“Sounds strong!” - Steve Hackett
“The Phoenix Has Risen” represents the work of drummer/songwriter Mark Murdock whose previous works included Cymbalic Encounters (With Brand X musicians) and Empire (Peter Banks of YES) and most recently The New Empire “Second Lifetime” release on Forward Motion Records. Mark was also a guest on the YES 50th Anniversary tribute album by Dave Kerzner and Fernando Perdomo
“The Phoenix Has Risen” was composed and produced by Mark during the lockdown of 2020. Mark sites the Phoenix in the title as a symbol of hope in these pandemic times. Mark just happens to be from Phoenix, Arizona but now resides in Tokyo. The music leans more to the Prog side with hints of rock and pop embellished in it.
The 12 song CD features guest artists, not only including guitarist Fernando Perdomo, but veteran Prog drummer Ronald Howden of Nektar who guests on two songs, and bassist Alan Thomson, who played with John Martyn and currently the Martin Barres Band, U.K. vocalist Tim Pepper and Joe Berger lead guitar and more.
Mark not only composed all music and lyrics but all the keyboard tracks including orchestral sections.
Watch the promotional video:
Mixed and Mastered by Mark Murdock and Joe Berger BEAM Audio NYC
Artwork by Synergy/Leon Alvarado
Currently available on all digital platforms. Physical release through Disk Union Japan. For International orders
Track list:
The Phoenix Has Risen
Reoccurring Dreams
Heal My Wounded Soul
Compromised
Exit Door
The Starfish and the Four Phases of the Moon
When Thoughts Collide
Silence on Empty Streets
All Fools Fade Away
The Unknown Man
Set Your Heart On Fire
In The Future Of
Musicians:
Mark Murdock- drums, synthesizer, piano, orchestra horns, percussion and backing vocals
Tim Pepper- lead vocal *Courtesy of TheId
Daniel Kubota- guitar
Kenta Shimokuni-bass
Katsumi Yoneda- guitar on songs 2, 3 & 12 *Courtesy of French TV
Joe Berger- lead guitar on song 1
Preston Murdock- lead guitar on songs 4 & 7
David Rambeau- guitar on song 7 & acoustic guitar on song 8
Tatsuo Inoue-rhythm guitar on song 6
Rodolfo Falora- bass on songs 1, 6 & 9
Featured Artists:
Ronald Howden- drums on songs 2 & double drumming on song 9 *Courtesy of Nektar
Fernando Perdomo- guitar on songs 4, 6 & 9 *Courtesy of The Out To Sea Band
Alan Thomson- fretless bass on song 4 *Courtesy of The Martin Barres Band
All music and lyrics composed by Mark Murdock
*Song 7 was composed by Cary Bialac and Mark Murdock
Here’s what’s being said about “The Phoenix Has Risen”:
“While Mark Murdock may have seemed to venture beyond art-rock pastures he used to explore decades ago, prog remains a vital aspect of this EMPIRE and BRAND X associate, and even though there are collective projects the veteran was involved with lately, his individual style naturally led to a solo album, a record of a particularly personal stripe.” - DMME
“Symphonic Visual Music!” - Cary Bialac, producer/musician
“There are themes that could be Prog Soundtracks or Miniseries!” –
Anonymous musician in Tokyo
“Prog at its best! Mark Murdock’s new solo work, ‘The Phoenix Has Risen’ is most definitely carrying the innovative torch on this much missed genre of music” - Anonymous Prog Fan
Disk Union CD release date 12/23/2020
Direct Artist purchase: cymbalicencounters@gmail.com
For more information:
https://www.facebook.com/Mark-Murdock-Prog-100418578595331/
https://www.facebook.com/mark.murdock.92
https://cymbalicencounters.bandcamp.com
Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com
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