound.

Humbly begun in 1997 as keyboardist
Tuomas Holopainen's, guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, and trained operatic
vocalist Tarja Turunen's ill received acoustic project, they found
balance when they added drummer and percussionist Jukka Nevalainen and
opted replace acoustic with electric guitars.
Entranced with their new identity, NIGHTWISH was quickly signed to
Finland's premier label, Spinefarm. Debut "Angels Fall First" made a
huge impression upon the scene thanks to its unique hybrid of sounds and
styles, with much of the focus centering on the operatic and enigmatic
singing of front woman Tarja. The initial offering was soon followed by
the even more progressed and adventurous "Oceanborn", which stayed in
the Finnish pop charts for over 30 weeks. At this time, they had three
singles in the top 10. This success led to packed shows in Finland, and
soon to continental European shows and ensuing success. The overseas
reactions and a growing cult-like interest in the United States
encouraged Century Media to sort out a licensing agreement securing
their next studio output for domestic release, as well as the two back
catalogue pieces so they could be appreciated by a wider audience. In
2000 the band released their third effort, "Wishmaster", immediately
going platinum at home and selling well over 20,000 units in the U.S.
with very little support or notoriety from the industry and promotional
outlets.

THE NICE


Symphonic Prog • United Kingdom


The Nice biography
The NICE was the precursor to one of progs most influential bands -
EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER. This band began their career at the dawning
of rock and its sub genres, the closing of the sixties and an era of
growing desires to challenge the boundaries of popular music. The four
musicians branched out, utilizing and combining classical, jazz, blues
and rock music to forge a new and dynamic sound - later to be known as
Progressive Rock. The seeds were already sown for the Symphonic and
Orchestral style of music that Keith EMERSON would champion throughout
the decades to come.

NINE INCH NAILS


Crossover Prog • United States

Nine Inch Nails biography
US band NINE INCH NAILS was more or less formed in
1988 by Trent Reznor, and while other musicians have participated in
various manners over the years the band is first and foremost his solo
project.

The early start of this band occurred when Reznor worked
as a janitor and assistant engineer at Right Track Studios, and asked
the owner Bert Koster to be allowed to record some music of his own in
the studio when it wasn't otherwise occupied. The subsequent demo
recordings, where Reznor handled all instruments apart from drums
himself, landed him a record contract with TVT Records, and 10 cuts
from these demos were polished and issued as the first NiN album Pretty
Hate Machine in 1989. The album eventually sold to platinum, one of the
best selling independently releases records of all time. Tours in the
US and Europe followed until 1991, when his record label pressured
Reznor to start recording more studio material.

1992 saw the
release of two EP's under the NiN moniker. The 8 track EP Broken was
another highly successful venture, and while arguably better known for
the promotional videos made for the singles released from the EP it was
commercially highly succesfull as well, and eventually lead to Reznor
getting two Grammy awards. The remix EP Fixed followed towards the end
of the year.

Citing inspirations by Pink Floyd (The Wall) and
David Bowie (Low), The Downward Spiral was Reznor's next full length
effort to be issued under the Nine Inch Nail's moniker. And like his
previous efforts it proved to be a massive commercial success, and is
regarded as a major artistic achievement as well. The album appears in
numerous lists of the most important albums of all times, whether they
are based on commercial or artistic principles. The tour in support of
the album was as massive a success as the album itself, and lifted Trent
Reznor once and for all up to the major artist level. Even the remix
album Further Down the Spiral became a commercial success story,
shifting enough copies to achieve the Gold Album merit shortly after
it's release.

MIKE OLDFIELD


Crossover Prog • United Kingdom


http://www.mikeoldfieldofficial.com/
Born in 1953 in Reading, England, Mike OLDFIELD took
up the guitar at seven and was composing instrumental pieces by age 10.
With his sister Sally, he secured a record deal under the name
SALLYANGIE and released the folkish album "Children of the Sun" in 1968.
He then landed a position playing first bass and later guitar with
WHOLE WORLD, led by ex-SOFT MACHINE co-founder Kevin Ayers. During the
next few years he also served as a studio musician at Abbey Road, where
he experimented with a wide range of instruments. He gradually built up a
home studio and began working on a large-scale project, playing all of
the parts himself. This was the prototype for "Tubular Bells", but
OLDFIELD had no success generating label interest until he met with
future Virgin Records founders Simon Draper and Richard Branson. They
loved his ideas and gave him plenty of freedom to record in their
state-of-the-art The Manor studio, and ended up releasing "Tubular
Bells" on their brand new label when no other record company showed
interest. The record shot to first place in the UK and elsewhere,
attracting the attention of director William Friedkin, whose use of the
intro segment in "The Exorcist" generated widespread recognition
(OLDFIELD was not pleased by the association, however).

OPETH


Tech/Extreme Prog Metal • Sweden

Opeth biography
Yes, some people would consider OPETH to be a pure
(melodic) Death Metal band but you have to differentiate a lot. The four
guys from Stockholm/Sweden feature a lot of different elements on their
albums. We have the aggressive death metal with Mikael's growls (which
are not generated with help of a computer, it's actually his voice) with
lots of breaks, mostly acoustic including Mikael's clear voice. Mr.
Åkerfeldt himself always underestimates his clear voice and often points
out that he is a novice regarding this kind of singing. But that's not
true, false modesty is the term here. His clear voice is warm and simply
beautiful. The whole music is guitar orientated, on the one hand we
have great riffing for aggressive parts, awesome melodic solos and on
the other hand acoustic breaks with admirable melodies with some
Scandinavian folk influences here and there and of course Mikael's clear
vocals. Sometimes you even get some PINK FLOYD or PORCUPINE TREE like
parts or whole songs.

Sure, the band started out as a pure Death
Metal combo regarding to their first release" "Orchid" but from their
second release on the prog elements got more and more. The second album
"Morningrise" for example features a pure Prog song with PINK FLOYD like
parts as well as epic song lengths. Mikael Åkerfeldt who also is the
indispensable head of the band, often mentions that he is a proghead and
mostly likes bands like CAMEL and PORCUPINE TREE. No doubt, you can
hear those influences on albums like "Still Life" and "Blackwater Park"
but their highlight regarding to pure Prog for sure is their 2003
release "Damnation" which features an entire album in the style of
PORCUPINE TREE. Not really astonishing regarding the fact that Steven
Wilson of PORCUPINE TREE is a good friend of Mikael and Peter and even
worked together with the band for their double release "Damnation" and
"Deliverance". Steven Wilson also produced their album "Blackwater Park"
which is regarded as their best work so far, not only by death metal
fans but also by many others normally disliking death metal growls (like
me). "Damnation" for sure is the album most of you would be interested
in because it is a pure Prog album. But Mikael said that the band will
not do something similar again, he even announced the next album to be
their most heavy, we will see. Sure isn't that this release opened the
door to new fans and certainly displeased some of their old fans coming
from the death metal origin.

LE ORME


Rock Progressivo Italiano • Italy

Le Orme biography
Excellent early-70's Italian progressive trio (still
around today) with classical stylings, featuring keyboards to the fore
and a unique dreamy/powerful style. Le ORME was one of the three major
Italian groups, the other two being PFM and BANCO. This band is usually
considered as the Italian EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER and even BANCO DEL
MUTUO SOCCORSO by the Italian singing. Its music is based upon organ
developments and soli reminding Seventies groups which works are
essentially built upon keyboards parts.

The band's truly classic
period begins with their third next releases. "Uomo Di Pezza" (1972) is
one of Le Orme's definitive Italian progressive rock albums. Although
there is definitely an significant EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER influence
here, as in the bombastic Moog and Hammond workouts countered by mellow
balladry. It's not quite as integrated a feel as would characterize
their next two albums, "Felona E Sonora" and "Contrappunti", though its
fantastic nonetheless, and one of Le ORME's three essential albums.
"Collage" and especially "Florian" offer a music tinged with classical
music. "Felona E Sonora" (1973) is probably one of my top favorite
Italian progressive rock albums. "Contrappunti" (1974) is another
fantastic Le ORME album, and really the close of their classic trilogy.
This album would effectively close out the band's streak of success.

"In
Concerto" is an excellent live album from 1974 with many unreleased
tracks. "Piccola Rapsodia Dell' Ape" is more recent, an excellent mixing
of Progressive and Italian baroque music. "Collage" and especially
"Florian" offer a music tinged with classical music. In 1993 the
Japanese progrock label Crime Records released the 2-CD Live ORME with
live-material from '75-'77. An far more captivating document than "In
Concerto" from '74.

ORPHANED LAND


Experimental/Post Metal • Israel

---

Orphaned Land biography
Hailing from Israel, ORPHANED LAND borrow heavily from Middle Eastern
music to spice up their extreme progressive metal sound. Founded in 1991
under the original name RESURRECTION, ORPHANED LAND drew attention to
their unorthodox sound with 1992's "The Beloved's Cry" demo (issued on
cd in 2000) and then made two well regarded albums with France's Holy
Records, 1994's "Sahara" and 1996's "El Norra Alila". During this period
the line-up consisted of Kobi Farhi (vocals), Yossi Saharon (lead
guitar), Matti Svatitzki (rhythm guitar), Uri Zelcha (bass) and Itzik
Levy (drums), but internal dissention drove them apart. ORPHANED LAND'S
sound is simliar to bands like OPETH, The GATHERING, GREEN CARNATION and
BORKNAGAR with heavy Middle Eastern influences and instrumentation
thrown into the mix.

A long silence ensued, but in 2001 ORPHANED
LAND decided to reunite for a series of concerts and a one-off acoustic
set. The enthusiastic response to these showed that their original
albums had gradually seduced a large number of fans throughout the Arab
world, and proved reason enough for a more permanent reunion to take
place. So after obtaining new members Eden Rabin (keyboards) and Avi
Diamond (drums), ORPHANED LAND struck a new deal with Century Media and
released their long-awaited third album, "Mabool"(The Story Of The Three
Sons Of Seven), in 2004.

Highly recommended for fans of
progressive metal, this band is like a breath of fresh air, with an
original and very unique sound.
m-au impresionat in mod placut.

PAGAN'S MIND


Progressive Metal • Norway

Pagan's Mind biography
Pagan's Mind, a Norwegian Progressive Metal band, formed in 2000 with
Nils K. Rue on vocals, Stian Kristoffersen on drums, and Thorstein Aaby
on guitar, They all played together in a 80s metal inspirated band but
wanted to aim higher and quickly replaced the old bass player with
Steinar Krokmo. Guitar virtuoso Jorn Viggo Lofstad joined with Steinar
and brought a change to this new band. Jorn and Steinar added with them
the Progressive edge that the band would have in the coming years. Their
debut album was recorded just one month after Steinar and Jorn joined
the band and they were all pleased with the finishing result which was
called Infinity Divine Keyboardist Ronny Tegner, who recorded keyboards
with them, saw a great potential in Pagan's Mind and joined the band.
Since the formation and after two albums, co-founder and guitarist
Thorstein Aaby left the band in 2003 and Pagan's Mind's guitar duties
solely rested on Jorn Viggo Lofstad's shoulders. Pagan's Mind is what
would remind you of a traditional PROG POWER band with influences of
CONCEPTION, DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE, contemporary jazz, neoclassical
elements and also some influences by Norwegian Black metal bands. When
you put it together, it becomes the insane formula that is Pagan's Mind.

The
first album brought the sounds of an old Norwegian giant, CONCEPTION,
DREAM THEATER, QUEENSRYCHE and the sounds of 80's Metal all mixed
together into an amazing dark, Progressive Power Metal assault that is
somewhat like EVERGREY with a strange twist. The second album is the
most complete, bringing classical, neo-classical, jazz and Black Metal
influences forth and with amazing lyrics that can impress even the best
of lyricists. Pagan's Mind's Celestial Entrance is excellent and fans of
Progressive Metal should have a listen of it.

Pagan's Mind is
one of these new-era Progressive Power metal bands that are very good.
Sure they might take a lot from DREAM THEATER as an influence, but this
is one of the more impressive Images and Words influenced bands out
there. Highly recommended for Progressive Metal lovers.

PAIN OF SALVATION


Progressive Metal • Sweden

Pain of Salvation biography
Pain of Salvation is widely known as one of the
fundamental progressive metal bands from the second generation, which
came around the mid 90's, but the fact is that the band is one of the
oldest progressive metal bands still active. The band was formed by
guitarist, singer and composer Daniel Gildenlöw and friends in 1984, two
years after Fates Warning, Three years after Queensrÿche and a year
before Dream Theater, when Daniel was only 11 years old. At that time,
the band was called Reality, but as Daniel got older he realized the
band's name needed to changed, despite the band being basically the
same. So, in 1991 the band officially changed from Reality to Pain of
Salvation. Daniel, over the years, gave various different reasons for
the change of name, but the common feature of all those explanations is
the fact that the name symbolizes the balance between things of vital
significance, such as good and bad, light and dark, life and death.

The
band had numerous personnel changes, mostly during the Reality period
and the early period of Pain of Salvation up until their second album.
Since the release of One Hour by the Concrete Lake the band remained
fairly stable, with only two important band member changes: when
Kristoffer Gildenlöw, Daniel's brother, left in 2006 due to being unable
to attend to rehearsals because he lived in Denmark, and when Johan
Langell, Pain of Salvation's drummer since 1989, left in 2007 in order
to focus on his own family.

After having a reasonably stable
lineup for some time, Pain of Salvation decided, in 1996, to search for a
record deal with some record label, but first recruited the keyboardist
Fredrik Hermansson to complete the band's intended sound. During the
rest of 1996 they distributed various demo tapes in hope to get signed
with any interesting label. In early 1997 the band started recording
their debut album in Roasting House, a professional recording studio in
Sweden, and in August of the same year Entropia was released in Asia by
Avalon, a Japanese record label owned by the Japanese record company
Marquee, with generally positive response feedback, eventually leading
to another licensing deal, this time with Romanian label SC Rocris Discs
still in late 1997.

CARL PALMER


Crossover Prog • United Kingdom

Carl Palmer biography
Consider a whirling dervish in drumming terms and
you have Carl Palmer. Born in Birmigham 1950, Palmer became a
professional drummer at an early age (15) playing in some lessor known R
n B bands before getting his first big break in Chris Farlowe's backing
band and then moving onto The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown in the late
sixties.This is where he met the excellent organist Vincent Crane and
the two of them from there decided to form a new band Atomic Rooster.
Their debut album was released in 1969 and although not making a big as
an impact as say King Crimsons debut is still highly regarded as an
important album in the early development of prog.Palmer wears his jazz
influences on his sleeve here and perhaps it was this that brought him
to the attention of musicians in the experimental/progressive scene' not
least messrs Emerson and Lake.Looking for a drummer for their new band
they had taken a close look at Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience)
and Jon Hiseman (Coloseum) before deciding that Carl Palmer was the
man.Apparently Palmer was reluctant to leave an established band but
Greg Lake's powers of persuasion forced him to reconsider!

ELP
was up and running with an official debut performance at the massive
1970 Isle Of Wight rock festival.ELP were flown in by helicopter and
announced their arrival with twin cannons.Carl proudly displayed his
Noddy motif on the drum kit somewhat in contrast to the intensity of the
force behind the kit.There is no doubt that Palmers youthfull energy
and at times devastating technical skill was of massive importance to
ELP's sound and style.Any band needs its engine room and Carl was the
equivalent of a nuclear power station!

Determined to continue
his development as a musician Palmer studied tuned percussion with James
Blades at the London College Of Music.This enabled him to broaden both
his skills.Palmers kit grew as well as he acquired 2 large gongs
,obviously an important part of any self respecting prog drummers
armoury! At live gigs Palmers drum solo became an event in itself as he
battered the gongs and happily pulled off his shirt in grand showmanlike
style.

ALAN PARSONS PROJECT


Crossover Prog • United Kingdom

Alan Parsons Project biography
The ALAN PARSONS PROJECT is a "project" of acclaimed English producer
Alan PARSONS, best known for his works with The BEATLES's "Abbey Road"
and PINK FLOYD's "Dark Side of the Moon". Along with songwriter Eric
WOOLFSON, PARSONS created a series of 10 (and counting) albums of
progressive rock, employing a rotating cast of session musicians to do
most of the performing. (PARSONS does play keyboard and sings on some
tracks.). He creates the concept, writes some of the music and hires the
artists, while WOOLFSON writes the lyrics, some of the music and sings
on many tracks. Additionally, Andrew POWEL joined the project in 1976 as
musical arranger.

"Tales of Mystery and Imagination" (1975): The theme of this album is inspired by he works of Edgar Allen Poe.
"I
Robot" (1977): The story of the rise of machine and the decline of man,
which paradoxically coincided with his discovery of the wheel.
"Pyramid" (1978): "Pyramid" examined the power of ancient myths.
"Eve" (1979): "You can't live with them. You can't live without them."
"The
Turn of a Friendly Card" (1980): "a reflection of something that was
going on in my subconscious. It's tied up with Monte Carlo, gambling
there and taking risks generally."
"Eye in the Sky" (1982): "a cautionary tale about the loss of individualism."
"Ammonia Avenue" (1984): The title track was inspired in part by a Petro-Chemical plant in Middlesborough, England.
"Vulture
Culture" (1984): "an unsparing look at modern society, at contemporary
relationships and the business of popular culture."
"Stereotomy (1985)": The word Stereotomy comes from Poe's "The Murders in the Rue Morgue".
"Gaudi"
(1987): This album was inspired by the life and works of Antonio Gaudi
(1852-1926), a Catalan architect whose grand conception, The Sagrada
Familia Cathedral in Barcelona.
"Freudiana" (1990): PARSONS and WOOLFSON planned an album called "Freudiana", about the psychiatrist Sigmund Freud.
minunata piesa

JOHN PETRUCCI


Tech/Extreme Prog Metal • United States

John Petrucci biography
John Petrucci is known as the guitar player of DREAM THEATER, but he has
a succesful solo career as well. His last album comfirms that fact.
Petrucci can be compared to a lot of genious guitar players, but he has
his own style. He mixes classical scales with some jazzy soundscapes and
of course with the best progressive heavy metal. As a composer he tries
to use different formats on the songs he writes. Some of them are quite
tightly composed, but he also has some tracks with a very complex
structure giving place to some experimentation. Of course he has a lot
of symphonic moments too. If you like DREAM THEATER, SHADOW GALLERY or
SYMPHONY X with lots of virtuosism and talent, then you will like it.

In
my opinion, his latest album, "Suspended Animation", shows all his
skills quite nicely, and serves as an excellent introduction to his
music. Of course you can listen him in all DREAM THEATER albums or with
his partner Mike Portnoy on the LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT 1 and 2
albums.

Higly recommend, you will like it.

PINK FLOYD


Psychedelic/Space Rock • United Kingdom

masivi, giganti....
http://www.pinkfloyd.com/

JEAN-LUC PONTY


Jazz Rock/Fusion • France

Jean-Luc Ponty biography
JEAN-LUC PONTY isn't only a virtuoso violinist but
also one of the greatest Fusion composers who blended different genres
with great success and a pioneer of the electric violin, his solo works
include very different albums as the brilliant and almost symphonic
"Aurora" or the less inspired Afro Jazz oriented "Tchokola", in other
words not only a prolific but also a very eclectic and talented
Progressive musician.

JEAN-LUC PONTY was born in Avranches France
on September 29,1942 started his violin studies at the age of five with
his father who was Director of the school of music in Avranches and a
violin teacher as well, at the age of 13 left school to fully dedicate
to the music, later (At the age of 15) was admitted in the Paris
Conservatoire graduating two years later with the institution's highest
award, Premier Prix.

Being Classical trained, joined CONCERTS
LAMOUREUX ORCHESTRA where due to the influence of some friends got
interested in Jazz. Incredibly his first works in Jazz were done playing
the tenor Saxophone until 1962 when he returned to his first love the
violin.

1969 was an important year for the 27 old musician who
joins FRANK ZAPPA for the release of "Hot Rats" nd then THE GEORGE DUKE
TRIO for about a year. In 1970 returns to France in order to form The
JEAN-LUC PONTY EXPERIENCE until 1972 when comes back to USA to rejoin
THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION.

In 1974 he's recruited BY JOHN
MCLAUGHLIN'S MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA with whom he releases "Apocalypse" and
"Visions of Emerald Beyond" playing a very important role in both
albums.
un om si vioara lui minunata...

PORCUPINE TREE


Heavy Prog • United Kingdom

Porcupine Tree biography
PORCUPINE TREE are incredibly hard to describe
because their music doesn't fit into any one genre. I like the
description on the back of the album "Signify" (one of my all time
favorites). It says "Porcupine Tree have managed to defy genres and
blend together numerous ambient, rock and avant-garde styles to create a
musical landscape that is both refreshing and compulsively seductive".
The great post-GONG revival which gave birth to OZRIC TENTACLES now
brings us PORCUPINE TREE. The hypnotic rhythms, spacy synthesizers,
glissando guitar and crazy voices which made the style successful are
all contained here.

The band started as a solo project of
singer-songwriter-guitarist Steve Wilson who, back in the early
nineties, released a series of increasingly spaced-out ambient
excursions. PT is one of the most innovative bands in prog today
combining intense musicianship, unconventional composition and superb
studio production. They are unquestionably one of the UK's most inspired
and inventive rock groups.

The bands 4th studio album from '96.
"Signify" saw Porcupine Tree truly gell as a studio band producing a
blend of psychedelia, heavy rock, melancholic pop, kraut rock, and wild
experimentation that brought the best out of each band member. Their
latest two albums ("Stupid Dream" and "Lightbulb Sun") move the band
further away from their influences and into their own catagory, by which
other bands eventually will be compared. But if you are a fan of
progressive, thoughtful, briliantly executed and flawlessly produced
music, you will do no better than PT.

PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI


Rock Progressivo Italiano • Italy

Premiata Forneria Marconi biography
The pioneer of Italian Progressive groups, PREMIATA FORNERIA MARCONI
(PFM for short) is one of the leaders of the 70s prog movement. PFM
developed a style which is uniquely Italian while maintaining links with
the rest of the prog world. A lyrical, romantic and delicate music,
full of fineness. A great melodic and instrumental richness, somptuous
compositions and arrangements. Sometimes compared with the early KING
CRIMSON, the group had its own musical personality, with its elegant
music.

"Per Un Amico" ("Photos of Ghosts") and "L'Isola Di
Niente" as well as their first, "Storia Di Un Minuto" are all virtual
classics of progressive music, obviously influenced by early KING
CRIMSON and GENESIS yet sounding nothing like them. The instrumentation
is superb with fluid guitar, highly original synthesizer sounds,
beautiful violin and flute, and ethereal vocals that are so important to
the music, that replacing them with English vocals becomes a detriment.
"The World Became The World" is another English-language album, but
this time with the same music, so it's not as bad as "Photos Of Ghosts".


"Marconi Bakery" is a compilation of music from the first three
Italian albums. "Jet Lag", from 1977, had much of the original PFM
spirit with a jazz inclination, akin to groups such as ARTI + MESTIERI,
though somewhat more low-key. "Suonare Suonare" came out in 1980, and
saw PFM turning back toward their original sound, from the style of
"Passpartu". On "PFM - Live In Japan 2002 (Tokyo)" the band plays
classic tunes from the Seventies. A must for all prog fans...!

PRIMUS


Prog Related • United States

Primus biography
PRIMUS is the creation of LES CLAYPOOL. PRIMUS is almost impossible to
classify into a genre, considering Les' influences and their deep manic
style of playing. LES CLAYPOOL is a huge fan of RUSH, and influenced by
the likes of PETER GABRIEL and THE RESIDENTS. Les is an extremely
inventive and influential bass player, very influenced by STANLEY
CLARKE, CHRIS SQUIRE, and GEDDY LEE. In 1986 Les created a band called
Primate featuring him, Todd Huth and Jay Lane. Playing an incredibly
funky artsy rock, Primate's songs told quirky stories set to extended
instrumental improvisations and switching time signatures, similar to
that of FRANK ZAPPA. Soon changing their name to PRIMUS, Huth and Lane
were later replaced by LARRY LALONDE, guitarist of death metal band
Possessed and drummer TIM "HERB" ALEXANDER. Becoming even more complex
and creating a well-known art-funk style, PRIMUS soon sold many records
despite their oddity prog style. Their musical interplay was very much
admired, and soon became legendary on the rock circuit for songs like
"Jerry Was A Racecar Driver" and "My Name Is Mud". PRIMUS is also known
for being a silly RUSH, due to them being a power trio with a bass
player singing. LES' songs are usually messages hidden in stories, or
flat-out anecdotes from the past set to art-funk. Around 1997, TIM
ALEXANDER decided to leave the band for other projects, and Les picked
up drummer BRIAN MANTIA, BUCKETHEAD drummer and old friend. After the
successful "Antipop" album, TIM ALEXANDER joined the band for the new
2003 album "Animals Should Not Try to Act Like People", being a DVD
collection with 5 new songs, PRIMUS at their proggiest, their new
direction is even more spaced-out and jammy, something like a heavy
PHISH.

Their most known albums would be "Sailing the Seas of Cheese" and "Pork Soda", both of them proggy funk tour de forces.

PRO MUSICA


Heavy Prog • Romania

Pro Musica biography
PRO MUSICA were another classic progressive Romanian
band to come from the thriving scene of Timiºoara, to have a great
career which encompasses many styles (in this case, heavy, folk, plus
elements of classical and jazz), to achieve legendary status and then to
sink into oblivion.

The band was formed and lead by guitarist
Ilie STEPAN, whose restless pursuit of the ideal rock concept work made
him an iconic figure of the local scene. The first era of the band dates
between 1973 and 1975, when PRO MUSICA were a progressive folk act,
consisting of Ilie STEPAN, Perin BOIAN and Adina DIMITRIU (all guitar),
Dietrich KRAUSER (bass), Erlend KRAUSER (violin, guitar), Doru
APREOTESEI (keyboards), Eugen IOSIF (vocals, wind instruments), Adrian
DAMINESCU (cello, percussion). They wrote and performed a concept work
called "Creanga de cireº" ("Cherry Tree Branch") in 1974, which also
included chamber music accompaniment and made the band very popular as
an opening act for PHOENIX. When starting the work for a new show in
early 1975, the group disbands, and STEPAN plays bass for the heavy prog
band PROGRESIV TM.

The second and definitive era of PRO MUSICA
is that of the heavy progressive period between 1978 and 1993, with an
unstable line-up and with a new concept. In the early 80s, the band
creates a new, outstanding work called "Introduction To A Baroque
Concert", with heavy sounds, orchestral arrangements and original texts
spanning the medieval to baroque age intended to stimulate a fusion of
ancient and modern music, culture and spirituality. Unfortunately, the
texts were considered "mystical" (hence subversive) by the regime and
the show was canceled by the authorities. Only later after the mid-80s
will the band have the chance to record other versions (according to the
Censorship's standards) of some of the songs. Such is the excellent
work that appears on the "Formaþii Rock 9" Electrecord sampler. Some of
the material would again be recycled in 1988 for the "Rockul Baroc"
album, but with some new members and less inspiration. After leaving
their mark on the 80s scene, PRO MUSICA has one last period of glory in
the early 90s. The anticommunist Revolution starts in Timiºoara and the
band provides the anthem for the new political and civil movement.
Finally in 1993, Ilie STEPAN organizes a final show with the occasion of
the 20th anniversary, gathering together most of the musicians to take
part in PRO MUSICA.

rar asa o piesa faina.

PROCOL HARUM


Crossover Prog • United Kingdom

Procol Harum biography
PROCOL HARUM came out of the ashes from a band called the PARAMOUNTS
that had its roots back in 59 (!!) and had split in early 66. Gary
Brooker meet lyricist Keith Reid and began writing songs and by 1967, it
became clear that they would need the help from their old colleagues
from PARAMOUNTS days to form their new band to be called PROCOL HARUM.
They developed a really new sound with two KB (piano for Brooker and
Hammond organ for Fisher) and a guitarist extraordinaire called Robin
Trower who was greatly influenced by JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE. They
quickly became one of the precursor of progressive rock (along the MOODY
BLUES and The NICE) and mixed in some classical influences (BACH in
"Whiter Shade of Pale") and sold millions of singles but also albums.

They
became the first band to build a multi-movement suite that lasted a
whole side and this was in early 68 in their second album called "Shine
on Brightly" and became a real influence for all progressive groups to
come. By their fourth album "Home", the sound had evolved to an almost
hard-rock but by the following one, the guitarist Robin Trower left for a
long and successful solo career, leaving Brooker alone at the driving
wheel. From their "Grand Hotel" album, the sound will be tamer but still
explosive but all of the succeeding album would follow suit, the band
still enjoyed many hit singles. Until they folded in 77, victim of the
punk wave. They sporadically reform around the Brooker-Reid duo and
Fisher to record a new album and small tour, the most recent being in
2003.

PROCOL HARUM is highly recommended for all the progheads
who are interested in the birth of prog and its roots as well as its
inventive use of an symphonic orchestra often used a real instrument in
their music.