Showing posts with label Landmarq. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Landmarq. Show all posts

7/26/2015

Progressive Rock: Landmarq-Roadskill

Release Date: 9th June 2015
Label:  Synergy Records

This new release by the band Landmarq, is the live CD/DVD Roadskill recorded at the De Boerderij in the Netherlands as part of the 2013 tour. The release can also be viewed as another part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, along with the previously reviewed Origins, A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014.

The Landmarq band at the time of the concert tour was Tracy Hitchings (lead vocal), Steve Gee (bass, bass pedals + backing vocals), Uwe D’rose (guitars), Daniel Martin (drums) and Mike Varty (keyboards + backing vocals).

Roadskill, the CD, is an 8 track album with a playing time only a couple of minutes short of the 80 minute maximum that a CD can hold before the quality falls away (77:47). The DVD has a couple of extra tracks in addition to the contents of the CD. The longest track on offer on Roadskill is the 3 part “Calm Before The Storm” at 16:33 minutes and the shortest is “Stormbrewing” at under 2 minutes (1:36). All of the tracks are taken from the 2012 release by the band, Entertaining Angels.

The opening track on the Roadskill CD is “Turbulence” (10:47) and is heralded by a short burst of applause from the crowd ensuring you are aware this is a live recording. The track is quickly into a chunky guitar riff plus “strings” before the voice of Tracy Hitchins soars above the music. The sound quality is phenomenal and the track seems to have a higher intensity than the studio version. There is a terrific keyboard passage in the second half of the track. This is a superb opening track to the album.

Up next is “Personal Universe” (9:14) and is an almost note/pitch perfect replica of the studio recording. The guitar, wielded superbly by Uwe D’rose, gets a chance to shine just after the halfway point. This is another winning track and fades out to be replaced by “Glowing” (11:51). Although the studio version of this track is in two parts separated by another track the live version is a single entity. Once more the clarity of the recording and the skills of the musicians shine through as the live track is almost indistinguishable from the studio version.

The short “Stormbrewing” (1:36) follows with some stunning piano playing from Mike Varty and leads into “Thunderstruck” (14:02). Uwe gets another chance to show his guitar skills as the tracks builds in intensity before Mike’s keyboards join the fray. On this track there is a slight hint that Tracy’s voice sounds slightly forced, but this track is a majestic slice of progressive music.

There is almost a malevolent wave of sound at the outset of “Calm Before The Storm” (16:33) and then it is into chunky guitars and soaring keyboards, supported admirably by the thumping bass and drums of Steve Gee and Daniel Martin. Again, the sound of the live track is probably as near to studio quality as you can imagine, and this is achieved by the band “doing everything just right.” The vocals are handled superbly by Tracy and are always to the fore in this track. The final part of the track, “Into The Abyss,” is a chance for the band to flex their collective muscles and they certainly take the opportunity so to do.

The final track, “Entertaining Angels” (8:07) is the title track of the 2012 album release. Starting with some very enthusiastic audience appreciation, the atmospherics of the track just build with the addition of a simple electric guitar theme which is very relaxing and shows Uwe in his more melodic stance. Slowly the track builds with bass, drums and a guitar riff that announces the arrival of the vocals by Tracy. This is a very good choice of ending track as it is a very gentle paced entity. Some excellent piano, and what sounds like a saxophone, propel the track to its finale. A track which makes you want to go back to the beginning and start again.

This is Landmarq at their live best, with the music being as close to the studio sound as you can get, while still injecting an intensity that is only possible with a live performance. All the members of the band should take a bow (I’ve not viewed the DVD, but maybe they did), as I think I have just heard the best live recording since my all-time favorite, for quality of sound, and that was from 2005, Maximum Minimum by Kraftwerk.

No new music from Landmarq, but Roadskill is an excellent addition to their catalogue and should certainly enhance their, still growing, reputation. Give Roadskill a few listens and smile as you hand over your money to add the album to your collection.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Turbulence, Thunderstruck, Calm Before The Storm

Tracks:

CD Disc
Turbulence
Personal Universe
Glowing
Stormbrewing
Thunderstruck
Prayer (Coming Home)
Calm before The Storm i)   strange but beautiful
                                      ii)   spiderman
                                      iii)  into the abyss
Entertaining Angels

DVD Disc

Mountains of Anglia
Turbulence
Personal Universe
Glowing
Stormbrewing
Thunderstruck
Prayer (Coming Home)
Walking On Eggshells
Calm Before The Storm  i)   strange but beautiful
                                        ii)   spiderman
                                        iii)  into the abyss
Entertaining Angels


Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
July 26, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Progressive Rock: Landmarq-Roadskill

Release Date: 9thJune 2015
Label:  Synergy Records

This new release by the band Landmarq, is the live CD/DVD Roadskill recorded at the De Boerderij in the Netherlands as part of the 2013 tour. The release can also be viewed as another part of their 25thanniversary celebrations, along with the previously reviewed Origins, A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014.

The Landmarq band at the time of the concert tour was Tracy Hitchings (lead vocal), Steve Gee (bass, bass pedals + backing vocals), Uwe D’rose (guitars), Daniel Martin (drums) and Mike Varty (keyboards + backing vocals).

Roadskill, the CD, is an 8 track album with a playing time only a couple of minutes short of the 80 minute maximum that a CD can hold before the quality falls away (77:47). The DVD has a couple of extra tracks in addition to the contents of the CD. The longest track on offer on Roadskillis the 3 part “Calm Before The Storm” at 16:33 minutes and the shortest is “Stormbrewing” at under 2 minutes (1:36). All of the tracks are taken from the 2012 release by the band, Entertaining Angels.

The opening track on the Roadskill CD is “Turbulence” (10:47) and is heralded by a short burst of applause from the crowd ensuring you are aware this is a live recording. The track is quickly into a chunky guitar riff plus “strings” before the voice of Tracy Hitchins soars above the music. The sound quality is phenomenal and the track seems to have a higher intensity than the studio version. There is a terrific keyboard passage in the second half of the track. This is a superb opening track to the album.

Up next is “Personal Universe” (9:14) and is an almost note/pitch perfect replica of the studio recording. The guitar, wielded superbly by Uwe D’rose, gets a chance to shine just after the halfway point. This is another winning track and fades out to be replaced by “Glowing” (11:51). Although the studio version of this track is in two parts separated by another track the live version is a single entity. Once more the clarity of the recording and the skills of the musicians shine through as the live track is almost indistinguishable from the studio version.

The short “Stormbrewing” (1:36) follows with some stunning piano playing from Mike Varty and leads into “Thunderstruck” (14:02). Uwe gets another chance to show his guitar skills as the tracks builds in intensity before Mike’s keyboards join the fray. On this track there is a slight hint that Tracy’s voice sounds slightly forced, but this track is a majestic slice of progressive music.

There is almost a malevolent wave of sound at the outset of “Calm Before The Storm” (16:33) and then it is into chunky guitars and soaring keyboards, supported admirably by the thumping bass and drums of Steve Gee and Daniel Martin. Again, the sound of the live track is probably as near to studio quality as you can imagine, and this is achieved by the band “doing everything just right.” The vocals are handled superbly by Tracy and are always to the fore in this track. The final part of the track, “Into The Abyss,” is a chance for the band to flex their collective muscles and they certainly take the opportunity so to do.

The final track, “Entertaining Angels” (8:07) is the title track of the 2012 album release. Starting with some very enthusiastic audience appreciation, the atmospherics of the track just build with the addition of a simple electric guitar theme which is very relaxing and shows Uwe in his more melodic stance. Slowly the track builds with bass, drums and a guitar riff that announces the arrival of the vocals by Tracy. This is a very good choice of ending track as it is a very gentle paced entity. Some excellent piano, and what sounds like a saxophone, propel the track to its finale. A track which makes you want to go back to the beginning and start again.

This is Landmarq at their live best, with the music being as close to the studio sound as you can get, while still injecting an intensity that is only possible with a live performance. All the members of the band should take a bow (I’ve not viewed the DVD, but maybe they did), as I think I have just heard the best live recording since my all-time favorite, for quality of sound, and that was from 2005, Maximum Minimum by Kraftwerk.

No new music from Landmarq, but Roadskill is an excellent addition to their catalogue and should certainly enhance their, still growing, reputation. Give Roadskill a few listens and smile as you hand over your money to add the album to your collection.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Turbulence, Thunderstruck, Calm Before The Storm

Tracks:

CD Disc
Turbulence
Personal Universe
Glowing
Stormbrewing
Thunderstruck
Prayer (Coming Home)
Calm before The Storm i)   strange but beautiful
                                      ii)   spiderman
                                      iii)  into the abyss
Entertaining Angels

DVD Disc

Mountains of Anglia
Turbulence
Personal Universe
Glowing
Stormbrewing
Thunderstruck
Prayer (Coming Home)
Walking On Eggshells
Calm Before The Storm  i)   strange but beautiful
                                        ii)   spiderman
                                        iii)  into the abyss
Entertaining Angels


Jim “The Ancient One” Lawson-Sr. Reviewer Prog Rock Music Talk
July 26, 2015
Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

6/09/2015

UK Prog Icons Landmarq To Release “RoadSkill – Live in the Netherlands” Special Edition CD/DVD


London, UK - With a long reputation as one of the UK’s finest progressive rock bands, Landmarq is enjoying its 25th anniversary year.

This live release is part of the celebration of the band's remarkable career, which has also included a retrospective anthology (Origins), their first vinyl release (Entertaining Angels) and a forthcoming UK and European Tour in the Autumn.

RoadSkill is a Special Edition Live CD and DVD of the show included, showcasing songs from the band's most successful and latest album, Entertaining Angels (hailed by Classic Rock Magazine as "the strongest of their career").

RoadSkill was recorded during the band's last tour in 2013 at De Boerderij in the Netherlands, in front of a packed and enthusiastic audience. It is released on Synergy Records, via Cherry Red Records.

The show features the outstanding and widely celebrated vocals of Tracy Hitchings, award winning keyboard player Mike Varty, Daniel Martin on drums and the two founder members that have been there throughout the last quarter century, Uwe D’Rose (guitars) and Steve Gee (basses). Landmarq has established a solid and enthusiastic following all around the world over the years and have recently been enjoying even greater acclaim.

This live collection of some of Landmarq's best loved songs, captures the power, precision and melody that have made them such firm favourites on the progressive rock stage.

CD
1 Turbulence
2 Personal Universe
3 Glowing
4 Stormbrewing
5 Thunderstruck
6 Prayer
7 Calm Before The Storm
i Strange But Beautiful
ii Spiderman
iii Into The Abyss
8 Entertaining Angels

DVD
1 Mountains Of Anglia
2 Turbulence
3 Personal Universe
4 Glowing
5 Stormbrewing
6 Thunderstruck
7 Prayer
8 Walking On Eggshells
9 Calm Before The Storm
10 Entertaining Angels

PLUS Interviews with the band and bonus features

Purchase the CD/DVD version: http://geni.us/2ENQ
Purchase on iTunes: http://geni.us/45uU
Purchase on Amazon Digital: http://geni.us/1LOX

Official website: www.landmarq.net

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

UK Prog Icons Landmarq To Release “RoadSkill – Live in the Netherlands” Special Edition CD/DVD


London, UK - With a long reputation as one of the UK’s finest progressive rock bands, Landmarq is enjoying its 25th anniversary year.

This live release is part of the celebration of the band's remarkable career, which has also included a retrospective anthology (Origins), their first vinyl release (Entertaining Angels) and a forthcoming UK and European Tour in the Autumn.

RoadSkill is a Special Edition Live CD and DVD of the show included, showcasing songs from the band's most successful and latest album, Entertaining Angels (hailed by Classic Rock Magazine as "the strongest of their career").

RoadSkill was recorded during the band's last tour in 2013 at De Boerderij in the Netherlands, in front of a packed and enthusiastic audience. It is released on Synergy Records, via Cherry Red Records.

The show features the outstanding and widely celebrated vocals of Tracy Hitchings, award winning keyboard player Mike Varty, Daniel Martin on drums and the two founder members that have been there throughout the last quarter century, Uwe D’Rose (guitars) and Steve Gee (basses). Landmarq has established a solid and enthusiastic following all around the world over the years and have recently been enjoying even greater acclaim.

This live collection of some of Landmarq's best loved songs, captures the power, precision and melody that have made them such firm favourites on the progressive rock stage.

CD
1 Turbulence
2 Personal Universe
3 Glowing
4 Stormbrewing
5 Thunderstruck
6 Prayer
7 Calm Before The Storm
i Strange But Beautiful
ii Spiderman
iii Into The Abyss
8 Entertaining Angels

DVD
1 Mountains Of Anglia
2 Turbulence
3 Personal Universe
4 Glowing
5 Stormbrewing
6 Thunderstruck
7 Prayer
8 Walking On Eggshells
9 Calm Before The Storm
10 Entertaining Angels

PLUS Interviews with the band and bonus features

Purchase the CD/DVD version: http://geni.us/2ENQ
Purchase on iTunes: http://geni.us/45uU
Purchase on Amazon Digital: http://geni.us/1LOX

Official website: www.landmarq.net

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

6/17/2014

UK Prog Legends Landmarq Release First Ever Anthology – Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014


London, UK - As they approach their 25th anniversary year in 2015, UK Prog-rockers Landmarq will be releasing their first ever anthology – a compilation of some of the best of the band's work from 1991 to the present - 'Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014'

Since it's formation in London in 1990, London-based prog-rock band Landmarq has so far released nine albums, two of which have been recorded live at various concerts in the UK and Europe and a third live CD taken from the DVD 'Turbulence – Live In Poland'.  The band soon firmly established itself within the world of progressive rock, though their appeal extended beyond these boundaries to a more mainstream audience. After three well-received albums, original lead singer Damian Wilson left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by award-winning vocalist Tracy Hitchings.

Featuring two outstanding, multi-award-winning vocalists - Tracy Hitchings (1998-present) and Damian Wilson (1991-1995) - 'Origins' is released as a double-CD set, comprising:

Disc One – 'The Tracy Years' features a mix of studio and live recordings from Landmarq with Tracy Hitchings, plus a brand new track, also entitled “Origins”. This previously unreleased track was written and recorded by the band especially for this release and has been produced by Landmarq’s own multi-award-winning keyboard player and producer, Mike Varty.

Disc Two – 'The Damian Years' includes long-time favourite tracks from Landmarq’s first three studio albums featuring the band's original singer Damian Wilson, now internationally acclaimed as a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of Threshold, as well as for his work with Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, Headspace, Star One and Maiden uniteD.

This stunning collection from Landmarq's significant back catalogue, plus the exclusive brand new song “Origins”, is sure to appeal to existing fans of all eras of the band, as well as serving as a great introduction for anyone discovering Landmarq for the first time.

TRACK LIST

DISC ONE - THE TRACY YEARS

1. SCIENCE OF COINCIDENCE
2. LIGHTHOUSE
3. BETWEEN SLEEPING AND DREAMING*
4. TAILSPIN (LET GO THE LINE)*
5. AFTER I DIED SOMEWHERE*
6. HERITAGE*
7. TURBULENCE (PARADIGM SHIFT)
8. PERSONAL UNIVERSE
9. ORIGINS (NEW SONG)

* LIVE VERSION

DISC TWO - THE DAMIAN YEARS

1. KILLING FIELDS
2. FOREVER YOUNG
3. BORDERS
4. SOLITARY WITNESS
5. TA JIANG
6. EMBRACE
7. PINEWOOD AVENUE
8. NAROVLYA
9. BED OF NAILS

To purchase Landmarq's 'Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014' Double-CD Set: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4636
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/origins/id880075712

Also available is the most recent studio album by Landmarq, Entertaining Angels, as a CD, LP and Download:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3898
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4612
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/entertaining-angels/id577921189

For more information: www.landmarq.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR. PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

UK Prog Legends Landmarq Release First Ever Anthology – Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014


London, UK - As they approach their 25th anniversary year in 2015, UK Prog-rockers Landmarq will be releasing their first ever anthology – a compilation of some of the best of the band's work from 1991 to the present - 'Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014'

Since it's formation in London in 1990, London-based prog-rock band Landmarq has so far released nine albums, two of which have been recorded live at various concerts in the UK and Europe and a third live CD taken from the DVD 'Turbulence – Live In Poland'.  The band soon firmly established itself within the world of progressive rock, though their appeal extended beyond these boundaries to a more mainstream audience. After three well-received albums, original lead singer Damian Wilson left to pursue a solo career and was replaced by award-winning vocalist Tracy Hitchings.

Featuring two outstanding, multi-award-winning vocalists - Tracy Hitchings (1998-present) and Damian Wilson (1991-1995) - 'Origins' is released as a double-CD set, comprising:

Disc One – 'The Tracy Years' features a mix of studio and live recordings from Landmarq with Tracy Hitchings, plus a brand new track, also entitled “Origins”. This previously unreleased track was written and recorded by the band especially for this release and has been produced by Landmarq’s own multi-award-winning keyboard player and producer, Mike Varty.

Disc Two – 'The Damian Years' includes long-time favourite tracks from Landmarq’s first three studio albums featuring the band's original singer Damian Wilson, now internationally acclaimed as a singer-songwriter and lead vocalist of Threshold, as well as for his work with Rick Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, Headspace, Star One and Maiden uniteD.

This stunning collection from Landmarq's significant back catalogue, plus the exclusive brand new song “Origins”, is sure to appeal to existing fans of all eras of the band, as well as serving as a great introduction for anyone discovering Landmarq for the first time.

TRACK LIST

DISC ONE - THE TRACY YEARS

1. SCIENCE OF COINCIDENCE
2. LIGHTHOUSE
3. BETWEEN SLEEPING AND DREAMING*
4. TAILSPIN (LET GO THE LINE)*
5. AFTER I DIED SOMEWHERE*
6. HERITAGE*
7. TURBULENCE (PARADIGM SHIFT)
8. PERSONAL UNIVERSE
9. ORIGINS (NEW SONG)

* LIVE VERSION

DISC TWO - THE DAMIAN YEARS

1. KILLING FIELDS
2. FOREVER YOUNG
3. BORDERS
4. SOLITARY WITNESS
5. TA JIANG
6. EMBRACE
7. PINEWOOD AVENUE
8. NAROVLYA
9. BED OF NAILS

To purchase Landmarq's 'Origins: A Landmarq Anthology 1991-2014' Double-CD Set: http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4636
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/origins/id880075712

Also available is the most recent studio album by Landmarq, Entertaining Angels, as a CD, LP and Download:
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3898
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=4612
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/entertaining-angels/id577921189

For more information: www.landmarq.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR. PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com