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New Headlines

This Month's Featured Article:
*NEW* The Staff's Top Picks of 2023 *NEW*

Newest Interviews:
  • Ralf Scheepers of Primal Fear
  • Derek Sherinian & Virgil Donati of Planet X
  • Arjen Anthony Lucassen
  • Ross Jennings of Haken

    Newest Concert Reviews:
  • Freihofers Saratoga Jazz Festival
  • Mark Lettieri Group
  • Riverside
  • Haken/BTBAM


  • We're Looking for Experienced HEAVY METAL & PROG Writers

    Currently, Sea of Tranquility is accepting resumes and sample work from experienced heavy metal & prog writers. If you have experience writing for either print magazines or internet webzines, specifically for any form of heavy metal (black metal, death metal, power metal, metalcore, progressive metal, etc), and progressive rock, we want to hear from you! Also, must be willing to accept digital download promos as the format for review.

    Click Here for More Information.

    News: Toby Jepson - Solo Acoustic Tour May/June 2024
    General Toby Jepson - Solo Acoustic Tour May/June 2024 - "My Life In Words - ACOUSTIC LIVE!"

    Returning to the stage as an acoustic artist throughout this May and June, Toby Jepson is set to bring stories of a ‘lifer’ in the music business to a venue near you, along with a retrospective run through the songs that have made him an enduring character of the UK rock scene for over 35 years.

    Applauded for his lockdown ‘Digital Busker’ Facebook shows, broadcast live and free from his kitchen throughout the pandemic, Toby will be bringing his legendary energy and along with partner in crime Dave Kemp in what promises to be a night not to be missed!
    Posted by Steven Reid on Fri, Feb 16 2024 @ 22:19 CST
    Read More...


    News: Angra's 'Cycles of Pain' Wins Our Readers Award for Album of 2023!
    General

    Angra's Cycles of Pain was voted by our readers as the Best Album of 2023! Coming in second place was Uriah Heep's Chaos& Colour, and third place was Rival Sons with Darkfighter. Congrats to Angra for the win! Thanks to everyone who voted, and we'll see you all later in 2024 to do this all over again.

    Pete and the SoT Crew

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Fri, Feb 02 2024 @ 19:57 CST
    Open...


    News: FISH ANNOUNCES FINAL FAREWELL TOUR - ROAD TO THE ISLES 2024/2025
    Progressive Rock FISH ANNOUNCES FINAL FAREWELL TOUR - ‘ROAD TO THE ISLES 2024/2025’

    EUROPEAN TOUR DATES ON SALE FEB 2ND

    European Tickets on-sale Feb 2nd 2024 - HERE

    UK Tickets announcing February 27th 2024.

    FISH, the icon of progressive rock and much acclaimed artist, singer, musician, front man and lyricist extraordinaire is announcing his farewell ‘Road To The Isles’ tour, bidding a final goodbye to the music industry after four decades of hits, memories and touring. He will be touring across both Europe and the UK, with the mainland Europe dates being announced today.

    The European dates kick off in Dudlange, Luxembourg on October 2nd 2024, finishing in Berlin Germany on November 3rd 2024. Tickets for these shows will be on-sale to the general public on Feb 2nd 2024. A full set of UK dates will take place in February / March 2025 and will be announced on February 27th with UK on-sale March 1st 2024.

    "Nominating a tour as a 'farewell tour' has a certain amount of gravitas,” comments FISH, “and I’m so glad that I have managed to bring together a 'best of' line up of musicians from across my live career to come out on the bus with me on my final sortie out on the road. They're not just highly talented musicians but old friends and co-writers of some of the finest songs I've released in the 35 years as a solo artist. It feels more like a Hollywood movie of veterans getting back together for one final mission rather than a rock and roll tour and the personalities and characters involved will ensure it's going to be fun both on and off stage."
    Posted by Steven Reid on Tue, Jan 30 2024 @ 19:47 CST
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    News: New Model Army release new single, Coming Or Going
    General NEW MODEL ARMY RELEASE BRAND NEW SINGLE ‘COMING OR GOING’ HERE

    TAKEN FROM THE FORTHCOMING STUDIO ALBUM UNBROKEN OUT JAN 26TH 2024 VIA EARMUSIC HERE

    ‘Coming Or Going’ is the second official single taken from New Model Army’s brand-new studio album Unbroken, out on January 26th.

    Unbroken was written and recorded over an extended period of time with both the delayed 40th Anniversary shows and the Sinfonia live orchestral project taking place during the creation of the new studio album. Nevertheless, this is a very New Model Army album, full of guitars but with the emphasis, as ever, on the rhythmic power of bass and drums, as the band continue to push the boundaries of their signature sound while staying true to their heart.

    The subjects and moods are variable, creating a diverse collection of tracks which touch on topics ranging from social and political commentary to deeply personal reflections.
    Posted by Steven Reid on Fri, Jan 19 2024 @ 15:16 CST
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    News: JETHRO TULL THE CHATEAU D’HEROUVILLE SESSIONS REMIXED BY STEVEN WILSON
    Progressive Rock AVAILABLE ON 2LP, OUT 15TH MARCH PRE-ORDER NOW HERE

    Prior to the release of their A Passion Play album in 1973, Jethro Tull recorded three sides of a double album at the Château d’Hérouville studio near Paris, France. Things did not go well, and the project was aborted.

    In the summer of 1972, the band were riding high on the crest of a popularity wave, as they sold out huge arenas on the back of their critically acclaimed, chart-topping fifth album Thick As A Brick. They went into the renowned studio, where the likes of David Bowie, Elton John, Pink Floyd and Cat Stevens had previously recorded at. The band quickly nicknamed it ‘Chateau D’isaster’ after a series of equipment failures, bed bugs and food poisoning.
    Posted by Steven Reid on Fri, Jan 19 2024 @ 14:46 CST
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    News: WHOM GODS DESTROY Reveal details for debut album Insanium
    Progressive Metal First single/video “In The Name Of War” out today! Whom Gods Destroy, the formidable new progressive metal group formed by keyboardist Derek Sherinian, guitarist Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal, and vocalist Dino Jelusick, along with the potent rhythm section of bassist Yas Nomura and drummer Bruno Valverde, are pleased to announce their debut album “Insanium”, to be released on March 15th, 2024 worldwide via InsideOutMusic. As a first appetizer for “Insanium”, Whom Gods Destroy are launching the first single and opening track off their upcoming debut album today. Check out the dynamic track “In The Name Of War” in a video directed by Vicente Cordero / Industrialism Films and edited by Vojan Koceić / PILOTstudioHERE
    Posted by Steven Reid on Fri, Jan 12 2024 @ 19:43 CST
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    News: RETROID 2049 - Music inspired by Metroid (metal, electronic, ambient)
    Progressive Metal burgersmoke writes:

    "below the smoke", would like to share with you our album RETROID 2049 inspired by the game METROID and its music. This is original music which is is not strictly retro nor future. Imagine a new METROID game released 25+ years from now and this might be its soundtrack. The result is gritty, alien, and atmospheric. The album would likely be interpreted as several related genres including: dark ambient, stoner rock, industrial and electronic. If the listener might any of the following, then we have accomplished our objective: existential dread, thrill of xenobiological discovery, cosmic horror, glimmers of hope and courage.

    100% of any proceeds from Bandcamp purchases go to Girls Who Code. Per their site: "WE'RE ON A MISSION TO CLOSE THE GENDER GAP IN TECH." We felt like Samus Aran would approve of our decision. With the winter holidays approaching, we've found that this record provides a good opportunity for parents to talk to their children about alien horror and space exploration. We offer the following advice to parents: "Sit down this holiday season with your kids at hearth's edge and read the story of Samus Aran. Tell them what you know about the Planet Zebes. Find time to discuss lore about the Chozo and how their history may relate to us even in this modern day."

    Bandcamp:
    https://belowthesmoke.bandcamp.com/album/retroid-2049

    Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/album/7sJ1FoDC0jfETEruQZspg4?si=WJOLd_jHRcyhvFdngEVjxw

    "below the smoke" is comprised of two friends who live in different cities (Portland, OR and Salt Lake City, UT) who love to collaborate on music and sound at a distance.
    https://www.instagram.com/below_the_smoke
    Posted by Pete Pardo on Sun, Dec 31 2023 @ 14:53 CST
    Open...


    News: New Album From Burning Point
    Heavy Metal Pete Ahonen writes:

    Burning Point recording new album. Finnish melodic metallers have started to record their new album. We have about 13 original songs and few cover songs and the drums are already recorded, the band states. The plan is to record the album early nex year and depends on the label released schedule, maybe a summer / fall release. Latest Arsonist Of The Soul was released October 22th 2021 by AFM Records. The new album will the first with new vocalist Niko Rauhala ( Masterstroke ) www.facebook.com/burningpointfinland
    Posted by Pete Pardo on Sun, Dec 31 2023 @ 14:53 CST
    Open...


    Concerts: Jethro Tull at the Palace Theater, Albany NY 11/4/2023
    Progressive Rock

    A spry 76 year old Ian Anderson pulled into town with his band to present the Seven Decades tour. Damn, Seven Decades, if that doesn’t make you feel old, I’m not sure what will. This was the last night of the US tour, and it appeared to be a sold out show. The Palace is a beautiful venue, and it has hosted many legends in its many years of existence. Just prior to the start of the show, Mr. Anderson made an announcement to ask the crowd to put their phones away, and enjoy the show. He promised that during the encore, you could take all the video and pictures you wanted, and the crowd from what I could see respected his request.

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Tue, Nov 14 2023 @ 20:40 CST
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    News: Gandalf's Fist Announce Songs from the Solway Special Edition
    Progressive Rock GANDALF’S FIST UNLEASHES THE MYSTICAL TALES OF CUMBRIA WITH "SONGS FROM THE SOLWAY" SPECIAL EDITION

    UK Prog-Rock wizards, Gandalf's Fist, is set to revisit the “ancient north” with the release of the much-anticipated "Songs from the Solway" Special Edition.

    For the very first time, these hidden gems from the band's 2011 EP are set to resurface as a revamped physical release, breathing new life into some of the band’s deeper cuts. The Special Edition, housed in a professionally pressed CD digipak, showcases with stunning new artwork and a captivating full-colour booklet that unfurls the historic narratives of the folklore of Northern England.
    Posted by Steven Reid on Mon, Nov 13 2023 @ 16:43 CST
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    News: Wayward Sons 2024 UK Tour
    General Wayward Sons Announce 2024 UK Tour

    The Sons are back! After the hiatus that followed their triumphant opening of the main stage at Download Festival '22, the band has announced a new UK tour for January 2024.

    Playing songs from their three acclaimed albums and some surprises too, Wayward Sons will undertake their first tour since Covid interrupted the ‘Even Up The Score’ run which sold out on many shows.

    Wayward Sons consist of Toby Jepson on Lead Vocals and Guitar, Lead Guitarist Sam Wood, Drummer Phil Martini and Bassist Nic Wastell.
    Posted by Steven Reid on Mon, Sep 04 2023 @ 19:33 CDT
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    Concerts: Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival June 24-25, 2023
    Fusion

    June 24th & 25th 2023 was a special weekend in Saratoga NY, as SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) hosted the 46th annual Jazz Festival that has been a staple since 1978. It is the fifth longest consecutive running jazz festival in North America. Two full days of music on two stages, with the main amphitheater hosting the larger acts, and a small stage on the lawn hosts some fine artists as well. The festival has a storied history, having hosted the likes of Chick Corea, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Miles Davis to name just a few.

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Fri, Jun 30 2023 @ 00:06 CDT
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    News: THE HIVES ANNOUNCE 2024 UK & IRELAND TOUR
    General THE HIVES ANNOUNCE 2024 UK & IRELAND TOUR & PLAY LONDON’S EVENTIM APOLLO APRIL 13TH

    NEW ALBUM THE DEATH OF RANDY FITZSIMMONS OUT AUGUST 11TH
    Posted by Steven Reid on Sat, Jun 24 2023 @ 15:46 CDT
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    Concerts: Mark Lettieri Group at Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs NY 5/4/2023
    Fusion

    One has to scratch their head and wonder why it can take so to take a chance on an artist. I’ve been familiar with both Snarky Puppy and Mark Lettieri for some time, but other than watching a few YouTube clips; I owned nothing by the Mark Lettieri Group. Let’s just say this past Thursday night changed everything. Lettieri and his trio played close to a two hour set of funky, rocking, tight and intricate music that was nothing short of exhilarating. I was well aware of what a great guitarist Mark is, but the songs are so good. His trio consisted of bassist Wes Stephenson (The Funky Knuckles) and Jason “JT” Thomas (Snarky Puppy) on drums.

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Tue, May 16 2023 @ 00:55 CDT
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    Concerts: Riverside, Glasgow Garage, 20th April 2023
    Progressive Rock

    It’s been 4 long years since Riverside graced Scottish soil and a lot has changed during that time. One thing that has remained steadfast however is that this four-piece are the premier Polish progressive rock act out there and neither are they shy in proving that fact. With a new album in the shape of ID.Entity to show off, this outfit weren’t here to simply celebrate their long heritage and that was reflected in a set split evenly 50/50 with old songs and new. Sea of Tranquility’s Steven Reid had his ID checked at the door of the Glasgow Garage.

    Posted by Steven Reid on Fri, Apr 21 2023 @ 23:15 CDT
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    Concerts: Haken, Between The Buried And Me, Cryptodira: Glasgow Garage 25th March 2023
    Concert Reviews

    It’s heartening to know in these days where ticket agencies seem to have borrowed their business models from the touts we used to despise, that it’s still possible to fork out less than £30 and revel in a top class evening of progressive metal. Sea of Tranquility’s Steven Reid was treated to some of the best sounds the genre has to offer as Haken, Between The Buried And Me and Cryptodira enthralled a packed Glasgow Garage.

    Posted by Steven Reid on Mon, Mar 27 2023 @ 20:28 CDT
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    Concerts: John Lodge at Cohoes Music Hall in New York 2/21/2023
    Progressive Rock

    Legendary Moody Blues bassist John Lodge treated fans to two hour long sets Tuesday Night at Cohoes Music Hall. Set 1 consisted of Moody Blues classics such as “Isn’t Life Strange”, “Gemini Dream”, and “I’m Just A Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band)” among others for the capacity crowd. This intimate venue is a great place to see a show, not a bad seat in the house. Lodge tackled the lead vocals through the first set, and although he’s not the singer that Justin Hayward is, he did an admirable job. At 77 years old, let’s give him credit for going out and performing for his fans. Lodge interacted with the crowd often, and his 10,000 Light Years Band were more than capable in recreating these classics.

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Sat, Mar 04 2023 @ 01:08 CST
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    Concerts: Steve Morse Band: The Egg, Albany NY 2/23/2022
    Fusion

    For the first time in almost 10 years the Steve Morse Band is back on the road with a short 5 date east coast tour. Now that Steve’s tenure with Deep Purple is over, we can all hope to see and hear more of Steve Morse in the coming years.

    Posted by Pete Pardo on Sat, Feb 25 2023 @ 21:24 CST
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    News: Queensryche's 'Digital Noise Alliance' Wins our 2022 Readers Poll
    General Digital Noise Alliance from Queensryche has won our readers poll for 2022 Album of the Year by a landslide! In a distant second place was Porcupine Tree Closure/Continuation and in third place came Kickstart the Sun from Cats in Space. Thanks to everyone that voted and congratulations to Queensryche for winning the Best Album of 2022 as voted by the Sea of Tranquility readers & viewers!
    Posted by Pete Pardo on Thu, Feb 02 2023 @ 03:44 CST
    Open...


    Concerts: Frost* - Edinburgh Queen’s Hall, Monday 28th Nov 2022
    Concert Reviews

    Their most recent album may well have been released a year ago but Frost* have clearly arrived at Edinburgh’s Queen’s Hall with one thing on their mind - namely to promote 2021’s excellent Day And Age. Well, I say that they only had one thought to the fore, but in truth there were another two itches the four-piece were desperate to scratch, those being to thoroughly entertain the near sell out crowd and to have a great time while doing so. Sea of Tranquility’s Steven Reid was only too pleased to get his prog thoroughly rocked.

    Posted by Steven Reid on Sun, Dec 04 2022 @ 00:52 CST
    Read More...


    Past Articles


    Thursday, November 03

    · Cats in Space at Bury Met, Greater Manchester, UK, Nov. 28, 2022 (0)


    Tuesday, October 11

    · Live: Kick The Cat at Lark Hall, Albany NY 10/7/2022 (0)


    Friday, September 16

    · Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth at Jones Beach (0)


    Tuesday, April 12

    · Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited/Seconds Out & More (The Egg, Albany, NY (0)


    Sunday, April 10

    · Stick Men: The Linda,WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, Albany NY 4/8/2022 (0)


    Monday, April 04

    · RAEL: The Music of Genesis, 4/2/2022 (0)


    Tuesday, February 01

    · Dream Theater wins our Readers Poll for Best Album of 2021! (0)


    Tuesday, November 09

    · Review: Hawkwind 'Somnia' (0)
    · Review: Glass Hammer 'Skallagrim-Into the Breach' (0)
    · Review: Between the Buried and Me 'Colors II' (w/Luis Nasser) (0)
    · Udo Dirkschneider Discusses the new U.D.O. Album 'Game Over' (0)


    Thursday, June 10

    · A Chat with Bev Bevan (ELO/The Move/Black Sabbath) & Joy Strachan (0)


    Saturday, March 27

    · Molten Dials Up Some Hot Heavy Metal Sounds (0)


    Monday, March 01

    · Blue Oyster Cult's 'The Symbol Remains' Wins Album of 2020! (0)


    Thursday, January 14

    · A Tribute to Tim Bogert (0)
    · Review: Rain 'Singularity' (0)
    · The Top 40 Albums of 2020-Pete Pardo & Steven Reid's Picks! (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Il Balletto Di Bronzo (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Aviary (0)


    Friday, December 11

    · Rob Halford Discusses His New Autobiography 'Confess' and Judas Priest&# (0)


    Wednesday, December 09

    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Triumvirat (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Zero Hour (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Epica (0)
    · An Intimate Chat With Simon Phillips (0)
    · Roine Stolt Discusses The Flower Kings 'Islands' and Upcoming Transatlan (0)
    · Vanden Plas Drummer Andreas Lill Discusses 'The Ghost Xperiment-Illumina (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Steve Hackett (0)


    Wednesday, November 11

    · Sea of Tranquility Fall Fest 2020! (0)


    Sunday, November 08

    · Fires in the Distance Debuts with Echoes From Deep November (0)


    Tuesday, July 28

    · Catching Up With Mick Box & Davey Rimmer of Uriah Heep! (0)
    · An Interview with Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown! (0)
    · A Weekend Chat with Annie Haslam of Renaissance! (0)
    · An Interview with Ronnie Platt of Kansas! (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: The Moody Blues (0)


    Tuesday, July 14

    · An Interview Steve Babb & Fred Schendel of Glass Hammer (Part 2) (0)
    · An Interview Steve Babb & Fred Schendel of Glass Hammer (Part 1) (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Crimson Glory (0)
    · An Interview with Steve Hackett (0)
    · An Interview with Jasun Tipton of Zero Hour (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Primal Fear (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Starcastle (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Fish (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Marillion (0)
    · Review: Todd Rundgren's Utopia 'Benefit for Moogy Klingman 2011' CD/ (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Pain of Salvation (0)


    Monday, May 04

    · An Interview with Bill Kielty of O Zorn! (0)


    Friday, April 17

    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Be Bop Deluxe (0)
    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Van Der Graaf Generator (0)
    · New Song 'Bloom' from Solo Artist ITAYIL (0)


    Wednesday, April 01

    · Ranking the Studio Albums: Dream Theater (0)


    Older Articles



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