This seems as good a time as any to pimp two of my friends' bands for no reason, other than they're my friends and I'm pimping them.

First, my friend Nic from France has finally put together his project called Demians. It's really a one-man project (aka him), though he has a live band. His debut album _Building an Empire_ comes out May 19th on InsideOut Records...a huge acheivement. It ranges from progressive rock and metal to more mellow, ambient sounds. Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree had this to say about Demians:

“One of the most assured and accomplished debut albums I’ve ever heard, the textures and dynamics within the music are breathtaking. A must for everyone that appreciates the art of epic and ambitious 21st century rock music."

Website: http://www.demiansmusic.com/
Demians @ myspace: http://www.myspace.com/demiansmusic




Second, my friend Matt from Maryland is the mainman of a progressive/power metal band Odin's Court. They've actually been around for a while and have a few demos floating around out there, but this will be their first major label release. The album is called _Deathanity_ and will be released on ProgRock Records (release date has yet to be established, but it will be soon). It features guest vocal spots by Tom Englund (Everygrey) and Tony Kakko (Sonata Arctica). About Odin's Court's sound from their bio:

"Odin’s Court draws from legendary inspirations like Pink Floyd, Boston, Queen, Rush, Metallica, Yes, Iron Maiden, and Journey as well as more modern bands such as Devin Townsend, Chroma Key, OSI, Porcupine Tree, Type O Negative, Dream Theater, and Tool. Composers Beethoven, Mozart, Yanni, and Bach also serve as inspiration in their music."

Website: http://www.odinscourtband.com/
Odin's Court @ myspace: http://www.myspace.com/odinscourt

 

Odin's Court has been actively touring the East Coast for years now, and I think Demians has been playing several live shows and festivals across Europe, in case you ever want to check them out. 

So maybe you like what you hear, maybe not. But I did my part to promote them a bit.
I'll be sure to bump this thread when the album(s) come out, in case anyone does care.

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Hmmm, I'll check them out. I love the cover on Deathanity

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Evacuate, assemble here

http://www.last.fm/user/BlackSession323

For those who care (ie no one), Demians will be on the main stage of the Symforce II festival in Tilburg, Holland on Aug. 23, along with Opeth, Pain of Salvation, and Textures.

Add a reunited Gathering to that bill, and I'd actually go to that show. As long as PoS doesn't play anything from their last two p.o.s. albums.

Full line-up:

Main Hall :

OPETH (exclusive full two hour show)
PAIN of SALVATION (exclusive full two hour show)
DEMIANS (the band's Dutch debut with full line-up)
TEXTURES (exclusive progressive set)

Small Hall :

ALQUIN
MAGIC PIE (first concert with new singer outside Norway)
THE WATCH (featuring real Moog and Mellotron)
PBII (world premiere after 30 years of Plackband)

Batcave :

HYPNOS 69 (Belgian's best kept prog secret)
SOLSTICE (going strong for 20 years as UK's finest fiddle and female fronted prog)
QUANTUM FANTAY (where Ozrics left off these guys exalerated) <---(sic)
KRIMINAL HAMMOND INFERNO (drums and Hammond, bizarre costumes and Italian soundtrack and horror influences)

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

I'm really liking Demians. Been listening to them since you first linked this Rif. Very Porcupine Tree feel going on there....a little moodier though.

They are minimalistic but create quite a huge tapestry of sound. The very subtle vocal harmonies on the clean parts of Sapphire are beautiful. The bass tones are some of the nicest I've ever heard to be honest.
 

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Buy this! Now!! Seriously! its deadly!
Also, look to the following links for greatness!!

www.comeswiththefall.com

http://rachey-roo.deviantart.com

The other crowd only have samples but I like what I hear.

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Buy this! Now!! Seriously! its deadly!
Also, look to the following links for greatness!!

www.comeswiththefall.com

http://rachey-roo.deviantart.com

Cool. Yeah, I wish Nic the best, as I know he's been working on this project for a while, and judging by the people that have taken notice, and the gigs he's getting, it looks like he's going to be quite a famous individual in the prog rock circle.

 

Also, while I'm pimping, I guess I'll pimp an album from last year. I'm sure I've mentioned it before it was released, but I'll do it again, because I'm involved with it, in a small way.

BLOTTED SCIENCE - THE MACHINATIONS OF DEMENTIA

This is an extreme instrumental project of tech-metal mastermind Ron Jarzombek--essentially the godfather of tech and prog metal--Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse, and Charlie Zeleny of Behold...the Arctopus. Considering the lineup, I'd say this is Ron's heaviest project to date, and it's definitely one of the most insane tech/math metal albums I've ever heard. I definitely couldn't live without this album.

It was my great honor to get the opportunity to work with Ron--who is tied for #1 as my favorite guitarist--in even a small way. And this means this: I wrote the liner notes for this album. Well, the majority of them anyway. So...if you care to check out this album, make sure you buy a physical copy, because then you'll get a glimpse of my small yet significant contribution. I don't think it's out of print yet, but it probably won't be around forever. I'm sure you can still get the CDs somewhere.

Also, this was my favorite album of 2007. 

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/blottedscience

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Oh yeah. Demians is in stores tomorrow.
(Today if you're in EU.)

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Cool. I will search the album out when I have some money. Showed it to some friends and they very much liked it to. And people say there's no good music in the world today.

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Buy this! Now!! Seriously! its deadly!
Also, look to the following links for greatness!!

www.comeswiththefall.com

http://rachey-roo.deviantart.com

I'll see if Best Buy can deliver the goods today. We got Demians and new King's X out today, and I want to see them both there when I go.

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Well, Nic doesn't have any specific figures yet, but _Building an Empire_ spent last week as the #1 best selling album on Amazon in Europe, so he must be making out pretty good.

 

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Listening to BAE for the first time. It's definitely good stuff, and thus I can officially recommend it as a good album, as opposed to just "buy this because it's my friend." I still need to give it a few more spins, but I think I can easily give this a high rating.

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Tell your friend Nic that BAE is "Magnifique" but that he should get a "Chansonnier D'Angleterre" because the French accent in just about every syllable is "Tres ghey".

Seroiusly good album. 

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I'll be sure to tell him.

I'm liking this album more and more as I listen to it. It'll definitely rank pretty high in my "albums of 2008" list. In a perfect, Nickelback-free world, songs like "Sapphire," and "Temple" could easily be radio hits. I'm really surprised at how clean and professional the album is. It's not like a demo or a "practice" album...this is the real deal. And all things considered, it's really successful, and he's really happy with the outcome, not to mention the great gigs he's getting.

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.

Bump.

Deathanity by Odin's Court was released today, in case anyone is interested. I haven't listened to or even bought it yet, but I will soon. I know it's not everyone's cup o' brew, but it might interest a few souls, if you're into prog/power metal. Again, it has guest appearances from the singers from Blind Guardian and Evergrey. Songs on myspace; see link above.

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I AM RIFUGIUM: PRESIDENT OF EARTH.