Sonic Perspectives

“This whole trip was chaos,” confides a visibly exhausted Timo Kotipelto. The reserved but charismatic Stratovarius front-man and I are tucked away in a corner at the lobby of the Sonesta Midtown hotel, spitting distance from popular ProgPower USA breakfast spot The Silver Skillet. The pair and their band-mates are about twelve hours removed from their blistering headliner spot at Night Two of  the festival, which is back in full swing after a series of Covid-related delays. Placed in the unenviable position of following Pain of Salvation’s full performance of “The Perfect Element,” Stratovarius did the impossible and reinvigorated the hell out of a crowd that their Swedish neighbors had reduced to a blathering, weeping mess.

Not a soul in that rabid audience would have thought for a second that the band’s high-octane delivery of was fueled by almost zero sleep. “We were supposed to fly Wednesday, but our flights were canceled and we had to fly out the next day.”

Think about that for a second. Timo, bassist Lauri Porra, and drummer Rolf Pilve left Finland the very same day they were scheduled to close out one of the most prestigious metal festivals in the United States. “I can’t sleep on airplanes,” Timo had told me earlier.

“And we had jet lag,” chimes in Timo’s longtime band-mate Jens Johansson (Rainbow, ex-Dio, ex-Yngwie Malmsteen). “It was about midnight for us...”

“No, it was actually about 4AM in Finland when we were on stage,” Timo corrects him. He’d been awake almost twenty-four hours by the time they were due to begin.

This scenario is a damn good illustration of the Stratovarius work ethic. Though the band has certainly endured a fair bit of turmoil, their dedication to their craft and their consummate professionalism forbids them from backing down, backing up, or giving anything less than 100% to their profession. Even as they made the transatlantic trek, news leaked about their upcoming new album, “Survive,” and both Timo and Jens eagerly discussed it, the performance rush they still get after decades of performing, and being among the first metal bands to break into the Latin American market, all between sips of Hartwall and a surprise appearance by freshly-minted ProgPower alumni Mindmaze.

Listen to the Finns chatting comfortably with our contributor Gonzalo Pozo below and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post STRATOVARIUS Singer TIMO KOTIPELTO on Upcoming “Survive” Studio Album: “The Biggest Difference Is That We Composed This Album Together, In the Same Room” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators will be releasing “Live At Studios 60”, exclusive vinyl for Record Store Day on June 18th. It’s their first-ever double live LP featuring their entire 2022 album, “4;” plus performances of the group’s Top 5 Rock Radio Hits, including “You’re A Lie,” “World on Fire,” “Anastasia,” and “Driving Rain.” Copies of this will undoubtedly not last long on the shelf due to its limited release of only 2250 copies.

Slash [lead guitar], Myles Kennedy [vocals], Todd Kerns [bass], Brent Fitz [drums], and Frank Sidoris [rhythm guitarist] raged through a live streaming event at Studios 60 for a 60-minute performance that was recorded and captured for this double vinyl release. Anyone who watches the live stream or gets the vinyl will witness five veteran musicians telling the musical story of “4” as a complete body of work. From the first song of “4”  to the last bonus track, the band was in lockstep during the recording and instinctively knew each other’s mannerisms which brought the songs to life. Pre-order for SMKC’s “Live at Studios 60”here.

Bassist for SMKC, Todd “Dammit” Kerns, delivers his powerful and unique rhythmic playing, which helps give the band its signature sound on their rise to being one of the greatest rock bands. He instinctively knows how to handle each song by playing between the melody and the harmony, which is felt more than heard, making him a tremendous musician. Most people may not be aware that Todd is also a multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has a solo band, Toque, with fellow Conspirators‘ bandmate Brent Fitz, and has his own line of signature blended coffee “Todd Kerns Dammit Brew.” You can order his coffee here.

Correspondent Robert Cavuoto had an in-depth conversation with Todd about the making of “Live at Studios 60,” insights into the work and preparation that went into pulling it off, the importance of capturing the spirit and moment of “4” live, his solo band Toque, and the success of his line of signature blended coffee! Join in on the fun and check out their conversation, and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new content we publish on a daily basis.

The post TODD “DAMMIT” KERNS of SLASH Featuring MYLES KENNEDY & THE CONSPIRATORS Talks “Live At Studios 60” Exclusive Vinyl Release: ‘It’s A Unique Way to Celebrate the Release of 4’ appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Michael Monroe has long been at the forefront of breaking musical barriers from Hanoi Rocks to his successful solo career. He returns with his highly anticipated album; “I Live Too Fast to Die Young,” due out on June 10th via Silver Lining Music.

In an era where the pandemic and war are seamless bookends to a continually crazy society, Michael and his band Steve Conte (guitars), Rich Jones (guitar), Karl Rockfist (drums), and Sami Yaffa (bass/guitar), try to set the world straight. In 2021 they decided to get together to write eleven street-walking, jive talking’, strutting ‘n’ swaggering “proclamations.” All the elements that drive this kick-ass band’s rebellious spirit.

Michael continues to deliver his brand of rock & roll in the purest of forms, laced with punk attitude and ethos. Stand-out tracks are “Young Drunk & Old Alcoholics,” “Murder the Summer of Love,” and the title track, “I Live Too Fast to Die Young.” These songs are filled with raw and honest emotions sung with heartfelt passion.

Correspondent Robert Cavuoto had an in-depth conversation with Michael about “I Live Too Fast to Die Young”, his passion for lyric writing, topics he gravitates toward, why he won’t sing just any superficial, pretentious crap songs, and why a US tour is not in his future plans. Join in on the fun and check out their conversation below,  remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new content we publish on a daily basis.

The post MICHAEL MONROE Talks Upcoming “I Live Too Fast to Die Young” Album: ‘This Is the Type of Record That You Will Want to Listen to Over and Over’ appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Just over a year ago Evergrey released “Escape of the Phoenix,” an album that was not only the band’s greatest commercial success, but was also widely acclaimed as one of the best albums of 2021. At Sonic Perspectives, we rated it number one. While many other bands would have been content to rest and revel in the accolades pouring in, these Swedish metallers have proven that they are still filled with creative ambition more than twenty years into their career. On May 20th, Evergrey will share with the world the newest chapter in their discography, thirteenth studio album “A Heartless Portrait (The Orphean Testament).”

Saturated with darkness and melancholy, this album is an absolute standout, and it seems yet again Evergrey are destined to climb to the top of many listeners’ album-of-the-year lists. This album reflects the Evergrey that fans have come to know and love while still reflecting fresh, authentic passion for the craft. Dramatic synth melds seamlessly with dynamic soloing, mesmerizing hooks pull the listener in headfirst, and boundless landscapes sprawl from every word. Rich with emotion and inspiration, “A Heartless Portrait” is an incredible addition to an already storied career, and will certainly find itself an instant fan-favorite. The album also comes accompanied by a three-part music video series, yet another round of cinematic splendor by longtime video collaborator Patric Ullaeus. From the enticing cover art to the breathtaking poetry in every verse, this is an album you certainly don’t want to miss. 

Sonic Perspectives collaborator Samantha Buckman caught up with Evergrey’s vocalist Tom Englund, and the pair discussed fan involvement with the new album, recently released live album “Before the Aftermath, the band’s plans for upcoming shows, and a myriad of other interesting topics. Listen to their chat on the links below and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post EVERGREY’s TOM ENGLUND Speaks About Upcoming Thirteenth Studio Album “A Heartless Portrait”: “We Have the Same Eagerness, the Same Energy, the Same Urge to Make Great Music” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Skid Row has always been one of the hardest working bands in the metal / hard rock circuit, but their touring schedule in 2022 is absolutely insane, even for their standards. With over sixty shows booked until the end of the year and hitting all corners of the world, it seems that nothing can stop these New Jerseyans.

There’s also new music in the front: the band has put the final touches on a new album, entitled “The Gang’s All Here”, set for release on October via earMUSIC. And if that wasn’t enough, Skid Row recently announced a replacement on the mike stand: singer Erik Grönwall took over from ZP Theart, and has already had his live debut with the band. The group played its first show with Grönwall on March 26 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada as the support act on the rescheduled dates for Scorpions‘ “Sin City Nights” residency. The nine-song set included the new single, “The Gang’s All Here”, which was made available on March 25.

Pre-order “The Gang’s All Here” album HERE.

Skid Row recorded “The Gang’s All Here” in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with Foo Fighters, Stone Sour, Halestorm, Evanescence, Rush and Alice In Chains, among many others. If the live performances from Erik Grönwall are anything to go by, the fans can expect the new album to be one of the best in their career – that is saying a lot for a band with such a rich history.

Sonic Perspectives collaborator Rodrigo Altaf caught up with Skid Row’s bassist Rachel Bolan, and the pair discussed the current plans, the adaptation of Erik Grönwall to the band, the effect the grunge era had in the band, and a myriad of other interesting topics. Listen to their chat on the links below and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post SKID ROW’S RACHEL BOLAN Talks Bringing Onboard New Singer ERIK GRÖNWALL: “It’s Unbelievable How Everything Worked Out and Fell into Place So Perfectly” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

John5 is one of the hardest working musicians on the planet, and to prove it, he will be heading out on his Spring/Summer 2022 Sinner North American Tour before a Rob Zombie tour this summer. Johns‘ tour starts in California on April 19th and takes him through June, ending in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Supporting many of his shows along the way will his Rob Zombie touring partner Piggy aka Count D, with his solo band, The Haxans. With dates already selling out, fans need to get their ticket quickly.

Tickets and Meet and Greet packages can be purchased here.

John 5‘s guitar abilities are unsurpassed to most guitarists with the perfect combination of brilliant technique and style. A visionary player that can sculpt sound and bend minds in equal measure. He is a true innovator and virtuoso on the guitar. His playing style stretches the boundaries of rock, country, progressive, and blues, sometimes all in the same song. Together with Logan Miles Nix on drums and Ian Ross on bass of The Creatures, John and his band explore every sonic highway possible. Combining his insane style of playing with some off-the-wall macabre theatrics will make for an incredible show. The common thread running through all of the songs, whether on his CDs on performing live, is the passion and emotion applied to them, delivering them with heart and soul.

Correspondent Robert Cavuoto had an in-depth conversation with John5 about his upcoming tour, the preparation that goes into it, his secret to surviving any tour, and some surprise KISS members who may be appearing with him on stage! Check out their conversation, and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

Tickets to your shows are selling fast and furious; two shows have already sold out. Congratulations!

It’s really wonderful; I’m super happy and super pumped to get back on the road! I’m telling you I can’t wait!

I spoke with Count D of The Haxans last week, and he is also excited about the tour; he said it was a lot of work to coordinate schedules. How did it all come about; did the planets and stars have to align to do this?

Yeah, we will be out with The Haxans! People really need a great night out. We were heading out on the road, and I said, “Hey man, why don’t you come out with us?” From there, we put it all together, and it just happened. I’m happy that it is going to go on. People are really going to love Piggy D and Ash Costello’s performance. It will be a great night out.

I’ll be at the Sellersville Pennsylvania show on May 8th to see both of you perform!

There are only six or seven tickets left for that show.

Do you have any plans to jam together at the end of your set?

I hope so! We should think of a song and put one together.

I would like to see that.

Me too [laughing]!

You were supposed to go on tour with Yngwie Malmsteen this past winter. Can you share details of that decision not to go out on that tour?

It was Corina crazy! Yngwie is my hero. At the time, it was so bad; it was insane. I felt terrible because I love him so much. I feel bad because I was so looking forward to the tour. It was a terrible time of year. People were going through a lot.

Was there any discussion in rescheduling a tour with him because it would be a tremendous double bill?

It was a tremendous double bill! I hope he is not too salty with me. Hopefully, we can do it again as I felt terrible.

I saw you last August at the Sherman Theater in Pennsylvania during the hurricane. Will you be changing things up for this tour?

Oh yeah, that show was crazy! It was insane. I remember it because the weather was so bad. I couldn’t believe the number of people who showed up. I loved that show. Every tour I’m on, we change the song and all that stuff.

Any new theatrics?

There will be all sorts of cool new stuff. We are recording for a new live record, so we will be recording in Sellersville.

That’s awesome; I thought you were only recorded at the Iridium in New York and a show in California?

We are going to do it all over the country because now we have the technology. Before, we thought to record just in San Francisco and New York, but we can do it all over the place, and I’m super happy about that.

I have seen you play multiple times live; there is a magical way that you bond with your guitar on stage. Can you tell me about that magic?

It’s funny you say that as I thought about it the other day. My guitar was my first toy. I still get to play with my toy at my age. It’s funny to think of it that way as there is a huge bond. Just imagine if the first toy you loved growing up you could still play with, and it wouldn’t be weird to play with it in front of a group of people. And to have them be accepting it of it [laughing]! So, there is a bond there, and it’s wonderful. It’s hard to explain because it’s the meaning of life doing what you love, and it’s definitely what I love.

Going back to the recording question, you previously mentioned that Peter Criss was going to be joining you at one of the New York shows. Is there a chance that Ace Frehley will be joining you as he has a show in New York on June 11th, same as you?

I don’t know about Ace. Peter will probably come up to the New York show at the Iridium. I don’t know exactly what we are going to do, perhaps just jam. I love Ace, and hopefully, we can get together to do some picking because we always have a great time doing that.

Any time you get to play with a member of KISS is incredible.

Absolutely [laughing]. It’s incredible; they are our heroes!

What aspects of touring do you like, and what don’t you like?

That’s a great question. I love touring in the summertime, going to the record stores, being in great weather, and seeing the crowds. Also, things that sound so simple like going to catering to eat, going into the hotel, or getting into a freshly made bed. It’s one of my favorite past times. The thing I don’t like about touring is the travel. The flying the long drives. They say in the business that they don’t pay you to play; they pay you to travel!

You have played the theaters as a solo artist and the arenas with Rob Zombie. Tell me about the dichotomy of the two settings?

I have played clubs, arenas, and theaters. It doesn’t matter. I’m happy as long as I have a guitar in my hands! I don’t care where I’m playing. I love being on stage and playing in front of people, and it gives me so much happiness. I get that from the people.

What about the intimacy of playing in clubs compared to areas?

I could be looking at 500, 5,000, or 30,000 people, and it doesn’t matter to me. I know it sounds crazy. Of course, everyone loves playing huge shows, but as long as I have a guitar in my hands, I’m happy.

Is there a lot of choreographing when you play areas with Rob Zombie? Stand here, don’t stand there, etc.?

I don’t know if I would be called choreographing; it’s like you stand don’t stand here, don’t stand there because you will get blown up [laughing]!

Whether with your solo band, The Creature, Rob Zombie, or Marylin Manson, what is the secret to surviving a tour?

It is not very Rock & Roll to say this, but you have to be healthy and stay healthy. You have to eat right. Your body is the most important thing up there. You have to take care of yourself; when you don’t feel good, it comes out in your playing.

How have you avoided the pitfalls of alcohol or drugs on the road as I think it comes from boredom?

My family drank and smoked, and I came from a very nice neighborhood with a great upbringing. I knew I didn’t want to do that as it was scary. At a very young age, I didn’t see its benefit. I was right because I don’t know one person who is still doing it from back in the day. You have to take care of yourself. Every day you are doing a show or traveling. Everybody knows when they come back from a vacation or do a little traveling, they get home, and they are spent. Imagine that times 100.

I heard how devastated you were about Taylor Hawkin’s death; were you friends?

He was a friend, and we did shows together; it really hit me hard because he was such an incredible musician. He was such a great human and person. It really made me sad. People loved him.

I’m sorry for your loss.

Thank you.

Do you remember your first tour?

I remember it vividly. I was in a band called Red Square Black with Randy Castillo, and we opened up for Testament. I was so excited to be on a real tour with a tour bus. We had a blast and one of the greatest times I’ll never forget. It was a month-long tour.

What became of the Red Square Black?

I think I started playing with K.D. Lang and went on tour. Everything started to happen for me around that time.

How long does it take you to get up to speed for a Rob Zombie tour? You have a tour with him this summer.

I prepare at home. I always go into band rehearsals prepared to do the show. It doesn’t matter with Rob or The Creatures; I’m always very prepared. When we are getting ready for a two, it probably takes about two weeks for pre-production. We do it in a big production rehearsal room and rehearse for about six hours a day for five days a week because of screens, production, and lunch. It’s fun because you are hanging out with your friends.

You use a different guitar for almost every song at your solo shows. How many guitars do you take out with you?

I take about 12 different guitars. Some have different tuning while others light up. I like to give people a show and make it exciting. People want to see the different guitars; I know I loved that when I was a kid.

The post JOHN5 Reflects on His Touring Routine, and Shares Excitement Towards Upcoming North American Sinner Tour 2022: “As Long As I Have A Guitar In My Hands, I’m Happy!” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

Some collaborations do take time to mature and to come into fruition. In the case of James LaBrie and Paul Logue, it took 11 years for their album to finally be concluded. Their story began in 2011, when James lent his voice to a song called “No Holy Man”, from Paul‘s band, UK melodic metal outfit Eden’s Curse.  The pair remained in touch through the years, and the idea of making an album together was always in the back of their minds.

Fast forward to 2020, and with the extra time on their hands due to the pandemic, the opportunity to finally write an album together seemed too good to be missed. The songs started to take shape without any specific genre in mind, although the initial intention was to explore acoustic-driven themes. The end result is called “Beautiful Shade Of Grey”, and presents different aspects of humanity. In James‘ words: “A lot of these lyrics are dealing with the beauty of human beings, and a lot are dealing with the grey areas of the in between. You’re not exactly happy, but you’re not exactly sad, either.”

Musically, the album aptly showcases a wide array of influences from these seasoned musicians, and pays homage to their heroes. Shades of Deep Purple, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Styx, Journey and many others can be heard on the eleven tracks of “Beautiful Shade of Grey”. Completing the lineup we have guitarist Marco Sfogli, who’s contributed on all of LaBrie’s solo albums since 2005’s “Elements of Persuasion”, Eden’s Curse keyboardist Christian Pulkkinen and James’ son Chance on drums.

Other early tracks like the adventurous and lovelorn “SuperNova Girl” and the uproarious self-revelation of “Hit Me Like A Brick” are eager to come to blows with false pretenses, be they felt with a romantic interest or from within. On the enduring melancholy of “Sunset Ruin”, LaBrie pays remembrance to his late brother, who passed from pancreatic cancer in 2016.

Sonic Perspectives collaborator Rodrigo Altaf has been a Dream Theater fan since 1995, and had the chance to sit down with James to discuss his new solo album, the band’s current “Top of the World Tour”, what it feels like to play with his son, the band’s reactions to their recent Grammy award, what transpired behind the scenes when Mike Portnoy recently attended a Dream Theater show in New York, and much more. Listen to their chat on the links below and remember that for more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post DREAM THEATER’s JAMES LABRIE Talks New Solo Album, GRAMMY’s Award and Rekindled Friendship with MIKE PORTNOY: “We Chatted, Had A Long Good Discussion, Gave Each Other a Hug and Took a Picture Together” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

The march of time may bring about change, but the memory of those who lived the glory days of thrash metal in the 1980s don’t have to settle for a future that doesn’t possess the music they love, at least if Germany’s own thrash titans Destruction have anything to say on the matter. Having been left with little avenue for touring over the past 2 years due to Covid restrictions putting the economy of Europe at a near standstill, bassist and front man Marcel “Schmier” Schirmer and his band mates were not one to take things lying down, unleashing a pair of impressive live album releases in 2020’s “Born To Thrash” and 2021’s “Live Attack” to keep the masses satiated until a state of normalcy could emerge. But nothing rekindles the metallic flame like new music, and with concert halls now open, some substantial changes have come with this outfit’s latest studio foray.

Though always a pivotal player in the worldwide thrash scene, Destruction has had some occasional moments of utter brilliance committed to recording that can be regarded as genuine game-changers, with 1986’s “Eternal Devastation” and 2001’s “The Antichrist” being the two zenith points. With the upcoming arrival of 2022’s “Diabolical,” another apex point to rival the aforementioned ones, if not surpass them, has been achieved as this insurmountable Teutonic quartet has both turned back the clock 35 years stylistically while forging ahead into the future in the intensity department. Forgoing some of the post-production advancements that make for a more precise sound such as drum quantizing, Schmier and producer V.O. Pulver have opted for a more organic and open approach in line with thrash’s punk roots, and the result is an album that is wholly modern, yet also highly comparable to many of the old school revivalist albums that have been cropping up over the past 15 years.

Far from a mere throwback to older practices bereft of any sense of the present, “Diabolical” presents an updated and upgraded take on the socially conscious yet vicious side of thrash metal that was all the rage back in the late 1980s. Chock full of vertebrae-destroying riffs played at warp speed with impressive dueling guitar lines to rival Judas Priest and Slayer, this is an album that appropriates the raw intensity of the style’s primordial period and marries it to the concerns of the day, be it the influencer culture of social media being lampooned on “Whorification”, a rallying cry to the masses at the end of the Covid lockdowns on “Hope Dies Last”, or a general philosophical statement regarding the current generational divide in “The Last Of A Dying Breed”. And for good measure, those either unaware or faintly so regarding the early hardcore scene’s influence on thrash metal are given a brilliant refresher via an amped up reinterpretation of GBH’s “City Baby Attacked By Rats”.

For more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post DESTRUCTION Front-man “SCHMIER” Talks Their New “Diabolical” Album: “We Wanted to Go Back To A More Organic Approach In The Studio” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

PROGJECT also dubbed “The Ultimate Prog Rock Experience” is the brainchild of drummer extraordinaire Jonathan Mover. Jonathan is not only a session drummer to the stars but has performed with some heavyweight artists like Alice Cooper, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, GTR, and Marillion, to name just a few.

The idea for PROGJECT came to fruition in 2019 when get got a last-minute rescue call to play with the Genesis tribute band, The Musical Box. It relit his childhood fire and desire to perform the music of the bands who transformed his childhood. It made him realize that if there’s an audience for Genesis, there is an audience for Yes, Pink Floyd, ELP, and King Crimson. ProgJect do not consider themselves a tribute band but a “homage band” as they love sharing their passion for the great 70s and 80s prog-rock bands. 

PROGJECT is: 

Look for ProgJect to perform a two-plus hour set of Prog classics and epics such as “Cinema Show,” “Firth of Fifth,” “Squonk,” “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression–Pt. I & II,” “Siberian Khatru,” “Roundabout,” “Heart of the Sunrise,” “21st Century Schizoid Man,” “Lark’s Tongues In Aspic, Pt. I & II”, “Xanadu,” “La Villa Strangiato,” “Have A Cigar,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Solsbury Hill” and “Living In The Past,” to name only a few.

Correspondent Robert Cavuoto had an in-depth conversation with Jonathan about creating the band, what can the fans expect from their live shows in terms of music and duration, whether or not a studio album or original material is in their future, and a myriad of other topics. For more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

Current tour dates for PROGJECT are below. And check out their website www.progject.com and Facebook page  www.facebook.com/ProgJectBand for future dates.

April 01, 2022 – Los Angeles, CA – Champion Site+Sound

The post Drummer JONATHAN MOVER Discusses His Love of Progressive Rock and Why He Decided to Put Together PROGJECT: “The Ultimate Prog Rock Experience” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.

There is no such thing as being too late to the party when it comes to hard rock, and few know this better than Kurt Deimer, who seemingly came out of nowhere a few months back and unleashed an EP’s worth of familiar yet highly unique odes to the aforementioned style. More discerning minds may well recall this enigmatic bass appearing in such noted films as Halloween (2018) and Trading Paint, alongside such auspicious names as John Travolta, Shania Twain, Judy Greer and Jamie Lee Curtis no less; a fitting prelude to fielding a band of musicians that carry a similarly high level of credibility. But rank novices in the musical realm don’t morph into de facto veterans overnight, and the whole story of Kurt’s rise to prominence as a rock front man also includes a background in music going back to the 80s that was subsequently put on hold for personal reasons until about 3 decades later.

In most respects, the concept of being a solo artist is a misnomer, and Kurt himself would be the first to point out that you’re only as good as the musicians with whom you collaborate. A few bumps in the road notwithstanding, he would hit pay dirt when making contact with big time producer Chris Lord-Alge, whose work includes such names as Joe Cocker, James Brown and The Rolling Stones, and whom would, in turn, introduce Deimer to veteran session guitarist and virtuoso Phil X, known for his auspicious work with Canadian rock icons Triumph, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper, and his current gig with Bon Jovi. To state that the resulting union of Deimer’s yet to be tapped well of ideas with these two elites of the genre was a match made in heaven would be an understatement, resulting in one of the most unusual voices to grace the hard rock medium being gifted with the perfect sonic template upon which to shine.

True to its name, “Work Hard, Rock Hard” is a colossal display of raw intensity distilled down to a 22 minute package. Guided by Deimer’s philosophical drive to make the world a better place, one song at a time, the highly eclectic anthems that take shape are as socially relevant as they are sonically impressive. Whether it be the heavy chugging with a technically-charged edge that is “Naïve”, the sludgy alternative trappings with a hint of AC/DC dubbed “Ease It In”, the angst-driven with a side of blues-rocking goodness in “Back Of The School”, or the somber ode to societal decay and duet with former Queensryche front man Geoff Tate “Burn Together”, Kurt takes as much time to impart some good advice to the audience as he does lending his voice to a badass rock tune. Filler just isn’t in this project’s vocabulary, each moment captured on this EP is a carefully crafted one that is worthy of any listener’s consideration.

Though a larger than life presence in the studio, Kurt and his six-string counterpart Phil X are definitely one to provide a good humored and down-to-earth take on things in a direct conversation. Sonic Perspectives associate Jonathan Smith was honored to catch up with both of them earlier and get the behind-the-scenes take on how their creative process works, and also reflect upon the current state of the world in contrast to how things were back when Generation Jones and Gen X were growing up. Be sure to catch them live in the coming months on their spring tour in support of Yngwie Malmsteen. For more interviews and other daily content, make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and  subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.

The post PHIL X and KURT DEIMER Talk About KURT’S recently released solo EP, Their Experiences in the Film and Music Industry over the Years and Forging a New and Unique Sound within the Long-Running and Established Hard Rock Paradigm: “We Like To Present It Just The Way It Comes Out And Make It Catchy For Our Fan Base.” appeared first on Sonic Perspectives.