Check Out the ANABASIS debut album Artwork

guitarrero


 a bit too "one coloured" for my taste though

I do have to agree with this though, and it reminded me of Transatlantic's "The Whirlwind" cover when I first saw it, but other than that, it's great! Thanks for the new desktop background!

Well, I specifically asked for that color scheme to match the web site.  There are other reasons for the color scheme that I don't want to get into just yet.

It's not possible to please everyone with anything as subjective as music or art.  The vast overwhelming majority of people who have seen the artwork love it, and I love it, and that's good enough for me.

But more importantly, I think we have a really cool album that a lot of people will enjoy.

KirksNoseHair
But more importantly, I think we have a really cool album that a lot of people will enjoy.

You said it, man! And don't get me wrong: I really really dig the Artwork and if it suits the music that's even better! :) But at the first look i think it could also look great with some other colors... but you know how it is: The "Better" is the archenemy of the "Good" ;)

Sounds cool, KNH, I'll definitely get a copy when you put it out. The history geek in me's really excited about the epic. Rome, the Viking period, and Egypt are three areas of history that I only have a cursory knowledge of, so maybe this will be a springboard to learning about three awesome periods of history.

Album artwork, as has previously been mentioned, looks very Ayreon-esque. First thing I thought of was "a busier Human Equation."

guitarrero

KirksNoseHair
But more importantly, I think we have a really cool album that a lot of people will enjoy.

You said it, man! And don't get me wrong: I really really dig the Artwork and if it suits the music that's even better! :) But at the first look i think it could also look great with some other colors... but you know how it is: The "Better" is the archenemy of the "Good" ;)

It's all good, man, I totally respect and EXPECT different opinions on every aspect of the album from the lyrics to the music to the artwork.

DTAggie


Sounds cool, KNH, I'll definitely get a copy when you put it out. The history geek in me's really excited about the epic. Rome, the Viking period, and Egypt are three areas of history that I only have a cursory knowledge of, so maybe this will be a springboard to learning about three awesome periods of history.

Album artwork, as has previously been mentioned, looks very Ayreon-esque. First thing I thought of was "a busier Human Equation."

That's cool man, if you are a history geek, then you will REALLY enjoy the music, because ALL of the lyrics were meticulously researched and are 100% historically accurate.

Martin is one of my all-time favorite cover artists!   Very much looking forward to hearing the music... Lots of extremely talented musicians!

Digging on that solo KNH!!!   I'm really excited for this release.    I promise to pick up a copy when I'm back to work.

Thanks again for all of the support.  I won't bump this thread again until we have some better samples and a significant update.

KirksNoseHair

I won't bump this thread again until we have some better samples and a significant update.

But I will, because I feel stupid for having missed it amidst all the threads about my own project
and then asking a question in another thread that was perfectly answered in this one already.

LOL, no problem dude

Update please :)

That looks good, but does not amaze me.
I'm not bashing you, only telling what I feel.

Yeah, like some said, a bit of colour would have been great, but some things are done on purpose, I don't know if it's the case but if you have a reason for this that's fine!

Also, the cover shows world-known monuments and an apocalyptic feel to it... I don't know but I've got over all this kind of thing and I don't think that anyone could bring something new, original to this, as it has been used many many times. If you do, bravo!

So that was my "review" of your album's artwork! I know it has surely been a lot of work, getting the pictures and all melting them together, and I'm not really good on photoshop (I don't even have it!). I'm not here to praise nor bash anyone, it's only my own tastes! :)

Keep up the work though, your concept album thing caught my curiosity and I'll probably check this when some songs are available.

Update...hmm, ok.

Brick Williams, mastermind of "Album of the Year" winners on Perfectprog.com, Hourglass just laid down three guitar solos for us over the weekend.  Jaws will be dropping.  The solos are amazing.

The title track is now written and the first version demoed.  Think: Kansas meets Dream Theater.  Very nice track, that showcases our incredibly talented keyboardist's piano, moog, mellotron and hammond playing.

Lee Abraham, who is doing the mixing and mastering, has also graciously agreed to lay down some bass tracks for the two "short" tracks on the album "Fly" and "Carpe Diem"

Chris Harrison, who is in the ONLY "officially sanctioned Iron Maiden tribute band" (Hi-On Maiden) just laid down two killer guitar solos for one of the epics, "Vikings"

Josh Sager (www.joshsager.com) who is 1/2 of the most excellent prog outfit Din Within (check out their 2007 masterpiece "Awaken The Man" I guarantee fans of symphonic prog will lap it right up!) is in the process, this week, of laying down some guitar solos for the BIG epic, Egypt....he was busting my balls yesterday about having to solo over a 9/4 groove LMAO!! (why do you think I asked YOU to play the solo over that part, chief?  LOL)

um, what else....let's see....

Oh, yeah, there is a little bit of spoken narration in the song "Vikings" and that was recorded yesterday by our Executive Producer, his daughter Hannah and his friend Chris Higgins.

And final guitar tracks will probably be recorded over the next month.

Drum tracks are in progress.  Two songs are done, one is very close, the others need some tweaking.

Violin parts are moving right along.  (there are just a few) Violin_Theater, who posts here is doing a killer job on that for us.

We may have room for ONE MORE guitar solo if anyone is interested, send me a PM.

Still pretty much on target for a hopeful late spring (May/June) release.

And I am absolutely going to lose my ass on this thing financially.  I've already spent about 3 grand and I haven't even talked to anyone about pressing or duplication.  Ahh, fuck it, I'm not doing it for the money anyway.  But I'll be very lucky to break even.

That's about it for now, thanks for your interest.

KirksNoseHair

The title track is now written and the first version demoed.  Think: Kansas meets Dream Theater.  Very nice track, that showcases our incredibly talented keyboardist's piano, moog, mellotron and hammond playing.
Violin parts are moving right along.  (there are just a few) Violin_Theater, who posts here is doing a killer job on that for us.

Thanks for the update, Kirk! I'm really excited to get my hands on this when it is released. Kansas meets DT and violins has me intrigued already. This is gonna be one amazing Prog record.

Saw the cover and thought 'meh' (sorry), but heard the clip and if its anything to go by, you can expect an order from me and exhortations to everyone I know to order too.
very very nice!

Kirk...

This is the first time I read your thread...
What can I say, man... I'm amazed. Everything looks and sounds very promising.
It seems you are very excited realizing this thing and very "nitpicking" that this will be a perfect piece of music.

So... All the best wishes that you can finish this project in the near future without ruining yourself finanically


And then switch over quickly to the other project!!!

postproggist


That looks good, but does not amaze me.
I'm not bashing you, only telling what I feel.

Yeah, like some said, a bit of colour would have been great, but some things are done on purpose, I don't know if it's the case but if you have a reason for this that's fine!

Also, the cover shows world-known monuments and an apocalyptic feel to it... I don't know but I've got over all this kind of thing and I don't think that anyone could bring something new, original to this, as it has been used many many times. If you do, bravo!

So that was my "review" of your album's artwork! I know it has surely been a lot of work, getting the pictures and all melting them together, and I'm not really good on photoshop (I don't even have it!). I'm not here to praise nor bash anyone, it's only my own tastes! :)

Keep up the work though, your concept album thing caught my curiosity and I'll probably check this when some songs are available.

heh, the only "work" I had to do for the artwork involved emptying my wallet

Don't let the artwork talk you into what the album is about.  Artwork can be deceiving sometimes

van Furlay


Kirk...

This is the first time I read your thread...
What can I say, man... I'm amazed. Everything looks and sounds very promising.
It seems you are very excited realizing this thing and very "nitpicking" that this will be a perfect piece of music.

So... All the best wishes that you can finish this project in the near future without ruining yourself finanically


And then switch over quickly to the other project!!!

Well, I don't think we will achieve perfection.  Does anyone?  But we do want to try to put out a quality product.  I know that the production will be stellar.  There will be some killer performances from the musicians, we have really, really great lyrics.....I guess the question will come down to whether or not I wrote good songs.  I've let a few of my close circle of friends hear some of the demos and the response has been very positive so I'm encouraged.  I know you can't please everyone, and I expect plenty of criticism, which will be taken very seriously and constructively so that we can improve with the next album, which is already in the planning stages.

Yeah, of course... I meant "perfect" in the kind of way that you advocate that this record will be as good as possible. I know... Everybody tries exactly this, but as far as I can assess it from what I can hear, see and read in this thread what you'll come up with will be on another level than other people's outputs...

Makes sense that you are wondering how the reactions will be and that you are a bit sceptical, if the people will like what you created, when this record is so dear to your heart.
But I guess you'll have to wait and see relating to this thing...

Anyway...
I keep my fingers crossed that everything will work as you want it to work!

Thanks, Dennis, I appreciate that.

No problem... You're always welcome, Kirk.

But I wouldn't say it, if I don't mean it...

Bring it on!

Yeah, so anyway, a quick update here:

I got the guitar solos back from Hourglass's Brick Williams (Brickglass here on the forum) and all I can say about them is they are absolutely STUNNING! 

We gave Mr. Williams a chance to demonstrate both his melodic playing as well as his more shredding style, and he really rose to the challenge!

Also, another update:  We are pleased to welcome Stefan from "Relocator" to the project.  Stefan will be playing a couple of guitar solos in the "flagship" track on the album, the closing 24 minute epic "Egypt"

   I'm getting more STOKEDDDD for this CD, I can't even imagine how good the musicianship is gonna be on this!!!!

Thought I'd provide a quick update here on the album.  Progress is being made.  Stefan from "Relocator" has provided a couple of mind-blowing guitar solos.  I also have the guitarist from Progrockers "Din Within" involved and he sent me two guitar solos this morning that are just beautiful.  Very Pink Floyd sounding.

Keyboards are being recorded for the longest epic, "Egypt" as I type this.  Three tracks are completely done, two more are about 75% complete and the other one is probably half way done.

Our vocalist is coming to my studio in mid-April to record lead and backing vocals, and very soon after that the whole package will be sent to Lee Abraham for mixing and mastering.

We might miss the "Spring 2010" release target by a few weeks, but I don't see any reason why we won't have a completed product by the end of June or some time in July.......of course, you never know what kind of road blocks can come up.....

Gotta say, though, I am absolutely AMAZED at what these musicians have done with my songs.    I really think that most fans of progressive rock and/or metal are going to enjoy this album.

I can't wait to purchase a copy of this Barry.

Gravy


I can't wait to purchase a copy of this Barry.

I'm definitely in for this one as well.

You got THE Stefan Artwin on your album? That's incredible! Really though, I can't wait to hear what he came up with, should be VERY interesting, as I was honestly blown away by his solo's on the Relocator album. Intense playing!

Barry, are there any samples up or will there be? I am anxious to hear this!

I second the "anxious to hear this"...

I think you got a good thing goin' here...keep up the good work and I'll be sure to check it out at the end...

I don't have any samples just yet.  Everything at this point is unmixed and does not meet my standards for quality in terms of sound/mix.  I intend to start sending tracks for mixing to Lee in a couple of weeks, and not too long after that we'll have some stuff for you to listen to.

Cool!

I'm all in

From what little I've heard you are quite a good player...why did you decide to get so many
other guitarists involved?

As I said before, count me in on the purchase. Looking forward to it.

I'm still looking forward to it as well, Kirk...

All the best for the rest of the process!

emtee

From what little I've heard you are quite a good player...why did you decide to get so many
other guitarists involved?

As I said before, count me in on the purchase. Looking forward to it.

Thank you, emtee, for the compliment.  There are a couple of reasons....mainly because along with my Hepatitis C, I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis and it's gotten a lot worse this year.  Playing guitar and bass is excruciatingly painful.  This is a LONG album (almost 80 minutes of music) and I just don't know how I would hold up on it in terms of recording quality solos.  Also, even though I am no slouch on guitar, and could deliver an album's worth of interesting solos, there were some terrific musicians that I wanted to invite to play on the album because I am a fan of their playing - especially Brick Williams from Hourglass, Stefan Artwin from Relocator, Josh Sager from Din Within and my good friend Chris Harrison from the UK who is a member of the ONLY officially sanctioned Iron Maiden tribute band, HI-ON Maiden - he played his solos with a guitar that Adrian Smith gave him, which is pretty cool.

I really wanted a chance to collaborate with these dudes and this was it, so I decided to invite them to play and luckily for me they all agreed to do it.  Lee Abraham (formerly of Galahad) is helping out on bass guitar on the two "singles" on the album too.

But the really big mind-blower for me is our keyboard player, who I did not personally know until I started this project.  He is a friend of our vocalist.   The orchestration and keyboard solos he is bringing to the table are incredible.  I really don't think I'm going out on a limb by comparing his style and skill to that of Jordan Rudess. 

Looks very interesting...I will buy!

dd

This sounds cool.  Who would you compare your vocalist to?  Just curious.

Secret Chief 1

This sounds cool.  Who would you compare your vocalist to?  Just curious.

GOOD question!  Many of the people who have heard the demos think he sounds a bit like James LaBrie.  I think that is true.  But he's no LaBrie clone, his voice has it's own unique characteristics.  But in terms of timbre, range, style, delivery, ect, LaBrie is a good comparison.