Mystery biography

Since 1986, Canadian band MYSTERY has forged themselves worldwide recognition. It all started with the release of their first CD in 1992, but it would take another four years before the Prog-AOR world discover what MYSTERY is all about. With the release of their first full length CD THEATRE OF THE MIND in 1996, MYSTERY took the Prog-AOR world by surprise. The album being divided in two parts, The Dream and the Reality, delivers great music, strong harmonies and melodies. Critics from all around the world were praising this album.

With the release of DESTINY? in 1998, MYSTERY has placed themselves as one of the best new artist in the Prog-AOR world. The critics were unanimous; MYSTERY had created something of their own and was here to stay. From the title track Destiny? To the 14 minute epic Shadow of the Lake, MYSTERY created the perfect balance between Progressive Rock and AOR, Between Acoustic and Electric, between Analogue and Digital. The new Millennium arrived with the release of a compilation CD - AT THE DAWN OF A NEW MILLENNIUM- Featuring the best songs released in the 90’s all re-mastered. At the Dawn of a New Millennium is a turning point for MYSTERY, like the end of a chapter, and the beginning of a new era. Nine years after the release of the world acclaimed album DESTINY? Mystery is finally back with a new album called Beneath the Veil of Winter s Face. The Album is the first full length album featuring new singer Benoit David. 

Benoit had joined MYSTERY not too long after Gary Savoie left the band and had participated in the recording of Hey You! Performed by Mystery on the Pink Floyd tribute album Signs of Time, released in Germany on the Eclipsed Magazine Label and the song Visions of Paradise, also performed by Mystery on the Moody Blues tribute album Higher and Higher released on the Italian label Mellow Records. Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face was recorded and mixed by Michel St-Pere at Studio illusion III in Mirabel Quebec, mastered by Richard Addison at trillium Sound Studios and featuring the beautiful pictures of Julien Roumagnac and graphic designs of Xinema’s drummer, Jonas Eckman. The Band now consisted of Benoit David on vocals, Steve Gagné on drums, Patrick Bourque ( Now living in Nashville and a full time member of the Country band Emerson Drive) on bass and Michel St-Pere on Guitars, Bass and Keyboards. The CD also features Spaced Out’s Antoine Fafard as well as Benoit Pepin on Bass. The Album was voted Album of the Year on the prestigious Dr.Music website and was in the top 10 best prog album in many magazines and radio shows. 

While Mystery is preparing the release of the 10th anniversary Edition of the album Destiny and start recording the new album due for the summer of 2009. Singer Benoit David joined legendary prog band YES for the In the Present Tour 2008-2009. MYSTERY also prepares to hit the road in 2009 with an appearance at the Montreal Progressive Rock Festival FMPM2009 with SAGA. The 2009 Line-up is now a six-piece, with Michel St-Père on guitars, Benoît David on vocals, Steve Gagné on drums, the return of Benoît Dupuis on keyboards, and two new members, Dean Baldwyn on guitar and François Fournier on bass. On the first of May 2010 the new album One Among the Living was released with a memorable performance atThe Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, PA. USA on the ROSfest opening night.

In 1991, Mystery records 25 original songs. In addition, Michel St-Père decides to produce Mystery's first CD with additional help from Ray Savoie's brother Gary on lead vocals, and Richard Addison on bass guitar. It will take a few months to produce but finally their first independently released 5 song CD is released in 1992.

Mystery generates interests from many record labels. Then, due to the unfortunate and untimely illness of Mystery's drummer, Stéphane Perreault, Mystery is forced to take a break and each member uses this time to work on different projects. Michel St-Père and Gary Savoie take the whole summer of 1993 to record another 20 original songs at Studio Illusion and they get ready for the next CD.

Autumn 1993, Mystery gets back together as they welcome back their courageous friend, Stéphane Perreault. His illness leaves him without the use of his legs. However, Stéphane's strong determination, will and his passion for his craft give him a new and unique approach in drumming. He becomes one of the first drummers to play from a wheelchair without the help of any preprogrammed sequences.

Summer 1994, Mystery plays the whole summer in venues all over the province, bringing their music to their numerous and growing Fans. Winter 1994; Mystery starts recording Theatre of the Mind, their first full lenght CD at Studio Illusion. While recording, Mystery's lineup introduces Patrick Bourque on bass guitar and Michel Painchaud on saxophone and acoustic guitar.

1995, Michel St-Pere forms UNICORN RECORDS as they are finalizing the mix for their Theatre of the Mind. Originally created to promote the music of Mystery, no one suspected that the label would become a major force in the progressive rock community a few years later. Benoît Dupuis and Michel Painchaud quit Mystery as the band is testing their Quadraphonic live sound system while preparing for the Theatre of the Mind promotional tour in various small venues in the province.

1996, Unicorn Records releases Theatre of the Mind. MYSTERY is by now a four-piece band including, Gary Savoie on vocals, Michel St-Père on electric, acoustic guitar and keyboards, Patrick Bourque on bass and Stéphane Perreault on drums and synthesizers, The band is tighter and stronger than ever and they are ready to bring their music to the whole world. Theatre of the Mind was the turning point in MYSTERY's career and for the first time the music of MYSTERY was heard outside of Canada. Then came a first review from a Canadian magazine and then more were coming from all around the world. Progressive rock radio programs would start playing songs from Theatre of the Mind and some Record labels would start selling Mystery’s CDs in countries like: France, Norway, USA and Canada.

1997, MYSTERY begins work on the third album but during the recording sessions, Stéphane Perreault left, after 7 years with MYSTERY, to concentrate on his graphic career. As the recording sessions were already started, they had to find someone who could take the job of not only a great drummer but also a great friend. With the help of Gilles Peltier, who worked on the mixing session of Theatre of the Mind, introduced Steve Gagné to the band. Steve came to Gilles’ studio and recorded one song as a try out and he fitted right away. Once again, providence was on our side, and the recordings of DESTINY? could continue.

Destiny? Is released in May 1998, an album with a more progressive edge to the music and the CD was also simultaneously license to one of the biggest Progressive rock label in Europe, MUSEA. The CD receives very good reviews from all around the world and proves to be MYSTERY's best selling album so far. At the same time a new edition of Theatre of the Mind was released with a new cover art designed this time by MYSTERY's ex-drummer Stéphane Perreault.

The name of Mystery is in every progressive rock magazines in the world. While the critic were acclaiming the new album and the band was at their best in live performances, it was clear that not all the members were happy with the direction MYSTERY was taking and by 1999, singer Gary Savoie and MYSTERY had to go their separate ways.

The new album that was planned for 1999 had not been started yet and MYSTERY had to find another singer to replace 7 years part of the band Gary Savoie. This new singer would have a big shoe to fill as reviews were often crediting Gary Savoie to be one of the best progressive rock Singer in the world. Michel St-Pere knew just who could do the job, Benoit David who Michel had met 2 years prior to Gary's departure after a YES tribute concert. Benoit’s performance was amazing and Michel knew at that time that if ever they would need a new singer, that they would ask this guy first. Steve Gagné knew someone who knew Benoît and after a few phone calls Benoît arrived at Illusion Studio to do an audition for the next MYSTERY CD. The song was Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face, a song left over from the destiny? sessions. Benoit did a great job and joined the band right away. This audition tape will later be mixed and released on the DisDURPance Vol 3 compilation CD in Germany.

Meanwhile all of this had created a delay and the new CD was already a year late and no work was done. A Compilation CD with songs from the first three CDs called AT THE DAWN OF A NEW MILLENNIUM was released on UNICORN RECORDS. The label created by Michel St-Pere was now talking to other artists for the release of their music. This Compilation CDs was to mark the ending for the first chapter in MYSTERY's career and announcing a new beginning as well as a tribute to the voice of Gary Savoie and the beautiful contributions of many musicians who helped to make MYSTERY's music what it is today.

In 2000, Unicorn Records released the music of Spaced Out and Hamadryad. The label would take more and more time in Michel’s life for he would soon develop a real passion for his work at the label. This would however have a direct effect on the Mystery project and the recording session for the new album would be delayed.

MYSTERY would fill that gap by contributing on the Pink Floyd tribute album Signs of Life with a version of Hey you! released on the German label Angular and later on a version of Visions of Paradise was produced for the Moody Blues tribute CD Higher and Higher released on the Italian label Mellow Records.

In 2007, Unicorn Records now Unicorn Digital Inc. finally releases the long awaited new Mystery album entitled Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face. The album was recorded and mixed by Michel St-Pere at Studio illusion III in Mirabel Quebec, mastered by Richard Addison at trillium Sound Studios and featuring the beautiful pictures of Julien Roumagnac and graphic designs of Xinema’s drummer, Jonas Eckman. The Bands now consist of Benoit David on vocals, Steve Gagné on drums, Patrick Bourque ( Now living in Nashville and a full time member of the Country band Emerson Drive) on bass and Michel St-Pere on Guitars, Bass and Keyboards. The CD also features Spaced Out’s Antoine Fafard as well as Benoit Pepin on Bass. Beneath the Veil of Winter’s Face was released on May the 15th 2007. (Sursa)

Interviu Riverside - Concert Bucuresti 8 Mai 2011

Rockerii polonezi de la Riverside au de toate: zece ani de experienţă împliniţi chiar în această primăvară, versuri care merg de la poezie la discurs pur, idee, profunzime, instrumentişti de primă mână şi un vocal cu un timbru greu de uitat. La 8 mai vor putea fi ascultaţi în Capitală, în concert.

Luna mai înseamnă pentru trupă un amplu turneu european în cadrul căruia a treia escală va fi la Bucureşti. Concertul de la Kulturhaus a fost posibil prin implicarea Twin Arts şi a Institutului Polonez de la Bucureşti, care aniversează la rândul său zece ani de existenţă în România.

„Suntem în discuţii cu Riverside de doi ani de zile pentru un concert în România. . . Ne pla­ce mult muzica lor şi ne-am gândit că vom fa­ce o surpriză faină rockerilor români. A fost pu­ţin dificil să ne sincronizăm, dar într-un final am reuşit. Ne-a surprins plăcut şi feedbackul mai mult decât pozitiv pe care oamenii îl au şi pentru trupa de deschidere, Tides From Nebula, ce par a avea destui fani în ţară”, ne-a de­clarat Dragoş Bâscă, event producer Twin Arts.

Piotr Grudzinski, unul dintre chitariştii de la Riverside, ne-a răspuns la câteva întrebări despre evoluţia acestei trupe spectaculoase.

•  Care au fost începuturile Riverside?

Piotr Grudzinski: Începutul a fost accidental aş putea spune. Eu şi Piotr Kozieradzki (bate­ristul) ne-am întâlnit pentru prima dată la studioul Sercos din Varşovia. El înregistra cu trupa sa de death metal, Hate, iar eu înregistram cu trupa mea, Unnamed. Am descoperit că amândurora, pe lângă metal, ne mai plăcea şi Marillion şi că fiecare considera că ar fi cool ca într-o zi să cânte ceva similar. Mai aveam un prieten, pe Jacek, care cânta la clape, iar el a fost de acord să se implice. Jacek avea un studio şi o încăpere pentru repetiţii şi tot el l-a descope­rit pe Mariusz Duda care cânta acolo cu o trupă, la un moment dat.

•  După zece ani, este Riverside trupa pe care v-aţi imaginat-o la început?

Da, desigur. Trebuie să spun că tot ce s-a întâmplat de zece ani încoace este mai mult decât am sperat la începuturile acestui proiect.

•  Când aţi fost conştienţi, pentru prima dată, de succesul trupei în Polonia şi apoi în Europa?

Ce înseamnă succes? E o întrebare dificilă. Am muncit mult ca să înregistrăm cântece cât mai bune şi am încercat să cântăm în cât mai multe spectacole posibil. Am riscat mult pentru că la început nu puteam şti ce urma să se întâmple în viitor. Nu prea ştiu cum s-a întâmplat, dar chiar de la început am avut o mulţime de oameni la show-urile noastre şi mai ales în marile oraşe precum Varşovia, Cracovia, Wroclaw ori Gdansk. La un moment dat aveam scoasă o singură înregistrare şi am cântat cu casa închisă două seri la clubul Progresja din Varşovia.

Au fost cam 600 de oameni. Este un succes? Cumva este. Prima ieşire din Polonia a fost la Prog Power Festival din Olanda, iar după spectacol am citit o mulţime de cronici bune şi oamenii ne-au spus că am fost una dintre cele mai bune trupe din festival. Şi acesta a fost pentru noi un succes.

•  Sunteţi de acord cu eticheta de trupă de rock neoprogresiv sub care circulaţi?

Nu sunt responsabil pentru modul în care oamenii ne descriu muzica. Dar prefer să folo­sesc doar descrierea de trupă rock. Neoprogresiv mă face să mă gândesc la trupe al căror fan nu aş putea spune că sunt. Iar de zece ani cred că am ajuns să scăpăm de acest „neo”. Marillion a fost doar ceea ce ne-a adus împreună, dar există doar o Marillion şi cred că oamenii nu mai au nevoie de încă una.

•  Titlurile şi atmosfera pieselor voastre sunt onirice, abisale. Cum ajungeţi să exploataţi zona asta?

Mariusz care este un adevărat povestitor şi cel care ne scrie textele şi el ar răspunde cel mai bine la întrebarea asta. I-am admirat mereu scrisul, este foarte talentat. Ceea ce mie îmi place cel mai mult sunt lucrurile ascunse din titlurile pieselor şi semnificaţia adâncă a versurilor. Mariusz alege temele în urma observaţiilor sale personale şi a experienţelor proprii. Se poate inspira dintr-o întâmplare, un film, o carte ori chiar un joc. Până acum el a scris versurile pe muzică, deci a ştiut cum sună şi ce emoţii ascunde. Cred că pe vii­tor ar trebui să inversăm asta (joc de cuvinte in­traductibil în română: to reverse/Riverside – n.r.).

•  De ce cântaţi în engleză?

Sunt două mari motive. Mai întâi, credem că engleza ne dă mai multă deschidere spre publicul din afara Poloniei. Apoi, engleza se potriveşte mai bine pe muzică, fiind o limbă mai melodioasă. De multe ori poloneza nu sună bine când este cântată.

•  Ultimul vostru album, „Memories in my head”, este o sinteză a albumelor anterioare?

Obişnuim să închidem capitole. Am făcut asta printr-o trilogie şi am scos „Reality Dream”, iar acum închidem capitolul celor zece ani cu EP-ul „Voices in my head”. Am încercat să ne întorcem puţin la albumele noastre anteri­oare „OoM” şi „SLS”, am încercat să compunem piese mai melodioase, cu mai mult spaţiu.

•  Cum vă pregătiţi pentru cele 12 concerte europene din mai?

Douăsprezece concerte, nu e rău deloc. De obicei călătorim cu două van-uri şi este obositor, dar de data asta vom avea un autocar, ceea ce va face drumul mai confortabil. Repetăm de patru ori pe săptămână, sperăm să facem nişte spectacole bune. Ne place să cântăm şi în concerte, dar şi în spaţii mai mici sau doar în studio. N-am mai fost într-un turneu de un an şi ne lipseşte, dar după o astfel de experienţă trebuie să începi să te gândeşti la ceva nou, începe să-ţi lipsească partea aceea de creaţie. Cam aşa stau lucrurile.

•  Un concert memorabil, la care aţi participat?

Cred că un show cu adevărat memorabil a fost la Arrow Rock Festival, în Olanda. 
A fost pentru prima dată când am cântat în faţa a douăsprezece mii de oameni, iar alte douăzeci de mii ne vedeau pe ecrane. A fost prima noastră ieşire în faţa unei audienţe de asemenea calibru şi a fost oarecum înfri­coşător.

•  Ce muzică ascultaţi?

Fiecare dintre noi ascultă multă muzică. Avem câteva preferinţe comune, dar, în ge­neral, fiecare caută în altă direcţie. Ceea ce ne place tuturor este Pink Floyd. Cred că este cea mai bună trupă rock din câte au fost vreodată. Mie îmi plac Dead Can Dance, care pentru mine cel puţin sunt cei mai buni.

http://www.jurnalul.ro/cultura/muzica/rock-est-european-de-prima-mana-la-bucuresti-577257.html

Prog4You.com

EVENT	LOCATION	FESTIVAL DATES
	Milan, Italy	May
	Mexicali, Mexico	March
	Whittier, CA	October
	Saint Palais sur mer, France	December
	Montreal, Quebec	September
	Barcelona, Spain	May
	Teatro-Cine, City of Gouveia, Portugal	April
MARS FESTIVAL	Milwaukee, Wisconsin	June
	Bethlehem, PA	June
	Toronto, Ontario - Canada	March
	Chapel Hill, North Carolina	August
	Tilburg, Netherlands	October
	Atlanta, GA	September
	Glenside PA	May / 2008
	Gloucester, England	September

Riverside biography

Despite not being the biggest progressive rock powerhouse of Europe, Poland have certainly sprouted great and interesting progressive bands since the heyday of progressive rock, being the biggest examples of that the singer and multi-instrumentalist Czeslaw Niemen and the supergroup SBB. After the fall of the communist regime, during the 90's and 2000's, more bands begun to form and release their material, strengthening the country's own progressive rock scene, such as the neo prog bands Abraxas and Collage, and Riverside is, quite possibly, the biggest and best known band to come out from that scene.

Riverside was formed almost by accident, when two of its members, the guitarist Piotr Grudziñski and the drummer Piotr Kozieradzki, listened to Marillion in Kozieradzki's car back in 2001. Both played in heavy metal bands at the time, but had the common interest for progressive rock, so they decided to join with their mutual friend, Jacek Melnicki, who owned a studio, and started to experiment with progressive rock. Mariousz Duda, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from the band Xanadu, joined the trio later that year for rehearsals and the results and reactions from those meetings were extremely positive. After some more rehearsals, and the completion of some compositions by the band, Mariousz started to take the role as both the band's vocalist and bass player.

In late 2002, about one year after the band's formation, Riverside's was already playing gigs in Warsaw with material that would later be their debut album, Out of Myself, and, after distributing 500 copies of their demos around the town, the band played in a small club in Warsaw by the end of the year.

In 2003, shortly after the recording of Out of Myself, Riverside's founding member and keyboard player Jacek Melnicki decided to leave the band to focus on his own studio, so the rest of the band continued to mix and produce the album, as well as to search for a replacement for Jacek, which would be the band's current keyboardist Michal Lapaj.

Upon its release, in late 2003, Out of Myself had an unexpected success in Poland, and such success led to the album's rerelease in September 2004 by the American record label Laser's Edge, which led to even bigger media coverage and even more praises and attention towards the band. Still on 2004 the band had its first gig outside Poland in the Progpower festival in the Dutch city of Baarlo. The crowd's response was so good tDespite not being the biggest progressive rock powerhouse of Europe, Poland have certainly sprouted great and interesting progressive bands since the heyday of progressive rock, being the biggest examples of that the singer and multi-instrumentalist Czeslaw Niemen and the supergroup SBB. After the fall of the communist regime, during the 90's and 2000's, more bands begun to form and release their material, strengthening the country's own progressive rock scene, such as the neo prog bands Abraxas and Collage, and Riverside is, quite possibly, the biggest and best known band to come out from that scene.

Riverside was formed almost by accident, when two of its members, the guitarist Piotr Grudziñski and the drummer Piotr Kozieradzki, listened to Marillion in Kozieradzki's car back in 2001. Both played in heavy metal bands at the time, but had the common interest for progressive rock, so they decided to join with their mutual friend, Jacek Melnicki, who owned a studio, and started to experiment with progressive rock. Mariousz Duda, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from the band Xanadu, joined the trio later that year for rehearsals and the results and reactions from those meetings were extremely positive. After some more rehearsals, and the completion of some compositions by the band, Mariousz started to take the role as both the band's vocalist and bass player.

In late 2002, about one year after the band's formation, Riverside's was already playing gigs in Warsaw with material that would later be their debut album, Out of Myself, and, after distributing 500 copies of their demos around the town, the band played in a small club in Warsaw by the end of the year.

In 2003, shortly after the recording of Out of Myself, Riverside's founding member and keyboard player Jacek Melnicki decided to leave the band to focus on his own studio, so the rest of the band continued to mix and produce the album, as well as to search for a replacement for Jacek, which would be the band's current keyboardist Michal Lapaj.

Upon its release, in late 2003, Out of Myself had an unexpected success in Poland, and such success led to the album's rerelease in September 2004 by the American record label Laser's Edge, which led to even bigger media coverage and even more praises and attention towards the band. Still on 2004 the band had its first gig outside Poland in the Progpower festival in the Dutch city of Baarlo. The crowd's response was so good that they sold out all CDs they had on stock. Still in 2004 they began to work on their EP Voices in my Head, in an attempt to keep their momentum in Poland and ready their fans for their upcoming release. The EP was released in early 2005.

Marillion played an important part in Riverside's history: the band was one important element in their very formation and Riverside's first three albums, their debut foremost and their second and third albums in a minor degree, are hugely influenced by Marillion, specifically the Fish-era Marillion.

Finally, still in 2005, the band signed with the record label InsideOut and was able to rerelease all of its previous works to the international public and could release the upcoming album (at the time) in late 2005, which is Second Life Syndrome. The album was an even bigger success than the debut, allowing the band to play for the first time overseas at NEARfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on June 24, 2006. Second Life Syndrome is considered as the band's breakthrough album, since it was responsible for most of Riverside's international attention, such as the invitation to play at the NEARfest and the title of one of the best albums of 2005 by Dream Theater's drummer Mike Portnoy.

By the release of their third album, entitled Rapid Eye Movement, in late 2007, Riverside was considered one of the big progressive metal band of the world. The tour they did supporting Dream Theater in the Fall of 2007 and the release of Rapid Eye Movement stretched the band's horizons even further and widened the band's fanbase. The album was considered by Classic Rock Magazine one of the 10 essential progressive rock albums of the decade. Rapid Eye Movement has two different release packages: the standard album and the double album, containing both the original album and a bonus disk, containing material from the 02 Panic Room Single and two new and unreleased songs.

In 2008, despite the lack of fresh material, Riverside released its first proper live release ever and it is entitled Reality Dreams. The album was recorded during a concert performed in Lodz. Also in late 2008, Mariousz Duda released an album by his project called Lunatic Soul.

2009 was a bright year for Riverside. Despite the bankruptcy of SPV, the owner of InsideOut, the band was able to release their newest album, Anno Domini High Definition, on schedule and have more success than ever. The album debuted as the leader of Polish charts and went gold on Poland, after selling over 10 thousand copies in Poland alone and seems like nothing will stop it from also claiming international recognition. Anno Domini High Definition also represents a major change of direction for the band: from the mellow and introverted mix of progressive rock and progressive metal they did until Rapid Eye Movement to full blast energetic, fresh and surprisingly original progressive metal. With their latest release, the band apparently found their own unique signature sound. The album, much like what happened with Rapid Eye Movement, have two different release packages: the standard album and the double album, containing the studio album and a live bonus DVD, recorded on December 2008 at Amsterdam's Paradiso club.

The year of 2010 seems to bring surprises as well, as Mariousz Duda announced the release of the second album from his project Lunatic Soul, what could be yet another fine release by one of those fine polish progheads.

( Biography written by CCVP. Replace original Biography written by Brian Adair)

Riverside - Live at Paradiso (Amsterdam 2008.12.10)

Pendragon - The Edge of the World

Dupa domnul Roger Waters, alti doi domni ai muzicii de calitate vin sa ne incinte cu una din piesele lor de exceptie pe care le tot ascult in ultimul timp. Nick Barett si Clive Nolan pe numele lor, care impreuna cu formatia Pendragon, fac o muzica incredibil de buna, intr-o vreme in care eu unul credeam ca nu prea se mai face nimic in domeniul muzicii de super calitate. Auditie placuta tuturor celor care vor avea placerea.



Pun aceasta piesa cu un gind special dedicat prietenului Progsor, de undeva de departe...


Sometimes I feel like a twig floating down a stream
Don't know where it's going
Don't know what it means
And that stream always ends up at the sea
And it's strange, as this is where I wanna be
And I know I'll find those of my kind
To share these words and rhyme

Sometimes I feel like a fish in the sea
And I realise that we're all already here with me

And as I stand on the edge of the world
And I look into your eyes
I realise you're still there
I thought you'd gone, like the windblown leaves
Then I remember in Zabrze
Chile and in Poland our homeland
Dzien dobry, jak sie mamy
I was scared I wouldn't see you again
I just couldn't see how
But from an acorn grows an oak
I should know that by now

So I stand on the edge of the world
And I look into your eyes
And I realise
That this was never meant to end
And I can now call you my friends

Sometimes I feel like a twig in a stream
Don't know where it's going
Don't know what it means
And I know I'll find some peace of mind
And I will always be back some day
And as I travel the far points of the earth
I will keep you in my mind
Sometimes I feel like a twig in a stream
Heading out to sea
It's then I know I'll never be alone
It's then I know I'm home

Neo Progressive

Neo Progressive definition:

Neo-Progressive rock (more commonly “Neo-Prog”) is a subgenre of Progressive Rock that grew out of a strong influence by and admiration for the classic symphonic prog bands that flourished during the 1970s. Debate over when Neo-Prog actually came into being often takes place, some asserting it began with Script for a Jester’s Tear by Marillion in 1983. Others contend it began with Twelfth Night at the dawn of the 80s, while some even suggest the popular symphonic prog band Genesis gave rise to the sound that would typify or at least highly influence the sound that characterizes Neo-Prog with their 1976 album, A Trick of the Tail.

As a transition, if one analyses the progressive movement just before 1980, then some very influential albums easily come to mind: Steve Hackett - Spectral Mornings, Genesis - Wind & Wuthering, Genesis - And Then There Were Three, Genesis - Seconds Out, Saga - Saga, all the Camel's albums between Breathless and The Single Factor included, and some Eloy's albums, especially Silent Cries And Mighty Echoes. In the 80's, the movement was primarily UK-based, but bands eventually came from countries all around the world, especially in the 90's.

Neo-Prog is characterized by deeply emotional content, often delivered via dramatic lyrics and a generous use of imagery and theatricality on-stage. The music, at odds with a few genres of music held under the Progressive Rock banner, is mostly the product of careful composition, relying less heavily on improvised jamming. The subgenre relies very much on clean, melodic & emotional electric guitar solos, combined with modern, lush, floating and atmospheric keyboards. The main musical influences on the Neo-Prog genre are Genesis, Yes, Camel, and Pink Floyd.

The 1980s:

The style of Neo-Progressive music during this decade was surprisingly not very much influenced by the New Wave movement in the realm of popular music, apart from the band Twelfth Night. Many bands who were influenced by the classic symphonic bands of the 70s sought to infuse new musical technology, such as digital synthesizers, and new production values into their sound, creating progressive rock that was fresh yet still characterized by nuances of the classic era of symphonic prog.

Premier bands of the 80s: Abraxas, IQ, Marillion, Pallas, Pendragon, Twelfth Night

The 1990s/2000s:

Just as popular music became impregnated with the New Wave sound that characterized the early 80s, Neo-Prog moved on to a more refined form that seemed to return more to the roots of progressive rock compositionally, while still trying not to regress into well-worn territory. Neo-Prog often took on a form with a much harder edge than most of the classic symphonic bands ever developed, with bands such as Arena having just as much in common with the Progressive Metal genre as with Neo-Prog.

Premier bands of the 1990s/2000s: Arena, Collage, IQ, Marillion, Pendragon, Quidam, Sylvan

This text prepared by the Neo-prog specialist team - Stonebeard, Cygnus X-2, Greenback

http://www.progarchives.com/subgenre.asp?style=18

Neo Progressive Top Albums

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Showing only studios | Based on members ratings | Top 100 Neo Progressive

4.38 MARILLION Script For A Jester's Tear (1983)	4.26 ARENA The Visitor (1998)	4.22 MARILLION Misplaced Childhood (1985)	4.24 ARENA Contagion (2002)
4.23 PALLAS The Dreams Of Men (2005)	4.11 COLLAGE Moonshine (1994)	4.10 PENDRAGON The Masquerade Overture (1996)	4.09 MARILLION Brave (1994)
4.18 MAGENTA Seven (2004)	4.11 IQ Ever (1993)	4.18 SYLVAN Posthumous Silence (2006)	4.04 IQ Dark Matter (2004)
4.03 MARILLION Marbles (2004)	4.08 PENDRAGON The Window Of Life (1993)	4.07 SATELLITE Into The Night (2007)	4.16 CLEPSYDRA Fears (1997)
4.00 MARILLION Clutching at Straws (1987)	4.07 GALAHAD Empires Never Last (2007)	4.01 IQ The Seventh House (2000)	4.10 TWELFTH NIGHT Fact And Fiction (1982)

Riverside

Poland will never be known as a hotbed for progressive rock, with extremely few noteworthy prog bands emerging from the country. However, it's fairly obvious from their debut album that RIVERSIDE could very well become the first. Formed in 2001 by four Polish musicians from different musical backgrounds (ranging from death metal to prog), RIVERSIDE was created when Grudznik and Kozieradzki met keyboard player Jacek Melnicki, who owned a recording studio in which the band would record their material. After recruiting bassist Mariusz Duda (who they would later discover to be a very talented singer), things clicked and after a couple of gigs in 2002 which were enthusiastically received, they decided it was time to do some recording. After completing most of their debut album in 2003, they released a self-financed demo, which led to interest from record labels. Their debut album "Out Of Myself" wasn't completed until later due to previous commitments for the band members, but it is now available, and it offers up a remarkable combination of metal, symphonic, and psychedelic prog. One of the best prog albums of the new millennium so far, this is a must-own for any fan of modern prog. It also serves as proof that there is, in fact, some great prog coming out of Poland. RIVERSIDE will undoubtedly go on to become one of the great modern prog bands given time, so watch out for them!

2003 Out Of Myself 4.14 (200 ratings)

2005 Second Life Syndrome 4.31 (330 ratings)

2007 Rapid Eye Movement 3.69 (79 ratings)

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1287

Si o excelenta piesa cu cei de la Riverside, intitulata "The Curtain Falls". Auditie placuta!

Galahad

One of the major names amongst the British Neo Prog scene for years. Their music blends melodic moods and with heavier parts and the strong vocals are a trademark, over an orchestrated instrumental. The medieval themes are constant on their lyrics. They have evolved to something quite a healthly new view on progressive rock. Fans of IQ, PALLAS and MARILLION should enjoy their music a lot.

Three releases: "In A Moment of Complete Madness!", "Nothing is Written", and "Other Crimes and Misdemeanours" are quite good, practically defines the genre. "Following Ghosts" is one of my all time favourite cd's. The music is very melodic and dreamy. I'm sure you'll enjoy the newfound compositional depth. It's that depth of composition that gives "Year Zero" top marks in my book. Rest assured "Year Zero" is one album that should grace all serious prog collections. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

1991 Nothing Is Written 2.49 (9 ratings)	1993 In A Moment Of Complete Madness 2.85 (9 ratings)	1994 Not All There 3.91 (2 ratings)	1994 Voiceprint Radio Sessions 5.00 (1 ratings)	1995 Sleepers 3.39 (13 ratings)
1997 Other Crimes And Misdemeanours II 4.00 (1 ratings)	1997 Decade 4.00 (1 ratings)	1999 Following Ghosts 3.02 (13 ratings)	1999 De-constructing Ghosts 1.00 (1 ratings)	2001 Other Crimes And Misdemeanors III 2.22 (5 ratings)
2002 Year Zero 3.77 (16 ratings)	2007 Empires Never Last 4.20 (42 ratings)

http://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=122