Surroundablog

Opeth Heritage...but where's Storm Corrosion?

Here's some detail on the upcoming multichannel release of Opeth's "Heritage". Their appearance at last weeken's "HeavyTO" festival surpassed the headliners of Rob Zombie, Anthrax, Megadeth and Motorhead. Now then...when and where is the Steven Wilson-Mikael Akkerfeldt-Mike Portnoy super project Storm Corrosion?.....?

Opeth has spent over two decades steadily amassing a body of work that is at once possessed of a fervent and unrelenting devotion to aesthetic progression (and perfection) while simultaneously scaling the summits of power, mysticism and might aspired to by the group's hard rock forefathers in Sabbath, Purple and Zeppelin.
The band's roots in the doom-laden shade of occult-infused Scandinavian death metal and dark romanticism are undeniable and will never elicit apology. But the transcendent emotional and melodic heights achieved on the brilliantly titled tenth full length Opeth album, Heritage, marks a new chapter in the storied quintet's career. Band leader, singer, guitarist, songwriter and long-running consistent member Mikael Åkerfeldt has reshaped the pathway forward for his artistic vehicle without sacrificing the hard won spiritualism of previous endeavors

Special Edition contains 2 bonus tracks and a full length DVD making of the album as well as a 5.1 mix of the entire album.

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CD:
01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Häxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth
11. Pyre
12. Face In The Snow

DVD:
Includes 2 bonus tracks, 5.1 audio mix of album and ‘making of Heritage’ Documentary

More Steven Wilson on the way...

Steven Wilson has been particularly busy these days. His excellent mix of Caravan's "In the Land of Grey and Pink" was just released...Next up; the highly anticipated Wilson'd version of Jethro Tull's "Aqualung" and now comes word of a new solo album..

Grace For Drowning is Steven Wilson's second album and develops further the uncompromising creativity evident on his highly regarded debut, Insurgentes.

A double album ("Two 40-45 minute albums in the same package."), Wilson describes the release as, "My biggest project to date."

Wilson adds, “Insurgentes was an important step for me into something new. This record takes that as a starting point, but it’s more experimental and more eclectic. For me, the golden period for music was the late sixties and early seventies, when the album became the primary means of artistic expression, when musicians liberated themselves from the 3 minute pop song format, and started to draw on jazz and classical music especially, combining it with the spirit of psychedelia to create “journeys in sound.” So, without being retro, my album is a kind of homage to that spirit. There’s everything from [Ennio] Morricone-esque film themes to choral music to piano ballads to a 23 minute progressive jazz–inspired piece.”

Burning Shed is selling Grace For Drowning in three limited edition formats, a deluxe version, and as a 2cd digipack, and a heavyweight double vinyl issue.

The Deluxe version features 3 CDs (including a bonus CD of out-takes and demos) and a Blu-Ray disc, and is packaged in a hard back book, which features 120 pages of artwork and notes.

The Blu-Ray disc features 5.1 surround sound and high resolution stereo mixes of the album, additional demos, films for 5 tracks (directed by Lasse Hoile), photo galleries, hand written notes and lyrics.

The vinyl edition features both 'albums' on heavyweight (180gm) vinyl in a gatefold sleeve. It also comes with a drop card containing a code to download a digital version of the album.

The 2 cd digibook version comes with a 28 page booklet.

Due to the size and nature of the deluxe edition we are aware that shipping costs may be high to some parts of the world. For this reason, a limited number of the deluxe edition of Grace For Drowning will also be available from three stores in Western Europe (one each in Germany, Holland and Belgium) and one in North America.


Preorder now for 26th September 2011 release date

1st Annual Toronto Audio and Video Entertainment Show

This summer kicked off with the unexpected demise of audiophile retailer Brack Electronics. It was a day to forget as some choice pieces fell under the gavel at prices that were sobering. Personally; I thought many of the demos and end of the liners went too high and were mostly 5 years past their due date. Why would anyone purchase a pair of B&W CM7s with a cracked cabinet for 800.00 a pair?! But I digress....here is some great news for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts....

"Get ready for the most anticipated consumer electronics event in Canada! After almost a decade of absence, Toronto will host a brand new consumer audio video and electronics show. The event, organized by an experienced team, promises to promote and revitalize the consumer electronics industry and is expected to draw thousands of visitors.

The Toronto Audio Video Entertainment Show, dubbed TAVES, has come to life after two years of development and market study, thanks to the collaboration of Canada HiFi magazine, Salon Son & Image and AuDiYo Inc. The first annual show will be held at the luxurious Le Meridien King Edward hotel from September 30th to October 2nd , 2011 just in time for the biggest shopping season. The King Edward hotel is a prestigious heritage building located in the heart of downtown Toronto and offers larger than average exhibit rooms with excellent sound acoustics.

The TAVES will showcase state-of-the-art consumer audio video products and technologies from mainstream and enthusiast brands. Consumers will be able to listen to and compare a large number of two-channel music systems as well as experience full-scale home theater setups. Products on display will range from entry-level components to the ultra high-end and everything in between. In addition, a number of exhibitors will present the visitors with the opportunity to purchase various media products from rare music discs, vinyl albums and Blu-ray discs. On Saturday evening visitors and exhibitors will be invited to listen to a number of live music performances by Canadian professional artists.

The show exhibition space will consist of a combination of larger than average hotel guestrooms, large parlours and a grand ballroom. Beds and other furniture will be removed from the rooms to accommodate audio and video setups.

Additional note: Roger Daltrey is performing "Tommy" in its entirety on Friday September the 30th at the Sony Centre in Toronto...and its located just 4 blocks away! Also; the Billy Bishop airport is a hub for major east coast cities AND its located in the downtown core of Toronto. So all you audio enthusiasts in Canada, Chicago, Detroit, New York etc. make plans to attend the greatest offering of quality un-bigbox electronics at the 1st Annual Toronto Audio and Video Entertainment Show.

http://www.taveshow.com/About/taves.html

 

What's Grey and Pink and surround all over?

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the release of Caravan's seminal 'Canterbury' offering, In The Land Of Grey And Pink, the album has been reissued as a three-disc, deluxe edition.

Alongside a new remaster of the original mix and several rarities (both audio and visual), the multi-track master tapes have been remixed in stereo and 5.1 surround by Steven Wilson.

The booklet includes many rare period photographs and an informative Mark Powell essay.

Disc one features the original album newly remastered by Paschal Byrne at The Audio Archive plus three new Stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

Disc two features two previously unreleased versions of It Doesn't Take A Lot and Nigel Blows A Tune plus four non-album tracks remixed by SW. Disc two also includes three songs recorded live for BBC radio's Sounds of the Seventies - Love To Love You, Love Song Without Flute and In The Land Of Grey And Pink plus two songs recorded live for John Peel's Sunday Concert which included a superb cover version of Soft Machine's Feelin', Reelin', Squealin' and Caravan's epic Nine Feet Underground.

Disc three is a DVD featuring a brand new 5.1 surround sound and stereo mix of the album plus two performances recorded for German TV's Beat Club in June 1971. Golf Girl was broadcast at the time but Winter Wine has never been previously seen before now.