September 22nd 2009
VOICE OF GLASS was formed originally in March, 2002, by American guitarist and songwriter DAVID MEEK while living in Europe. He formed the group originally under the name 10 SECONDS OF SILENCE in 2002. Its original members were TODOR MIHAILOV (drums and vocals), OLYA MIHAILOVA (vocals), and DAVID MEEK (guitars). In 2005 they added STANIMIER KOSTOV as their bassist and changed the band's name to VOICE OF GLASS. At this time the band teamed with producer TONY GRAPES from MILLENNIUM STUDIO in Sofia, Bulgaria, and they recorded their first single VALLEY, which was based on the 23 PSALM OF DAVID. They made a music video with the project, which was played often on European music channels MM TV and M2TV during the summer of 2006. The video also opened the door for them to be interviewed live on the TV show for metal music from Bulgaria and the world - FRACTURA on MMTV.
After the success of VALLEY, the band underwent some internal changes as the band's drummer and vocalist TODOR left the band. This left them with the unique opportunity to re-define their style and sound as OLYA began to take the full load of the vocal responsibilities in their music. They added drummer JULIAN NEDKOV and began the process of completely re-defining the vision and direction of their music.
On November 24th, 2006, VOICE OF GLASS recorded the song SONG OF SONGS as their second single. The SONG OF SONGS, which was based on the book SONG OF SONGS from THE BIBLE, was recorded in the European city of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, at SOUND DESIGN STUDIO. The single, SONG OF SONGS, entered the Top 10 international music chart on the MM TV show INTERACTIVE.
After SONG OF SONGS, the band set goals to tour in the United States and to record their first full EP. VOICE OF GLASS began a six-month U.S. tour on May 31st, 2007. As the band was on its U.S. 2007 tour, they added a new band member - JUAN HERNANDEZ. He replaced the previous bassist STANIMIER KOSTOV, who left the band before the US tour.
While on tour, the band also made arrangements with Ken Steorts (co-founder of SKILLET and director of VISIBLE SCHOOL) to record at the legendary ARDENT STUDIO in Memphis, Tennessee. On October 1st 2007 VOICE OF GLASS accomplished its goal of making a full EP by recording three new songs: "Beautiful", "You Let Dying In", and "Making Me Real".
From March 29th-June 7th 2008, they went on their second U.S. tour in promotion of the new EP. After the tour and almost two years of non-stop traveling, the band took the rest of the year off to recover and plan the next steps for the future. In March of 2009, David and Olya moved to Chicago and officially relocated the band to the United States. The goal being to find a record label and record a full length album. On July 2nd 2009, VOICE OF GLASS had the privilege to play at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, Illinois. They were able to play twice that day, once on the Sanctuary Stage and once on the Fat Calf Stage.
On September 13th 2009, VOICE OF GLASS agreed to sign a contract with NePlusUltra Music and Open Grave Records that would re-release the EP along with the "Song of Songs" single and music video, and then the bands debut full length.
VOICE OF GLASS is currently based in Chicago, Illinois, where they are writing material and planning the recording for their first full length Album. The album is planned to be released early in 2010.
For more information of VOICE OF GLASS visit them on myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/voiceofglasss
September 3rd 2009
Ne Plus Ultra Music and Roxx Records are set to release the debut solo CD from the axeman that helped define the sound of both Deliverance and Fasedown, the man... Michael Phillips the album... Mirrors within Mirrors.
Mirrors within Mirrors is an eccentric piece of work that if you had to define could be called an epic journey to the ear containing both progressive elements intertwined with acoustic pieces throwing in some slight touches of the defining metal and thrash that he has so clearly helped define. This release is a true masterpiece of music that truly tells a story, but not just any story this is his story and his life!
This release is both an escape and a defining moment for Michael as he was able to truly break free of all the boundaries and labels often put on artists. Michael had complete and utter freedom putting this very special release together for all to hear. He even recruited a little help from his friends for this one including some very special guest appearances from Jim Chaffin (Crucified, Fasedown), Mark Solomon (Crucified, Stavesacre), Jimmy Brown (Deliverance, Jupiter VI), Devin Shaeffer (Fasedown, Once Dead), Matt Davis (Oh Sleeper), Bill Bachman (Neal Morse) and Scott Waters (Ultimatum, Once Dead).
This limited edition release will be made available to the world on October 13, 2009. The first 100 pre-orders only will come with an exclusive limited edition poster personally autographed by Michael Phillips.
June 15th 2009
Abingdon, Maryland based Orphan Project have posted on their myspace page their entire new album, "Spooning Out the Sea". The album will be available to stream for one entire week (through May 21st).
"Spooning Out The Sea", is the bands first full length album since the release of their critically aclaimed 2003, self title debut album. The album is scheduled for a world-wide release on June 30th via NePlusUltra Music.
The full track listing is as follows
1. Reach
2. Angels Desire
3. Fallen
4. To Me
5. One Dark Moment (Providence)
6. My Goodness
7. Head On Your Platter
8. Empty Me
9. The Battle Rages On
10. Spooning Out the Sea
The band played the first of two release shows on June 12th at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland. The show was a benefit for Bethany Christian Services (Adoption Services). Both parties considered the night a success with over $4,000 raised for Bethany Christian Services.
The second release show will take place on July 3rd at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, IL.
Preorders are now being take at Divine Metal Distro.
(http://www.divinemetaldistro.com)
Orphan Project was started in 2001 when vocalist Shane Lankford (a veteran of progressive bands Visual Cliff and Fall of Echoes), collaborating with composer John Wenger, conceived the groundwork for a concept album based on spiritual and physical adoption, incorporating progressive, hard rock, and contemporary influences.
Orphan Project is:
Shane Lankford - lead vocals
Bill Yost - Bass & vocals
Tim Kehring - Drums & vocals
John Neiswinger - Keyboards & vocals
Shane McBride - Lead guitars
Steve Cyford - guitars
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/orphanproject
May 1st 2009
Abingdon, Maryland based Orphan Project have released two new songs from their upcoming full length album titled, "Spooning Out The Sea".
Both new songs are the first singles from the album:
"Head On Your Platter", is the first single to be released to rock and college radio stations. Vocalist Shane Lankford describes the song, "Definitely the heaviest thing Orphan Project has ever written, but still has a very melodic chorus that has a very opposite feel to the verses. This song was written to depict the brutal killing of the "Old Man" in those of us who are believers, but also speaks of the promise to us that we have the "Feast of the Ages" to look forward to as we commune with all the saints when all is said and done, who have gone before."
"One Dark Moment (Providence)", is the first single to be released to the Christian Radio market. Vocalist Shane Lankford describes the song, "Slow but moving piece that illustrates God's providence throughout all our hardships and toils. These lyrics share what I was thinking as he laid on concrete 20' below where he fell on 9/10/08. The Lord's providence was greatly shown to him and his family through His church and their giving."
Both songs are now streaming on the band's myspace page. (http://www.myspace.com/orphanproject)
"Spooning Out The Sea", is the bands first full length album since the release of their critically aclaimed 2003, self title debut album. The album is scheduled for a world-wide release on June 30th via NePlusUltra Music.
The full track listing is as follows
1. Reach
2. Angels Desire
3. Fallen
4. To Me
5. One Dark Moment (Providence)
6. My Goodness
7. Head On Your Platter
8. Empty Me
9. The Battle Rages On
10. Spooning Out the Sea
The band will play two release shows. The first on June 12th at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa, Maryland. All proceeds from this show go to support Bethany Christian Services (Adoption Services). The second will take place on July 3rd at the Cornerstone Music Festival in Bushnell, IL.
Preorders are now being take at Divine Metal Distro.
(http://www.divinemetaldistro.com)
Orphan Project was started in 2001 when vocalist Shane Lankford (a veteran of progressive bands Visual Cliff and Fall of Echoes), collaborating with composer John Wenger, conceived the groundwork for a concept album based on spiritual and physical adoption, incorporating progressive, hard rock, and contemporary influences.
Orphan Project is:
Shane Lankford - lead vocals
Bill Yost - Bass & vocals
Tim Kehring - Drums & vocals
John Neiswinger - Keyboards & vocals
Shane McBride - Lead guitars
Steve Cyford - guitars
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/orphanproject
January 21st
Open Grave Records & NePlusUltra Music are proud to announce the signing of Finland's Female Fronted Melodic Metal band VENIA.
VENIA got their start in 2002 when guitarists Viktor and Jere started jamming together and seeking more band mates. The lineup was finally completed in the spring of 2004, and a demo was recorded titled, "Genesis".
In 2005 VENIA recorded their first offical studio recording, a MCD entitled "In Our Weakness", which was released via Bombworks Records.
Now in 2009 the band is set to release their debut full-length album titled, "Victory by Surrender". "Victory by Surrender" will be a co-release between Open Grave Records and newly founded NePlusUltra Music. A world wide release date has been scheduled for April 14th.
Viktor of VENIA states in regards to the new album, "It's another big step forward for us as we set the bar very high. It includes 11 songs; two instrumentals, six songs in English and three in Finnish. Four of the songs are new and much improved versions of songs that were on our first demo. Musically it will be sort of a blend of the "Genesis" demo and "In Our Weakness"; the thrash and power elements are still present, but everything has a bit of a classic heavy metal feel to it with plenty of galloping rhythms and dual leads. I'd say it's more melodic and catchy than "In Our Weakness" but just as heavy. Oh yeah, we have also included a lot more violin than before."
For more informaton on Venia visit them at:
http://www.myspace.com/veniaband
http://www.veniaband.com
