LEGENDARY PROG MASTERS SPOCK’S BEARD RETURN WITH THEIR NEW ALBUM "THE ARCHAEOPTIMIST" (21st November, Madfish)

FIRST SINGLE ‘INVISIBLE’ OUT TODAY

Following their recent signing to the Madfish label, legendary prog outfit Spock’s Beard have announced their highly anticipated new album The Archaeoptimist. Set for release on 21^st November, the new album sees the group at their effervescent and experimental best delivering some of their finest work from a career spanning more than 30 years.

“a true heir of the legacy of bands as Yes, Gentle Giant, Pink Floyd and old Genesis…a truly fascinating voyage.” - METAL TEMPLE

Speaking on the news, frontman Ted Leonard shared: “The new album is largely the brainchild of Ryo and a co-writer, Michael Whiteman, with lyrical contributions from Alan and myself. While not a concept album, the title is taken from one of the tracks called ‘The Archaeoptimist’. This epic follows the story of a young girl being raised by her father in a post-cataclysmic world and her pathway from being an inspiration to a leader. Other songs vary in theme from obsession with one's work or task to musings about the passage of time forging ahead despite obstacles.

Musically, while tipping a hat to the Spock's legacy, the new album has an energy that arguably surpasses many or our previous releases due, in no small part, to the addition of Nick Potters on drums. He's an amazing and well-rounded musician who has perfect pitch and a great singing voice (yes, we found a drummer that is an amazing singer...named Nick!). Between Michael and Ryo's writing, this album also has a melodic complexity that may sound new to fans. Anyone who has heard Ryo improvise will have likely picked up on a fusion influence and that certainly shows up in the writing.

I can't speak for everyone, but I'm very proud, excited, and honestly relieved that it turned out as good as it did.  Everyone put in a ton of work but none so much as Ryo in pushing this over the line.”

STREAM/DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE ‘INVISIBLE’ NOW

At the centre of this particular storm is Ryo Okumoto, whose fingerprints are all over the album, not just as a performer, but as a driving creative force. Teaming up with co-writer Michael Whiteman (I Am the Manic Whale) and longstanding bandmembers Alan Morse & Ted Leonard, Ryo has helped shape an album that is undeniably Spock’s Beard with a characteristic wry smile to boot.

The album was produced by Okumoto and recorded at each band member’s respective home studio. Esteemed producer Rich Mouser (Dream Theater/Weezer) takes up the mixing and mastering duties.

Spock’s Beard – The Archaeoptimist
1. Invisible [06:33]
2. Electric Monk [06:16]
3. Afourthoughts [07:31]
4. St. Jerome In The Wilderness [08:46]
5. The Archaeoptimist [20:57]
6. Next Step [10:58]

THE ARCHAEOPTIMIST WILL BE RELEASED ON 21^ST NOVEMBER, PRE-ORDER HERE

Formats:
• 2LP red vinyl gatefold edition
• 2LP black vinyl gatefold edition
• 2 Disc CD/DVD edition of The Archaeoptimist, features 5.1 & hi-res 24/48 stereo mixes and is presented as a digipack CD including an 8-page printed lyric booklet
• digipack CD, includes a 12-page printed lyric booklet

Over more than 30 years, Spock’s Beard have established themselves as one of modern progressive music’s most exciting and consistent acts, with live shows as renowned as their studio work and tours that draw sold-out audiences across the globe. Their albums regularly chart worldwide, with 2018’s Noise Floor reaching #3 on the UK Official Rock & Metal Chart and #6 on the Official Progressive Albums Chart.

Spock’s Beard are:
Alan Morse – guitars, vocals
Dave Meros – bass, keyboards, vocals
Ryo Okumoto – keyboards, vocals
Ted Leonard – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards
Nick Potters – drums, vocals

The Archaeoptimist will be released on 21^st November on Madfish. Pre-order here: https://spocksbeardmadfish.lnk.to/The_Archaeoptimist

For more information:
Facebook
Spotify
Apple Music

www.madfishmusic.com

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Track Feature: Michael Dulin - Slow Burn Track

https://michaeldulin.com

Michael Dulin’s piano magic returns with his latest track release, “Slow Burn.”  This is a jazz instrumental track that will get your attention.

The title, “Slow Burn,” hints at a journey of anticipation and discovery. This track, like a slow burn, allows ample time for a listener to savor every note, building anticipation for the next musical revelation.

This is instrumental jazz, featuring numerous transitions and diverse elements. As the artwork suggests, the piano keys are ablaze with passion and color. And jazz typically has those two attributes that give it that crucial element that can transcend time.

The music is a delightful exploration of the transitory nature of jazz. In a short span, Michael Dulin manages to touch upon the diverse styles within the genre, showcasing the complexity, excitement, and color that jazz can offer.

“Slow Burn” is not just a track; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the essence of jazz music. It eloquently speaks the language of jazz, letting the music itself pay a respectful homage to this timeless genre.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder

September 12, 2025

https://michaeldulin.com/bio/

Award-winning pianist, composer, and producer. GRAMMY voting member. World traveler. Always learning. Meet Michael Dulin – award-winning pianist, composer, and producer. Recording Academy voting member. Trained in classical piano at The Juilliard School, he knows his way around the keyboard. He was a partner at a Birmingham studio for 20 years, and has played and produced in Nashville, Houston, and Atlanta recording studios.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Garage Rock Pioneers The Fifth Estate Unleash Second Music Video from Acclaimed Album "Then and Now" - "Junkies To The News" Premieres September 10

Stockton, NJ - Legendary rock band The Fifth Estate is set to release the second official music video from their critically praised album Then and Now. The video for the track “Junkies To The News” will premiere on September 10 at 12:00 PM EDT via Deko Entertainment’s YouTube channel.

A standout track from the album, “Junkies To The News” delivers a biting commentary on media obsession and cultural overload, wrapped in the band’s signature blend of garage rock grit and modern edge. The video promises a visually arresting experience that amplifies the song’s message with raw intensity and cinematic flair.  The song becomes anthemic much in the way Oasis's do at times.  But they are not like Oasis.  Oasis is like them.  They were first.

Watch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_5bEeJgMgM

The Then and Now Album, released earlier this year, marks a triumphant return for The Fifth Estate, bridging decades of rock history with fresh, resonant storytelling. With contributions from Grammy-winning guitarist Paul Nelson, the album has been hailed as “one of the most timeless rock and roll records out these days”.

Fans can stream “Junkies To The News” now: https://push.fm/fl/cmphxkjx

Order your copy on CD or Vinyl: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/the-fifth-estate

Track list:

CD

HOLD YOU CLOSER
JUNKIES TO THE NEWS
SUZIE Q
MEDIA STAR
BANG BANG BABY
A GIRL WHO CAN RIDE
CHEAPER AT TWICE THE PRICE
BABY LOOK AT ME NOW
BIGGER THAN YOU
GREAT BALLS OF FIRE
MARYDAZE
SHE CAN TELL YOU SOMETHING
SO FAR AWAY
JUST A SONG
CYNTHIA BEND THE RULES

LP

SIDE A
HOLD YOU CLOSER
BABY LOOK AT ME NOW
CYNTHIA BEND THE RULES
MARYDAZE
SO FAR AWAY

SIDE B
JUNKIES TO THE NEWS
MEDIA STAR
BANG BANG BABY
A GIRL WHO CAN RIDE
CHEAPER AT TWICE THE PRICE
BIGGER THAN YOU

For more information:
www.dekoentertainment.com
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

LEGENDARY KEYSMAN RICK WAKEMAN RETURNS WITH HIS NEW PIANO OPUS "MELANCHOLIA" (17th October, Madfish)

COMPLETES A REMARKABLE TRILOGY OF SOLO PIANO WORKS THAT BEGAN WITH PIANO PORTRAITS (2017) AND CONTINUED WITH PIANO ODYSSEY (2018)

“one of the most meaningful suites of piano music I have ever done”
– Rick Wakeman

Madfish are proud to announce the new album from legendary Yes keyboardist and composer Rick Wakeman. The new album Melancholia is set for release on 17^th October and takes its place as the crowning jewel in a remarkable piano trilogy that began with 2017’s Piano Portraits and continued in 2018 with Piano Odyssey – both landmark albums that found Rick reaching new heights of popularity and critical esteem as a solo artist.

But while those records looked outward, reinterpreting beloved melodies and exploring sweeping themes, Melancholia turns inward, inviting us into the most personal, introspective, and perhaps profound music of Wakeman’s storied career.

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR MELANCHOLIA

1. Sitting at the Window [03:24]
2. Reflection [03:41]
3. Pathos [04:13]
4. Dance of the Ghosts [03:57]
5. Alone [04:46]
6. The Morning Light [03:28]
7. Garo [03:50]
8. All in the Mind [05:01]
9. Sea of Tranquility [02:59]
10. Missing [03:39]
11. Watching Life [03:50]
12. Melancholia [03:39]

PRE-ORDER MELANCHOLIA (17^th October)

Melancholia will be released on the following formats:
• CD
• Special Edition 2- disc CD+DVD set - inc. hi-res stereo + ‘Inside Melancholia’ short film
• Silver vinyl LP    
• Black vinyl LP
• Digital

The album began, as so much of Wakeman’s finest work has, with a quiet moment at the piano. One afternoon, his wife Rachel overheard him playing a contemplative piece - what would later become “Garo” - and was struck by its quiet emotional power. And because she knew well that he often turned to the piano in times of sadness or inner turbulence, using music as a kind of emotional compass, she encouraged him to share it.

What followed was not a conceptual record in the traditional sense, but a deeply cohesive suite, written intuitively at first and later shaped in collaboration with long-time producer and engineer Erik Jordan at The Granary Studio in Norfolk and recorded on a beautiful Steinway Model D.

"Long live the King of the Keyboards" - Sunday Express

Wakeman, of course, needs little introduction. A virtuoso keyboardist, composer, and arranger, he rose to fame with Yes, helping to define the sound of progressive rock and earning his place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. His solo output spans over a hundred albums, from grand concept works to soundtracks and acoustic meditations. In 2021, he was awarded a CBE for services to music and broadcasting. Rick continues to be prolific on the live scene with a UK tour scheduled in Autumn 2025.

Melancholia will be released on 17^th October 2025 on Madfish. Pre-order here.

For more high-res images please see: https://www.madfishmusic.com/media/rickwakeman/

For more information:
https://www.rickwakemansmusicemporium.com/
www.rwcc.com
www.instagram.com/rickwakemanmusic
https://www.facebook.com/RickWakemanMusic
https://twitter.com/GrumpyOldRick

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Guitarist Mike Shouse Returns With New Album "Jaded", Bringing Along Fellow Axe Slingers Tony MacAlpine, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal & Michael Angelo Batio

Stockton, NJ  – Shouse was born Michael Stephen Shouse on September 27th, 1970 in Jackson, KY. In 1992 he moved to LA and attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. He has written articles and lessons for online sites such as chopsfromhell.com and guitar9.com, and has been featured in magazines like Progression, Fireworks and The Sound guitar magazines. He released “Enter the Soul” in 2001 and the song “Man” was on a compilation CD “International Anthems: Volume 1” in 2002. His second release Alone on the Sun was released in June 2010 and got rave reviews worldwide. The title track “Alone on the Sun” was featured on the new compilation cd “Gods of Indie Guitar 2011” and premiered on the Australian tv show “Guitar Gods and Masterpieces.”

Jaded is his first release in 15 years and he’s back with friends! Featuring guest solos from legends Michael Angelo Batio, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal and Tony MacAlpine. Filling out the band on drums, the best of the best, from NY, Charlie Zeleny (Drumageddon, Jordan Rudess and Terry Bozzio). Playing bass, from Los Angeles, James Amelio Pulli (Metal Hall of Fame bassist for Impellitteri). Mixed and mastered by Nashville legend Billy Decker. As Shouse states, “This album is a rebirth for me in many ways,” and critics from around the world are taking notice.

“With flawless production, genre-blending compositions, and virtuosic performances from every contributor, this album is both a technical marvel and a heartfelt journey. Whether you’re a metalhead, a classic rock purist, or simply a fan of world-class guitar playing, Jaded delivers something both familiar and fresh. It’s a long-awaited return that was worth every minute of the wait.” - USA, Music Review World

“Through the nine instrumental compositions that mark this opus, Shouse weaves a sound fresco that is both technical and visceral.” - France’s Iggy Magazine

“Listening to Jaded brought me back to an era when instrumental rock felt bigger than life, when every solo had something to prove. This album does not feel stuck in the past. It feels personal, worked over, and deeply considered. Become A Fan” - USA, Pitch Perfect

“Reborn in the ashes: Mike Shouse's monumental return with Jaded….Shouse has a triumphant return with an album that challenges the limits of the instrumental and sets a new standard for the genre.” - Argentina’s Revista Sound Loop

Watch “Bucket of Bolts” here: https://youtu.be/MZq6WXb4w9g

Get your copy here: https://www.dekoentertainment.com/inthesquare/mike-shouse

Track list:
(Prelude) Romeo and Juliet
Romeo Is Gone
A Bitter Cold
Let's Go
Smiley Faced Emoji
Bucket of Bolts
Jaded
Memoriam
Upon Looking Back

For more information:
www.dekoentertainment.com
Deko Entertainment–Art Has Value

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com